What is the best purpose for VECF? What outcomes do we anticipate and want? How can these best be achieved, measured and communicated? What is our relationship with Smart Beginnings coalitions? What value does VECF bring for coalitions at various stages? How do we want coalitions to view VECF? What is our formula for grantmaking and technical assistance? What should the next phase of VECF’s evolution look like? What do we want to be when we grow up?

Every Virginia child is prepared for school, laying the foundation for workforce and life success.

Virginia Early Childhood Foundation is the non -partisan steward and capacity- builder for in the Commonwealth. advancing school readiness

STRATEGIES Focus Partnerships Results

VECF will spearhead Virginia’s roadmap to school readiness to  inform policy and budget decisions,  provide research-based expertise, and  nurture innovation

VECF will develop & promote a business plan for school readiness. VECF will regularly assert and rank priorities for investment. VECF will engage state advocates to be informed by their experiences yet preserve objective perspective for the vision.

VECF will drive research and resources to help local coalitions implement evidence-based practices, uniform data collection, and evaluation. VECF will convene a research/academic advisory team. VECF will conduct/sponsor research as needed and report findings.

VECF will serve as venture capitalist for EC, using local coalitions as incubators of innovation.  Discern gaps in EC system  Identify innovative solution for incubation  Implement strategy  Refine strategy  Transfer leadership to appropriate host  Examples: QRIS pilot, kindergarten readiness assessment

VECF will forge public and private partnerships that:  build capacity for increasing school readiness at the state and local levels  harness best practices  maximize resources and gain efficiencies  secure outcomes-driven investments.

VECF will invest in, support and cultivate statewide partnership of coalitions focused on innovation, efficiencies, and results. VECF will provide financial resources, technical assistance, and peer learning to build community capacity for promoting school readiness. VECF will cultivate new private investors and leverage public investments.

VECF will build support for early childhood investment by using political assets strategically to accomplish specific goals. Grassroots Strategy Coordinate SB network’s cultivation of legislators: - show beacons of hope - expand base of business champions - unify consistent message - translate messages for different audiences Grasstops Strategy Cultivate relationships with elected officials: - Governor and administration officials - Key Legislative Committee members and staff - Gubernatorial candidates

VECF will  set clear and consistent performance measures for school readiness,  document gains and efficiencies,  regularly report results and prioritize recommendations based on rigorous evaluation.

VECF will identify and track school readiness indicators at the child, family, school and community levels. VECF will create consistent measure of kindergarten readiness statewide.

VECF will conduct cost benefit studies as relevant. VECF will document outcomes, improvements and efficiencies created through SB work.

VECF will produce community “snapshots” to highlight school readiness indicators, community context, and Smart Beginnings efforts. VECF will submit annual outcomes report to Governor, General Assembly. VECF will convene annual meetings of Smart Beginnings network.

 Vibrant alliance/partnership  Coalition centered model  Sustainable regional clusters  Innovation driver  Results focused/Where we’re going  Uniform outcome and data collection  Collaborative resource development for public and private investment  Robust, targeted technical assistance and peer-learning  Consistent, uniform messaging for SB network

Improving outcomes for children by advancing and measuring school readiness in Virginia.