1. Bigger Picture
Early Explorers
Policy Council Orientation

2. Policy Council Orientation
Bigger Picture
Federal
State
Local
What Can I Expect?

3. Mission Statement
Early Explorers Head Start and Early Head Start are comprehensive early childhood development programs, which focus on providing quality services through partnerships with families and communities. The partnership will:
Advocate for families
Continue to change to meet community needs
Collaborate with community agencies
Promote best practices in early childhood care and education
Provide training and career development opportunities

4. Vision Statement & Core Values
Attitude- We believe that remaining positive and looking ahead are essential parts of achieving goals.
Communication- We work toward the clear exchange of information, both written and verbal.
Honesty- We believe that being truthful establishes lasting relationships and promotes positive communication.
Humor- We believe that laughter brings us together. We should have fun while being productive.
Respect- We know people feel valued when they are shown consideration. We believe each employee has the right to work in an environment of mutual respect.
“Exploring the Possibilities Together”

5. Federal
State
Program
Child
The Bigger Picture

6. The federal budget is determined every October and most go through appropriations.

7. Federal Recession ARRA Health Coverage Accountability Sustainability
The program’s funding, regulations and accountability measures are determined by the Office of Head Start.
National trends develop federal policy and initiatives
With hardship comes opportunity
The country is focusing on recovery
Heightened levels of accountability- outcomes including assessments, evaluation & reports
Head Start Reauthorization
Annual Reports
ARRA
Health Coverage
Accountability
Opportunity is the ARRA / Economic Stimulus Package- The program greatly benefited from the ARRA which provided funding for cost of living increases, one time dollars for equipment, supplies and training.
Sustainability

8. Future impact of recession
State
Focus on
Early Childhood
HS/EHS does not receive state dollars but state law/budget greatly impacts children, families and communities. Program services are developed in the response to trends and initiatives.
ND had a surplus last legislative session
Economic development cannot occur without early care & education
Need to determine where HS/EHS belongs?
Medical initiatives- repayment programs, dental van, etc.
Are we safe from the recession?
Medically underserved populations
Economic Development
Partnerships
Future impact of recession

9. Program Home Based- Harvey- 12 Combination Option – Maddock- 12
Head Start
Home Based- Harvey- 12
Combination Option – Maddock- 12
4 day Center- Early Reading First
Bottineau 14
Anamoose 18
Harvey 18
Rugby 18
Towner 18
Turtle Lake 18
Velva 18
Head Start Continued
5 day Center- Devils Lake- 4 Head Start & 1 Pre-Kindergarten
70 Head Start
17 Title 1
Funded Enrollment 216
Early Head Start
Home Based-
Devils Lake 14
Harvey 12
5 day center 5 Classrooms – 40
Funded Enrollment 66

10. Children and Families Community Assessment Strategic Plan
The program sets goals and service plans based on five documents. These documents are available on the program website. All documentation that you collect on children and families is used for program planning, audits, federal reports, etc. We must demonstrate that children and families are benefiting from our program. Our focus is research based and focuses on the child in the context of the family.
Strategic Plan
Program Priorities
Training Plan
With the major push for school readiness, Pre-Kindergarten, etc we must stay grounded in what is developmentally appropriate and recognize that everything we do from the infant room, to the home visitor to the pre-kindergarten classroom focuses on school readiness or developing successful members of society. Education occurs in the context of relationships. You have some of the most important jobs in the world. Take pride in that and never underestimate your capacity to make or break a child or family. Consistency means treating everyone the same. Fairness means treating everyone the way they deserve to be treated based on their particular circumstances.
Self Assessment

11. If nothing ever changed, there'd be no butterflies. ~Author Unknown