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We support the Alabama Partnership for Children, its mission, and its work because

we believe there is no better way to ensure a brighter future for Alabama. As the

state’s Smart Start® initiative, the APC represents the proactive, evidenced-based

premise that it is more effective to build strong, healthy children from birth and

prevent the consequences of a troubled child, teen, or adult.

It is important to invest in early childhood development because the rate of return is

so high, and the stakes couldn’t be higher. The future success of our families and our

communities, and the economic vitality of our state, will depend on the young

children of today.

From higher education to manufacturing, small businesses to NASA, Alabama must

develop the human capital and lay the foundation needed to drive our economy and

fuel our prosperity by investing in our most precious natural resource . . . Alabama’s

young children.

There is a preponderance of research that points to the critical importance of the

first few years of life in setting the stage for future school success, as well as adult

health and well-being. By committing to quality early learning and family support

programs that have proven to make a difference, we can change the trajectory of

many of the 60,000 babies that are born each year in our state.

As we celebrate the agency’s first ten years, we recommit ourselves to continue our

collective work to ensure that all children born in Alabama get all that they need to

develop optimally. The potential for impact is more promising now than it was ten

years ago when we envisioned this work, and the need is far greater.

At this important milestone, we congratulate the staff on their hard work, we

acknowledge the commitment of our fellow board members, and we appreciate

those who provide financial and other support that makes the work of the agency

possible.

Van L. Richey, President and CEO The Honorable Frank “Trippy” McGuire AMERICAN Cast Iron Pipe Company District Judge, Covington County Founding Board Chair Current Board Chair

A Message From the APC Board of Directors:

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A Decade of Difference for Young Children The 2001 Report of the Governor’s Early Learning Commission (ELC) recommended creating a state level public-private partnership with a state and local focus to address needs and concerns of children from birth to age five. The Alabama Partnership for Children (APC) was incorporated in 2001, and programs began in 2002. Van Richey was the founding board chair, and Betsy Hosp moved from the Office of School Readiness to become its Acting Director. Michele Smith Piggott also moved from Office of School Readiness as one of the first staff members.

Major accomplishments related to the ELC report include start-up, growth and expansion of the state’s birth to five initiative (APC) and several projects recommended:

T.E.A.C.H. Early Childhood scholarship program, Child Care Workforce Study Parenting Kit project, local and state resource development Public awareness and education about the needs of young children -- Zero to Five

Matters, FOCUS (Focus on Children Under Six), website, state and local events, Don’t Be In The Dark About Child Care

Help Me Grow (health and screening initiative) Strengthening Families (building protective factors for stronger families) Parent Leadership training and support Joining forces to create the Alabama School Readiness Alliance Development of a comprehensive strategy for young children: system mapping and

the Blueprint for Zero to Five (Early Childhood Comprehensive Systems) Partnership with the business community and national partners for Business

Leaders’ Summits on Early Childhood Investments, Mission Ready Alabama (military leaders)

Local grants and implementation of ELC recommendations and the state’s Blueprint for Zero to Five

The APC was created as a nonprofit so that investments from the private sector could be leveraged to support programs and services for young children. During the first 10 years, over $2.9 million has been developed in the private sector from businesses, foundations, individuals, and other state, local, and national partners.

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A Decade of Difference for Young Children

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Program Highlights Celebrated At Our 10-year Mark:

During the first five years of the T.E.A.C.H. scholarship program, we saw the number of child care teachers with at least an associate degree double; in the past decade, over 400 teachers have received the national Child Development Associate credential; turnover rates for teachers in the program are a low 2.1%; on average, teachers in the program saw their wages increase 5.2%.

In 2012, we delivered our 150,000th Parenting Kit to parents of newborns in Alabama; during the first 10 years, we have impacted 45 counties and partnered with Gift of Life, Medicaid providers, volunteers, and other community partners to reach parents of newborns. All of the work of the APC is done in partnership with many state and local agencies, both public and private. Partner agencies have implemented many of the ELC recommendations:

Department of Child Abuse and

Neglect Prevention – home visiting,

parenting and other prevention programs; Strengthening Families Initiative; support for Parenting Kit.

Department of Children’s Affairs –

Children’s Policy Council local structure; Home Visiting program coordination (support for Strengthening Families); Head Start Collaboration; local and state resource guides, Parenting Kit support.

Office of School Readiness –

expanded state Pre-K programs from the original (8) sites to 215 sites in 2011; oversight of the Early Childhood Advisory Council; coordinating a diverse delivery system for high quality Pre-K programs; implementing a school readiness assessment; working with Department of Education to develop a system for longitudinal data and assessment; support for the T.E.A.C.H. scholarship program.

Department of Education – supported for Parenting Kit and early literacy programs;

coordination with Office of School Readiness to provide for longitudinal study and school entry readiness assessments; kindergarten teacher survey on school readiness; T.E.A.C.H. scholarships for preschool paraprofessionals.

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Department of Human Resources – consolidated all child care programs within

one department; maintained the number of children on the child care subsidy program and accessed all federal funding available through CCDF; developed Early Learning Guidelines and the STARS Career Lattice; an online searchable database of child care programs in the state; developing a Quality Rating and Improvement System; and support for the T.E.A.C.H. scholarship program.

Department of Mental Health – led the Assuring Better Child Development (ABCD)

initiative that provided the foundation for the state’s Help Me Grow initiative.

Department of Public Health – supported one of the highest rates of children

insured in the country; the Early Childhood Comprehensive Systems initiative; Healthy Childcare Alabama; support the Help Me Grow and APC public awareness efforts.

Department of Rehabilitation Services/Early Intervention – with

Department of Education, created common standards for early childhood programs; expanded number of children served through Early Intervention; support for APC Parenting Kit.

Alabama’s Early Childhood Comprehensive Systems Leadership Team in 2009 in Washington, D.C.: Steve Lafreniere, MH; Marian Loftin, CTF; Linda Hampton, DCA; Gail Piggott, APC; Dr. Bob Beshear, AAP and APC Board Member; Debbie Thomas, DHR; Sharis LeMay, PH/ECCS Coordinator.

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2001 Early Learning Commission report released and plans for a state level nonprofit identified as a key need

APC incorporated, acting director named, office space secured

First meeting of APC ex-officio board members

2002 First board meeting held, additional staff in place

Board Strategic Planning Retreat, vision and plans developed

T.E.A.C.H. project launched with hiring of coordinator and licensing from North Carolina

Parenting Kit Press Conference and second board meeting

Executive Director search process begun

Grants for local partnerships awarded in (15) communities with funding from Alabama Civil Justice Foundation and Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Alabama, LLC

2003 Executive Director hired

Agency brand, logo, and website launched

Grant from National Smart Start Technical Assistance Center for Systems Mapping – to learn what is currently available, where and for whom early childhood programs and services are available

2004 Partnered with the Alabama State Department of Education to offer T.E.A.C.H.

associate degree scholarships to preschool paraprofessionals

Research and materials and first distribution of monthly FOCUS (Focus on Children Under Six) packets as part of public education and awareness

2005 State team develops “Zero to Five Matters” campaign

Grant from Alabama Department of Public Health to coordinate the Early Childhood Comprehensive Systems initiative Blueprint for Zero to Five (School Readiness) adopted by the APC board as the APC’s plan for comprehensive early childhood services; developed by broad-based group and adopted by state agency partners

The first annual “Joining Hands for Week of the Young Child” legislative advocacy event

Alabama Partnership for Children – How It Began

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2006 Began local implementation of the Blueprint through Community Foundation

support and through mini-grants funded through Early Childhood Comprehensive Systems

Began work to implement the Strengthening Families Through Early Education model with support from Children’s Trust Fund

Joined with partners to form the Alabama School Readiness Alliance to support expansion of the state’s quality Pre-K program

2007 Celebrated 5th year of operation and programs

Changed logo and branding to Smart Start® Alabama for all programs and materials

Shared information and materials on the Blueprint across the state at the Department of Children’s Affairs regional conferences

Expansion of the T.E.A.C.H. scholarship program to include a bachelor degree model in partnership with the Office of School Readiness

2008 Blueprint Advisory Committee coordinates with AL Department of Mental Health

and other partners to implement the AABCD initiative on early childhood screening and referral

New agency website launched www.SmartStartAlabama.org

Partnered with Child Care Services, the Alabama School Board Association, and the Alabama School Readiness Alliance to promote increased education and professionalism of teachers in early childhood programs

National Child Care Teacher Award was presented to Kay Gillock, a T.E.A.C.H. Scholarship recipient from Opelika

2009 With Business Council of Alabama and Chamber of Commerce Association of

Alabama, received grant from Pew Charitable Trusts to host a Business Leader Summit on Early Childhood Investment; follow-up with regional events and 2nd state summit in 2010 and 2011

Develop Mission Ready Alabama to recruit military leaders to promote early childhood investments

Parent Leadership Training to support parents in a leadership role to ensure children’s healthy development

National Child Care Teacher Award was presented to Mildred Bearden, a T.E.A.C.H. Scholarship recipient from Birmingham

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2010 Grant to become an affiliate of the National Help Me Grow Network to support a

comprehensive system of early screenings and referrals for developmental delays and concerns

Expansion of board of directors to include appointments by the Executive Committee, a child abuse prevention agency, a representative of Head Start, and Commissioner of Department of Mental Health

2011 Purchase and move into new office space on Bell Road with energy grant through

Alabama Power Company’s Nonprofit Energy Efficiency Program and support from Coleman World Group to cover moving expenses

Education and awareness campaign on early childhood investments, The Weight Is On Your Shoulders

Partner with VOICES to implement an education and awareness campaign “Don’t Be In The Dark About Child Care” and related informational website www.AlabamaChildCareFacts.org

2012 Ten-year celebration held at the Alabama State House

Holiday Open House at new office space

In December 2012, the APC celebrated with a Holiday Open House at the new office facility. (L-R), Alicia Jeter, Michelle Raybon, Felicia Wilburn, Gail Piggott, Board Chair Judge Frank “Trippy” McGuire, Robin Mackey, Alycia Jeong, and Michele Piggott.

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Overview – From the Beginning

The Alabama Partnership for Children (APC) is a

501(c)3 nonprofit organization created to develop,

design and implement a unified approach for

improving outcomes of children from birth to age

five in Alabama.

This public/private partnership is a distinct initiative to develop and strengthen systems, forge strategies and increase public awareness for all early childhood programs in Alabama. The APC is guided by prominent business leaders committed to enhancing the quality of life and quality of learning for children birth to five years in Alabama. Kidstuff® was the all encompassing identity and trademark for all projects of the Alabama Partnership for Children, and in 2007 this was changed to Smart Start®.

How was the Alabama Partnership for Children developed? In 2000, government officials, service providers, advocates and business leaders came together to discuss and share ideas regarding the enormous needs of Alabama's children. Perhaps the most significant outcome of these meetings was recognition of the need for improving services, streamlining coordination and maximizing available resources. The need for a better synchronized structure for public/private partnerships led to the creation of the Alabama Partnership for Children.

The Alabama Partnership for Children (APC) is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization created to develop, design and implement a unified

approach for improving outcomes of children from birth to age five in Alabama.

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Overview – From the Beginning

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A Coordinated Early Learning “System”

The Alabama Partnership for Children supports the following goals in building an effective early learning system:

Improving the quality and availability of early learning opportunities and activities for young children

Developing and retaining a trained and well-educated early childhood workforce

Ensuring broad access to and distribution of information to parents

Supporting parental and family involvement in the education of young children

Fostering the effective use of federal, state, local, and private funds

In seeking to meet these challenges, Smart Start®, through the Alabama Partnership for Children:

Provides parents of newborns a Smart Start® Parenting Kit that offers immediate access to information and resources regarding child growth and development

Oversees a comprehensive scholarship program linking education and compensation through T.E.A.C.H Early Childhood® ALABAMA which helps participants take college coursework leading to credentials and degrees

Works with communities to develop local partnerships to coordinate resources through well-organized systems of early care and education

Provides education and awareness about the needs of young children and families; collects and analyzes data on child well-being; promotes best practices

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Vision

“Every Alabama Child Will Have the Opportunity to Succeed in Life” During the past ten years, the early care and education landscape in Alabama has changed with the creation of the Department of Children’s Affairs and legislation in 2000 that created the Office of School Readiness. Initial funding for eight state Pre-K sites was obtained from state agencies and businesses – creating the first public/private partnership for early learning in the state. Also in the year 2000, the governor created the Early Learning Commission (ELC), following several months of planning and visioning through retreats and a children’s summit which provided input from service providers, advocates, state agency heads, and businesses. The movement was facilitated by Alabama’s receipt of a grant through the National Smart Start Technical Assistance Center through which leaders of North Carolina’s Smart Start initiative provided guidance and support. During the year 2001, a large group of early care and education advocates met regularly to inform and guide the commission, resulting in a report that was completed in July 2001.

An overriding need emerged through this work and the resulting report, for a state level nonprofit entity responsible for early care and education (0-5 issues) modeled after North Carolina’s Smart Start. With the support of state agencies serving children and families, such an entity is uniquely situated to combine this stability with private sector investment and involvement to enable the broadest possible support for early care and education issues. Many of the recommendations in the ELC report are more practically and efficiently developed and administered through this state level nonprofit partnership.

In September 2001, Van Richey, Chair of the Early Learning Commission, accepted the position of Board Chair for the newly formed 501(c)3, and Alabama Partnership for Children (APC) became a reality. Betsy Hosp became Acting Director in November, initial staff was hired, office space secured, and the first meeting of ex-officio board members was held in December. The makeup of the board was designed to insure stability and diversity, while exemplifying the “Partnership” concept. The Governor, Speaker of the House, and Senate Pro Tempore all appointed members to the board, with seats designated specifically for parents, service providers, health care professionals, businesses, and others with an interest in 0-5 issues. Ex-officio members include the State Health Officer, Commissioner of the Alabama Department of Children’s Affairs, Commissioner of Rehabilitation Services, Commissioner of the Department of Human Resources, State Superintendent of Education, Executive Director of the Children’s Trust Fund, Director of the Office of School Readiness, and the Attorney General.

“Every Alabama Child Will Have the Opportunity to

Succeed in Life”

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Vision

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The first meeting of the board of directors occurred in February 2002 at which time the primary work focused on funding, specific projects, organization, and public awareness. A Board Strategic Planning Retreat was also held in April, at which time these issues and the overall mission and work plan of the Partnership were developed. The specific strategies outlined in the ELC report were reviewed, and the APC’s responsibilities and opportunities clarified. It was at this planning session that the vision of the APC was adopted: “Every Alabama Child Will Have the Opportunity to Succeed in Life”. A public awareness plan was also discussed, including developing APC agency and promotional materials, messages to be communicated, and support from partners. The group also studied the missions of other child-serving organizations and the framework into which the APC fits at the state level.

Initial work of the Partnership included developing plans to implement T.E.A.C.H. (Teacher Education and Compensation Helps), a licensed program of Child Care Services Association in North Carolina that provides scholarships and compensation for teachers in early childhood programs. In partnership with Department of Human Resources, initial funding was obtained and the license to administer the program was secured by APC. In May 2002, a T.E.A.C.H. Coordinator was added to the staff and promotion of the program began, with the first scholarships awarded for the fall 2002 semester.

The Kidstuff Parenting Kit also came together, with completion of the video “Parenting: Right From the Start” and extensive work by an Advisory Committee on the Alabama Guide for Families, a comprehensive resource guide to services. In a few months, this wonderful tool for new parents was assembled, and mass production of the bags and contents began.

These initial projects, which are related to core components of the ELC recommendations, demonstrate the necessity for an entity such as the Partnership: they rely on broad collaboration in development and funding among public entities and private investors, and also exemplify the ideal connection of a state agency and local communities. The development of local community partnerships to address 0-5 issues is also a critical goal of the APC. Though projects such as T.E.A.C.H. are best developed at the state level, optimum implementation depends upon local partnerships and their understanding of local resources and needs. This state/local connection is also important in keeping the planning at the state level “grounded”, with ongoing input and participation by local entities which interact directly with children and families.

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The local initiative component was launched with a Kidstuff Kick-off in November 2002 when (15) Alabama counties were awarded planning grants to assist in developing local partnerships for 0-5 issues. With strong connections to local Children’s Policy Councils, these partnerships are intended to be comprehensive, active, and effective local public/private partnerships to promote awareness, develop and administer resources, and guide 0-5 systems development at the local level. Initial funding was provided by the Alabama Civil Justice Foundation and Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Alabama, LLC.

In a few short months, APC staff pushed forward the complex projects and had great success, due in large part to the broad support and input from partner agencies. The following project updates do not reflect the challenges inherent in developing a new agency, meshing together a new staff, working on innovative new projects, securing funding, and keeping momentum and interest going through a time of transition. Initiatives such as the APC are often evaluated on what can be accomplished in the first three years: a start-up year, a project development year, and “pilot” implementation year. By most measures, the first year was a resounding success! With a sound structure, engaged leadership, initial funding and support, and a dedicated staff, the APC’s work over the first five years laid a strong foundation for sustainability and progress.

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The structure for the APC is modeled after Smart Start North Carolina, and the makeup of the board of directors is a critical component. Under the leadership of Van Richey, Chair of the Early Learning Commission and founding chair of the APC, the governance structure for the newly formed agency was carefully drawn. As by-laws for the new agency were created, every position on the board of directors was strategically selected to ensure that every aspect of young children’s lives and that of their parents was covered. In addition, to provide a concrete connection to state partners, (8) state agency heads were named to the board as ex-officio members with full voting rights and responsibilities. In 2010-2011 by-laws were amended to add the Commissioner of the AL Department of Mental Health and a Director of a Head Start or Early Head Start as members. The board of directors has provided competent and engaged leadership during the critical start-up of APC and its first decade. Another important component of the leadership is that the Governor, Speaker of the House, and Senate Pro Tempore all make appointments to the board of directors for the specified positions. This has kept elected officials and their staff engaged in the APC and allowed for changes in the board makeup as changes on the political front occur. Board members serve two-year terms and are eligible for reappointment. Several members have marked ten years of service to the agency: Van Richey, founding board chair; Trippy McGuire, current board chair; Margaret Morton, board treasurer; Addie Myrick; Don Williamson, M.D.; and Dr. William Meehan. An executive committee provides additional support to the executive director and staff, serving as a personnel committee. There are program and policy committees, and an audit committee under the direction of the board treasurer that provides for financial planning and oversight. The agency’s executive director serves as board secretary and is responsible for keeping all corporate and board materials in order. Quarterly meetings of the board are held at various partner agencies and facilities across the state. In addition, major projects have advisory committees, providing direct and necessary input and oversight into program development, funding, and evaluation. These include T.E.A.C.H., Parenting Kit, Blueprint for Zero to Five, and Strengthening Families Advisory Committees, a state Help Me Grow Leadership Team, and a Public Awareness Committee. Staff and board members also participate in other leadership efforts such as the Governor’s Early Childhood Advisory Council, the Alabama Child Care Alliance, the School Readiness Alliance and Pre-K Task Force, and DHR’s Child Care Coordinating, Quality Contractors, and QRIS Planning Committees.

The leadership and commitment from an engaged board of directors has provided stability, strength, strategic guidance, and oversight of all program areas and agency

functioning. The breadth and depth of experience, passion, and wisdom undergird the organizational structure and provide effective support to staff that is invaluable.

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Leadership

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Alabama Partnership for Children Board of Directors 2002-2012

Representatives of the Alabama Business Community Van Richey Bill Smith Patricia Barnes Charles McCrary Felyicia Jerald Bob Powers Carla Roberson Dr. Susan Hubbard Margaret Bentley Michael Jordan

Parent Representatives Terry Hooks Margaret Morton Barbara Wright Lynn Jinks

Director of a local Head Start or Early Head Start program Nannette Phillips

Director of an agency that provides child abuse prevention, parent/family services Mary Davis

Health Care Provider A.Z. Holloway, M.D. Terry Andrus Martha Jinright

Pediatrician Bob Beshear, M.D. Marsha Raulerson, M.D. Mary Blankson, M.D.

Director of a Chamber of Commerce Marian Loftin Ralph Stacy** Donna Watts

Public School Superintendent Frank Stegall Dr. John Covington Dr. Eric Mackey Mike Lenhart

Director of a Family Resource Center Margaret Morton Teresa Costanzo

Director of a licensed, faith-based child care facility Addie Myrick

Chair of a County Children’s Policy Council Judge Frank “Trippy” McGuire

President of an Alabama public two-year college Dr. Linda Young Dr. Ed Meadows Gary Branch Dr. Herbert Riedel

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Current Members listed in Italics ** In Memoriam

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Director of a licensed child care facility Herman Kerley Felicia Pontes Tracy Bond Betty Estes

President of an Alabama public four-year college Dr. William Meehan

Department of Mental Health John Houston Zelia Baugh Jim Reddoch

Department of Education Dr. Ed Richardson Dr. Joe Morton Dr. Tommy Bice

Department of Rehabilitation Services Steve Shivers Dr. Cary Boswell

Department of Human Resources Bill Fuller Dr. Page Walley Nancy Buckner

Office of School Readiness Millie Dorman Dr. Trellis Smith Jan Hume

Department of Children's Affairs Pam Baker Jim Wrye Dr. Page Walley Belyn Richardson Dr. Marquita Davis Richard Dorrough** Dr. Susan McKim Jeana Ross

Department of Child Abuse & Neglect Prevention Kitty Terry** Marian Loftin Kelley Parris-Barnes

Attorney General Bill Pryor Troy King Luther Strange

Department of Public Health Don Williamson, M.D.

The APC board and partners

lead a celebration of the agency’s first five years in 2007.

Teresa Costanzo, Dr. Cynthia Harper, Addie Myrick, Dr. Susan Hubbard,

Richard Dorrough, Betsy Prince, Dr. Trellis Smith, Jeanetta Green,

Gayle Sandlin, Trippy McGuire, Ralph Stacy, Marian Loftin,

Carla Roberson, Emily Cumbie, Dr. Ed Meadows, Mary Davis, and

Margaret Morton.

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2012 Staff

The agency is led by senior staff, two of whom have celebrated ten years with the agency. With diverse backgrounds of experience and education, through dedication and competence, the staff envisions, leads, toils, coordinates, and ensures delivery of high quality programs that produce results.

Michele Smith Piggott, B.S. Family and Child Development with a focus on infancy and preschool, began in 2002 as one of the first staff members of the agency. She is Smart Start Director, coordinating all public awareness and education, providing financial management and oversight, and provides general programmatic and administrative support for all program areas. Michele has 16 years experience in early care and education and non-profit organizations, including serving as director of one of the state’s first Pre-K programs in Lee County, managing a Community of Promise

initiative and a team of AmeriCorps members, and implementing the BRIDGES program for 10-14 year olds.

Gail B. Piggott, M. Ed. Educational Administration will celebrate ten years with the agency in 2013, serving as its first executive director. She has nearly 40 years of experience in education, nonprofit, government, early care and education, and working with businesses. She has successful experience in educational and non-profit administration and brings energy, commitment, and leadership to the agency. Her prior experience includes all levels of education and nonprofit management combined with experience in building effective community coalitions to solve problems and support families and children.

Michelle Raybon, B.S. Family and Child Development joined the agency in 2005 as the T.E.A.C.H. Counselor and was promoted to T.E.A.C.H. Director in 2006. Under her leadership the program has flourished and earned excellent reviews through a comprehensive and rigorous licensing process. The program has grown to include (5) models through expanded funding and partnerships. Michelle has 18 years of experience in early care and education and non-profit organizations. She worked as a Lead Teacher and Assistant Director at a Child Care Center in Atlanta, GA. She also worked for Family

Guidance Center - Dothan as a Child Care Specialist and as a Mentor/Trainer for Auburn University’s Family Child Care Partnerships.

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Alycia Jeong, B.A. in Communication became a Program Assistant with the agency in 2010 and was promoted to Smart Start Coordinator in 2012. She has assumed responsibility for coordinating the Help Me Grow initiative and provides general programmatic and administrative support to all program areas. Alycia moved to Alabama in 2010 and came to the agency to volunteer in her new home city. Instead, she was hired here and put to work.

Robin Mackey, MS. Social Work came to the APC in 2010 as a Contract Research and Policy Analyst with primary responsibility for the Strengthening Families initiative and its related programs and services in coordination with numerous state and local partners. She also manages our Mission Ready Alabama group of retired military leaders and coordinates our Parent Leadership initiative. Robin brings a wealth of previous experience including as executive director of a family support center in Anniston.

Felicia Wilburn, B.S. in Management joined the agency as T.E.A.C.H. Program Assistant in 2011 and became the Coordinator of Early Childhood Resources in 2012, taking over responsibility for the Parenting Kit and other resource projects, in addition to working primarily with the T.E.A.C.H. scholarship program. Felicia has 20 years of experience in the early care and education field as both a child care teacher and center administrator.

The agency is also a placement site for college work-study students and interns (including master level) who provide valuable service and support for all program areas. Since the beginning of the agency, the following have served in an administrative capacity: Betsy Hosp and Kitty Terry as interim or acting executive director; Carolyn Bern as Director of Local Initiatives; Holly Murray Hooks as the first T.E.A.C.H. Director; Aretha Bracy as the first Parenting Kit Director; and Melissa Bridges as Director of Family and Community Partnerships. A strong foundation was laid by the early agency leaders who helped to establish strong programs and effective partnerships.

Since 2010 we have had the steady and reliable service of Mr. A.C. Hubbard. Alycia picks him up every other Thursday and he spends the day at the

agency, sorting, organizing and otherwise assisting us with

several agency programs. Mr. Hubbard is a very special volunteer with a heart for

service and giving. 18

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National Partners The BUILD Initiative

Center for the Study of Social Policy (Strengthening Families) Child Care Services Association Help Me Grow National Network

Families and Work Institute National Alliance of Children’s Trust and Prevention Funds

National Governors Association The Pew Charitable Trusts/PAES

National Smart Start Technical Assistance Center

Investments Investments From its inception, the agency has been supported by the many state agencies that were original planners and facilitators of its formation. Over the last decade, agency leaders and commissioners have retired and moved on, but support for the APC and its programs remains steady. Through grants and contracts, the APC delivers evidence-based programs and provides support for the “systems” work that a neutral nonprofit can effectively do through a collective impact approach. With this core support the agency has leveraged private funding through the many individuals, businesses, foundations, and advocates that invest in the work of the agency. This public-private partnership model provides for stability, flexibility, accountability, and assurance of optimum use of scarce resources.

With funding, technical assistance, and other resources, our many partners (state, regional, and national) support our statewide work as well as the very important community-based work. Our national partners provide connections to the latest research, best practices, and model programs. The public-private, state/local model for the APC has proven effective.

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Investments

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In a relatively poor state where we invest less than 1% in young children from birth to five (of all investments we make throughout their lives), maintaining funding to sustain and develop effective programs is a challenge. Without the support of our many state partners, we could not deliver the programs that have brought so much success in the past decade. We have also worked hard to develop new funding partners through a variety of grants, contracts, and donations. The following list consists of those who have contributed to the work of the agency or specific programs or projects. From the beginning in 2002 until 2012, the diversity of funding and the long-term commitment of major funders sustain the agency. One hundred percent of APC staff makes personal contributions to the agency, and a personal investment is requested of all board members. We appreciate every contribution, from the annual corporate investment to the smallest individual donation, and hope to expand and increase these investments in young children in the coming decade. Hundreds of people from across the state and country make regular contributions, and the young children of Alabama and their families appreciate it!

We will be judged by how we treat those who can give us nothing. Unknown.

Any society, any nation, is judged on the basis of how it treats its weakest members; the last, the least, the littlest. Cardinal Roger Mahony

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2002-2012 APC Investors:

Alabama Association for Young Children Alabama Business Charitable Trust Fund Alabama Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics

Alabama Civil Justice Foundation Alabama Department of Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention/Children’s Trust Fund

Alabama Department of Children’s Affairs/Alabama Office of School Readiness

Alabama Department of Human Resources Alabama Department of Public Health

Alabama Department of Rehabilitation Services Alabama Gives Day

Alabama Medicaid Agency Alabama Power Foundation Alabama School Readiness Alliance

Alabama State Department of Education Altarum Institute

AMERICAN Cast Iron Pipe Company American Valve & Hydrant

AmSouth Bank Baby Bargains Blue Cross Blue Shield of Alabama/Child Caring Foundation

Bullock County Partners in Education Business Council of Alabama Center for the Social and Emotional Foundations of Early Learning

Chamber of Commerce Association of Alabama Child Care Services Association

Coleman World Group Community Foundation of Greater Birmingham

Community Foundation of Northeast Alabama Connecticut Children’s Medical Center

Dollar General Corporation Energen Leadership Association

Families and Work Institute First Book National Book Bank

Heart of Alabama Combined Federal Campaign Honda Manufacturing of Alabama

Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Alabama, LLC

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2002-2012 APC Investors:

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Institute of Management Accountants J. Bryce Smith Oil Company

Jefferson County Committee for Economic Opportunity

John Hall & Company John Snow, Inc.

Knowledge Learning Corporation March of Dimes

Mercedes-Benz US International, Inc. National Governors Association North Carolina Partnership for Children/North Carolina Smart Start

PNC Foundation Publix Super Markets Charities

Royal Cup, Inc. State Combined Campaign

Target Corporation The Boeing Company

The Eufaula Agency, Inc. The Institute for Educational Leadership

The Pew Charitable Trusts Three Arts Club of Georgiana and Chapman

United Way of Central Alabama/Community Foundation of Walker County

VOICES for Alabama’s Children Walmart Foundation

Wells Action in Mailing, Inc.

Though we strive to maintain accurate records, we may have overlooked a partner. Please let us know so that we can make the correction.

We also appreciate the personal annual contributions of board members, staff, friends, associates, and others who offer a tax-deductible contribution to support our work. YOU have helped make the Decade of Difference for Young Children! We hope you will make a commitment to an annual contribution to support our next decade of work.

The Business Council of Alabama makes its annual financial contribution with Gail Piggott, Billy Canary, David Muhlendorf, and Phil Dotts at BCA’s Annual Meeting in 2008. With the leadership of the Business Council of Alabama and the Chamber of Commerce Association of Alabama, the APC has built a foundation of support from business and community leaders and elected officials.

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Alabama’s Investment in Young Children

Effective Strategies – Doing What Works

With the technical assistance grant from the National Smart Start Technical Assistance Center and with recommendations from the Governor’s Early Learning Commission report, the hopes, dreams, and vision of what was needed for young children in Alabama were carefully studied. After the first few years, the responsibility of the APC was to translate these plans into actions and programs rooted in research, built on

national best practices, relevant to critical needs in our state, and identified as priorities by state and local partners. A thorough and tedious “system mapping” effort in 2005 helped to identify all programs, funding, and services available to children birth to five. It also clearly delineated funding streams and mechanisms and eligibility criteria. Some profound realizations came from this work: there is very little funding for young children, most of it is federal, and few programs are available across the state to all children. We also saw through the map that circumstances such as place of birth, family income, age, and geographic factors determine which children have access to which services. Through the 2004 “Early Learning Left Out” report from VOICES for America’s Children, we also found that of all the investments we will make over a child’s life, we invest the least during the most critical brain development years (less than 1% in Alabama). Further examination of (18) strategic plans and documents naming priorities for young children were compiled, and the overlapping, congruent priorities identified. From universities, United Way community work, early childhood advocacy organizations, and government planning efforts, the priorities for young children and families across many different systems were analyzed to find the common core elements – that which we have in common and can support in a collective impact approach to child well-being.

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Effective Strategies – Doing What Works

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This compilation work became the basis for the Early Childhood Comprehensive Systems initiative because it identified the main areas of focus for young children in the areas of:

parenting, health, early education, and family support. As extensive work was being done by hundreds of service providers, state leaders, and community partners on identifying priorities and formulating a comprehensive plan for integration of services, a national report came out. This 17-state initiative was an indicators-based approach to systems work that is often not utilized in early childhood program planning. The National School Readiness Indicators Initiative provided a simple and comprehensive framework that resulted in Alabama’s Blueprint for Zero to Five (found on page 32). Though a one-page outline, the Blueprint represents an 18-month period of planning, focus groups, asset and resource mapping, funding analysis, national research,

and input from state and local stakeholders who understand and care about the healthy development of young children. With a focus on identifying that which can be measured, the Blueprint is viewed as a structure for planning, funding, advocacy, accountability, and policy decisions. Developed through the Early Childhood Comprehensive Systems initiative of the Alabama Department of Public Health, Alabama’s Blueprint for Zero to Five is based on the report from the National School Readiness Indicators Initiative, a 17-state initiative with these objectives:

Can be tracked over time at the state and local levels;

To have state and local governments adopt this indicators-based

definition of school readiness, fill in gaps in data availability, track data

over time and report findings to the citizens;

To stimulate policy, program and other actions to improve the ability of

all children to read at grade level by the end of third grade.

Statewide support for the Blueprint as the comprehensive plan for children’s healthy development and school readiness results from state leadership, input from local service providers and parents, and a unified message about what young children need to develop optimally. (Blueprint with indicators found on pages 26-31).

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Using the results-based accountability (RBA) tools of the Fiscal Studies Policy Institute (Mark Friedman), the Department of Children’s Affairs has led the way in helping communities implement this framework. By developing a local plan with measurable indicators, communities can mark progress toward better child and family outcomes. The APC supports this process in communities where funding is developed to focus on specific, measurable outcomes associated with the Blueprint for Zero to Five. We also support the work by providing mini-grants for communities to implement components of the Blueprint with support of the ECCS through AL Department of Public Health. In 2007, we made presentations at all regional Children’s Policy Council Conferences on the Blueprint and RBA model. To date, we have done intensive work in communities where there is local support and leadership. In addition to the original (15) mini-grants awarded in 2002, we have supported the work in:

2005 - 2007 Anniston/Calhoun County through grants from the Alabama Civil Justice Foundation and the Community Foundation of Northeast Alabama (Stringfellow Health Fund)

2008 - 2010 Birmingham/Jefferson County through a grant from the Community Foundation of Greater Birmingham

2011 - 2012 Huntsville/Madison County and Walker County through grants from The Boeing Company and the Walker County Community Foundation/United Way of Central Alabama

2007 - 2012 Awarded mini-grants to (16) local partnerships to implement Blueprint components through the ECCS grant from AL Department of Public Health

The goal is to have a viable, effective partnership or working team in every community so that the collective impact model and RBA resources guide local work so that measurable

outcomes can be tracked and reported over time. As the saying goes, “If you aim at nothing, you will probably hit it with amazing accuracy”. Our goal is to provide a structure and support for better aim and impact in local communities where children and families live. We have worked in 2011-2012 to coordinate the work of the Governor’s Early Learning

Commission with the goals and action plans developed through the Early Childhood Comprehensive Systems initiative which resulted in the Blueprint as the framework for early childhood programs and services in Alabama.

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Alabama’s Blueprint for Zero to Five (School Readiness) Ready Families + Ready Communities + Ready Services + Ready Schools

= Ready Children With Bright Futures The Blueprint was adapted from the National School Readiness Indicators Initiative

found at www.gettingready.org and was developed through Alabama’s Early Childhood Comprehensive Systems initiative

1) READY FAMILIES – Parents and families play the most critical role in children’s healthy development. Providing the resources, information, and supportive network to parents enables them to do their best job of raising healthy, ready children. Being born to a single mother with limited education and poverty are two of the most powerful predictors of poor outcomes. The early relationships developed in a caring environment of nurturing and protection are critical to young children’s future success. Providing information and resources beginning at the time of birth are effective in supporting effective parenting. A. Mother’s Education Level – % of births to mothers with less than 12th grade education. Research consistently shows that the two best predictors of poor outcomes for children are being born to a single mother with limited education, and these rates continue to rise. B. Births to Teens and Single Mothers – # of births to teens, and % of births to unmarried women C. Vulnerable Families (multiple risk factors); Two parents - % of children with (2) parents actively involved; family divorce rates (Alabama has some of the highest divorce rates) D. Child Abuse and Neglect – rate of substantiated child abuse and neglect. In 2007, the Center for Business and Economic Research at the University of Alabama conducted a study to assess the financial cost of child abuse and neglect to the State of Alabama. The research reviewed both the direct costs of child abuse and neglect (i.e. medical, enforcement, judicial) and the indirect costs (i.e. education, delinquency, social impact.) The estimated cost of child abuse and neglect to Alabama taxpayers each year is $520,800,290. E. Substance Abuse Rates – arrest rates for drugs and alcohol F. Family Information and Resources – % of parents of newborns receiving resources at the time of birth; % of families participating in a parent support program (research-based) G. Increased awareness – community-wide awareness and education effort

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2) READY COMMUNITIES – Parents need a wide range of supports and connections to provide stable homes where children can thrive. Community emphasis should be on empowering families as first teachers and as primary caregivers and supporters of children.

A. Young Children in Poverty – % of children under 6 in families below FPL B. Supports for Families of Young Children – community connections for social networks, parenting support activities, family strengthening emphasis in program C. Coordinated Emergency Assistance – access to emergency assistance for basic home needs, clearinghouse of assistance and programs available, common/shared intake, plan for family strengthening D. Common Intake/Referral for Early Education Options – # of agencies and programs using a community-wide intake form; process to make referrals and track data

3) READY SERVICES – HEALTH – Access to health insurance and a medical home are necessary for children’s optimum development. This includes prenatal care, well-baby check-ups and immunizations, and detection and treatment of illness and delays.

A. Health Insurance - % of children under age 6 without health insurance – Alabama has done better than most other states in providing insurance for children.

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B. Low Birth Weight Infants - % of infants born weighing under 5.5 pounds. Low weight births continue to increase in Alabama, with this year’s rate at 10.3% (2012 Kids Count Data Book). At the same time, obesity rates for children in Alabama continue to climb. According to the National Initiative for Children’s Healthcare Quality (www.nichq.org), Alabama ranks 46th in childhood obesity with 36.1% of children considered overweight or obese.

C. Prenatal Care - % of births to women who receive late or no prenatal care. This often leads to low weight births and other complications that impact the health of the child and mother.

D. Immunizations - % of children who have been fully immunized at kindergarten E. Medical Homes - % of children who receive their health care from a consistent health

care provider. According to the 2012 National Survey of Children’s Health, only 54.4% of children receive care within a medical home.

F. Comprehensive Screenings - % of children who receive periodic developmental screenings and appropriate referrals. This is another area where Alabama has

achieved success and is turning the curve in the right direction. We have more than doubled the number of children receiving screenings in five years.

With the Alabama Assuring Better Child Development (ABCD) initiative we began providing resources and training for physicians and child care providers to provide screenings and follow-up with appropriate referrals.

There are few other places where a minimal investment can make a big difference in outcomes, because an ounce of prevention is actually worth a pound of cure.

The Help Me Grow initiative continues to provide resources and awareness/education so that more children are screened earlier.

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4) READY SERVICES – EARLY CARE AND EDUCATION – Working families need access to dependable, high quality child care, and children benefit from developmentally appropriate programs with a commitment to high quality experiences. (Over 60% of Alabama’s young children have their parents in the workforce). In a variety of settings, children can benefit from programs that are staffed by well-educated, caring teachers who provide a language-rich experience based on children’s developmental levels.

In the past decade, the number of licensed, regulated child care programs has been on a steady and precipitious decline. This means fewer options for working families. At the same time, the number of programs claiming an exemption from licensing – therefore, unregulated and uninspected has climbed steadily. There is a concern that the health and safety of young, vulnerable children are at risk when programs are not required to have any inspections or regulation by professionals trained in child development and safety.

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A. Children Enrolled in EE Program - # of slots available in quality programs; % of preschoolers (infants through Pre-K) enrolled in high quality programs B. Early Education Teachers - % of ECE teachers with a CDA credential, 2- or 4-year degree in child development and specialized training in ECE; turnover rate of ECE teachers C. High Quality Child Care Programs - % of child care programs nationally accredited or demonstrating high quality through an objective measure (Star rating); % of programs participating in quality enhancement system; % of children attending a Star-rated program D. Access to Child Care Subsidies - % of eligible children under 6 receiving child care subsidy or other financial assistance/scholarships

On the positive side, since 2000 we have steadily increased funding to support state-sponsored Pre-K programs for 4-year olds as a way to close achievement gaps and prepare children for school success. From the original (8) pilot sites, the program has grown to over 200 in 2012. It is also significant that the program has maintained its high quality standards, receiving a perfect score of 10 out of 10 on quality benchmarks during the expansion. Another plus is that it is designed as a diverse delivery system so that existing programs that serve young children can participate through a grant process. Alabama’s high quality Pre-K programs are found in child care centers, Head Start programs, elementary schools, and other community-based settings. With additional funding, existing programs can attain the high quality standards that are necessary for young children to be prepared for school.

Also in 2012, the Department of Human Resources is preparing to launch a pilot of the state’s Quality Rating and Improvement System (QRIS). This will both enable higher quality and objectively measure quality levels (or stars) so that parents can easily identify programs with a commitment to high quality programming. This is the most important component of a system of high quality child care programs that support working families and also provide for optimum development of young children.

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5) READY SCHOOLS – The transition into kindergarten and the first few grades often lay the foundation for success or failure in school. Schools can provide leadership and guidance for a better transition to improve the likelihood of early success, and schools are uniquely situated to share key data about kindergarten readiness.

A. Class Size – average teacher/child ratio in K-1 classrooms B. Language Readiness - % of children proficient on school readiness assessment C. School Success – 1st grade retention rates; % of children with reading and language proficiency by Grade 3; special education enrollment rates; D. Transition Teams - % of schools participating in community transition teams made up of child care, Head Start, kindergarten teachers

6) READY CHILDREN – The Five Domains of School Readiness developed through a wealth of research on which there is consensus are: physical well-being and motor development; social and emotional development; approaches to learning; language development; and cognition and general knowledge. Though difficult to measure, the success of Families, Communities, Services, and Schools in supporting these domains is critical.

A. Physical Well-Being and Motor Development - % of children with age-appropriate fine motor skills B. Social and Emotional Development - % of children who often or very often exhibit positive social behaviors when interacting with peers C. Approaches to Learning - % of kindergarten children with moderate to serious difficulty following directions D. Language Development - % of children almost always recognizing the relationships between letters and sounds at kindergarten entry; % of children proficient on the DIBELS E. Cognition and General Knowledge - % of children recognizing basic shapes

In 2012, the Office of School Readiness and AL State Department of Education have led the effort to adopt a uniform assessment of school readiness to determine the “state of readiness” of children when they enter kindergarten along all of these domains. This will provide much-needed information for program planning and investment decisions.

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Alabama’s Blueprint for Zero to Five

Adapted from the National School Readiness Indicators Initiative found at www.gettingready.org.

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The Smart Start® Parenting Kit The Smart Start® Parenting Kit is one of the most important recommendations from the 2001 Governor’s Early Learning Commission Report. According to the report, Alabama must support parents in their roles as primary caregivers and their children’s first teachers. The Parenting Kit was developed as a first contact with parents of newborns to assist in their difficult and joyous job of being a parent. It provides information on child development and the importance of positively meeting the needs of their child, what to expect through the course of development, what programs and services are available and how to access them, and a source of information to connect parents with support systems within their communities. During the past decade, research has clearly identified the first few years of life as critical to optimum human development. How children are nurtured, protected, and the experiences they have beginning at birth set the stage and are the building blocks for all future learning and success. There is an explosion of brain development during the first three years of life, and positive, nurturing relationships with the adults around a child are the key ingredient to building strong minds and bodies. Distribution of the Parenting Kits began in 2002 in five pilot counties and was expanded to others in 2003. The Alabama Medicaid Agency Maternity Care program distributed Kits to its network of 14 Primary Care Contractors and the Alabama Early Intervention System to its providers and families statewide. Past and present financial supporters have included Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Alabama, LLC, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Alabama, First Book National Book Bank, Alabama Department of Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention/CTF, Alabama Department of Medicaid, Alabama Department of Education, Baby Bargains by Alan & Denise Fields, Books-a-Million, Dollar General Corporation, Alabama AAP, Honda Manufacturing of Alabama, LLC, Mercedes-Benz U.S. International, Inc., Publix Super Markets Charities, Inc., Alabama Power Foundation, Inc., Alabama Department of Children’s Affairs, Alabama Department of Public Health, Alabama Department of Rehabilitation Services/Early Intervention, Alabama Civil Justice Foundation, and Business Council of Alabama.

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The resources included in the Smart Start® Parenting Kit are continually updated utilizing new research regarding factors that strengthen families, while providing parents access to local resources available to increase resiliency and reduce isolation. The first Parenting Kits included a congratulatory card, the Alabama Guide for Families, the Parenting: Right from the Start video, a child’s first book: The Little Engine that Could, and Baby’s First Year Calendar and was distributed in a black mesh bag with the APC’s, then current, Kidstuff logo on it. Throughout the years the Kit has included information on Alabama’s Early Intervention System, the Parenting Assistance Line (PAL), ALL Kids insurance, safety for sleeping babies, shaken baby syndrome, lead poisoning, child passenger safety, child nutrition, finding quality care, recognizing children’s emotions, emergency preparedness, smoking cessation, and grand-parenting.

In 2010 The Alabama Guide for Families was replaced with The Handbook for Alabama Parents which updated child development information and resources, and was developed with input from our advisory committee members over a period of a year. The Parenting Kit has been distributed with much effort from community volunteers

who acquire, compile, pick up and deliver materials to distribution points which have historically been birthing hospitals and family services providers. Volunteers have been recruited from local agencies, churches, colleges and universities, high schools, Maxwell AFB, and through the Volunteer and Information Center. Feedback on the usefulness and importance of the kit materials has been gathered through parent surveys as well as distributor surveys. Historically, 90% of parents completing surveys report that the Parenting Kit increased their knowledge of state and community resources. To date, over 150,000 Smart Start® Parenting Kits have been distributed in 45 Alabama counties! The Smart Start® Parenting Kit continues to be an early resource for parents of newborns. During the past ten years the contents of the Parenting Kit have been continuously updated to include current information about state agency resources as well as child development and safety. It is delivered to expectant mothers at either a prenatal visit or in the hospital when their baby is born. As parents browse through the materials, they learn what to expect as their child grows and where to find help should they have any concerns. According to survey responses, the majority of parents who receive the Smart Start®

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Parenting Kit report that it not only increased their knowledge of state resources, but more importantly, increased their confidence as a parent, and decreased their stress level. As a first contact with parents, materials in the Smart Start® Parenting Kit direct parents to our website where they can find more resources on child development and early care and education and learn about other programs of the Alabama Partnership for Children.

The goal of the Parenting Kit program is to reach new parents in all 67 Alabama counties, especially low-income families that may not have ready access to this information otherwise. We rely on the generosity of our funding partners and the work of our volunteers to distribute this valuable resource. With increased support we can meet this goal. Current Parenting Kit Contents include:

Smart Start® Parenting Kit distribution bag

The Handbook for Alabama Parents

Congratulatory card

Baby’s First Year Calendar with Stickers

Safe Sleep brochure

PAL brochure/magnet

Emergency Preparedness booklet

Shaken Baby brochure

Child Safety Seat booklet

Toddler Reading booklet

Early Intervention materials

Smoking Quitline brochure

ALL Kids brochures

ALL Kids medicine spoon

Evaluation

Parenting Kit project coordinators celebrate the 10thAnniversary of the program: Melissa Bridges, Aretha Bracy, and Felicia Wilburn.

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Smart Start Parenting Kit Impact: About 5 years ago a friend called me wanting any and all information I could get for her to give to her 19 year old daughter who had just announced that she was pregnant. My friend was very concerned that the 19 year old daughter had no idea how to raise a baby. Not only was my friend concerned, but the newly pregnant 19 year old was scared, too. I called Joan Wright in Birmingham, and she sent me a packet of information about parenting (Smart Start Parenting Kit) that I got to my friend who gave it to her daughter. I never thought of it again. The daughter got married and had an absolutely gorgeous baby girl. Now that my friend is a grandmother I see her a lot less. However, about a year ago I was at an event with both my friend and her daughter and the little girl. The daughter – at that time 4 years old – could count, could say her ABCs, spoke in whole sentences and was just an amazingly smart little beauty. I complemented the mom on raising such a smart child. The mom said, “Do you remember that packet of information you got for me when I told mom I was pregnant? Well, I read every single word on every piece of information and I have tried to do all the things I learned from that information.” In particular, she told me she read to her baby before she was born and has been reading to her nearly every day since. That smart little girl will have a brother any day now and I know his mom knows how to raise a child! It is the Parenting Kit that made all the difference to this young woman.

-- From a partner with the Jefferson County Children’s Policy Council.

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Alycia Jeong models appropriate activities for children during a Books, Balls, and Blocks event.

The Strengthening Families Through Early Education initiative has provided technical assistance and training to APC partners since 2006. We then provided professional

development and resources on the model and on Parent Leadership for the next few years. In August 2011, APC received a grant from the Department of Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention (CTF) to implement the Strengthening Families Early Childhood Initiative. The funding was shared among nine Family Resource Centers

which partnered with Early Care and Education (ECE) programs in their respective communities. In partnership with APC, the Alabama Network of Family Resource Centers supported the implementation of the Strengthening Families Protective Factors Framework within ECE programs through assessment, planning, development, and implementation of parent and family activities designed to promote Strengthening Families.

The five protective factors are: 1) Parental Resilience 2) Social Connections 3) Knowledge of Parenting and Child Development 4) Concrete Support in Times of Need 5) Social-Emotional Competence of Children

Together, these protective factors provide a comprehensive, research based framework for making small but significant changes in the work of ECE staff as well as the lives of families. Alabama Strengthening Families expands, largely thanks to continued funding from CTF, with work focused on levers for change: 1) Parent partnerships through the development and

implementation of Community Cafés and Books, Balls, and Blocks events

2) Professional development through the marketing and development of channels for professionals to receive continuing education credit for Protective Factors Training available through the National Alliance of Children’s Trust and Prevention Funds

Strengthening Families

3) Policy impact through work with various organizations, including the Office of School Readiness, to assist in building the Protective Factors Framework into existing organization policies and procedures 40

Strengthening Families

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Professional development and support are key to spreading the SF approach across all systems and programs. The APC developed and offers a web-based process through which professionals obtain needed continuing education/professional development credit for participating in the online course provided through the Center for The Study of Social Policy. Funding for website development was provided by the Alabama Network of Family Resource Centers.

Each year 60,000 babies are born in Alabama, and they

will quickly pass through the most critical developmental

years. In less than a single gubernatorial term, these

children will either get all that they need to develop

optimally, or they will not. And, those who do not will

forever play “catch up” with other children.

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www.ContinuingEducationAlabama.org

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In 2011, the Alabama Partnership for Children and United Way of Central Alabama Success by Six were awarded a grant from the Help Me Grow National Replication Project through generous funding from the W.K. Kellogg Foundation. The funding is a two-year planning grant with technical support to create a centralized call center that focuses specifically on early childhood development. At both the state and local levels, ensuring that young children are regularly screened for delays and concerns with appropriate referrals continues to be identified as a priority.

In Alabama, funding from the Help Me Grow grant will help to establish a confidential system of contact and connection to resources via the 2-1-1 Connects Alabama call center. When an individual in need calls HMG, trained operators recommend appropriate resources for children with developmental, behavioral, and/or emotional problems.

Help Me Grow is currently being piloted in Blount, Jefferson, Shelby, St. Clair, and Walker counties. This regional implementation site is focused on helping families navigate early childhood systems and connecting information back to their child’s pediatrician. A close relationship with the Alabama Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics has resulted in a three year partnership for pediatrician training on the Ages and Stages Questionnaire, Third edition (ASQ-3) and HMG. The information HMG staff gather from HMG Central Alabama will inform and encourage statewide spread.

The Alabama Help Me Grow Leadership Team is comprised of members from the Alabama Department Children’s Affairs and Office of School Readiness, Alabama Department of Education, Alabama Department of Rehabilitation Services/Early Intervention, Alabama Department of Public Health, Alabama Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics and Reach Out and Read, Alabama Department of Mental Health, Alabama Interagency Autism Coordinating Council, Alabama Partnership for Children, Childcare Resource Network, Parenting Assistance Line, United Cerebral Palsy of Greater Birmingham, and United Way of Central Alabama. The partners from around the state are dedicated to creating a seamless, easily accessible, and confidential system of identification and referral to aid the most children possible.

During the planning phase, capacity components for a Help Me Grow system are being developed. We have provided professional development to an estimated 30 pediatric practices, in partnership with the AL Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics and resources are available on their website. We have also provided professional development to early intervention, home visiting, child care, and early learning programs across the state on the use of the screening instrument, Ages and Stages Questionnaire (ASQ-3). In our first year, we have reached approximately 100 teachers, program directors, and staff, sharing the materials and information and providing training on the ASQ-3.

Help Me Grow Alabama

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Help Me Grow Alabama

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The Help Me Grow state leadership team is currently developing an Early Childhood Services Access Guide and subsequent trainings for service providers around the state to provide a comprehensive understanding of resources available to young children and their families. Help Me Grow Central Alabama (HMG-CA) launched in October 2012 through a partnership with United Way of Central Alabama's 2-1-1 call center. HMG-CA has already aided 60+ children and their families in the Central Alabama area. Pediatric offices and Success By 6 staff in Jefferson, Blount, Shelby, Walker, and St. Clair counties have been connected to HMG-CA through on-site visits from staff and via phone. HMG-CA staff developed several new materials: brochures for parents and pediatricians, a pediatrician/parent fax-back referral form, and an internal manual for processing all HMG-CA cases. Through this unique partnership and with a well-defined focus and action plan, three-year funding has been provided by the Community Foundation of Greater Birmingham for HMG-CA.

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Since the effectiveness of the teacher/caregiver is the critical component to high quality early learning experiences, one of the first projects launched by the APC addresses the low education levels, low pay and benefits, and high turnover rates in the early childhood profession. As a whole, the child care workforce receives very low wages and few or no benefits as compared to teachers in the education system. Inadequate compensation and lack of benefits can lead to high job stress, low motivation, and contributes to the cycle of poverty for many women working in the early childhood field. Since 2002, the T.E.A.C.H. Early Childhood® ALABAMA scholarship program has been an effective strategy in helping address the need for a well-qualified, fairly compensated and stable early childhood workforce in Alabama. T.E.A.C.H. links education and compensation to address the need for a highly educated early care and education workforce and reduce turnover. The program provides the opportunity for a diverse population of adult learners currently working in the early childhood field to take coursework to increase their knowledge and skills by giving them access to early childhood

credentials and a college degree. Recipients are able to obtain education and job skills which help them to complete job requirements and advance in their careers. The wage increase and bonus associated with each scholarship contract helps ensure that recipients receive a regular increase in compensation which benefits recipients and their families.

Research indicates that both higher education and specialized training in early childhood education are critical indicators of quality in a child’s early learning experience. T.E.A.C.H. provides benefits which directly impact recipients, sponsoring child development programs, and the children and families they serve. Recipients, increasing their knowledge and skill level in the early childhood field, have a better understanding of child development and are more sensitive to the needs of young children. In addition, they are better compensated through the project and enjoy increased professionalism, self-esteem, and job satisfaction.

Quote from a graduate: “I have been a T.E.A.C.H. scholarship recipient since 2003. I earned my CDA in 2004, and my Associate Degree in 2007. I started my Bachelors in Early Childhood Development in January 2008, and graduated on August 4, 2012. Words cannot express my sincere appreciation of T.E.A.C.H. and the staff there. Getting my degree was a dream that I thought would never happen for me. Getting my education has helped build my confidence and I am comfortable relating to parents and other professional people in this field. It is an honor to serve the children and families of our great state. T.E.A.C.H. has helped me prepare and transition into a teacher that my center can count on to be professional at all times and be a help to others.”-- Sarah Kelsey, Birmingham, AL

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Child care programs are able to reduce staff turnover and increase the quality of care offered to the children and families they serve. Programs benefit financially by maximizing their staff professional development budgets and reducing costs associated with staff turnover. Children benefit by having a teacher with early childhood knowledge and experience who knows about their important developmental milestones. Children are able to develop trusting, caring, consistent relationships with their teachers, which positively affect each child’s feelings of safety and security that is necessary for young children’s optimum brain development. Parents are more confident in knowing their child’s teacher has both experience and knowledge in the early childhood field.

Scholarship

1,480 T.E.A.C.H. scholarships have been awarded since 2002. The recipients were employed in (62) counties in Alabama. The following are the awards by scholarship and provider type:

966 Associate Degree Scholarships 34 Child Care Center Directors 78 Family Home Providers 772 Child Care Center and Head Start Teachers 82 Preschool Paraprofessionals

69 Bachelor Degree Scholarships

445 CDA Assessment Fee Scholarships 15 Family Home Providers 430 Child Care Center and Head Start Teachers

Sarah Kelsey of Birmingham teaches at Harris Early Learning Center and was the recipient of her first T.E.A.C.H. Early Childhood® ALABAMA scholarship in 2004. In 2007, Ms. Kelsey earned an Associate degree in Child Development from Jefferson State Community College. She enrolled in courses at the University of Alabama in 2008. Ms. Kelsey continued to advance her education through T.E.A.C.H. ALABAMA while working full-time as a child care teacher. She proudly participated in the commencement ceremony at the University of Alabama in 2012, earning a Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education.

early

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Education A total of 17,685 credit hours have been taken by T.E.A.C.H. associate degree recipients and 2,060 credit hours have been taken by T.E.A.C.H. bachelor degree recipients.

The average grade point average of the associate degree recipients is 3.24. The average grade point average of the bachelor degree recipients is 3.10.

Compensation The average wage increase for associate degree recipients has been 5.2% and for

bachelor degree recipients has been 3.14%. Commitment

The turnover rate for T.E.A.C.H. recipients has remained low during the past 10 years. Only 2.1% of recipients have left their sponsoring program after making a commitment to work an additional year in their sponsoring program.

Over the first decade of the program, T.E.A.C.H. ALABAMA recipients have impacted the lives of more than 18,000 children across the state.

Joyce Buskey (right), T.E.A.C.H. Early Childhood® ALABAMA recipient and Pre-K teacher from Greenville with Sue Russell (left),

President of Child Care Services Association which licenses the T.E.A.C.H. program.

Ms. Buskey was a presenter at the national T.E.A.C.H. Conference and also at the 2012 NAEYC Conference where she spoke on the

benefits of the T.E.A.C.H. scholarship program.

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Zero to Five Matters The Early Care and Education Public Awareness Planning Committee began in October 2003 when the Alabama Partnership for Children formed a coalition of agencies to develop and implement a statewide public awareness and education campaign emphasizing the importance of children’s experiences from birth to five. With an unprecedented budget crisis resulting in funding cuts to basic state services and education, the timing had never been more opportune for generating a broad understanding of the relative return on investment potential of programs and services to support families of young children to ensure their healthy development and improved outcomes. The initial work of this broad and diverse group of stakeholders, service providers, and advocates included the following:

Examining existing public awareness campaigns, messages, materials

Coordinating with the National Born Learning campaign of United Way/Success By 6

Setting priorities and focus regarding messages, targets, and media

Determining the appropriate state and local connection, to ensure access to existing mechanisms and resources

Building consensus on the baseline needs in Alabama

Determining the campaign name, logo and message topics

Testing the campaign name and message topics

Developing fact sheets that include Early Care & Education Matters, Safety & Security Matters, Health Matters, and Play Matters

Training of partners on the materials currently available, lessons learned from a previous campaign, and nonprofit lobbying

The work of this group was accomplished through the investment of time and resources of partner agencies, the services of an outside consultant at a 2-day planning retreat made possible through a National Smart Start grant, and follow-up meetings with local partnerships and state leaders as well as polling conducted by Capital Survey to determine baseline needs for the campaign. As a result of this work, the Zero to Five Matters campaign was launched in April 2006. The campaign targeted Alabama decision makers and business leaders with the goal of emphasizing the importance of the first five years of life in children’s optimum development, and advocating for increased investment in our most vulnerable citizens.

Public Awareness

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Public Awareness

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Zero to Five Matters partners included:

Alabama Partnership for Children

Alabama Association for Young Children (AAYC)

Alabama Association of Licensed Early Care and Education (AALECE)

Business Council of Alabama

Children First Foundation, Inc.

Federation of Child Care Centers of Alabama (FOCAL)

JCCEO/Head Start

Local Smart Start® Partnerships

Regional Childcare Management Agencies

United Way/Success By 6

VOICES for Alabama’s Children

Alabama Child Abuse & Neglect Prevention (CTF)

Alabama Department of Children’s Affairs/Office of School Readiness

Alabama Department of Education

Alabama Department of Human Resources

Alabama Department of Public Health/Healthy Child Care Alabama

Alabama Department of Rehabilitation Services/Early Intervention

Office of the Attorney General

FOCUS Packets In October 2004, the APC began distribution of FOCUS Packets in local communities. A yearly calendar has been established with a specific topic by month that ties specific events, observances, and materials to children Birth to Five. Each month a packet of resources and materials are compiled surrounding that month’s “focus” and distributed to all organizations and individuals that request the information for distribution in local communities. Our goal is to provide more attention to birth to five statewide. Since 2004, a total of 8,712 FOCUS packets have been distributed across the state. According to an evaluation of the FOCUS packets over 3,600 individuals benefit from the resources in the FOCUS packets each month due to partners sharing the materials with individuals in their local communities.

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Don’t Be In The Dark About Child Care One of the first and most important decisions new parents make for their children is their choice of a child care or preschool program. High quality programs are proven to support children’s optimum development, yet poor quality programs can actually do harm. The APC surveyed nearly 250 licensed child care providers in Alabama to find out how often parents ask some common questions when talking with directors or staff about their programs. Survey respondents were asked whether parents always, sometimes, or rarely ask the questions listed below. Over 1/3rd of directors surveyed submitted responses and the results are listed from most (1) to rarely (6) asked.

1. What are your days and hours of operation?

2. What does your program cost?

3. What curriculum do you use?

4. What is the training and education level of your staff?

5. Has your staff had criminal background checks?

6. Are you licensed by the Department of Human Resources?

The surveys were completed and returned anonymously and the only identifying information gathered was zip code, so any geographic trends could be identified. Over 50% of respondents reported that parents “rarely ask” if their center is licensed by the Department of Human Resources (DHR). Although comments were not solicited, a respondent made the point of writing in that parents “never” ask about DHR licensure and another respondent wrote “I don’t think they are aware of ‘un-licensed’ childcare.” While a center’s licensure status is not necessarily an indicator of high quality, a licensed center is one that must comply with Minimum Standards for Day Care Centers and Nighttime Centers. An exempt center may or may not meet these minimum standards which include children’s health and safety as well as staff training and criminal background checks. Part of the Alabama Partnership for Children mission is to enable “parents, families, and others who care for young children to ensure that they are healthy, protected, nurtured, and offered every opportunity to succeed in life.” Parents need to know how to identify high quality child care to provide their children the best possibility to thrive outside of parental care. Therefore, in 2011, the APC partnered with VOICES for Alabama’s Children to develop the “Don’t Be In The Dark About Child Care” campaign to promote better understanding of child care options and to help parents make informed decisions for the safety and well-being of their young children. In May 2012, this campaign was launched to educate parents on the lack of regulation and inspection of care in Alabama, the need for high quality child care options, and the components of high quality. This is a comprehensive campaign that gives parents all the information needed to make informed decisions about

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where their children are in the years before school. It also includes information on why this is one of the first and most important decisions parents make and complete information on quality components and child care options. An accompanying website www.alabamachildcarefacts.org provides comprehensive information for parents and others interested in quality child care options for Alabama’s working families and their children.

Early Childhood Investments and Recruiting New Champions As the state’s birth to five initiative, some of our most important work is that of promoting investments in young children’s healthy development. Because every component of the Blueprint is necessary for improved child outcomes, an ongoing and targeted education and awareness effort is one of our primary responsibilities. In the past (4) years, we have worked with the Business Council of Alabama and the Chamber of Commerce Association of Alabama to host (2) state summits on early childhood investments, with support from the Partnership for America’s Economic Success, now America’s Edge. Targeted at business leaders and elected officials, the best research on return on investment and early childhood’s connection to school success and the workforce we need was shared. Following state summits, partners across the state assisted and supported regional summits that engaged local community leaders in learning about early childhood investments. Publications have also been very effective in sharing the research and promoting greater investments in the critical early learning years, and nineteen prominent business leaders are quoted in “Early Childhood Development Directly Affects Alabama’s Economic Vitality, And We Can Tell You How” publication. Similar materials were developed from this for widespread awareness at many conferences and meetings. A similar publication was developed in celebration of our tenth year of operation, “10 Things We Know About Young Children”, with quotes and research citations from board members and business partners. We also regularly share information and the latest research on early childhood investment through our monthly email updates, through our website, and with assorted publications. Building awareness with partners who can really make a difference continues to be a high priority necessary for our message to resonate and lead to change.

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As the APC ends its first decade, it has been exciting and rewarding to consider the many strides we have made in our state in the care and protection of young children. It is impossible to capture all of the work that has been done, so we have tried to provide highlights. Looking back over the past decade also urges us to look forward to a bright future of sustained impact in the lives of young children and their families. As today’s children grow into tomorrow’s parents and leaders, we stand ready, with renewed vigor, to work on behalf of Alabama’s children in concert with our many valued partners. If you are reading this brief review of the APC’s first decade, it is because you have in some way supported us and for that we are grateful. As a true “partnership”, none of our work is possible without the effective and sustained collaboration with many partners across the state. Thank you for your contribution to our vision and our mission! Our challenges are great, but we have also proven that when we focus well, plan and strategize effectively, and work collectively, we can make a difference in the lives of young children in Alabama. The concerns we have about high school graduation rates, dependency and economic need, crime and substance abuse, and how we will fill the jobs of the future – all are necessarily linked to our work. Our mission is more pressing now, because we know more than we did a decade ago about what is happening in brain development during the first three years of life. We know now that these critical years not only lay the foundation for school success, but they actually impact adult health and well-being. Some of our state’s biggest challenges have their roots in the first few years of life of the 60,000 babies born each year in Alabama. The adverse experiences that place young children at risk are far too common in our state, and the negative and cumulative impact of this adversity early in life has lifelong consequences. We look forward to the next decade of “making a difference for young children” and hope you will continue to support and guide our work. Gail B. Piggott, M.Ed. Executive Director

Looking Back and Going Forward

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Ready Families in Ready Communities: If families and caregivers can provide

quality early childhood development, then

children will start school ready to learn.

Ready Services – Health: If children are healthy, protected, and

nurtured in the earliest years, cost savings are realized throughout their lives.

Ready Services – Early Education: If children start school ready to learn, they

are more likely to read at grade level

by 3rd grade.

Ready Schools: If children read at grade level by 3rd grade

they are more likely to graduate from

high school.

Ready Children with Bright Futures: If children graduate from high school, they are more

likely to go on to higher education and/or enter the job market as tax-paying citizens. Employable, tax-paying

citizens are critical to a vital economy.

You can’t connect the dots looking forward; you can only connect them

looking backward. -- Steve Jobs

Alabama Partnership for Children Adapted from a publication of the Greater Richmond (VA) Chamber of Commerce

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© Alabama Partnership for Children

2529 Bell Road

Montgomery, Alabama 36117

www.SmartStartAlabama.org

Permission to copy, disseminate or otherwise use

information from this publication is granted as long as

appropriate acknowledgement is given.

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VISION “Every Alabama Child Will Have the Opportunity to Succeed in Life”

Mission To work in partnership with other public and private entities to maintain an effective state and local system of resources and support that enables parents, families, and others who care for young children to ensure that they are healthy, protected, nurtured, and offered every opportunity to succeed in life.

Alabama Partnership for Children

2529 Bell Road Montgomery, Alabama 36117

Toll-free: (866) 711-4025 www.SmartStartAlabama.org