Smart Beginnings coalitions across the state are working to ensure that every child will enter school ready to learn. These are just a few examples of what our coalitions have achieved in the past year.
Parent and Provider Education:
- By establishing a Parent Education Collaborative of six partners who share outreach, training costs and coordination to assure that parents are directed to a parenting class at a time and location that meets their need, Smart Beginnings Martinsville Henry saw a 191% increase in number of parents attending evidence based parenting classes using the nationally recognized Triple P model. Parenting Class attendance increased from 154 parents in 2009-2010 to 448 parents in 2010-2011.
- University of Mary Washington and Smart Beginnings Rappahannock Area are have formed a collaboration to place University students in a pre-k practicum at early learning centers that participate in the VSQI. This systems-building partnership will develop a conduit for increasing the number of qualified early childhood practitioners in the region.
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This year, Smart Beginnings Rappahannock Area trained 52 administrators, teachers and assistants on Al’s Pals, a program that focuses on social and emotional skills development. 21 classrooms implemented the program, reaching 279 children. Over the past three years, a total of 56 classrooms have been reached.
Collaboration and Systems Building:
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In December 2010, the Danville Regional Foundation awarded a 5-year, $5.4 million grant to Smart Beginnings Danville/Pittsylvania School Readiness Initiative, a collaboration of local leaders and VECF. This funding was awarded to “transform” early childhood systems and programming using far-reaching evidence based strategies for improving kindergarten readiness among all children and across all schools in the two localities.
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The Home Visiting Coalition of Smart Beginnings New River Valley recently collaborated with local organizations to become one of five Virginia regions to receive federal funds to expand and enhance home visiting services to high-risk families.
- Smart Beginnings Smyth Tazewell will partner with UVA’s Center for Advanced Study of Learning and Teaching at the Curry School of Education and the local school systems to develop a comprehensive K transition initiative. In this evidence based process, schools, families, and early care and education providers work together to assure that children have the best possible experience as they transition into kindergarten.
- Smart Beginnings Shenandoah Valley participated in the Best Fit initiative to expand and increase awareness and accessibility of mental health services for infants and toddlers. A Mental Health Guide was produced and over 750 copies were distributed. There has been an increase in the number of referrals generated from a variety of sources. Approximately 40-50 infants and toddlers were identified as “at-risk” during the course of the BEST FIT program.
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16 Smart Beginnings coalitions are currently implementing the Virginia Star Quality Initiative. Over the past year, 147 new preschool and child care programs were rated. In addition, an innovative pilot project to rate and improve the quality of family child care day homes has been completed. In 2010-11, 74 homes in 6 Virginia regions were rated and received mentoring during the pilot project.
- Through a regional kindergarten registration campaign, Smart Beginnings Greater Richmond built relationships with school district superintendents and public information officers in 10 local school systems. As a result, the coalition was able to institute a region-wide kindergarten registration day. On April 7th, a total of 8,355 children were registered. This unprecedented regional coordination helped to increase the number of children registered for kindergarten in the spring, giving schools and families critical months for planning, screening, and transition activities.
Public Awareness:
- In honor of the Week of the Young Child, Smart Beginnings Shenandoah Valley coordinated a literacy event in which ten mayors from across the Shenandoah Valley volunteered to read to children.
- In partnership with BB&T, Smart Beginnings Charlottesville Albemarle distributed 100 school readiness kits to at risk children throughout the Charlottesville region.
- Smart Beginnings Shenandoah Valley is working to ease the transition to kindergarten by coordinating a kindergarten registration week for 7 local school systems. Over 2,000 “Transition to Kindergarten” booklets were distributed in the school systems.
- Smart Beginnings Virginia Peninsula partnered with Preschool Partners of Virginia Peninsula to produce a brand new resource guide for caregivers and parents. Help Me Grow provides information on how to support the social and emotional health of infants and toddlers. Over 2,800 copies in English have been distributed, as well as 500 Spanish translations. Download a copy of the Help Me Grow resource.
- Smart Beginnings Central Virginia's efforts to develop community leaders in early childhood this year culminated in an event at the D-Day Memorial in Bedford County during The Week of the Young Child. The kick-off included a key note address by retired Air Force Brigadier General John Douglass, member of the VECF Board of Directors and Mission Readiness: Military Leaders for Kids. There were 130 area business and government leaders in the audience. The following Saturday, a Children’s Fun Day was held at the Lynchburg City Library. Over 200 children participated in make and take craft activities; face painting, and story-time. Parents were provided with information on kindergarten readiness, the Virginia Star Quality Initiative, health topics, and other area resources.
- Smart Beginnings Greater Roanoke developed a “Parents Page” newsletter, focusing on early learning topics. Through a partnership with Macaroni Kid Roanoke, an online family event calendar & e-newsletter, the newsletter is being distributed to approximately 2,500 parents each month.