Mixed Delivery System Panel Discussion Board of Early Education and Care October 13, 2009 1
Kathy Treglia Vice President 2 The YMCA is a 155 year old institution that serves 11 communities in the Greater Springfield area. The Y is a health and wellness organization but the primary service is child care, youth and family programming. Accreditation The YMCA has an accredited early childhood program. The 17 licensed after school sites are in the process of self assessment through the APAS (After school program assessment survey) The YMCA has 17 before and after school centers serving 800 students in grades K-8 19 licensed centers; 2 early childhood centers serving 215 infants toddlers and preschoolers Compensation The YMCA has been fortunate to offer 3-5% increases the past 5 years. In March 2009 the Y implemented a progressive pay cut and no increases were distributed this year. The economy of their business in this current environment The YMCA has been impacted primarily in the private pay sector. Enrollment dropped 40% for summer camp and similar drop in numbers this fall. Experienced a decline in voucher families Increased requests for YMCA scholarships and our preschool programs are not at capacity. staff participates in monthly in house trainings (2 hours/month),three full day trainings, National Y certifications and local workshops. It is most important that EEC maintains services for families in care, Involves local providers in the decision and implementation of new policies/procedures and allow for more flexibility for families with contracted slots. Together we need to demonstrate to the legislature the devastating impact these cuts are having on hard working families.
Joan Kagan President CEO For 126 years, Square One has been an innovator at the forefront of community agencies serving local children and families. Square One concentrates on meeting the needs of those in the community who are most at risk, and our programs are uniquely positioned in the very heart of urban neighborhoods and at the heart of family need. Accreditation Four of our five centers are either currently accredited or in the process of being accredited by NAEYC. Infant/Toddler Program (ages 4 weeks - 33 months) Preschool Program (ages 2.9-4.7 years) Kindergarten Program School Age Out-of-School-Time Program (grades 1-5) Family Childcare Program (ages 6 weeks through school age) Compensation Salaries are negotiated with the Union every 3 years The economy of their business in this current environment Despite growing demand, organizations like Square One struggle to assist parents with financing to enroll their children. State, federal, and private funding has not kept pace with the demand for early education and care services and supports. Access to weekend classes Tuition reimbursement On-site college courses Partnerships with institutions of higher and continuing education Salary increases based on educational attainment Greater flexibility with subsidy eligibility requirements Opportunities to share with EEC best practices about how provider organizations function so EEC decisions enhance their operations EEC support better collaborations locally on grants and trainings 3
Minilli Torrez Regional Director Region 1 Child Development & Education, Inc. (CDE) CDE is a statewide family child care system serving a diverse population of 900 providers and 4,000 children. In the city of Springfield we service 55 providers and 250 children. 95% of the providers we service are Latinas and 80% of the children are English Language Learners (ELL). - 95% Providers are Latinas - 80% of the children are English Language Learners (ELL) Accreditation A third of our providers have their CDA We provide care for children from the ages of 1 month old to 12 yrs old. Compensation/ the economy of their business in this current environment CDE pays a higher rate than the minimum state rate. We offer additional compensation for CDA credential and additional compensation for providers who care for Supportive children. We offer CDA credentialing classes and we are instituting an Individual Professional Development plan in which the Institute for Education and Professional Development is putting together. Moreover we support them by giving technical assistance in Child Assessment, Family Engagement, Professional Development and Curriculum. Two things that the state could offer would be: 1. Support for providers on training and education on how to implement new regulations; and 2. Monitoring the purchasing of new materials. 4
Judy Goodwin Supervisor of Early Childhood Special Education City of Springfield Public School Pre-K classes located in 12 Elementary schools serving approx. 1,300 early education students Pre-K classes located in 12 Elementary schools 43 Integrated Pre-K classes 6 Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) lab classes 2 Developmental Skills classes 23 Montessori classes 4 days of professional development prior to school opening 10 hours of professional development during extended day hours during the school year Ongoing opportunities for additional professional development offered throughout the school year Current EEC Support Coordinated Family and Community Engagement Grant - $325,659 Program Practitioner Supports Grant - $107,636 Early Childhood Special Education Grant - $218,879 Inclusive Preschool Learning Environments - $246,514 ARRA/IDEA Early Childhood Special Education - $172,017 Total funding from EEC - $1,070,705 5
Gladys Rivera Education Manager HCS Head Start 6 Head Start is a federally funded comprehensive early education and care program. Accredited- NAEYC Early Head Start Head Start Migrant Head Start Compensation- Salaries Head Start Part Day Classroom-School Year Teacher Director-$18.05 Teacher-$12.02 Where we believe they should be Teacher Director- $26.00 Teacher-$20.00 The economy of their business in this current environment Teaching positions-currently very little turnover Competitive Compensation/Benefit Package All Teacher Directors have degrees Head Start received limited ARRA funding Professional development manager provides individual professional development plans for staff. Tuition reimbursement, Pre-service and In-service. Develops Training and Technical Assistance plans that identifies T/TA needs for every level and every position within the agency. Funds to support comprehensive services to children, specifically, homeless and at risk children Money for Transportation Services Continued funding from State Supplemental Line Item which helps support teacher salaries (The percentage of Total salaries that comes from the state supplemental line item is 10.5% of partday teaching staff salary.)
James Ward Executive Director Early Childhood Centers of Greater Springfield, Inc. Early Childhood Centers provides early education, care, and family support services to Greater Springfield s low and moderate income-eligible families and their children ages one month to five years. Accredited- Enrolled in pursuit of NAEYC accreditation Infant/Toddler Program (ages 4 weeks - 33 months) Preschool Program (ages 2.9-4.7 years) Supportive Children Teen Parents & their children Compensation- Instituted a three-month, 5% across the board salary reduction Unable to contribute to employees 401(k) plans 7 The economy of their business in this current environment Food services to other community agencies is used to offset some supply and equipment costs. Early Childhood Centers annually devotes two full days to professional staff development Numerous other opportunities are also offered in subject areas such as: Understanding growth and development of children; guiding and interacting with children; partnering with families; observation, assessment and planning for individual needs; health, safety & nutrition; and working with diverse learners Professional development and an increase in rates for the services we provide.