- Coaching. Recent areas of focus; use of Implementation Checklist with The Creative Curriculum(R); re-accreditation; playground planning; social emotional development; CDA information; NAEYC accreditation and re-accreditation; challenging behaviors; conflict resolution; activity books for infants and toddlers; Spanish materials and places to look for resources in Spanish; child development information; where to take classes; literacy information and materials; math and science information and resources; licensing questions; assessment and observation; curriculum and The Creative Curriculum(R); linking assessment and curriculum; improving classroom environments; staff supervision; time management; computer skills to facilitate supervision and time management.

- Child Care Enhancement Project. Ten training sessions were held for the 14 sites in the CCEP project and two trainings were held for the 11 sites in the City Project. Preschool focused on individualizing curriculum, literacy, incorporating science and social studies; revisiting the Developmental Continuum, and sharing the curriculum with families. Infant Toddler training reviewed the need for curriculum for infants and toddlers, building behavior, routines, problem solving with the Implementation Checklist; using tools to support practice; need to observe, document and record; individualizing for children and families and overcoming obstacles to observation.

Hartford Foundation for Public Giving press conference held in October 2004 to release significant findings on Program assessments from the first year of CCEP.

- Curriculum Training. The summer and fall 2004 series of curriculum training had more than 300 teachers and directors in attendance, representing 50 programs in 20 towns in the region. Additionally, two towns outside of the region have paid for the training.  The second set of three curriculum overviews were delivered in January 2005 with 127 in attendance. Two series of curriculum workshops began in March. This series is for those who attended the first series and is focused on content and deeper curriculum implementation. Additionally, three more introductory series have begun this spring. Evaluations have demonstrated changes in programs and need for further curriculum training and on-site technical assistance.  

- Connecticut Leadership Empowerment Action Project (ConnLEAP). ConnLEAP builds early childhood leadership in the underserved community through the education of early childhood staff and families. 63 participants from programs serving 11 towns have completed the course.  The Collaborative's Steering Committee voted in September 2004 to offer only Latino LEAP in 2005 to help the Latino community build leadership and language skills for quality child care. The Collaborative is currently working with a group from Cambridge, MA to develop this course.

- Early Childhood Resource Library. The library has grown to more than 2000 resources used by more than 200 individuals. The library is maintained by a volunteer from the United Way of the Capital Area Volunteer Bank.  Hardware has been upgraded to meet the requirements for new library software that has been ordered to manage reporting and tracking more effectively.  Resources should be online in 2005.

Other Professional Development Opportunities.
 More than 500 individuals improved their knowledge the Collaborative offered additional sessions on child care and health care linkages: projects and supports;
- Touchpoints; a training model for practitioners that emphasizes the building of supportive alliances between parents and professionals around key points in the development of young children;
- Documenting staff performance and documenting children’s work;
- Professional advancement in the field of early childhood:
- Supports for individualizing professional growth;
- Supervision and activities for using outdoor environments for child growth and development.

Collaboration and Public Engagement
- ECE Finance Group. The Collaborative is working with the ECE Finance Group to develop a cost-modeling template for policymakers to understand the cost of quality and the cost of building more programs in Connecticut to meet the needs of various numbers of children reported needing early childhood programming.
- Career Ladder Task Force.  The Office of Workforce Competitiveness, in consultation with the Permanent Commission on the Status of Women, was charged with developing a three year plan for the creation or enhancement of career ladder programs for occupations in early childhood education, child care, health care or any other programs for occupations with projected workforce shortages for the next five years.  The Collaborative sits on the ECE subcommittee.  The Collaborative has encouraged the use of a statewide survey which will go forward.
- ECE Legislative Collaborative and EC Alliance.  HACCC is working with the these two groups to develop a 2005 Legislative Agenda:
    -- Support increased funding for Care-4-Kids
    -- Support parity of reimbursement rate for State Funded Centers with School Readiness contribution rate, with accountability and quality standards
    -- Support increased funding for the School Readiness program
    -- Work to build upon, improve, and add to existing School Readiness system (rather than create a new system)
    -- HUSKY eligibility: restore presumptive eligibility, continuous eligibility, parents at 185% of poverty level, expedited eligibility for pregnant women
 - Care-4-Kids Advisory Committee.  The Collaborative sits on the Care-4-Kids Advisory committee and is vigilant about the funding spent. DSS agreed to open waitlist January 2005, consisting of non-TANF families.
- Hartford Making Connections. A project of the Annie E. Casey Foundation has asked the Collaborative to write a guide for use in training trainers, who will then help neighborhoods in Hartford to adapt useful devises for engaging residents in starting early to get their children ready for school.

Through the Collaborative’s involvement with the Legislative Collaborative and the Connecticut Early Childhood Alliance, Care4Kids reinstated $4 million for child care subsidies, opened the waitlist to eligible families, and helped pass legislation stating that all appropriated funding for child care subsidies must be spent only on subsidies. Additionally, eligibility was expanded to include families transitioning off welfare within the past five years.

The Collaborative continues to represent its members through participation in Manchester Community College Early Childhood Advisory Committee, St. Joseph College Lab School Advisory Committee, the Career Ladder Early Childhood Subcommittee, the Hartford Association for the Education of Young Children, among others.

The Collaborative stays current on early childhood research and resources and continues to inform its members regularly through more than 10,000 phone calls and e-mails.

Read More About the Collaborative's Accomplishments>>>