EARLY CARE AND LEARNING INC

ECAL, Inc. recognizes that high-quality programs cost more to implement. For that reason, in 2008, ECAL, Inc. partnered with Ohio State University to apply for an Early Head Start program requiring a CC: B-3 like model. This application was successful and allowed most centers implementing the CC: B-3 model to receive EHS funds to support the high-quality programming that is required by the CC: B-3 model. With the expansion the has occurred of the CC: B-3 model throughout Central Ohio, the EHS funding has not kept up with the number of children supported through the model. So this year, with the support of a Community Partnership Grant from Franklin County Commissioners, ECAL, Inc. was began providing Quality Supplement Grants to centers to support operating expenses on behalf of children not enrolled in an EHS classroom and living in a family below 300% of poverty. These grants have supported the addition of classroom staff reducing ratios, added teaching assistants, increased salaries for staff, added benefits for staff to support staff retention and paying for professional development of classroom staff.

ECAL Inc believes in investing in the ongoing support of classroom staff and center leadership in the implementation of the high-quality CC: B-3 program. As a result, ECAL Inc offers 30 training courses that are Ohio Approved for professional development. It also offers coaching services for teachers and center directors for program improvement. This program year, ECAL Inc developed a detailed classroom observation tool, which was field tested in over 30 classrooms implementing the CC: B-3 model. This required a 3-hour observation in each classroom followed by a detailed report of the status of the implementation of all key elements of the CC: B-3 model and specific suggestions for improved implementation. These reports were then used by the center leadership and the coaches to develop specific continuous improvements plans for each classroom as needed. ECAL Inc implemented a Brigance assessment system, assessing 300 children in this reporting year. This information is provided to classroom staff and center leadership to provide individualized training plans for children based on their developmental status. Both systems are used by ECAL leadership to develop targeted trainings and coaching approaches to address development delay trends seen in the child assessments and trends in key element implementation. ECAL Inc also believes in peer support in ensuring high-quality center operation. To that end, CC: B-3 Directors meet monthly to discuss local and state public policy issues affecting early education centers and share best practices in all areas of operations and program implementation.