[R2R-OR] Community Based Coordinators of Early Learning - UPDATE

[heather mcneil]

In Deschutes County we have a group called Partnerships for Young Children (PYC).  Representatives from all the social services organizations that work with families, as well as educational institutions, attend monthly meetings to share what's going on, and look for opportunities to partner.  Much of the conversation for the past 6 months has been about the Early Learning Council, so I've had a chance to hear from the Commission and others their perceptions and concerns.

PYC also organizes an event during Week of the Young Child.  Several years ago we did an early literacy conference.  I get many opportunities through them to connect with parent groups, as well as train care providers and family resource workers.  They are wonderful about distributing our early literacy calendars and booklets to the families they work with, which are often non-library users.

Organizations that belong include NeighborImpact (Head Start), Healthy Families of the High Desert (Healthy Start in other parts of the state), Healthy Beginnings, Deschutes County Health, KIDS Center, Grandma's House, Nursery Relief Center, Central Oregon Community College, OSU-Cascades, some preschools, Child Care Resources, the Children and Families Commission, Family Resource Center, and the library.  They have been complimented by the State for being a bit ahead of the game, and getting their voices heard early on.  PYC has now added on quarterly meetings with the representatives from Jefferson and Crook Counties.

Our Assistant Director has contacted the superintendent of our ESD, letting them know the library wants to be "at the table" when the Hub gets going.  The ESD has been an active part of the conversations, and is a possibility for being the Hub organization.  There are other possibilities as well.  Most likely I would be the one attending any relevant meetings.

The PYC is, without a doubt, the most beneficial group I belong to because of the many connections we make.  It has led to training opportunities, parent groups coming to the library, wide distribution of our early literacy promotional materials, the early literacy conference, and more.

I hope this was helpful.  Please contact me if you need any further information.


From: r2r-or-bounces at listsmart.osl.state.or.us [mailto:r2r-or-bounces at listsmart.osl.state.or.us] On Behalf Of Katie Anderson
Sent: Tuesday, February 12, 2013 11:40 AM
To: r2r-or at listsmart.osl.state.or.us
Subject: [R2R-OR] Community Based Coordinators of Early Learning - UPDATE

Hello! Below is an email from the State Librarian regarding the Early Learning Council's work on creating a plan for local communities/regions to transition to early childhood hubs. Please read her email and the Early Learning Council's report: http://www.oregon.gov/gov/docs/OEIB/HUBLeg.pdf.

I would like to take this opportunity to start a conversation around libraries participation in early learning locally. A few libraries have been trying, but struggling to get involved in their local early childhood groups. Those of you experiencing success can help other libraries by hitting "reply all" and sharing...

*         How you connected with and got involved in your local early childhood group,

*         What other organizations and/or agencies are part of your group (i.e. who other libraries might contact in their communities),

*         What your library is or plans to contribute to your group, and

*         What the benefits are of participating in your group.

Thank you,
Katie

Katie Anderson, Library Development Services
* Youth Services Consultant * Oregon Center for the Book Coordinator *
Oregon State Library, 250 Winter St. NE, Salem, OR 97301
katie.anderson at state.or.us<mailto:katie.anderson at state.or.us>, 503-378-2528

From: al-directors-bounces at listsmart.osl.state.or.us<mailto:al-directors-bounces at listsmart.osl.state.or.us> [mailto:al-directors-bounces at listsmart.osl.state.or.us] On Behalf Of MaryKay Dahlgreen
Sent: Monday, February 11, 2013 2:01 PM
To: pl-directors at listsmart.osl.state.or.us<mailto:pl-directors at listsmart.osl.state.or.us>; al-directors at listsmart.osl.state.or.us<mailto:al-directors at listsmart.osl.state.or.us>; tl-directors at listsmart.osl.state.or.us<mailto:tl-directors at listsmart.osl.state.or.us>
Subject: [AL-Directors] Community Based Coordinators of Early Learning - UPDATE

Dear Library Directors:

As most of you know, there is a lot going on in Oregon relating to education, especially early learning. The Early Learning Council has submitted a report<http://www.oregon.gov/gov/docs/OEIB/HUBLeg.pdf> to the Legislature on the process, characteristics, timeline and general roadmap for Hub Implementation.

While this is mostly targeted to public library directors I am sending it to all directors because we all have an interest in the Governor's education initiative.

I believe now is the time that public libraries should be talking with early learning providers in their communities to learn about the activities that are taking place around developing early learning hubs. Katie Anderson, our youth services consultant, and I are tracking this process very closely and would be happy to talk with you about it. Katie is very engaged with the early learning community at the state level and can provide you with information about state level activities and how they relate locally.

Public libraries have been in the early learning business for a long time and OSL has a history of promoting and providing early literacy support for libraries, from the Ready to Read grant to the recently completed Reading for Healthy Families project. For a brief history of libraries and early literacy in Oregon I would direct you to my last four blog posts Snippets From the State Librarian.

I am very excited about the Governor's education priorities and believe that libraries will continue and improve on our current ability to be an essential resource for all Oregon children and their families


MaryKay Dahlgreen
State Librarian
Oregon State Library
marykay.dahlgreen at state.or.us<mailto:marykay.dahlgreen at state.or.us>
503-378-4367



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