Regional Collaboratives
To ensure the best early care and education for our youngest citizens and to reach the long-term goals set forth by the KIDS NOW Initiative, local communities must take action. One of the strategies identified by the Early Childhood Task Force (1999) to help support this outcome was the creation of state and local partnerships to support services designed to meet the locally identified needs of children and families. This strategy became the foundation for the creation of the Community Early Childhood Councils.
As early childhood leaders in their communities, Community Early Childhood Councils have been addressing the unique needs and strengths of the local community for over 20 years. They have been doing the critical work of establishing and strengthening relationships; as well as promoting collaboration and coordinating with individuals from a cross-section of the community. Based upon evaluation process recommended findings, the Early Childhood Advisory Council voted to streamline and align Community Early Childhood Councils to the Workforce Investment Boards, reducing the number of single Councils to Regional Collaboratives supporting best practices and providing new opportunities for greater impact.
Kentucky is primed to transform and amplify its work in recognizing and serving young children and their families and caregivers. Across the state, Kentucky communities are implementing innovative and effective strategies and services. The Kentucky Governor's Office of Early Childhood is working to elevate those practices that deserve attention and assist new communities across the state. To assist in this effort, nearly $6 million in additional funds from the annual Tobacco Master Settlement Agreement will be allocated to Regional Collaboratives to help scale proven strategies.
What Works Kentucky
As we work with our partners across the Commonwealth to scale-up and amplify these types of successful programs and strategies, partners are considering how to:
- Invest in best practices through local innovation and decision-making
- Address the most underserved communities
- Plan for sustainability and matching dollars from key stakeholders
- Use collective impact to organize and focus community assets on critical outcomes and longer-term Regional Collaborative plans
- Pivot investments from one-day activities to activities that support long-term behavior change
The Kentucky Governor's Office of Early Childhood is expanding its efforts to serve as a center for early childhood impact and innovation to support solution-oriented discussion, highlight and grow excellence in the field and build capacity and train new leaders. The office provides free webinars (live or recorded) every other month, training and opportunities for peer-to-peer networking.
Webinars
The Governor's Office of Early Childhood is dedicated to providing high-quality technical assistance for Regional Collaboratives. Every other month we will host monthly webinars at 10 am EST-9 am CST regarding a variety of topics. Please see the dates below:
November 9, 2022
January 18, 2023
May 10, 2023
Quarterly Report Due Dates
Quarter 1: 7/1 - 9/30, report due Nov 15
Quarter 2: 10/1 - 12/31, report due Feb 15
Quarter 3: 1/1 - 3/31, report due May 15
Quarter 4: 4/1 - 6/30, report due Aug 15