3. Young children function at age appropriate levels across multiple developmental domains

3.1. # of children ages 0-5 enrolled in formal educational programming in Nueces County

Current Value

3,257

2015

Definition

Line Bar Comparison

Story Behind the Curve

Factors pushing down

Limited space or capacity  : Waitlist (Head Start/Early Head Start)
Income-based services at Early Head Start/Head Start
Point system at Early Head Start/Head Start
Parental expectations
Inconsistency between programs
Private programs
Limited funding for expansion at Early Head Start/Head Start
School year calendar
PK school schedule and Head Start/Early Head Start
Eligibility requirements
Funding
Staffing @ Early Head Start/Head Start
Lack of awareness
Funding allowances 
½ day programs 
Transportation 
Staff turnover  : Staff wages ; lack of career path
Economy tied to Eagle Ford, so down cycles lead to unemployment
Documentation challenges/Immigration (fear)
Hurricane Harvey
Inaccurate abuse reports
Fear of CPS involvement
Two parents working

Factors pushing up

Parental involvement
Parental advocacy
Free or low cost 
Convenient locations 
Evidence based and program history 
Economy boosted by Eagle Ford 
CCISD - tuition-based PK 
Strong community partnerships and partner promotion
Increased awareness
- Health fairs
- Social media
Free meals
Increase of new centers in the city
Transportation with Early Head Start/Head Start
CCISD funding some schools for all day

Partners

Partners and roles

ISDs - Collaborate with Workforce Solutions for after hours care, provides free lunch 
Home Visiting Programs - provide services that work with parents
PTA - provide information and handouts
CCAFP - Provide school lunch program
Media - promote awareness and share information
Social service agencies (CPS, WIC, etc.) - referrals and information
Methodist children’s - referrals, info
United Way - funding for child care
Workforce Solutions - funding for child care
Nueces County Community Action Agency - Administrator 
Non Head Start centers - After care and transportation 
Private child care - Have Head Start slots 
Parks & Recreation department - latch key program 
Mayor/City council - support for funding 
Child care licensing - accreditation 
Texas Agrilife Extension Service - training 
UW coalition members - create awareness and communicate services
Legislature - approve additional $$
Media outlets - promote and educate
Cities in Nueces County
Private charter schools - scholarships

What Works

Evidence-Based Practices

(More funding for) High quality early learning programs
- Public PK
- Home visiting programs
- Early Head Start Head Start
TX Agrilife – childcare conferences
TRS/Texas School Ready program
ISD – public PK
ECI-Child Find
Getting Ahead in a Getting By World (parent ed)

Promising Practices

Alignment of funding sources for programs (e.g., HS with an ISD)
- Highlight the gap that exists which denies ISD families access to HS
Parenting classes
Extending learning opportunities through after school programs (e.g. 21^st C)
Half day funding for PK, makes full day more feasible
Some ISDs offer free transportation to and from for PK
Private school scholarships
Collaborate with non-Head Start Centers to operate EHS/HS slots (if funding available)*
Family engagement – parents understand the value of quality PK
Extended hours of service
Employer sponsored onsite child care
City wide technology based literacy program (app teaches reading)
Scaling fee/tuition based PK to other districts
Collaborate with ISDs to implement Summer programming (after school and summer care)
When ISD has HS on campus, require certified teacher

Low Cost/No Cost Solutions

Donated space from churches, community centers
Community fairs for outreach
Volunteer drivers
Grandparents volunteering time in the school
Applying for grants
Partnering with private/charter schools
Income-based options
Find a champion for children in our community
Volunteers!
HVPs
TX Agrilife programs
ESC Region 2 services

Off the Wall Ideas

Pre K for all
Increased wages for childcare workers
Private industry supporting future workforce
Making part of national agenda
Hundred percent parent engagement
No cap on funding
Raise the standard
Corporations sponsor formal 0-5 childcare
Valero and HEB day care

*NC HS applied for this funding in 18 but weren’t awarded

Strategy #1

Prioritized Strategy: To promote and advance the engagement in early education, utilizing the evidence-based practice of home visiting, parent education and supportive services – including special needs service

Action Steps:

Advertise home visiting programs, eligibility and enrollment and report to SB6 Coalition quarterly. - NFP, PAT, HIPPY
Promote early literacy events and report on participation. ie. Week of the Young Child (April) National Picture Book (November)- CC Public Libraries, TX A&M, Del Mar College
Promote the distribution of parenting education class master list and encourage community participation.
Promote parent engagement on Ready4K parent texting programs report quarterly. Mid year and end formal reports. UWCB/ CCISD/ Early Head Start

Strategy #2

Prioritized Strategy: To increase the number of TRS certified centers in Nueces County

Action Steps:

Increase TRS assessors and mentors- Work force Solutions by January 2019
Use social media to promote social media with parents- Work force Solutions; UWCB by January 2019
Develop mentoring program for non TRS directors- Work force Solutions by January 2019
Utilize an advisory group to brainstorm ideas- Work force Solutions by January 2019

Strategy #3

Prioritized Strategy: To develop a collaborative approach towards formal early childhood education, such as building a cross-sector partnership with public and private/charter schools, colleges and universities or a municipal sales tax increase to fund public PK, that results in scaling up PK services in Nueces County

Action Steps:

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