Engaging Key Stakeholders

Mike Bachman, Indiana AEYC

#INforEarly

Mike Bachman, M.A., IYD Senior Director Indiana Accreditation Project

Indiana AEYC Phone: 317-275-3524 or 800-657-7577

mbachman@iaeyc.org

Engaging Key Stakeholders

Cindy Frey, Columbus Area Chamber of Commerce

INDIANA SUMMIT FOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT VIA EARLY LEARNING COALITIONS

#INforEarly

In the beginning…

"School officials were shocked in 1996 when a commissioned Hudson Institute report declared that Columbus schools were the weak link in Columbus's economic development. Their "aha" moment, however, was the report's conclusion that K-12 education is economic development.” Humanizing the Education Machine: How to Create Schools

That Turn Disengaged Kids Into Inspired Learners Rex Miller, Bill Latham, Brian Cahill

INDIANA SUMMIT FOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT VIA EARLY LEARNING COALITIONS

#INforEarly

In the beginning… 1996 - Hudson Institute Report 1997 - Community Education Coalition (CEC) Formed

Early focus on expanding post-secondary programs and aligning them with employer needs, esp. in advanced manufacturing

2002 – $5M Community Alliances to Promote Education (CAPE) grant

INDIANA SUMMIT FOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT VIA EARLY LEARNING COALITIONS

#INforEarly

1999-2009

• City becoming increasingly diverse

• Students on lunch assistance rose from 20% to 40%

• Students entering kindergarten - 52% eligible for F/R lunch

• Not moving the needle on student performance

• 2009 Study: How might the CEC engage in work to support early childhood education programs and services in Bartholomew county?

INDIANA SUMMIT FOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT VIA EARLY LEARNING COALITIONS

#INforEarly

Making the Case

The goal of the Cummins Six Sigma project was to create an aligned early childhood education “system” that connects into the larger learning system of our county. The research study generated data that helped make a compelling case to the business community about the benefits of investing in Pre-K.

INDIANA SUMMIT FOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT VIA EARLY LEARNING COALITIONS

#INforEarly

Pre-K Pilot

• Stand-alone site operated by Bartholomew Consolidated School Corporation (BCSC)

• Before and after care plus transportation • Scholarships for 4-year olds with financial need • Scholarships were made available for children to

attend the private and faith-based Pre-K programs

• Launched in fall 2011 • 5 days, full day • Privately funded • 120 kids

INDIANA SUMMIT FOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT VIA EARLY LEARNING COALITIONS

#INforEarly

How to Sustain the Program?

2012 School Referendum Afterward, the community successfully lobbied Indiana General Assembly for the ability to describe the purpose of the proposed tax levy on the ballot

INDIANA SUMMIT FOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT VIA EARLY LEARNING COALITIONS

#INforEarly

How to Sustain the Program?

2014 School Referendum 2.0 Educators, social service providers, health care reps, and business leaders worked together to create a visible campaign • Advertising • Social media • Speakers Bureau • Chamber Lunch • Door-to-door

INDIANA SUMMIT FOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT VIA EARLY LEARNING COALITIONS

#INforEarly

Where Are We Now?

When pilot funding ended, BCSC re-allocated Title 1 funds. BCSC provides Pre-K for 4-year olds in 9 elementary schools and the Busy Bees Johnson Center, serving about 350 4-year olds.

INDIANA SUMMIT FOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT VIA EARLY LEARNING COALITIONS

#INforEarly

Where Are We Now?

INDIANA SUMMIT FOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT VIA EARLY LEARNING COALITIONS

#INforEarly

Where Are We Now?

• 100 Stakeholders • Average 30 attendees at meetings • Data-driven approach

A community coalition focused on ensuring all families have access to affordable, high quality early learning programs and opportunities.

#INforEarly

OUR PROCESS

Where Are We Now?

INDIANA SUMMIT FOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT VIA EARLY LEARNING COALITIONS

#INforEarly

Where Are We Now?

INDIANA SUMMIT FOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT VIA EARLY LEARNING COALITIONS

#INforEarly

Where Are We Now?

• More stakeholders involved than ever before • We have solid, local data from the pilot program • Community awareness is heightened • Our focus is broader with a focus on 0 to 5-year olds • We share a deep understanding of the complexity of the

problems • There is an atmosphere of trust and respect

#INforEarly

Cindy Frey President

Columbus Area Chamber of Commerce

812.379.4457

cfrey@columbusareachamber.com

Engaging Key Stakeholders

Larry Pejeau & Dr. Laura Hammack

#INforEarly

Dr. Laura Hammack

Superintendent Brown County Schools

(812) 988-6601 lhammack@browncountyschools.com

Larry Pejeau CEO

Brown County Community Foundation (812) 988-4882

larry@bccfin.org

INDIANA SUMMIT FOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT VIA EARLY LEARNING COALITIONS

#INforEarly

Questions?

• QUESTIONS?

THE INDIANA SUMMIT FOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT IS SPONSORED BY:

THE INDIANA SUMMIT FOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT IS PRESENTED BY: