In the News 

On November 9, Governor Schwarzenegger signed an executive order creating the California State Advisory Council on Early Childhood Education and Care.  The new planning body is charged with promoting efficiency, effectiveness and accountability in California's ECE system.  Its creation is a necessary step for California to apply for $10.7 million over three years in federal Recovery Act monies and eventually to compete for a portion of the billions of federal dollars in proposed "Race to the Top" quality improvement legislation.

The new council will build on the work of the Early Learning Quality Improvement System (ELQIS) committee, which was established by SB-1629 (Steinberg) to improve the quality of early care and education programs.  CHSA members have been active in the ELQIS planning process, including drafting model quality rating system recommendations.  Under the Governor's executive order, ELQIS committee members will join the newly created State Advisory Council and the Governor will make additional appointments as outlined in federal legislation, including the State Director of Head Start Collaboration and a representative of Head Start agencies in California.

"This action will help bring California funding to support our state's high-quality preschool programs and help ensure our state's neediest children will be prepared for success on their very first day of elementary school," according to Schwarzenegger. 

CHSA Clusters and Local T/TA Needs
We are continuing our outreach to the CHSA Cluster to inform them of our TTA priorities and opportunities for training and support. The State Team plans to work with the local clusters to ensure all needs are identified and establish a plan for meeting them at the local area.  Members of the State-based T/TA Team were invited to join the CHSA Executive Director on a conference call with CHSA Cluster Leads. During this call all Leads were invited to contact the State Office to begin planning for T/TA delivery in their areas.  We have received updated OHS National T/TA priorities.  So, if you have not already contacted us, this would be a great time to contact us to ensure that your needs are equitably included in our workplan. 
 
ECE Competencies
The State T/TA Team is participating in the ECE Competencies stakeholder meetings and providing feedback on this process.  These ECE Competencies will be aligned with the California Preschool Learning Foundations and the Infant/Toddler Learning and Development Foundations. 
 
ELQIS and Water Cooler Meetings
The State T/TA Team is participating on the following ELQIS Workgroups: Design, Workforce Development, Data, and Family Engagement. If you are not already involved, this process offers grantees an excellent opportunity to be involved in these processes that impact statewide services. We will be sharing significant information with you via our listservs and other T/TA venues.
 
California Screening Initiative
The State T/TA Office is participating in the Statewide California Screening Initiative and supporting the development of an online screening toolkit for both pediatricians and ECE community.
 
Training Events
The State T/TA Team is delivering cluster trainings throughout the state.  Some of these events include: Dual Language Framework, Challenging Behaviors, Oral Health, Male Involvement, Head Start 101.  In addition, we will be presenting "Engaging Families in the Partnership Process" at the National HSA Parent Conference, December 5, in San Jose.
 
Early Head Start
The State T/TA Team is working with OHS, the Regional Office, CHSA, the GPSSs, and other partners to plan orientation, training, and technical assistance for new and expanding Early Head Start programs.