Steps to Partnership
The process developed by the Implementation Team and approved by the Steering Committee from that meeting through partnership was as follows:


    

  1.  Following “Making the Connection”, the centers used the 
     Notice of Interest to Participate
     form to express interest in pursuing partnership.

  2.  The mentoring team made a visit to each site to tour the center, be introduced to staff, and get to know the director and her site a little better. 

  3.  All centers expressing interest were invited to a group meeting.  The remaining steps in the process were discussed.  A copy of the Early Childhood Environment Rating Scale (ECERS) was given to each director.  Discussion took place to make sure everyone understood:

      

    1.  There were 68 slots available for partnerships

    2.  Minimally a site would have to be able to dually enroll at least 5 children.

    3.  Sites that couldn’t be included in partnership in the pilot year could still receive some training and be considered possible partners the following year.

    

  4.  Based on the number of sites interested and their prior involvement with Let’s Talk, 
the mentoring team began to work with the centers.

  5.  Several general observations were made prior to doing the ECERS.  Information was being given to center staff in writing and/or at staff meetings to create an understanding of the benefits of partnership.  The CCP Specialist gathered information from the center director to get a picture of the existing staff, their credentials and prior training.  She met with each of the directors to get a feel for what the director saw as her site’s strengths, its challenges and her goals for the site.

  6.  The ECERS was done and reviewed with the director and staff from the classrooms observed.

  7.  The Implementation Team met to review:

      

    1.  Licensing records

    2.  Participation in an area provider network

    3.  Prior Let’s Talk Training

    4.  Ability to serve siblings

    5.  Number of 3 & 4 year old slots

    6.  Documented observations by the mentors 

    7.  ECERS results

    8.  The Mentor’s Assessment of Readiness to Partner

    
The team ranked the providers with factors a, f, g and h above being the most important factors in determining potential success in partnering.


  8.  They submitted recommendations to the Steering Committee for pilot partnerships.

  9.  Based on the approval of the Steering Committee, centers were be informed by the CCP Project Director as to the decisions.

  10.  The CCP Specialist continued to work with the center directors to design Site Enrichment Plans (material needs that can be fulfilled by the grant).  

  11.  After a Program Option Change from Head Start at the Regional level was approved, contracts were signed and the Site Enrichment Plan was activated.   

  12.  Regular site visits and mentoring continued.