Building Regional Liaison

Networks

NH’s recipe to develop and support regional

leaders, share resources, and build

relationships between LEAs

Lynda Thistle ElliottNH Department of Education

Ingredients

Subgrant sites• Projects that include professional development,

networking and/or outreach as part of their subgrant

• Subgrant can be modified• Include in language of RFP

Liaisons• Preferably with leadership or collaboration skills• Experience preferred, but not required• Have decision-making authority or supportive

leadership

Preparation

Determine the regions• Start with 1-2 and build on this later• Consider the liaisons (i.e. subgrant LEAs) when

identifying regions

Identify available funds (This recipe is budget friendly!)

• Administrative: state level (MV)• Leftover or carryover funds (subgrants)• Other partners, i.e. Title I, advocacy groups,

etc.

Combine ingredients slowly.Fold in gently, do not over-mix!

Meet informally with potential liaison(s) or subgrant project managers

Share plans and ideas

Identify region areas (LEAs) and relationships already in place

Identify needs of the region

Develop strategy, timeline, any potential supportive funds, and possible partners

Cook Slowly

Turning up the heat may cause burn(out) or underdone projects!

SEAL: South East Area Liaisons• Rochester Schools Title I Project Manager/LEA

Liaison & Subgrant Coordinator• Invited LEAs in wide region to participate in

quarterly meetings• Included other potential regional leaders

• Advocates and other partners• “Strays”

• Key liaisons from surrounding LEAs act as co-planners and partners

SEAL

Selected topics from meetings:• MV training

Discussion of roles/responsibilities/ educational rights

Real-life scenarios Group problem-solving/sharing

• Special Education• Title I• Healthcare access• Sex Trafficking (May 2014)

Meanwhile, the Upper Valley Region Prepares

Upper-Valley Region (Claremont School District Subgrant)

• Hosted homeless youth forum summer 2013• Identified key liaisons, advocates, community

partners • Has been attending SEAL meetings

• Meeting with SEAL leader(s)

Replicating the SEAL Recipe• First meeting planned late spring 2013• Includes other area liaisons as partners

Recipe Substitutions

• Title IA Program Managers as region leaders• In partnership with Liaisons

• Monadnock School District (developing a mini-region & planning a forum for late spring/early summer)

• Keene School District• In partnership with other Title I PMs and Liaisons

• McKinney-Vento ‘mini subgrants’ as option for regional homeless education leadership

• Consider local advocates as partners or partner with other groups (i.e., NH Homeless Teen Task Force, Higher Education Initiative)

Use Regional or Statewide Forumsas Recipe Starters

Topics of interest from the field or the state coordinator’s ‘triage’ list

• Homeless unaccompanied youth• Healthcare access for homeless youth• Replicate the forums – ‘share the recipe, modify

as need for the region’

Forums:• Seacoast Area• Upper-Valley Area• Central/Lakes Area (partner planning stages)

Tips from the research kitchen….

Change it up!• Region leaders know their region. Let them find the

special ingredient!• If a region isn’t ready, move on!

Use ‘spice’ carefully. State Coordinator:• Makes the connections• Provides the resources• Plays supportive role. Don’t overpower the flavor of

a region or it’s ‘chefs.’

Be patient• Recipe can’t be rushed, but you can do a quick rise

when needed!• Substitute often! Try new things.