Ready 4 Learning EC Map
"Never underestimate the power of a small group of committed people to change the world. In fact, it is the
only thing that ever has.”
- Margaret Mead
Moving Ahead…
10/10/12
ECMap Community Coalition Building
Process to Date
Prepared by: Ready 4 Learning and the
Café Institute
14/12/11 Ready 4 Learning EC Map
Two Orientations Two Approaches
TraditionalSocial Service Model
• Focus on Needs• Responds to Problems
• Goal is service• People are clients
• Power comes from credentials
Community Building Model • Focus on Assets• Builds from Opportunities
• Focus on Community• Goals is empowerment
• Power comes from relationships
source: adapted from Mathie.A. and Cunningham, G. Coady International Institute, ABCD manual 2006 and Green, T. (2006) When People care enough to Act.
14/12/11 Ready 4 Learning EC Map
Incorporating elements of anAsset-based Community Development (ABCD) Framework
Facilitates the community in identifying inherent assets and strengths using:• Appreciative inquiry oriented interviews• Community mapping and inventory tools
Offers a process to mobilize collective potential for capacity building:• Determining common vision and goals• Linking existing assets and resources (building social capital)• Building on previous success• Leveraging additional resources as needed
(J. Kretzmann, J. McKnight, 2003, Building Communities from the Inside Out)
Relevance of J. Epstein’s Research (2006) on Family, School, Community Partnerships
for ECD process
Importance of setting a precedence for families and communities to be engaged in learning in the early years that continues through schooling for later success.
Need to engage coalition partners from all spheres of influence around shared interest of student.
Opportunities arise from overlapping these spheres.
Caring communities can be built intentionally, and they include families that might not become in involved on their own.
Caring leads to action… 14/12/11 Ready 4 Learning EC Map
Source: J. Epstein, 2006, School, Family, and Community Partnerships, Preparing Educators and Improving Schools
14/12/11 Ready 4 Learning EC Map
Bowness/Montgomery/Greenwood Village Early childhood Coalition –
Beginning with Conversation
14/12/11 Ready 4 Learning EC Map
Coalition Building
Communities are well placed to develop strong relationships between families, services, schools and community services to collectively improve outcomes for children.
ASK YOURSELF and OTHER…
• Who lives, works or plays in the community?• Who will affect the system?• Who can benefit from the solutions ?• Who cares enough to act?
14/12/11 Ready 4 Learning EC Map
Increasing the Overlapping SpheresService Providers/Agencies
Why Engage the Community?
What do the community residents bring?
What do the agencies, institutions bring?
14/12/11 Ready 4 Learning EC Map
Appreciative Inquiry
“Human systems grow toward what they persistently ask questions about.”
- D. Cooperrider and D. Whitney
14/12/11 Ready 4 Learning EC Map
Ready 4 Learning EC Map14/12/11
Ready 4 Learning EC Map14/12/11
Ready 4 Learning EC Map14/12/11
Individual Skills and Talents
Talents of the Head
Talents of the Heart
Talents of the Hands
14/12/11 Ready 4 Learning EC Map
14/12/11 Ready 4 Learning EC MapSource, Adapted from SLF, DFID, CIDA
Detailed Asset Inventory
14/12/11 Ready 4 Learning EC Map
Group Purpose Links to other groups
Interest in ECD
Potential Contribution(people,Space,Funds, resources,
Contact
eg. Community association
Lions Club
Seniors Group
Linking To Data
Validates current effortsSituates according to 5 developmental areasAllows response to gaps – clarify desired
outcomesTies into collective vision (Upstart)Build on what’s working
14/12/11 Ready 4 Learning EC Map
Ready 4 Learning EC Map
Our Vision…adopted from Upstart:
All children from conception to 6 years of age are supported by family and community to reach their optimal development.
14/12/11
Our Name:
Adopted from the Bowness Early Literacy Project
Ready 4 Learning EC Map
A look at the bigger picture -
14/12/11
Ready 4 Learning EC Map
A look at the bigger picture -
14/12/11
Ready 4 Learning EC Map
A look at the bigger picture -
14/12/11
Ready 4 Learning EC Map
A look at the bigger picture -
14/12/11
Ready 4 Learning EC Map
A look at the bigger picture -
14/12/11
Ready 4 Learning EC Map
Our Mission:Ready 4 Learning is…
Working together to create a community in which all young children thrive.
14/12/11
Ready 4 Learning EC Map14/12/11
Source: Adapted from Surman, M. and Surman, 2008, Listening to the Stars, The Constellation Model for Social Change.
Ready 4 Learning EC Map
Communication - Awareness- Creating a basis for knowledge of EC development YGG- Get schools out to ECD Coalition GG- Get the word out – websites, blogs, newsletters, and articles in Bowester
GGGG- Build awareness of assets – i.e. Parks GG- “Normalizing” struggles of parenting across socio-economic lines; shared
struggles and issues RR- Create awareness of what is already here – i.e. Maps with playgrounds
GGG- Knowledge to use schools more. YYYY- Better way of knowing kids capacities and helping them stay on track GR- Information to parents – community assets and resources YG- Manageable format – a place to go and ask questions and access
information YY- Reach more local parents YRG - Community Developmental education and screening YRG
Collective Possibilities (conversations and meetings)
14/12/11
Ready 4 Learning EC Map
Strengthening Collaboration
• Better Coordination of services* YYYY • Resources ‘flexible” for easy access YR• More collaboration of agencies to promote more
active involvement of families (parents) YRGG• Build a stronger more reliable community resource
center **** YYR
14/12/11
Ready 4 Learning EC Map
Creating Opportunities
- Create programs and systems for ‘mixed groups” RRR- “Coffee and Scream” location YYYR- Relief Nursery – gathering Place R- Drop-in Gym YYG- Having older kids mentor younger kids and tutor them to achieve success
GGY- Programs that are available for working parents YR- Support for families experiencing crisis YY- More opportunities for parents to meet informally and talk about abut raising
kids YG- More sharing of resources – toys, books, etc. through lending libraries GG- Bring back vaccination clinic, nurses within community, creates place to run
into other mothers RR- Tap into seniors – grandparents reading YGG
14/12/11
Ready 4 Learning EC Map14/12/11
Ready 4 Learning EC Map14/12/11
Action Planning
14/12/11 Ready 4 Learning EC Map
ACTION What do we have to work with?
What else is needed?
Who is responsible?
Ready 4 Learning EC Map
Growing a balanced community coalition…
Businesses Government/Institutions
Resources (agencies) Community
IndividualsAssociations
14/12/11
Source: P. Born,, adapted from Community Conversation, 2008.s
Evaluation and Monitoring
Involve participants Tie into collective vision – shared goals and measurement (EDI) Observation/Unintended outcomes Document some results quickly Focus on Intermediate goals Be descriptive – Most significant change? Ongoing sharing and discussing of process and results Acknowledge shortcomings
• Adapted from: Dewar, T. (1997) A guide to evaluating assets-based community development
14/12/11 Ready 4 Learning EC Map
Ready 4 Learning EC Map
What’s Next for ?
Action planning and implementation within working groups
Assist in the identification of potential additional ‘Community Connectors’ for coalition working groups.
Establish regular steering committee meetings – fall 2012 and working group planning meetings.
Continue asset mapping. “Low hanging fruits” – taking action
14/12/11
Ready 4 Learning EC Map
Café Institute is an Alberta-based not-for-profit society that connects families, schools, and communities in support of learning. www.cafeinstitute.org
For more information contact Jill Koch at:[email protected]
Education for communities/Communities for education
For more information contact Iris Spurrell at Ready for Learning: [email protected]
Prepared in partnership with Ready for Learning by our
friends at the :
14/12/11
