A Continuum of Supports and Services in the Early Years Building a Strong Foundation for Our Future Contents Acknowledgments

2 Introduction Thanks to Education for providing funding for the Early Years Continuum Project in 2010. We commend the Ministry for recognizing that we all learn along a continuum which starts long before formal 3 Purpose schooling and has an impact throughout our lives.

4 Continuum This project has provided the opportunity to imagine a strong continuum of supports for children and families, to learn as communities and to share Framework our individual and collective wisdom toward common goals.

5 Provincial It is important to acknowledge the champions in our communities throughout Alberta, and specifically connected to the Early Years Project Focus Continuum Project for their tireless efforts to work collectively, to build awareness and understanding and to engage parents in developing a better 8 Community future for all children. Focus for Thank you to everyone who was part of creating new knowledge, increasing Learning capacity of individuals and communities to create change and for championing the early years. 9 High Prairie Special appreciation goes to Dr. Michael Quinn Patton and Dr. Clyde Hertzman for being expert advisors to the evaluation team. 12 Lymburn and area During the project time, Dr. Hertzman passed away. With the loss of such an amazing champion for young children, we must ask ourselves, “How can we answer his call to action to provide the best start for our children?” We 16 Knottwood would like to encourage each person reading this report to ask this same question and pledge to be an early years champion! 19 Evaluation Funded By Alberta Education 21 Findings 25 Call to Action Introduction

ALBERTA IS KNOWN FOR ITS probability of positive outcomes. As a community, creativity and innovation. As As a community, providing the our province builds a “made best opportunities for healthy we all have a role in Alberta approach” to early growth and development in the childhood development, we have early years is one way to ensure to play to ensure an opportunity to create a strong we have engaged, productive and children have the continuum of supports that contributing members now and in will ensure all members of our the future. environments and community are able to participate experiences they and contribute in ways that will Children’s brains develop best in benefit us all. strong, nurturing relationships. need to help them The interactive influences of learn, develop Research shows that significant genes and experiences shape the brain development takes place in forming brain. These relationships and thrive. the first six years of life and sets the buffer toxic stress, and include a foundation for learning throughout “serve and return” process where Through the Early Years Continuum our lives. Much like building a house, children’s attempts to interact Project, communities have explored the basic architecture of the brain with adults are met with attention strategies that increase access to is constructed through an ongoing and returned, much like serving positive experiences, and decrease process that begins before birth and returning a ball in a game barriers for families with young and continues into adulthood. Early of tennis. When children lack children so they are able to connect experiences literally shape how the these interactions, they have less easily and effectively across a brain gets built; a strong foundation opportunity to develop their brains continuum of supports from birth to in the early years increases the in critical ways. school entry and beyond.

March 2014 2 Purpose

We are moving to an understanding of the breadth of resources and depth… All the tools have been great; all the brochures and information. It’s like a quilt of care.

Service provider

THE PURPOSE OF THE EARLY OVERARCHING GOALS: YEARS CONTINUUM PROJECT • Families and children have access (EYCP) was to learn how to create to a comprehensive range of early and sustain a comprehensive learning and care services in their continuum of community supports communities; for families with young children (prenatal to school entry). The • Children have opportunities project engaged three Alberta to build a strong foundation of communities to better understand learning and development prior the essential qualities of family and to beginning school; and, community environments necessary • Parents needs and interests for healthy early childhood inform decisions regarding development (ECD); to identify environments to support their needs and challenges, assets and child’s healthy development. opportunities; and, create strategies to establish effective continuums of ADDITIONAL CROSS CUTTING services and supports for families. GOALS: • Communities develop capacities for creating change; and • Increased capacity for evaluation, communication and translating learning to inform change in practice and policies.

3 EYCP Final Report Continuum Framework

UNIVERSAL

HEALTH TARGETED SERVICES

SPECIALIZED

EARLY SCHOOL LEARNING ENTRY & CARE

CONTINUUM IN THE EARLY FAMILY & years is defined as the experiences COMMUNITY of continuity and careful management of transitions and Transition Points intentional connections within between types of service and between settings over time, and levels of service. starting prenatally and through to school entry. When defined this way, the focus shifts from the service provider to a focus on the experience of the child and family.

March 2014 4 Provincial Project Focus

Before people just A PROVINCIAL-LEVEL STEERING As a project with the purpose of Committee oversaw the project. The learning how to create and sustain sat back, ‘That’s the committee had three main areas a comprehensive continuum of way it is.’ People are of focus and responsibility: Linking community supports for families and Leveraging — utilizing Steering with young children, the intent finally motivated, Committee members’ existing was to gather the wisdom of networks and spheres of influence, community, not to create more with a voice, and a create dialogue between sites and programs. The project was platform, bringing broader stakeholder networks to grounded in the ecological model linking findings from this project of child development in which groups together to broader regional and provincial the child first develops within the with a plan. initiatives; Building Capacity — within context of families, nestled within and across project sites as well as community which encompasses within the Steering Committee, and; early learning and care services for Parent Knowledge mobilization — to create young children. Each of these is greater understanding of the current influenced by government systems. models of service delivery in Alberta and other jurisdictions and to translate and disseminate learning gained.

REPRESENTATION ON STEERING COMMITTEE Alberta Child & United Way of Health Family Alberta Capital Services Services Region / SX6

ECMap (Early Edmonton Childhood Catholic Public Mapping Schools Schools Project)

GRIT Interagency Alberta (Getting Ready Head Start Education for Inclusion Network Today)

5 EYCP Final Report Three main areas of focus:

1. LINKING AND LEVERAGING Activities such as: Child Care Study Findings: • The Project co-hosted Better • Mothers in our study were knowledgeable about the early learning Beginnings Better Future services available in their communities, and considered carefully the training and presentations for kinds of services they used. stakeholders connected to early • Early childhood coalitions, family support centers, Parent Link learning and care along with centers, pre-school initiatives, mother-tot programs, etc. are utilized Early Childhood Development and important to families. However, a number of gaps in service Support Services. The are also evident. One concern was a lack of quality, accessible and training supported both EYCP affordable child care. Coordinators as well as Early Childhood Mapping (ECMap) Coordinators. • A day of presentations from eight distinct provincial and THE ECOLOGICAL MODEL OF THE EYCP regional Early Childhood initiatives was hosted by EYCP to enable cross dissemination Governments of findings and increased opportunities to partner where appropriate. (Linking and Leveraging Day). This Community event inspired a linking and leveraging document created by Edmonton ECMap coordinator. Early Learning & earlychildhoodedm.ca Care Services • Worked collaboratively with Department of Human Ecology, University of Alberta Child Care Study to co-conduct four focus groups for parents around the Children & experiences accessing Child Care. Families • Analysis of the Child Care Study findings provided parent voice to the dialogue around Early Childhood Development Provincial Framework created by Muttart Foundation and forums Underlying values: previously co-hosted for system • Child and Family at the Centre • Innovative leaders by Muttart Foundation, • Community Led • Connected Success By 6® and Calgary • Parent Informed • Local learning informs Upstart Champions for Children • Inclusive larger system change and Youth.

March 2014 6 The project has 2. BUILDING CAPACITY 3. KNOWLEDGE MOBILIZATION found ways to make Activities such as: Activities such as: • Supported GRIT (Getting Ready • A communication schematic awareness of services for Inclusion Today) training (below) was developed to generate easier to come by in High Prairie to increase discussion regarding target audiences. capacity of the community to • A literature review was conducted support children’s development, and to make it work to articulate the current state particularly those who may be of early learning and care for you. Having experiencing challenges. This environments and system delivery partnership utilized the expertise someone in the within Alberta and examine service developed as part of the Access delivery in other jurisdictions. community help as Supports and Participation (ASAP) project. • Parent and Service Provider a ‘navigator’ makes handouts were created to • A graduate student from the communicate the importance of the a big difference. University of Alberta, School of early years and were disseminated Population Public Health, was Service provider at events as an engagement tool. engaged to support evaluation work. The student further extended • Presentations at conferences and his learning by researching early events for broad audiences have child development and the been utilized to share information longitudinal impact of poverty. about Continuums as well as the preliminary findings of the project.

COMMUNICATION SCHEMATIC

COMMUNITIES & PARENTS SERVICE PROVIDERS SYSTEMS/GOVERNANCE

Federal Govt.

Provincial Govt.

City of Edmonton

7 EYCP Final Report Community Focus for Learning

THREE ALBERTA COMMUNITIES geography, (one rural, two urban), were selected to be part of socio-economic status, EDI scores EYCP linked to the work of the Early Years Continuum Project: as well as services available and ECMap and used EDI data to service delivery. engage community and increase • High Prairie awareness of the importance of • Lymburn We wanted to learn from the early years. • Knottwood community and utilize that information to inform and influence What is the Early Development Each community undertook practice across Alberta. The project Instrument (EDI)? their own journey of identifying did not limit the communities ways to build stronger and more exploration to one form of • The EDI is a questionnaire comprehensive systems of support continuum – they used integration completed by Kindergarten for families with young children, elements for both “no wrong door” teachers across the Province ways to build stronger bridges and hub model of approaches. We • The EDI gathers information between early childhood and the learned that together, these two about children’s development school system, and improve their strategies work very well to broaden in their early years ability as a community to support the reach to families with young • The EDI data allows us to children’s development in the children, and the effectiveness of understand trends in child early years. Each site is unique the services available. development across the and distinct in its demographics, Province that can help shape decision-making, planning, programs and policy • The questionnaire has 104 questions and measures five core areas of early child development that are known to be good predictors of adult health, education and social outcomes

HIGH PRAIRIE To find out more about child development in your community, visit ecmap.ca. LYMBURN

KNOTTWOOD

March 2014 8 High Prairie, Alberta

Overview Who was involved

Building High Prairie, a rural community SITE COORDINATOR: Community located 4 1/2 hours north of • Necole Screpnek, Alberta Health Capacity Edmonton, was keen to participate Services, Early Interventionist in this project. Representatives • Lindsay Davies, Executive from the local School District Director, High Prairie & Region first contacted Alberta Education Focus: Better Children’s Resource Council support for expressing interest in exploring ways to strengthen services and GOVERNANCE COMMITTEE, children at risk for supports to young children in their PRIMARILY MANAGEMENT FROM: community, and a connection to the developmental • High Prairie School Division No. 48 project was made. delays and their • Holy Family Catholic Regional Division No. 37 families during key There was particular concern • Human Services, Region 8 regarding the high number of transitions in their • Alberta Health Services children entering kindergarten early years. • St. Andrew’s School and school with developmental • Children’s Resource Centre delays that were undetected and • Peavine Aboriginal Head Start undiagnosed, where the child or • ECMap Coalition family had received little or no services prior to school entry. With ADVISORY COMMITTEE the focus on early intervention and CONSISTED OF: exploring the needs of children • Local early childhood with developmental delays, a staff development front line staff person with Alberta Health Services and service providers Early Intervention Program, ‘Show (this group later evolved in to Me’, was recruited to be the local the Brown Bag Lunch group) site coordinator for the project in High Prairie.

9 EYCP Final Report Primary activities Promising Practice: In the last two and actions What worked years in High

Development of an Early Years As a community, through the diligent Prairie a new Directory: The creation of a work of committed Early Childhood directory led to synergy between Champions, High Prairie embraced movement has partners and new collaborations. and brought voice to the importance occurred. People Distribution of the directory created of the early years. Every community opportunities for further connections event; the annual rodeo, the annual are talking about within community and with outlying Sportsman and Fishing show, families and communities. For the first time, Christmas light up, and summer there is a resource available for Street festival, became opportunities children, they families to better understand the to engage and promote “Play are motivated range of supports and services Today” messaging. By exploring available. Service providers also have their community using “Photovoice”, to improve the a resource to support their work in parents and service providers connecting families across became advocates in the civic community, build a continuum of needs. elections for the first time ever. Now, good governance Early Childhood is on the agenda at the local governance level. and, best of all, they are working A family rushed to Edmonton due to birth complications was together. Day by given the resource directory The EYCP partners worked to link to supports back home together to provide an Early day and event in High Prairie by staff at the Years Exposition. In total, over by event more Glenrose Hospital. 240 families participated, including newly elected people take community leaders. Over 35 notice and want Doula project: Since all babies are volunteers and community born outside of the community, service provider partners from to be involved it was identified that a gap in all levels of service provision and somewhere in the connecting with families was administration took part in the created from the start. High expo and worked with families. life of children. Prairie started to support healthy In addition, over 17 businesses pregnancies and link pre/post natal participated to showcase what support services locally as a way to the community’s businesses enhance their continuum. could offer families. Governance partners, service providers, the Service Pathways: Community business community and local engagement and conversations to government actively worked develop service delivery pathways together to support an initiative increased awareness of the need to engage families, children with for access to the right service at special needs and parents into a the right time, and the importance continuum of service in health, of seamless service delivery. learning, human services and Particular focus was placed on community. early identification and supporting children at risk for developmental delays.

March 2014 10 Service Providers Evaluation: Community work Reported: Impact of Activities that continues

Building stronger networks and • Children’s Resource Council and 78% easier to make raising community awareness creates Show Me program staff continue referrals and to get positive continuums of supports for to work collaboratively and share needed information young children and their families: training opportunities. to families. • Cross-sectoral service provider gatherings (Brown Bag Lunch) continue with community In the midst of all this… a first 44% referrals to support. time, anxious new mother other agencies was meeting with her Doula • Ongoing engagement of parents, have increased. and travelling back and forth community partners and outlying to Doctor’s appointments in communities continues with Peace River, an hour and a further updating and distribution 67% increase half away. Baby was late to of the “Service Pathways” and in ability to get arrive but the nervous mother Resource Directory documents. resources for and family were reassured • Children’s Expo will be offered in with support and information the community every second year. families that everything was fine. On October 24th after 18 hours of continuous support from her Doula, “Kieran” was born in Grande Prairie, over two hours from home but with our High Prairie Doula, her partner and her mother by her side. On October 26th the new mother and her family attended the Early Years Expo in High Prairie and were happy to be home.

Excerpt from: High Prairie EYCP – Our Big Change for Little People Story

RECOMMENDATIONS: • Continue to work to engage partners that are not at the table. • Work with Public Health and Child and Family services to connect children at risk for developmental delay to ECD services, particularly the gap between 18 months and school entry. • Develop links with the business community. • Continue to bring voice to early childhood issues in political arenas. 11 EYCP Final Report Lymburn and area, Edmonton, Alberta

Overview Who was involved Leveraging and The community of Lymburn, SITE COORDINATOR: located in west Edmonton, created • Maria Montgomery, working in Strengthening “Discovering Lymburn” after the community capacity building 3R Connections original EDI pilot and ran for two position with Alta Care years before expanding in to • Stephanie Basker, “Health for 2” “Discovering West Edmonton”. Focus: Linking with Parent Link This collective was actively existing services to engaging in community ADVISORY COMMITTEE AND KEY build on strengths, conversations as a way to connect COMMUNITY PARTNERS: with parents and service providers address gaps in • Alta Care Resources to talk about what they wanted • West Edmonton Parent Link the continuum, to have happen. With a focus on • Discovering Lymburn and Area and enhance young children and their families, • Mayfield Early Learning “Discovering West Edmonton” models of service • Community Options expanded to include two more • Alberta Health Services delivery. communities and created CLOC • Edmonton Public Library (Callingwood, Lymburn, and • The GRIT Program Ormsby Communities). It was at • City of Edmonton this time that Lymburn, as part • Centre for Family Literacy of the CLOC network, became a • Lymburn Elementary second site for EYCP. • St. Martha Elementary • Jamie Platz YMCA Maria Montgomery was working • ECMap Coalition as a facilitator at the beginning • ABC Headstart of Discovering Lymburn and • Children and Family Services was in a unique 3R’s (Resources + Relationships = Resiliency) position in Lymburn school. She was already serving in the role of community animator and navigator so her role expanded to become the EYCP site coordinator. It was a perfect fit.

The CLOC Steering Committee determined the place to start to create a stronger continuum of supports for families and children was to strengthen the connections and understanding between service providers. To achieve this “Brown Bag Lunch” gatherings were created and held once a month at the Public Library.

March 2014 12 As a group, we Primary activities have aspired to and actions honor the unique Brown Bag Lunches (BBL): Library started going to evening Lymburn and Area created immunization clinics with Alberta creativity and intersectoral community service Health Services to reach newly talents of each provider meetings (now called landed immigrant families. Building Better Linkages), which other and have helped to build solid relationships begun to capitalize and understanding so each community service provider knew Site coordinator and school on them with a what the other services providers child and family liaison staff global goal in did and offered. These relationships co-facilitate Triple P (Positive led to innovation and partnering Parenting Program) at mind; to create in order to ensure supportive school for the first time. This transitions and community events. program gives parents simple better access and practical strategies to appropriate Community Hubs: The focus on to help them confidently hubs of service became “Centers manage their children’s programs and of Community Connections” behaviour, prevent problems resources for and places of collaboration for developing and build strong, parents and service providers to healthy relationships. parents, youth share information and support. and children in Various locations were explored for connection centres, such as Appreciative Inquiry: Cross-sector our community. schools, libraries, Parent Links, training was provided on the use of community halls — all natural Appreciative Inquiry for community places where parents gather. There conversations. It was the method was intentional co-location of used in conducting parent surveys, programs and services for families. parent engagement and dialogue. For example, Edmonton Public

13 EYCP Final Report Promising Practice: Service Providers What worked Reported:

“When I talk to families, I have a “Over the last 3 years we have mental checklist of all the people watched participation at community 63% easier to make who sit around this (BBL) table. events grow from 40 to 200 this year referrals Now we have this list of services and heard more parents say that (directory) so all our staff will have they feel more connected to their the same information about services community… everyone is included… 63% referrals to for families and young children” we are having a big opening of the other agencies Focus Group participant new playground and now the library have increased is automatically included.” “This project has been a people Community Capacity Assessment Tool connector. The anonymity in a (CCAT) Response 50% increase system can lead to all kinds of in ability to get slipping sideways. Now I feel comfortable that I know a face, resources for and they can give me a hand families and that makes a huge difference for the families we serve” Focus Group participant. 100% noted an increase in their ability to get ENGAGING COMMUNITY AND PARTICIPATING IN EVENTS: needed information for families

CLOC Community

• PhotoVoice • Resource Fair • Winter Festival • Al Training • Kites Over • Ornsby Care Callingwood Centre • Callingwood/ • Clean your Lymburn CLOC Community • Appreciative League Conversations • Lois Hole Library

March 2014 14 Our Brown Bag Evaluation: Community work Group is a team Impact of Activities that continues of grassroots • Creating community connections • As a community, CLOC values the and supporting these connections important work of the ‘community professionals takes dedicated time and energy. navigator and champion” and will be expanding the 3R’s position who reflect the • Identifying the groups that are within Alta Care agency. parent voice, the missing and acting to engage them is essential. • The BBL (Better Building Linkages) opportunities for child’s voice and • Collaboration provides networking and collaboration will opportunity; collaboration the community’s continue by rotating locations provides authenticity; within the community and voice and we have collaboration builds trust, chairperson responsibilities. come together encourages cooperation and shares leadership. • Lymburn Days is now being carried on by linking with existing not only to share • Working together in collaboration community events. those voices with gathers diversity of perspective in services for children and families. • Ormsby Hall continues to be a others, but to act site for community activities. • We can create stronger supports upon them. This to the community when we are • A “Community of Practice” is is our significant sharing resources, ideas, referrals being developed by those using and capacities with each other. Appreciative Inquiry. success; we have • Working together increases our created exciting ability to leverage strengths, assets and capacities within the relationships in community. our community that we believe will be sustainable and which have changed the way we work together.

15 EYCP Final Report Knottwood, Edmonton, Alberta

Overview Who was involved Parents As Knottwood is a community SITE COORDINATOR: in southeast Edmonton. With • Shireen Mears, hired by Champions the changing demographics Knottwood Community League of the community and lagging • Leah Day, administrative support Building a participation in the Knottwood Focus: Community League, the league stronger continuum KEY COMMUNITY PARTNERS: was already actively engaging Community parents/caregivers of supports from a community in surveys to determine formed “Parents as Champions”, parent perspective. what was needed. Parents a core group of parents. This expressed a sense of isolation and group expanded their network not knowing where to turn for by engaging with: resources and activities. • Knottwood Community League utilizing local media Knottwood, through information on • Knottwood Tots Group and their local EDI data, were aware that Playschool young children in the community • ECMap Coalition were experiencing some challenges. • 5 Knottwood Schools: Satoo, Seeing EYCP as an opportunity Menisa, Ekota, Dan Knott, to further engage parents and J Percy Page community, Knottwood became the • Family Resource Center third project site. • Edmonton Public Library • City of Edmonton In response to community need • Alberta Health Services as indicated in surveys, the Knottwood site focused on parent engagement and involvement and created “Parents as Champions”, a parent group that met once a month at the community hall. The parents explored and created opportunities for themselves to have a stronger continuum of support and connection in order to parent their young children. The community development worker, who herself is a parent of young children and had been involved with the original community surveys was hired as the site coordinator through the Knottwood Community League.

March 2014 16 Parents have Primary activities Promising Practice: felt empowered and actions what worked through the Parent Group: Knottwood “Through the project, parents have created a parent group ‘Parents been given the opportunity to come parent-led as Champions’ to engage parents together regularly in a neutral, approach that our and identify parent needs for local safe and welcoming place which continuum supports. has helped to foster relationships. project deliberately These relationships have built chose to take…. Activities: Innovative responses a stronger awareness between were identified based on parent parents of common needs and an Parents gain interest. A Parent Book Club for appreciation of differences that confidence in their example, engaged the public exist within families. Ultimately library in supporting parents these relationships have created ability to take understanding of children’s trust between parents and a sense literature as well as parenting of belonging.” part in complex resource books. A babysitting club discussions and engaged local teens and parents to build relationships and ensure to recognize training of a pool of talented and that their ‘voice’ trusted young people could become part of the continuum of supports. matters as part of Events: Linking to and expanding the bigger picture on existing Community League of developing a events was a focus as well as creating parent focused events to framework for strengthen local networks. early childhood Learning: With a focus on development in increasing community and parent the province. capacity; community based learning opportunities related to early learning and child development were provided.

Four parents involved in early years project put names forward to sit on the local community league executive.

17 EYCP Final Report Evaluation: Community work Through its design Impact of Activities that continues and evolution, we “Due to the parent groups we’ve • Knottwood Community League believe the EYCP had, we now look at every other continues to support the child we walk by as our own. Those ‘Babysitting Club’ with internal adds a unique children have been brought in to resources. and valuable the fold because we say, ‘OK., you’re • Edmonton Public Library our target.’ We look at that child contribution to the continues to offer Parent Book who is lost, or the one who may Club. overall work being need more support and say ‘that is who we need to support in our next • Knottwood Community League done through will be the contact for the future meeting.’ We are looking proactively various ministries at the community…. Not just my “I’ve Outgrown It Sale” family, but something done to help • Partnerships with Family and initiatives by the others.” Resource Center continue as Focus group participant Shireen, site coordinator, will be providing focused offering parenting programs with attention on, and RECOMMENDATIONS: the center. inclusion of, the • Build on community events. • Hold events in schools. parent voice.

• Engage parents in decisions. Focus Group Participant • Report impact – let community know how their voice is making a difference.

March 2014 18 Evaluation

Measuring Impact

This has been an EVALUATION WAS CONDUCTED the project and individual by E. Krupa Research and community sites to measure change evolving practice ... Development Inc. contracted and track the journey in order to through the Alberta Centre for inform recommendations at local We look at what is Child, Family and Community and provincial levels with multiple emerging and adjust Research. Developmental audiences. Evaluation “walked along side” according to this direction. “

PCAT qualitative data

TRADITIONAL VERSUS DEVELOPMENTAL EVALUATION

PLAN ACT EVALUATE

PLAN

ACT

EVALUATE

“Evaluation focuses on whether of evaluation. One of Developmental change has occurred, the nature Evaluation’s niches is to support and degree of change, and the exploration and innovation before factors that lead to change. there is a program model to Assessing, understanding, and improve and summatively test.” explaining change is at the center Michael Patton, Developmental Evaluation (2011)

19 EYCP Final Report Every meeting had MULTIPLE DATA COLLECTION METHODS: an end result from getting information from parents, or having service Admin Data providers hear what Most Significant Capacity & we had to say; or Change Collaboration Stories carrying on to create solutions. Then we all carried that out into the community, Developmental Parent [at events] such as PhotoVoice Evaluation Surveys the clothing sale, where you meet and talk to people and

Service connect with people Focus Provider Groups who also identified Survey the need.

CCAT participant

March 2014 20 Findings

Promising Practice - What Worked?

How did the BUILDING CAPACITY: WORKING COLLECTIVELY: • Created and utilized a Literature • Hosted or participated in project contribute Review of models of continuums community events to increase which informed planning and engagement to community actions • Communicated with and services and • Hosted “Think Tank” sessions connected service providers to service providers? for provincial and community work together, ensure community representatives to work and learn resources are well understood, Improved access, together and to improve services and transitions between settings effectiveness, • Provided site-based, community need specific training • Intentionally connected and learning and supported activities through • Activities focused on partnerships with other ECD sustainability. Collaboration and Evaluation projects toward a common goal • Supported evaluative thinking and • Shared information and resources participation in evaluation across sites & communities ENGAGING PARENT VOICE: • Connected with municipal • Gathered parent voice in multiple governments regarding ways such as surveys, focus community environments, groups and photo voice projects programs and supports relevant to children and young families • Engaged parents in designing and informing services and supports • Linked with rural and remote that work best for them communities to increase awareness and understanding • Used effective models for of the early years increasing understanding from service provider and • Used the early development parent perspectives through instrument (EDI) data and Appreciative Inquiry partnered to generate community energy around improving child BUILDING COMMUNITY development prior to school entry AWARENESS: • Used technology and social media • Designed and used a for increasing connections and communication continuum to sharing resources support planning and sharing of information • Disseminated materials to service providers and parents specific to events and services as well as child development • Presented information on the various components to the project, impact and recommendations

21 EYCP Final Report Progress towards goals:

FAMILIES AND CHILDREN PARENTS INFORM CAPACITY TO CREATE HAVE ACCESS: DECISIONS: CHANGE: 72% Increased ability to help 80% Increased understanding At each site and at the families’ access resources of what parents want in provincial level, evaluation they need services measured an increase in capacity in key domains: 72% Increased ability to 65% Increased parent input make successful referrals into program planning and • Participation and delivery engagement COMMUNITIES PROVIDE 525 Number of parents • Leadership capacity OPPORTUNITIES TO BUILD engaged (Through surveys, • Sense of community - A STRONG FOUNDATION: focus groups, photo voice) 73% Increased collaboration organizational structures in providing supports and and networks services • Ability to obtain resources 55% Services are more for communication supportive of a continuum • Collaboration among of services stakeholders 93% Improved networking and information sharing among early learning

March 2014 22 Findings (continued)

Major Lessons Learned

Parents’ preferred 1. Communities learned how to • Evaluation support: reflective engage parents and service and evaluative thinking with sources of providers to create continua support to clarify situations, information of services and supports and inform decisions and build when looking for transform environments. capacity; programs, services 2. Community and provincial teams • Community controlled built capacities to learn, create resources: empowered and supports: and sustain change. communities able to respond to local needs and dynamics; 3. There were 6 keys to success 11% other parents in ECD community capacity • Strategic assessment/ building and action: planning and action: enabling people with information and • A strong project management 24% online/website support for understanding and team: mentors who were decision making; well connected and able to 10% social media navigate complexities; • Adequate time: to allow community development, build • Community Coordinators: relationships, clarify roles, resourceful and respected 12% community engage stakeholders, create communicators in touch with collaboration, understand newsletter their communities; complexities, take action and 12% school create change

23 EYCP Final Report Recommendations

1. Build on the early childhood 4. Make sure ECD is on every We are no longer networks and champions that agenda and find ways to exist in communities throughout overcome barriers and create drowning in the dark our province. Navigators and opportunities. connectors are essential. in our own silos. 5. Invest in our understanding of 2. Build from the grass roots ability how children are developing in Service provider to self evaluate, take action and our province (such as EDI) and advocate for early childhood in our understanding of relevant community. research so we can learn from what works. 3. Connect projects focused on child development in the early years, so we can share with each other and continue to support local community work.

March 2014 24 Call to Action

Listen to community voice

We feel fortunate to FAMILIES ARE EACH UNIQUE WHEN ASKED TO IMAGINE THE and have different and emerging DESIRED FUTURE, PARENTS AND live in a community needs over time. The goal is to have SERVICE PROVIDERS ENVISIONED: a strong system of coordinated • A local and provincial framework with such friendly supports and services in community for ECD that emphasizes that create a comprehensive people and I am development of a continual continuum from prenatal through spectrum of services and supports; happy that my school entry. kids can learn the • Inclusive community hubs, with Strong continuums of support in staff trained in cultural competency, benefits of being the early years are essential in order and skillful in welcoming families part of a community. to provide a strong foundation for that move into an area, including life-long learning, and to ensure newcomers to Canada; we thrive and prosper as a society Parent • Focused social media and public now and in the future. We have an awareness campaigns and opportunity to utilize the learning dissemination of ECD information; from this project to achieve the and vision of improved well-being for all • Use of learnings from evaluations young children in Alberta. and research to improve early child development policies and practices.

EYCP PARENTS DESCRIBE THE FUTURE AS ‘WE ENVISION . . .’ WITHIN 3 THEMES

. . . receiving support through a . . . a strong sense of belonging community service for the care . . . a family friendly agency . . . and mutual support as a parent . . . and development of our child . . .

Friendly, knowledgeable, Helpful people, knowing you’re not Parent input into program helpful staff alone; having fun in a safe place planning and delivery

Personal services & connection Good referral relationships & A sense of community, friends to the other parents to enable agencies that are involved in the and shared experience sharing and support communities they serve

Flexible appointment dates, Being part of programs where Better reach to diverse age times & facilities located close you can talk, learn & socialize groups, childcare and more to home. with your children free events

25 EYCP Final Report Call to Action

What you can do

THROUGHOUT THIS PROJECT, continuums of support for children • Identify areas for improved we have had the opportunity to and families prenatal through coordination or collaboration with build stronger links and provide school entry, and so all children others to make supports more recommendations from our learning have a healthy start. easily accessible and better suited for a stronger early system of to family needs; and support for families with young SOME TANGIBLE IDEAS FOR • Find out more about the children. We encourage others to OTHER COMMUNITIES AND strategies used within the Early listen to the wisdom of communities SERVICE PROVIDERS ARE: Years Continuum Project and and families who participated. • Ask parents about their needs outcomes of the project and and their experiences in accessing recommendations for action. There are multiple efforts taking supportive environments for their Visit successby6edmonton.info place in Alberta to better support families; families with young children. We encourage people leading such • Reflect on how well your services Declare yourself an “Early Years work to think about how each and the transition points are Champion” and inspire others to do component can link in order to currently connected to support the same. leverage resources and learning access for families in your from others to create strong community;

A Healthy Start – Let’s Make it Happen

March 2014 26 EARLY YEARS CONTINUUM PROJECT Success By 6, United Way Alberta Capital Region 15132 Edmonton, AB