Project Description:
Links to Early Learning is a 17-month project funded by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Administration for Children and Families Child Care Bureau under the Early Learning Opportunities Act (ELOA). The proposal was submitted by Easter Seals NH, the Institute on Disability/University Center for Excellence on Disability at UNH, and the Family Resource Connection at the NH State Library on behalf of the Early Learning Lasts a Lifetime Council of Southern NH.
The project?s four major goals are to:
1) Enhance early childhood literacy for about 7000 children aged birth to six years and their families in at least 225 early care and learning programs through training, mentoring, technical assistance (TA) for providers, parents and caregivers, and access to resources. The Ladders to Literacy curriculum, Family Literacy Nights, and other evidence-based or promising approaches will be implemented for this goal.
2) Increase access to early learning opportunities and enhance the quality of services for young children with disabilities by linking 5 regional early intervention programs with 125 childcare programs in 3 counties to provide mentoring, TA and access to resources. ESS (early intervention) staff will implement the coaching model (Hanft, Rush & Sheldon, 2004) in partnership with participating programs to achieve this goal.
3) Enhance early learning, social/emotional development, early identification and referral of young children with developmental or vision concerns in 17 sites through developmental, behavioral and vision screening (Baby Steps program and Books for Babies?and Beyond).
4) Enhance the capacity of parents and caregivers to promote early childhood literacy, early learning and early detection of vision problems through TA to libraries and dissemination of books and materials via multiple venues. Programs and approaches for this goal will include Reading Together Kits, Ready to Read, and Come See and Hear a Story.
Links to Early Learning will serve 81 communities in Rockingham, Strafford and Hillsborough Counties, including six of NH's largest cities. Project activities will be implemented through strong partnerships with 68 agencies and the local council. The project will directly affect 22,675 children and families, 1,594 providers and 454 programs serving young children and their families. All activities are collaborative, drawing upon the strengths of partners and communities (including faith based), to ensure that the needs of traditionally underserved groups are met, such as minorities and families at risk. Expected outcomes include sustainable activities in all venues to assure that children have nurturing opportunities for optimal development and school readiness.
Keyword(s):
screening, referral, childcare, inclusion, early literacy
Core Function(s):
Performing Technical Assistance and/or Training, Performing Research or Evaluation, Developing & Disseminating Information
Area of Emphasis
Education & Early Intervention, Child Care-Related Activities, Health-Related Activities, Other - Cultural Diversity
Target Audience:
Community Trainees / Short term trainees, Professionals and Para-Professionals, Family Members/Caregivers, Children/Adolescents with Disabilities/SHCN, Legislators/Policy Makers, General Public
Unserved or Under-served Populations:
Racial or Ethnic Minorities, Disadvantaged Circumstances, Limited English
Primary Target Audience Geographic Descriptor:
Mulit-County
COVID-19 Related Data:
N/A
