Goal A: Build the Profession
Increase support of a highly skilled, professional workforce
Goal A1
Create opportunities for networking, information sharing, and peer learning at every level of the profession
Indicators
- Identify and implement one strategy to support directors in recruitment of staff (e.g. media campaign, branding)
- Networking meetings offered to all center directors
- ECE related service and resource providers invited to participate in relevant center director networking meetings
- Increased opportunities (over the one opportunity in November 2019) for ECEA directors to network outside monthly meeting
Activites
- Provide monthly networking meetings in 10 or more months per year including contact when possible
- Through peer relationships and targeted recruitment efforts, recruit 5 more directors who did not engage in 2018-19 to the monthly meetings
- Build up communication and resources through the website, social media, and email that raises awareness of ECEA and publicizes tangible benefits
- Provide opportunities for stakeholders to share/exchange information at monthly meetings
- Provide web-based private chat site for directors monitored by webmaster
- Provide directors the opportunity to participate in an annual network retreat/luncheon
Goal A2
Expand ECEA's involvement in training and professional development offerings
Indicators
- Expand director level training embedded in network meetings based on topics identified by the directors
- Identify external learning opportunities that would deepen director skills and knowledge, and support them to make plans to attend
- Expand collaborative involvement in ECE related training offerings (Infant/Toddler Initiative, Be Resilient UV)
- Support UVEI in recruitment of ECEA directors in soft pilot by end of 2020
Activites
- Increase the number of director level trainings offered during monthly meetings (over the 4 offered in 2019)
- Increase ECE workforce’s knowledge of local, regional, state and national training opportunities
- Increase the number of training opportunities for the ECE workforce through internal collaborative efforts (above the 4 offered in 2019)
- Increase the number of training opportunities for the ECE workforce through external collaborative efforts (above the 2 offered in 2019)
Goal A3
Transfer learning into quality improvements in programs and services
Indicators
- Begin efforts to support a culture of intentional classroom development
- Begin efforts to support implementation of best practices in classrooms
Activities
- Identify needs for supporting intentional classrooms (survey, interview)
- Identify needs for supporting implementation of best practices in classrooms (survey, interview)
- Identify opportunities for collaboration with existing projects/learning opportunities
- Share opportunities for quality improvement on ECEA website
Goal A4
Support area directors in efforts to retain and recruit staff
Indicators
- Increase efforts in supporting directors in staff retainment
- Increase efforts in supporting directors in staff recruitment
Activites
- Identify and implement one strategy to support directors in retainment of staff (e.g. Staff wellness project, Caring for Caregivers)
- Identify and implement one strategy to support directors in recruitment of staff (e.g. media campaign, branding)
Goal B: Advocacy
Be a voice for the sector through the collective power of ECEA
Goal B1
Strengthen our capacity by building relationships with key stakeholders and other networks
Indicators
- Continued participation and collaboration with established key stakeholders and networks
- Increase capacity by building new relationships with key stakeholders and networks
Activites
- Maintain collaboration with Work United Project and Child Forum network, Child Care Aware NH and Northern Lights at CCV
- Identify collaborative opportunities with key stakeholders and networks in the region (DH-Community Health Partnership, Starting Points, Integrated Family Services)
Goal B2
Be at the table in regional and statewide settings to influence policies and systems change
Indicators
- Continued representation at Building Bright Futures (regional, state), Let’s Grow Kids, NH-Preschool Development Grant, NH Child Care Advisory
- Increase representation at local, regional and state levels as needed
- Increase bi-directional communication between network and regional/statewide settings
Activites
- Network coordinator will represent the ECEA at targeted advocacy meetings
- Network coordinator will facilitate strategic presence of ECEA directors at targeted regional and statewide meetings
- Inform the network of regional and statewide policies and systems changes (network meetings, website)
Goal C: Sustainability
Assure that the ECEA is a strong organization able to carry out its mission
Goal C1
Implement a paid Network Coordinator position
Indicators
- A paid Network Coordinator is in place and funded for 2020
- Reporting relationships between the Network Coordinator, Board Co-Chairs, and Executive Committee are implemented
Activites
- Contract and salary are finalized by January 2020
- Regular support and check-ins are taking place between the Network Coordinator and Board Co-Chairs
- Network Coordinator and Executive Committee are meeting regularly on a monthly basis, and conducting a check-in on the strategic plan every 4 months
- Staffing needs for 2021 are defined by October 2020, based on the experience of piloting the position in 2020
Goal C2
Create a sustainable funding plan to support ECEA staffing and programs
Indicators
- Development of a 2-year plan for sustainable funding (2021-2022)
- Substantial portion of 2021 revenue secured or likely by December of 2020
Activites
- Build a budget for 2021 by fall 2020, including Network Coordinator hours and cost.
- Through the Professional Development Committee, identify training and professional development priorities for 2021 and costs involved.
- Identify collaborative relationships that benefit ECEA members
- Identify potential funding partners and reach out for one-on-one meetings.
Goal C3
Maintain a healthy governance and leadership structure with clear board, committee, and staff roles
Indicators
- Create and maintain sustainable leadership and committee structures that keeps the strategic plan on track without undue burden on officers and committees
- Continue to develop the Roles and responsibilities of the Network Coordinator, officers, committees, and ECEA membership revised, if needed, to reflect learnings from the year
- Maintain clear communication and a constructive working relationship between the Network Coordinator, Board Co-Chairs, Executive Committee and other committees
Activites
- Ensure that regular meetings of standing and ad hoc committees have clear agendas and effective outputs to implement strategic goals
- Monitor and adjust roles and expectations to keep within sustainable time commitments
- Explore experience and mentoring opportunities for members and committees to build a pipeline of future committee chairs and officers
- Utilize periodic consultation and support from the governance consultant