Early Learning Coalitions
Child Care Action Council is actively involved in Early Learning Coalitions
across our five counties. Each county formed a group of stakeholders and
together determined the goals and activities to meet the identifi ed needs
of their community. The Foundation for Early learning provided start up
funds for each of the coalitions and Thrive by Five funded projects in Lewis
and Thurston Counties. CCAC provides leadership, infrastructure and
resources to the locally driven coalitions where and when needed. CCAC
will play an integral part in the forming of a regional coalition.
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With significant changes to the funding landscape and changes with
the Department of Early Learning (DEL) the coalition is working to align
goals with DEL’s new Early Learning Plan. TECC continues to contract
with CCAC to manage Block Fest, an interactive math science exhibit
engaging parents and children. TECC also continues to host Brain Fest
a community training on early brain development and Parenting Tools
parent education series. The coalition serves as an important network for
those working in the fi eld of early learning.
Partnering with United Way of Lewis County, the coalition produced
for the second year an early learning calendar, participated in the
community Read and Romp event and continued to support the early
literacy corner at the Valley View Clinic. Raising A Reader continues to be
provided to over 200 low income children in the county. The coalition also
put on a successful fund raising Breakfast where Bob Watt, past president
of State Local and Government Relations at the Boeing Company gave
an inspiring keynote speech.
The Grays Harbor Early Learning Coalition is in the second stage of the
Foundation for Early Learning process. Building off previous work, CCAC and
the coalition is hosting a number of both community and provider activities
including the Carousel Conference for Child care Providers, the Week of the
Young Child fair and a drop-in preschool at the South Shore mall.
Mason County is beginning to form a coalition through the county Inter
Agency Coordinating Council. They are planning a “getting ready for
kindergarten” event and are particularly interested in serving children with
special needs.
North Pacifi c County Early Learning Coalition is creating their infrastructure
and planning a variety of community events. They have put together
baskets for new babies with equipment information. They are planning a
spring family fun event to engage parents and educational training for
early learning teachers on cultural diversity.
