Child Care Task Force Report: Ambassadors for Children
Establishing the Fund for Child Care Excellence
Using input from the three Advocacy committees, the results of their own community and nationwide research, and the initial charge to the "Ambassadors for Children" Task Force, the Children's Fund Committee developed and began implementation of a comprehensive plan for the organization, structure, implementation and sustainability of the Fund.
MISSION STATEMENT
The purpose of the Fund for Child Care Excellence is to make child care better for children, more affordable and easier to find. This will be accomplished by:
- increasing the number of available child care teachers
- improving teacher training and teacher wages
- increasing public awareness of early education and development issues
- expanding materials/resources for child care centers
- providing scholarships to families for child care
The focus of the Fund is on child care and development of children in part-time and full-time programs from the age of birth through 5 years and/or school-age children through 8 years in before and after-school and summer programs.
The Fund will raise money and distribute money to organizations and programs. It is designed to purchase needed services and not to become a service provider.
Components of " Child Care Excellence "
Quality child care helps children develop to their full potential by focusing on the "whole" child. In a quality child care program, optimal attention is given to all areas of a child's development - physical, motor, social, emotional, language and intellectual.
Indicators of quality child care programs include:
- nurturing, caring adults, trained in child development
- developmentally appropriate curriculum
- appropriate physical environment and learning materials
- small group sizes with high staff/child ratios
- appropriate staff compensation
- parental involvement
Note: The Fund's definition of "child care" is generic and may include any of the following types of programs: child development programs, early childhood education programs, preschool programs, early education and care programs, child care and development programs. Any of these can provide excellent care to children just as any may provide low quality child care. The name used in no way implies or ensures quality of care.
ORGANIZATION AND STRUCTURE
The design of the Fund was carefully crafted after review of many "best practices" of similar funds throughout the nation. The goal of the Task Force was to create an entity that would reflect the community it serves and stay true to its mission, while it effectively and successfully addressed child care concerns affecting the community. An existing non-profit previously established by the Child Care Council was selected as the legal entity for the Fund, and its bylaws were revised to reflect the change.
ORGANIZATIONAL CHART
Leadership Council
The Leadership Council is designed to direct both attention and critical support to the Fund. The Council will consist of a highly visible group of 10 members drawn from the ranks of CEO's of the corporate, educational or foundation sector. Their qualifications will include name recognition in the community, fundraising or funding ability and proven fundraising results. The Council's primary responsibilities will be to help set and to meet fundraising goals and to give visible support to the Fund throughout the community.
The Leadership Council is scheduled to meet twice annually to:
1. Provide visible support and endorsement to the Fund's activities on behalf of child care needs.
2. Assist with marketing the Fund to constituencies they represent.
3. Provide staff where available with expertise in resource development, marketing outreach and training, and child care and development to serve on the Community Board.
4. Assist with publicity on behalf of the Fund's fundraising, marketing and outreach activities.
Community Board
The Community Board provides a more direct and hands-on oversight role with respect to major policy decisions, funding priorities and resource acquisition.
The Board will be comprised of 21 of the most active and seasoned of volunteers with a strong community and business presence. They will be leaders in companies, agencies and organizations with an interest or leadership role in child care issues.
The Community Board will be responsible for policy/governance decisions including funding priorities and resource acquisition. In addition to its oversight functions, the Community Board will have four specific working committees:
- Marketing
- Financial
- Project Review
- Advocacy
The Community Board will meet quarterly, as a whole, with the working committees meeting additionally as needed.
Executive Committee
The Executive Committee will make interim legal and funding decisions for the Fund and set the agenda for Board meetings. It will be comprised of the Leadership Council chair and Community Board officers.
Marketing Committee
This committee will provide on-going publicity about current and future projects through a variety of means including a community newsletter to the Leadership Council and donors, internal monthly updates to the Board and an annual recognition event.
Project Review Committee
The Project Review Committee will evaluate proposals for funding and will set project funding priorities.
Financial Committee
This will be the oversight and review group for the organization's financial management.
Advocacy Committee
The Advocacy Committee will coordinate with the Program Director as it addresses community wide child care issues
Staffing
Proposed initial staff will include: 1)a full time Executive Director who will be responsible for the day to day management of the organization, fundraising, nominating and recruiting, and 2)a half time Program Director who will provide assessment and evaluation, project and proposal development/technical assistance.
PROJECTS
There will be four possible categories of project funding.
- Teacher/Director Support includes activities that improve retention and training of child care staff. This includes the "Child Care Career Center", Teacher TRAC and the Watson Fellowships.
- Public Education and Recognition includes projects that raise public awareness of the importance of early childhood such as marketing efforts and the "Family-Friendly Business" designation program.
- Infrastructure projects are those that provide materials for early childhood classrooms, playgrounds, and facility construction or improvement.
- Child Care Subsidies include funding for family scholarships that help families to better afford quality child care.
General selection guidelines for consideration of projects for funding are:
- address a demonstrated early childhood problem or need
- serve children 0 through eight years old
- define its impact either on the community or a target population
- have measurable outcomes for children
- are cost effective
- address sustainability
- are consistent with state or national standards such as NAEYC Accreditation, when applicable
The number and scope of projects will be determined by the size of the Fund and any direction or restriction placed on the funds by their source. Evaluation and measurement of Fund projects will be a required component for accountability of funded projects and planning future activities.
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