Supporting Family, Friend, and Neighbor Child Care Strategic Planning Tool Kit

The following materials and process suggestions are intended to assist States and Territories in engaging a strategic planning process to support Family, Friend, and Neighbor quality child care for infants and toddlers. The process is modeled on the early care and education system model (ecomodel) and planning process used by the National Infant & Toddler Child Care Initiative, a project of the Child Care Bureau. It is designed to maximize involvement of planning committee members and other stakeholders while minimizing face-to-face meeting requirements. The process can be used to conduct a complete analysis of the State/Territory’s early care and education system’s support for infant and toddler child care and/or plan for the use of CCDF infant toddler targeted funds. It can also be used to address other specific issues such as the development of infant toddler specialist networks or credentials for the infant toddler workforce. It is recommended that two half-day or one full-day be scheduled for an issue specific planning process and a day and a half to two days be allocated for an early care and education system analysis.

Resources

2010-2011 CCDF Targeted Funds for Infants and Toddlers

This fact sheet presents a national overview of how States and Territories are using targeted funds for infants and toddlers from information submitted in FY2008-2009 State and Territory CCDF Plans. The information is organized using the ecological model of early care and education systems developed by the National Infant & Toddler Child Care Initiative.

Planning for CCDF Targeted Funds for Infants and Toddlers

This publication was developed to support States and Territories as they plan for the effective use of targeted funds. It discusses use of targeted funds by States/Territories, the impact of targeted funds on quality, research on quality indicators, system planning, accessing overall quality of care, considering current and past use of funds, and planning for quality.

Key ECE System Elements for Infants and Toddler

This fact sheet lists key elements of a child care system that supports quality care for babies and toddlers, and describes the characteristics of each element. It also includes a graphic representation of the system that shows how the elements are inter-related and differentiates elements that impact direct services from those that are part of the child care infrastructure. The Initiative uses this model to help States and Territories map their current system to inform the planning of future work around infant and toddler child care.

NITCCI Overview 2009-2011

The fact sheet provides an overview of the National Infant & Toddler Child Care Initiative including vision, mission, project focus, target audience and how to request technical assistance.

Tools

1. FNN Strategic Planning Process Overview

The PowerPoint provides an overview of the FFN strategic planning process. It can be used to explain the process to stakeholders, members of the planning design group, and strategic planning committee members.

2. FNN Task Matrix

The Task Matrix is a table that provides a checklist of tasks that support the strategic planning process. It includes columns that list the task, who will complete it, when, and a comment column.

3. FFN Strategic Planning Member Interview Questions

The document provides sample questions for interviews with FFN committee members prior to the initial face-to-face meeting. The strategic planning vision and mission provided in the document are examples and can be adapted for your State/Territory.

4. FFN Key Elements Planning Tool

The FFN Key Elements tool provides a framework for thinking strategically about systems that support FFN and quality for infants and toddlers in child care. It is intended to be used to develop a scan of the current, planned, and potential supports for infant toddler child care in the State/Territory. It is structured around key elements of the early care and education system and for each element offers opportunities to discuss:

• Current status
• Questions for consideration
• Potential quality enhancements An initial draft of the FFN Key Elements document is prepared prior to the first meeting. Changes can be made to it throughout the planning process and as strategies are implemented.

5. FNN Logic Model Overview

The PowerPoint provides an overview and guide for developing a logic model that can be incorporated into the strategic planning process to help States/Territories define and track outcomes, outputs, strategic activities, inputs and resources. It can be used to help define the type of information that will need to be collected to track the progress and evaluate the impact of the strategic planning efforts over time.

6. FNN Sample Infant-Toddler Logic Model

The sample infant toddler logic model provides an example of how a State/Territory can develop a logic model to help guide planning to achieve a long term outcome.

7. FNN Blank Logic Model

The blank logic model provides a format for States/Territories to use to develop their logic model.

8. FNN Sample 1st Meeting Agenda

The sample initial full committee meeting agenda is designed for a 3 hour meeting but can be adapted for a longer meeting if desired. It can also be combined with the 2nd meeting agenda for one full-day meeting; however, two meetings separated by 4 to 6 weeks are recommended. The 1st meeting includes an overview of the planning process, review of national and State/Territory information about the topic, completion of planning process vision & mission, member interview results and review of the draft key elements tool.

9. FNN Sample 2nd Meeting Agenda

The 2nd full committee meeting agenda is designed for a 4 hour meeting. It focuses on goal, strategy and action plan development. NITCCI uses a process for these activities but States/Territories may use other goal, strategy & action plan development processes as they desire.

10. FNN Sample Full Day Agenda

The sample agenda provides an option for States/Territories that want to schedule a full day meeting. It is recommended that 2 half-day or one full day meetings be scheduled for an issue specific planning process and a day and a half to two days be allocated for an early care and education system analysis.

11. FNN Action Plan Example

The action plan example provides a format that is separated into 3 sections: planned activities, back burner (activities that are delayed) and completed steps. It also provides an area to identify TA needs. The example provided shows entries in all sections to help guide use of the document.

12. FFN Blank Action Plan

The blank action plan is designed to be used near the completion of the planning process meetings. It is intended to be reviewed and edited periodically.

13. FNN Sample Ice Breakers

The sample icebreakers quiz can be used in the full committee meetings.