3B. Community Engagement: Program collaborates with community organizations to support children and families. Zero to Three defines referrals as ensuring that young children and their families are connected to services that match their identified interests and needs. This involves Program develops partnerships with agencies and referral and follow-up to ensure linkages to needed services, and efforts to support Level organizations in the community to provide families if they are unable to receive additional services due to eligibility requirements 2 information/referrals to children and families or capacity issues. As research has noted, many parents, particularly young and/or first time parents, look to early childhood education teachers for advice and guidance and additional supports, even though they may not actively seek them (Olson & Hyson, 2005). Program provides individualized referrals for Level resources to families and provides informal follow-up Indicator 3 As noted by the NAEYC, early childhood professionals should provide appropriate with families information and referrals to community services and follow up to ensure that services have been provided (NAEYC, 1996, 2005). Families’ access to health care, housing, Program participates in community-based comprehensive income support, and other social services may help protect children from abuse and service councils; Program establishes strategic partnerships neglect. with community organizations, community members, and Level business to increase access to community resources for 4/5 families; Program coordinates transition activities for incoming preschool children and their families STANDARD 4: PROFESSIONAL CULTURE, PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT, AND REFLECTIVE PRACTICE Criterion Rationale 4A. Professional Culture: Program policies encourage a professional work environment and program sustainability. Program administrator makes occasional, unannounced Indicator Level visits to the classroom and provides feedback and 2a support to improve educator practice
3B. Community Engagement: Program collaborates with community organizations to support children and families. Zero to Three defines referrals as ensuring that young children and their families are connected to services that match their identified interests and needs. This involves referral and follow-up to ensure linkages to needed services, and efforts to support families if they are unable to receive additional services due to eligibility requirements or capacity issues. As research has noted, many parents, particularly young and/or first time parents, look to early childhood education teachers for advice and guidance and additional supports, even though they may not actively seek them (Olson & Hyson, 2005). As noted by the NAEYC, early childhood professionals should provide appropriate information and referrals to community services and follow up to ensure that services have been provided (NAEYC, 1996, 2005). Families’ access to health care, housing, income support, and other social services may help protect children from abuse and neglect. Indicator Level 2 Program develops partnerships with agencies and organizations in the community to provide information/referrals to children and families Level 3 Program provides individualized referrals for resources to families and provides informal follow-up with families Level 4/5 Program participates in community-based comprehensive service councils; Program establishes strategic partnerships with community organizations, community members, and business to increase access to community resources for families; Program coordinates transition activities for incoming preschool children and their families STANDARD 4: PROFESSIONAL CULTURE, PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT, AND REFLECTIVE PRACTICE Criterion Rationale 4A. Professional Culture: Program policies encourage a professional work environment and program sustainability. Indicator Level 2a Program administrator makes occasional, unannounced visits to the classroom and provides feedback and support to improve educator practice
rationale-public-preschool.docx