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Governance Options Part I

Governance Options Part I. Teresa Vast Early Childhood Policy Consultant. Early Childhood Education Temporary Task Force Governance Working Group Meeting September 8, 2005. Overview. What do we mean by governance? Why create a new governance structure?

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Governance Options Part I

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  1. Governance OptionsPart I Teresa Vast Early Childhood Policy Consultant Early Childhood Education Temporary Task Force Governance Working Group Meeting September 8, 2005

  2. Overview • What do we mean by governance? • Why create a new governance structure? • What are the roles of governance in the system? • What are key characteristics of an effective governance structure? • What are current state-level governance structures for early care and education in the nation? • What are some pros and cons of each model for Hawaii?

  3. Definition • Governance of ECE is…. …that combination of formal and informal decision-making practices that establish the legal, fiscal, operational, political, and economic basis of an early care and education system… (adapted from Reveal, 1991)

  4. Why Create a New Governance Structure? • To achieve child and family results, e.g. school readiness • To coordinate all sub-systems into an effective system for children and families • To establish decision-making authority that extends across existing programs and services and that is not controlled or unduly influenced by one government agency (Bruner, p. 17)

  5. What are key characteristics needed in a governance structure? • Representative – involving those whose perspectives and expertise are needed to make effective decisions • Legitimate – regarded as a fair and appropriate locus for decision-making by those affected by the decisions made • Enduring – sustainable across changes in leadership • Effective and flexible – organized/structured for continuous improvement • Authoritative – capable of holding all elements of the system accountable to achieving their objectives (Bruner, p. 10-11)

  6. Current ECE Governance at the State Level • Voluntary Coordination/Collaboration • Mandatory Coordination/Collaboration • Joint management by two or more departments • Two or more major programs consolidated in an existing department • New entity dedicated to early care and education

  7. Voluntary Coordination/Collaboration • Separate departments responsible for different aspects of early care and education • Variants • no coordination • voluntary coordination • may include advisory bodies, e.g. commission, coordinating committee • may include private sector representation

  8. Mandatory Coordination/Collaboration • Separate departments responsible for different aspects of early care and education • Mechanism for cross-department coordination/collaboration, e.g. Children’s Cabinet State examples: Delaware; Louisiana; Maryland; West Virginia

  9. Mandatory Coordination/Collaboration • Variants… • Authority to set standards • Produce a cross-dept children’s budget with prioritized funding recommendations • Pool funds • May disburse funds to support initiatives • Advisory board • Private sector representatives, parents may be included • May link to local governance entities or communities

  10. Joint management by two departments • Two agencies jointly fund and manage early care and education programs, e.g. Human Services and Education • Variants • One agency may have a greater role • Coordination with other agencies • Coordination with private sector • May have linkages to local governance entities State examples: Arkansas; Connecticut

  11. Two or more major programs consolidated in an existing department • Effort to improve collaboration across programs • Variants • May create an Office of Early Childhood within an existing department • Coordination with other agencies • Coordination with private sector • May have linkages to local governance entities State examples: Florida; Maryland; Tennessee

  12. New entity dedicated to ECE • Establish independent office under Governor ….OR… • Consolidate early care and education programs in a new, independent department • Establish a governance board for oversight

  13. New entity dedicated to ECE • Variants • Advisory board to include additional expertise • Coordination with other agencies to link with comprehensive services • Coordination with private sector • May have linkages to local governance entities State examples: Georgia; Massachusetts; North Carolina

  14. Key ingredients for success • Vision and leadership of individuals in the governance structure • Create structures to meet objectives • Connect different structures and activities so they are aligned toward overall system goals • Legal authority • Power to control allocation of at least some portion of resources • New stream of funding • Adapt and change • Understand that political climate and culture are important Caution: No single model will guarantee success!

  15. References • Reveal, Elizabeth C. (1991). Governance Options for The Children’s Initiative: Making Systems Work. Havertown, PA: Center for Assessment and Policy Development • Bruner, Charles, with Michelle Stover Wright, Barbara Gebhard, and Susan Hibbard. (2004). Building an Early Learning System: The ABCs of Planning and Governance Structures. Des Moines, IA: Child & Family Policy Center, State Early Childhood Policy Technical Assistance Network (SECPTAN)

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