History
and Background
The seed for establishing a blueprint for enhancing the service
delivery system for infants and toddlers began germinating within
the New York State Child Care Coordinating Council (NYSCCCC) almost
two years ago. Members of the NYSCCCC Board of Directors, many of
whom are executive directors of Child Care Resource and Referral
Centers, were keenly aware of the problems facing families looking
for early care and education services for infants and toddlers.
They believed too little emphasis had been placed on infant and
toddler concerns and that a more coordinated, comprehensive planning
approach was necessary. They developed a concept for a blueprint
initiative and eventually sought funding for it.
At
the same time, the Center for Early Care and Education (CECE), a
collaboration between Child Care, Inc. and the Schuyler Center for
Analysis and Advocacy, began to consider developing a statewide
blueprint for children, birth to age five. The NYSCCCC and CECE
decided to coordinate and merge their efforts.
In
November 2001, more than seventy policymakers, early educators, advocates
and academics were brought together at the Rensselaerville Institute
by CECE to begin discussions on the development of an agenda and process
for improving the systems of service for infants, toddlers and preschoolers
and their families. Participants emerged with the beginning of a blueprint
for children, birth to age five, renewed passion, inspiration and
a planning process. Three new workgroups were formed to begin work
on what stakeholders believe are the necessary elements, in addition
to New York State’s commitment to universal prekindergarten,
of a universal system of care and education to serve New York State’s
youngest citizens starting from birth. The groups focused on three
areas: (1) workforce issues, (2) finance and governance and (3) infants
and toddlers and their families.
The
NYSCCCC took the leadership role in forming and coordinating the
activities of the infant and toddler workgroup. The fiscal support
of the Rauch Foundation, A.L. Mailman Family Foundation, the Center
for Early Care and Education and the Better Baby Care Campaign/National
Association of Child Care Resource and Referral Agencies made the
efforts of the Infant and Toddler Blueprint Advisory Committee and
the development of this report possible.
Professionals
from all regions of the state with varied training, backgrounds
and work experiences, and a shared commitment to enhancing the lives
of infants and toddlers and their families were invited to join
the Infant and Toddler Blueprint Advisory Committee. Forty-two committee
members, including representatives from the Rauch and A.L. Mailman
Foundations, participated in a structured planning process to develop
the framework for an agenda to advance the development and implementation
of needed services to infants and toddlers in our state. As a result
of their hard work, commitment, attendance at meetings and work
between sessions, priorities and action plans for enhancing services
for the youngest children of our state were identified and developed.
The
following pages represent a summary of the proceedings and activities
of the Infant and Toddler Blueprint Advisory Committee and do not
necessarily reflect the opinions of the individual members or an endorsement
by the agencies or organizations they represent.
