 (Click on this link to view some photo reflections) After teaching at a university for many years, in 2003 I began working for the State of Arkansas. One of the most difficult things about adjusting to being a bureaucrat for me was adjusting to the work year – no summers off. As a teacher, I even felt that I had two lives – and spent my summers doing a variety of things that had little to do with teaching. I’m not sure that I have really adjusted to the “12 month” mentality – even now. I guess I always expect summer to be a downtime and a time for renewing and revitalizing my spirit. This summer has certainly not been a time of inactivity with the Early Childhood Initiative – there are many things in process at the moment. I am energized as I witness all of the innovative things that you are planning and doing.I am in the process of preparing a final report to the
Mailman Foundation on our Strengthening Families Through QRIS work. The ECI states involved in this work
are Idaho, Pennsylvania and Tennessee.
They have done some amazing things, and I really hope to represent their
work well in the report. We hope
to expand this work to other states that are seeking ways to embed the SF/PF
Framework into their state’s QRIS. The progress report to the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation is due soon as well, and there are so many things to report. It has been a year of assessment – where are we with really embracing the SF/PF Framework – how can we focus and prioritize what we are doing for the greatest impact? You helped with this process as we co-created the Theory of Change. I know that for some folks who are not “process” people, this was difficult. But now we do have a road map, and I hope it will serve us well to guide what is ahead. Today, I will send out guidelines for up to 12 mini-grants of $5,000 each. These will hopefully be instrumental in helping you to accomplish some of the steps you outlined in your “So That” chains and action plans. At this time next year, it is my hope that we will have many stories to tell about how this came to pass and how children and families are continuing to be impacted in an array of positive ways.Even as these plans are unfolding, I am giving serious
thought to our coming together in Atlanta in October. On the evening of Monday, October 26 you are all invited to
a reception celebrating the 20th Anniversary of the Alliance. This will be the culmination of the annual
Alliance membership meeting (have you made your plans to be a part of
this? See: October Meetings in Atlanta). Then all day on Tuesday, October 27,
the Early Childhood Initiative will meet for our annual meeting. This is less time that we had last
year, and we want to maximize this time of being together. I am considering several possibilities
for utilizing this time, but really do want your input as planning emerges. I have attached
below a rough sketch of some of the matters that seem to be pressing that might
catch our attention for this time.
Please take a few moments to look these over and give me your
feedback. Next week I will be in D.C. for a meeting of the SFNN National Partners. Part of this meeting will focus on planning for the SF Leadership Summit (October 28-29). This will be such an exciting and eventful week in Atlanta. After I return next week I hope to schedule a time for an open conversation with you about what might be the most beneficial ways that we can focus and prioritize our time at the ECI meeting. Please stay tuned and let me hear from you. Oh yes – some of you know that last week was my birthday. What with celebrating a birthday, writing summary and progress reports – there has been a lot of reflection and reliving the past year in my mind. That in itself is a form or renewal and revitalization. I hope that you are finding these summer months to be such a time for you and your work as well.Martha |
Please post any comments and suggestions here. Thanks.