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ACCOMPLISHMENTS


County-wide Policy Framework Partnerships
  • Over 500 representatives of government, community organizations, schools, churches, businesses and citizens are working in partnership county-wide on action agenda strategies.
Resource Leveraging
  • SOAR policy guidance and investments have leveraged over $1,750,000 from community partners to advance the goals of SOAR Action Agendas.
Advancing the Goals of the Action Agenda

Early Childhood and School Readiness Action Agenda
Accreditation/Early Childhood Quality Support
  • Download the King County Early Childhood and School Readiness Action AgendaStrategy in place and funding secured ($1.5-million) to assure national accreditation of 256 childcare centers by 2012. Accreditation meets the requirement for the highest rating in the new state Quality Rating System.
  • Accreditation process initiated for 10 family childcare homes.
  • Partnership established with Family Friend and Neighbor Caregiver Support Coalition to start 10 new “Play & Learn” groups to support FFN care. Matching grants procured from Seattle and Kirkpatrick Foundations.
  • Over 600 early childhood educators participated in on-going professional development activities.
Transition to Kindergarten/School Readiness
  • Multi-partner Action Team created research-based School/Neighborhood Transition Team model which partners schools, parents and early childhood providers in preparing children for successful transitions to kindergarten.
  • Model has been implemented successfully in 6 King County School Districts (including Seattle) and 11 elementary schools to date impacting 155 early childhood partners and 334 parents.
  • Funding has been secured to expand model into 12 school districts and 25 elementary schools in 2006-07 school year, engaging 500 early childhood educators and 1,000 parents in school readiness and transition activities.
  • Partnership established with City of Seattle Division of Early Learning and Family Support/Early Learning Networks to implement model in 5 southeast and southwest Seattle elementary schools during 2006-07 in support of City’s Family and Education Levy school readiness efforts engaging 100 early childhood educators and 200 parents.
  • Over 200 additional educators have been trained on implementing School/Neighborhood Transition Team model in community-based trainings.
  •  Model presented at Washington State School Director’s Association Conference in Spokane. (November 2006)
  • SOAR has entered into a partnership with Puget Sound Educational Service District to convene a “Transition Summit” for King County School Districts and other stakeholders to create county-wide partnerships and best practice approaches to school readiness and kindergarten transitions.
Cultural Competency
  • Multi-partner Action Team initiated public education campaign regarding developmental delays and available services; targeted toward English, Spanish, Vietnamese and Somali speaking communities.
  • Developed and implemented parent education and support programs for over 500 parents county-wide, including immigrant and refugee communities. (FACES groups)
  • Developed innovative model for organizing Latino parents to interface with government and schools around children and youth issues. (FACES)
School Age Children and Youth Action Agenda
  • Download the King County Action Agenda for School-Age Children and YouthSchool Age Children and Youth Action Agenda completed in May 2006.
  • School age children and youth community event attended by 175 stakeholders (May 2006).
  • Regional discussions held to identify community-specific issues/priorities and initiate partnerships to advance goals of Action Agenda.
  • Partnerships created with Washington Afterschool Network and local legislators to advance support for afterschool programming for children and youth in 2007 legislative session.
  • Partnership created with Washington State Mentoring Partnership and King County Mentoring Coalition to promote and expand research-proven mentoring services in King County.
  • Multicultural Youth Leadership Curriculum developed, tested and disseminated in partnership with Washington State University.
  • 25 mini-grants allocated to community-based partnerships in support of Action Agenda goals ($35,000 granted; additional $70,000 leveraged from community partners).
  • Currently building new county-wide action teams and regional partnerships.
Advocacy
  • Developed a Legislative Policy Agenda and worked with partners to advocate on behalf of children and families.
  • State Early Learning Department established.
  • Schools extend coverage to children, birth to age three, with developmental delays.
  • Additional 7,000 children state-wide receive health care coverage.
  • Health co-pays for Medicaid eligible children eliminated.
The Future
  • With SOAR partners, promote strategies and secure resources to sustain existing progress and further advance the goals of respective Action Agendas.
  • Accredit 700 family childcare homes by 2014.
  • Expand “play & learn” model and other support services to 7,600 family, friend and neighbor caregivers.
  • Evaluate and expand School/Neighborhood Team model to all 19 King County school districts.
  • Facilitate partnerships among school districts, early childhood educators, and parents to work together to implement school readiness and transition programs.
  • Universal access to developmental screenings for children Birth-3 at critical age intervals.
  • Expand afterschool opportunities for school-age children and youth.
  • Expand service learning opportunities for school age children and youth.
  • Assure that every child and youth in King County that needs a mentor will have one.



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SOAR  |  720 2nd Ave, Seattle WA 98104  |  P (206) 461-3666  |  F (206) 461-8495  |  soar@uwkc.org

 

 

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