Professional Development - Head Start - U.S. Department of Health ...

One organization that supports collaborations is the
Wisconsin Early Childhood Collaborating Partners
(WECCP). They represent over 44 public and private agencies
working with children and families and have developed
and implemented a plan to permit every child and family in
the state access to a blended, comprehensive delivery system
for high quality early childhood care and education. Their
Web site, http://www.collaboratingpartners.com/, lists
upcoming events.
Given the importance of increasing
staff qualifications of Head Start
teachers, there has been renewed interest
by the Office of Head Start (OHS)
in partnering with states to improve
the effectiveness, diversity, and capacity
of states’ professional development
systems. The Head Start-State
Collaboration Offices (HSSCOs) are
critical to Head Start-state partnerships
that foster states’ professional
development systems.
A common task for the HSSCOs
has been improving the articulation
and linkages among higher education
institutions. This effort enabled students
to successfully transfer credits
between institutions. Head Start staff
who entered higher education from
multiple entry points and pathways
Systems/Partnerships
obtained college degrees without losing
credits.
Lessons the HSSCOs have learned
about building professional development
systems include:
� Collaborative partnerships bring
together needed resources,
expertise and ownership among
the key stakeholders
� Early childhood professionals
who work directly with young
children and families represent
a key viewpoint that can provide
essential feedback for the
planning and continuous
improvement of the professional
development system.
� Understanding the unique
strengths and challenges of a
state are critical to building the
professional development system.
� Passion, vision and long-term
commitment by a core leadership
group are key to building
ECE Conferences
Another positive aspect to working in Wisconsin has
been the multitude of conferences that promote networking.
I live in Hudson, Wisconsin, just over the border from the
Twin Cities of Minnesota, and I was able to participate in
many face-to-face professional development opportunities
within reasonable driving distance during the 2005-2006
academic year. I understand that there are events with locations
within reach for everyone in the state to facilitate connecting
with other professionals.
THE ROLE OF HEAD START STATE COLLABORATION OFFICES IN
BUILDING STATE PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT SYSTEMS
Lessons learned about building
professional development systems
by Carmen Bovell
momentum for a professional
development system.
� Celebrating accomplishments
helps recognize and reward
those who strengthen professional
development systems.
For more information on State
Collaboration Offices, refer to
www.hsnrc.org. ■
Note: The author acknowledges
the contribution of Head Start Fellow,
Teresa Lock. The information in this
article was extracted from a draft
report of a study conducted during her
Fellowship year entitled, “The Role of
Head Start State Collaboration Offices
in the Development of States’ Early
Childhood Professional Development
Systems.”
Carmen Bovell is a Senior Advisor for
the Office of Head Start.
T: 202-205-8085;
E: carmen.bovellchester@acf.hhs.gov
Head Start Bulletin 15