Delaware Early Childhood Council

The mission of the Delaware Early Childhood Council (DECC) is to promote the development of a comprehensive and coordinated early childhood system, birth to eight, which provides the highest quality services and environment for Delaware’s children and their families. The Delaware ECC was codified in 2007 in Title 14, Chapter 30 of the Delaware Code. It was amended June 2010 in HR 470 (Section 1 Amendment 1703(n) Title 14. Delaware ECC By-Laws

The DECC is executing on this mission by implementing the DECC 2020-2025 Strategic Plan: Strengthening Early Success: Building our Future Together.  Regular DECC Meetings are scheduled throughout 2021, as well as Committee Meetings to execute the Strategic Plan.  Please e-mail Tina Shockley if you are interested in joining one of the Committees (noted below) to help with the implementation of the Strategic Plan. 

Additional Resources for the Strategic Plan:

• Executive Summary
• Haga Clic Aquí Para Plan en Español (Spanish)
• klike la a pou plan an kreyòl ayisyen (Haitian Creole)
• Birth to Five Needs Assessment
• Transcript of 2020-2025 Strategic Plan Virtual Release Event
• Video of 2020-2025 Strategic Plan Virtual Release Event

DECC Member Roles and Responsibilities -

In addition to any responsibilities assigned by the Governor through the Interagency Resource Management Committee (IRMC) as outlined in Delaware Code, the Delaware Early Childhood Council (DECC) shall make recommendations to the Governor, the General Assembly, and the IRMC that promote the appropriate coordination and effectiveness of early childhood state services and policies. The DECC shall be responsible for maintaining and expanding a statewide network of early care and education institutions that includes early childhood professionals, advocates, state program officers, private and nonprofit community institutions, and others who support the development and delivery of high quality early childhood services.

• Champion DECC Strategic Plan Vision, Goals and Guiding Principles
• Attend 6 annual meetings and any special convenings or presentations
• Join a committee, attend and participate
• Help advance the recommendations of the Council
• Engage stakeholders or constituency as appropriate

The DECC requires specific members, as determined by Title 14, Chapter 30 § 3003 of the Delaware Code. DECC members and the legislative designation they represent are listed on the current Membership List.  For more information about the Delaware ECC, email early.learning@doe.k12.de.us or call 302-735-4295.

Committees of the DECC -

• Access to Holistic Services: 
  • Support Families in meeting and advocating for children's needs AND Meet children's health, mental health, developmental and educational needs
    • Adopt family navigator orientation
    • Single, comprehensive point of access for families
    • Promote awareness of importance of early years
  • Next Meeting:  03/02/21 at 12:00pm Agenda
• Access to High Quality Programs: 
  • Support increased child care quality and capacity
  • Support families in finding the right program fit
  • Increase financial and geographical access to quality
  • Previous Meetings: 01/29/21 Meeting Minutes
  • Next Meeting:  02/26/21 at 9:30 a.m. Agenda - Minutes - PowerPoint from Meeting
• Partnership with Professionals:
  • Support and develop early childhood as a profession
    • Qualifications and career pathways
    • Pipeline development
    • Professional learning
  • Achieve culturally and linguistically responsive, inclusive practices
  • Increase compensation and building systems of support
  • Next Meeting: 02/18/21 at 4:00 p.m. - Agenda/Call Information - Minutes
• Navigate a Simple System:
  • Integrate governance
    • Shared leadership
    • Create a more coherent system for children, families and providers
  • Integrate data systems
  • Increase financial investments in professionals, programs and services
  • Next Meeting: TBD

Committee Members Roles and Responsibilities -

• Champion DECC Strategic Plan Vision, Goals and Guiding Principles
• Attend 6 annual Council meetings and any special convenings or presentations
• Help advance the recommendations of the Council
• Engage stakeholders or constituency as appropriate
• Attend and participate in Committee meetings (at least 2/year)
• Bring expertise, resources and networks to help advance Committee priorities and action

Meetings -

Please e-mail Tina Shockley to be added to the council mailing/meeting notification list. Previous year meeting information, including agendas and minutes, are available upon request by contacting tina.shockley@doe.k12.de.us or calling 302-735-4105.

2021 DECC Meetings - Schedule

• January 19, 2021 - Agenda - Minutes - Chat Log - Written Transcript - PowerPoint Presentation - POC January Billing Information - Market Rate Study Participation - DE Readiness Team COVID-19 Resource ental Health Resource - Nemours Mental Health Resource Link - Early Childhood Mental Health Consultation Service provides mental health resources, simply email them at DSCYF_ECMHS@delaware.gov - The Early Childhood Learning Knowledge Center (ECLKC) is a very good resource for mental health and other issues https://eclkc.ohs.acf.hhs.gov/
• March 16, 2021 - Agenda (coming soon)
• May 18, 2021
• July 20, 2021
• September 21, 2021
• November 16, 2021

2020 DECC Meeting Documents of Interest / Future Reference

• PDG Presentation Slides - January 2020
• Strategic Plan Updated PowerPoint - May 2020
• PDG Fiscal Mapping and Cost of Quality Care PowerPoint - May 2020
• Delaware Stars Revision Update - May 2020 
• Cost of Care Study - May 2020
• Child Abuse Awareness Resource - July 2020
• Delaware Readiness Teams COVID-19 Survey Results - July 2020
• Delaware Stars Revision Feedback Session Update - August 2020
• Caring For Children During a Crisis Guide - September 2020
• Prevention During A Crisis - A Professionals Guide - September 2020
• The Importance of Selecting Licensed Child Care - A Letter For Parents - September 2020
• Mental Health Resources Guide - September 2020
• DSCYF Child Abuse Presentation - September 2020
• The Importance of Selecting Licensed Child Care - A Letter For Parents/Spanish Version - September 2020
• Cost of Care Presentation - October 7, 2020
• DECCouncil Member Roles and Responsibilities - October 2020
• QRIS Powerpoint - October 2020 
• Strategic Plan Implementation - November 2020
• Head Start PowerPoint Presentation - November 2020 
• Head Start Video - November 2020 
• PDG Grant Close Presentation - November 2020

Annual Reports -

Delaware's strategic plans for a comprehensive early childhood system are provided below.  For reports prior to 2013, email tina.shockley@doe.k12.de.us or call 302-735-4105.

• 2019 IRMC Annual Report
• 2018 IRMC Annual Report
• 2017 DECC Annual Report
• 2013 – 2017 DECC Annual Report