Delaware Early Childhood Council

The mission of the Delaware Early Childhood Council (ECC) 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

Current Events / Important Topics:

    October 21, 2020 - 10:30 a.m. - Virtual Event: 2020-2025 Strategic Plan Virtual Release Event - See Flyer for Information.  You must register here to attend this event.

DECC 2020-2025 Strategic Plan:  Strengthening Early Success: Building our Future Together - coming soon

    Executive Summary - coming soon

    Haga Clic Aquí Para Plan en Español (Spanish) - coming soon

    klike la a pou plan an kreyòl ayisyen (Haitian Creole) - coming soon

    Birth to Five Needs Assessment

    Survey:  Interested in Joining DECC Membership - coming soon

    Recording of 2020-2025 Strategic Plan Virtual Release Event - coming soon

    Video of 2020-2025 Strategic Plan Virtual Release Event - coming soon

    Stay Involved - Attend 2021 DECC Meetings

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 Delaware ECC requires specific committee members, as determined by Title 14, Chapter 30 § 3003 of the Delaware Code. Committee members and the legislative designation they represent are listed below:

Center-based early care and education providers
Cheryl Clendaniel, The Learning Center 
Lucinda Ross, St. Michaels

Family-home based early care and education provider
Carrette Monsanto

Parent
Tanisha Merced

Delaware Head Start/Early Childhood Assistance Program
Heidi Beck, New Directions Early Head Start

Early care and education resource and referral agency
Kirsten Olson, Children and Families First

Advocacy organizations focused on children's health and well-being
Kelli Thompson, Nemours Children's Health System
Katherine "Kate" Rudolph, Delaware Academy of Pediatrics

Delaware Association for the Education of Young Children
Dr. Michelle Shaivitz, Delaware Association for the Education of Young Children

District superintendent
Matthew Burrows, Appoquinimink School District

Higher Education representative and P-20 Council member
Elizabeth Ritchie, Delaware Technical Community College

Business community representative
Olivia Gatewood, JP Morgan Chase & Co.

Community members
Michelle Wall, Appoquinimink School District
Madeleine Bayard, Rodel Foundation

General Assembly
Debra Heffernan, State Representative

The State Director of Head Start Collaboration
Debra Taylor, Department of Education, Head Start Collaboration Office

Delaware Department of Health and Social Services
Gabriela Kejner, Chief of Staff

Delaware Department of Services for Children, Youth and Their Families
Meredith Seitz, Chief Policy Advisor

Delaware Department of Education
Kimberly Krzanowski, Executive Director, Office of Early Learning

Council Members, Ex Officio:

• Karen ReRasmo, Prevent Child Abuse Delaware
• Martha Buell, University of Delaware Institute for Excellence in Early Childhood
• Ed Freel, University of Delaware
• Mary Moor, DE Children’s Department/Division of Prevention and Behavioral Health Sciences
• Karyl Rattay, Delaware Division of Public Health
• Elizabeth "Betty Gail" Timm, Department of Services for Children, Youth & Their Families – Office of Child Care Licensing
• Michelle Wilson, Capital School District, Booker T. Washington
• Rebecca Vitelli, 2019 Teacher of the Year, Colonial School District
• Clara Martinez, Children and Families First
• Lee Pachter, Christiana Care
• Julie Johnson, Early Childhood Advocate
• Quinn Johnson, Early Childhood Advocate
• Meghan Walls, Nemours/A.I. Dupont Hospital
• Mike Quaranta, DSCC

For more information about the Delaware ECC, email early.learning@doe.k12.de.us or call 302-735-4295.

Subcommittees:

• 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
• 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
• 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
• Navigate a Simple System
  • Integrate governance
    • Shared learnership
    • Create a more coherent system for children, families and providers
  • Integrate data systems
  • Increase financial investments in professionals, programs and services

Subcommittee 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

2020 DECC Meetings and Information

January 29, 2020 - Agenda, Strategic Plan Presentation Slides, Strategic Plan Feedback Survey, Make A Difference (MAD) Conference Flyer, MAD In Kind Donation Letter, MAD Vendor Form, KIDS COUNT Information, Final Minutes

March 26, 2020 - POSTPONED; to be rescheduled

May 6, 2020 - POSTPONED; rescheduled to May 26, 2020

May 26, 2020 (Virtual Meeting) - Agenda - Final Minutes - Meeting transcript audio file - deaeyc survey results - PDG - Fiscal Mapping and Cost of Quality slides - Cost of Quality Info - DE Stars Revision Update - DECC Strategic planning draft language - deaeyc Task Force Membership; DECC Strategic Planning Feedback Survey - DRT Parent Survey 

July 29, 2020 (Virtual Meeting) - Agenda - Final Minutes -  Meeting transcript audio file - Chat Log - PDG B-5 Needs Assessment Information - Strategic Plan Survey Questions Presentation Slides -  Survey Link - DE Readiness Teams COVID-19 Survey Results Presentation - Child Abuse Awareness and Mental Health Resources - Strategic Plan Update

    EXTRA MEETING - July 30, 2020 - 10:30 a.m. - (Virtual Meeting) - DECC Strategic Plan Feedback Session* - Agenda and Call in Information - Strategic Plan Feedback Session audio file

    EXTRA MEETING - August 4, 2020 - 12:00 p.m. - (Virtual Meeting)- DECC Strategic Plan Feedback Session* - Agenda and Call in Information - Strategic Plan Feedback Session audio file

    EXTRA MEETING - August 5, 2020  - 9:00 a.m. - (Virtual Meeting) - DECC Strategic Plan Feedback Session* - Agenda and Call in Information - Strategic Plan Feedback Session audio file

    EXTRA MEETING - August 11, 2020 - 11:30 a.m. - (Virtual Meeting) - DE Stars Feedback Session - Agenda and Call in Information - Update PowerPoint - Validation Report - Chat Log

September 23, 2020 -10:30 a.m. - (Virtual Meeting) -  Agenda - Chat Log - Child Abuse/Neglect Awareness Resources: Caregiver Guide and Professional Guide - DSCYF Child Abuse Presentation - Strategic Plan Slides - Mental Health Services Brochure

    EXTRA MEETING - October 7, 2020 - 10:00 a.m. - (Virtual Meeting) - Cost of Quality Care - Agenda - Recorded meeting transcript audio file - Presentation Slides

    EXTRA MEETING - October 21, 2020 - 10:30 a.m. - (Virtual Event) - 2020-2025 Strategic Plan Virtual Release Event - See Flyer for Information.  You must register here to attend this event.

October 28, 2020 - 9:00 a.m. - (Virtual Meeting) - DE Stars Feedback Session - Agenda

November 10, 2020 - 10:30 a.m. - (Virtual Meeting) - Agenda

*Several sessions are being made available to accommodate those who wish to attend.  Presentation is the same for all the sessions.

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

For Information on ECE Provider Calls - Enhanced Reimbursement

ECE Child Care Conference Call #1 Minutes of April 2, 2020

ECE Child Care Conference Call #2 Minutes of April 15, 2020

ECE Child Care Conference Call #3 Minutes of April 23, 2020

ECE Child Care Conference Call #4 Minutes of May 13, 2020

ECE Child Care Conference Call #5 Minutes of June 3, 2020

ECE Child Care Conference Call #6 Minutes of June 18, 2020

ECE Child Care Conference Call #7 Minutes of July 1, 2020

ECE Child Care Conference Call #8 Minutes of July 29, 2020

ECE Child Care Conference Call #9 Minutes of August 20, 2020

ECE Child Care Conference Call #10 Minutes of September 3, 2020

ECE Child Care Conference Call #11 Minutes of September 23, 2020

       DPH Presentation     POC Sept / Oct Billing Instructions

ECE Child Care Conference Call #12 Minutes of October 14, 2020

       PowerPoint