Full of Possibility and Expansion: North Central Early Learning Collaborative
Author: Brenna Bream
North Central Early Learning Collaborative is in a time of growth, full of possibility and expansion. Molly Draben, NCELC’s Regional Director, reflects on this time as one of movement and excitement amidst the unknown. Geographically large and industrially diverse, Molly says her region’s hub is in Wenatchee, though it covers all of Chelan, Douglas, Grant, and Okanogan Counties. While agriculture is the main industry in all four counties, each has a varied workforce— healthcare is big in Chelan and Douglas Counties, Grant County manufactures steel, and Okanogan County draws tourists throughout the seasons. It can be a challenge to build bridges between counties that are largely rural when resources tend to conglomerate in a moderate-sized city like Wenatchee, but NCELC is working through questions that aim to invite others into the work of early childhood support.
At the beginning of 2022, the coalition began restructuring their governance and re-evaluating their strategic planning. They are growing to encompass more than early learning services, though that remains central to their mission. Their purpose statement is up for a vote soon, and from there, they’ll establish principles that reflect their mission. It’s hard work to dialogue and self-reflect as a region but “coalition building takes time, it’s not singular,” Molly says. Much of this governance restructuring is informed by David Ehrlichman’s Impact Networks, which Molly strongly recommends to other networks who may be looking to collaborate more effectively. Additionally, NCELC hired coordinators for Grant and Okanogan counties in an effort to expand their network’s engagement. By identifying key partners outside of Chelan and Douglas Counties they are broadening their reach and moving more toward how to be a coalition between counties.
These gaps in coverage don’t promote relationship-building with families and can breed mistrust with state agencies because they don’t acknowledge the determining factors for getting them to resources.
Apart from NCELC’s internal work, the network remains active in its region. Molly is excited about a community conversation surrounding resource navigation in Chelan and Douglas Counties. The current avenue for families to connect with resources is largely through statewide resource directories like Parenthelp123 and 2-1-1. These directories may not contain resources in proximity to rural families, for whom transportation is a common barrier. These gaps in coverage don’t promote relationship-building with families and can breed mistrust with state agencies because they don’t acknowledge the determining factors for getting them to resources, Molly explains. North Central’s Accountable Communities for Health, however, is now in dialogue with the Open Referral Initiative, which helps communities establish cooperative partnerships among previously-siloed resource directory information systems. Together with Open Referral, they are exploring strategies that can improve the supply of resource directory information as shared among 2-1-1 and local providers in the region. Simultaneously, they are also building capacity to deliver this information not just through one website but through any website or application through which partners might help their communities connect with resources.
Chelan and Douglas Counties are excited to bring the magic of reading to kids’ mailboxes.
Another recent highlight, and one that will undoubtedly bring joy to young kids, is Chelan and Douglas Counties’ implementation of Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library. It’s a book-gifting program that mails an age-appropriate book to kids once a month, from birth to their fifth birthday. Each book contains a note from Dolly as well as suggestions for how parents can be more engaged readers with their child. Anyone can refer kids to the program, and there is no cost to families. Chelan Douglas Child Services Association within Chelan and Douglas Counties is managing the Imagination Library and absorbing the cost of wholesale books and postage fees. The Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction is also expanding the program statewide, covering 50% of the cost for nonprofits in the state. Molly says the kind of partnership between NCELC and Chelan Douglas Child Services Association represents the heart of coalition work; holding space, having conversations, and elevating champions. The program already exists in Okanogan and Grant counties; Chelan and Douglas counties are excited to bring the magic of reading to kids’ mailboxes, too.
By facilitating inter-county conversations, like network mapping, they will be leveraging existing resources and working together toward shared goals.
Looking ahead, NCELC will be learning about network mapping from North Central Accountable Community of Health, who will present a survey to understand where the resources in their communities are. The coalition wants to determine “who is connected to who in order to maximize reach,” Molly explains. Hoping to shift the narrative from solely an early learning focus to a more comprehensive approach towards family support, NCELC looks forward to identifying more resources in their community. The coalition’s goal is to effectively coordinate behind the scenes, not necessarily to be the referrer for families. By facilitating inter-county conversations, like network mapping, they will be leveraging existing resources and working together toward shared goals.
You can stay connected to NCELC by subscribing to their newsletter or attending their monthly meeting. They’ll be offering more points of entry into their network as their coalition grows, so stay tuned to their progress!