Early Learning Connection

Nebraska’s Early Learning Connection (ELC) is an integrated system of early childhood professional development. The ELC consists of a statewide hub at the Early Childhood Training Center and seven regional Early Learning Connection partnerships, along with other state and regional partners. It is designed as a system that supports the career and professional development of all who provide programs and services for young children birth through age eight that includes:

• Professional development for early childhood and school-age;
• Supports for implementation utilizing early childhood coaches;
• Program quality assessments – Environment Rating Scale (ERS) assessments for early learning;
• Strategic planning with higher education (2-yr and 4-yr.) and other adult learning organizations;
• Community engagement and outreach.

Elements of the Early Learning Connection professional development system to support a well-qualified and skilled workforce across a range of programs and services include:

• Seven regional Early Learning Connection partnerships to coordinate access to comprehensive professional development opportunities (see below);
• A core body of knowledge identified in Nebraska’s Core Competencies for Early Childhood Professionals and the School-Age and Youth Development Core Competencies;
• Early Learning Guidelines: Nebraska’s Birth to Five Learning and Development Standards that are aligned to the K-12 school standards;
• Early Learning Connection Registry for practitioners, including trainers, and programs (under development);
• Outreach and access strategies of the web-based statewide training calendar and assistance in selection of child care;
• Intentional strategies to create a quality improvement system in which all early childhood programs and practitioners are supported and encouraged to improve child outcomes, including through Results Matter;
• Connections with an array of professional and career development entities that have an adult education and learning mission, including the Community Learning Centers Network, the Child and Adult Care Food Program sponsors, Head Start training and technical assistance staff, University Extension, and others.

The Early Learning Connection is supported with resources from the federal Child Care and Development Fund, IDEA Part C, IDEA Part B-619 and other public and private funding.

Early Learning Connection Partnerships

PROJECT COORDINATOR:
ALEXANDRA DILLON
Educational Service Unit #10
P.O. Box 850
Kearney, NE 68848
Phone: 308-698-1986
Fax: 308-237-5920
adillon@esu10.org

BILINGUAL SPECIALIST:
MARICELA NOVOA
Educational Service Unit #10
P.O. Box 850
Kearney, NE 68848
Phone: 308-698-1955
Fax: 308-237-5920
mnovoa@esu10.org

PROJECT COORDINATOR:
JENNIFER HAGGART
Educational Service Unit #3
6949 South 110th Street
LaVista, NE 68128
Phone: 402-597-4991
Fax: 402-597-4811
jhaggart@esu3.org

ASSISTANT COORDINATOR:
APRIL CARTER
Educational Service Unit #3
6949 South 110th Street
LaVista, NE 68128
Phone: 402-597-4912
Fax: 402-597-4811
akcarter@esu3.org

PROJECT COORDINATOR:
NORA ROBINSON
Educational Service Unit #13
1114 Toledo Street
Sidney, NE 69162
Phone: 308-254-4677
nrobinson@esu13.org

PROJECT COORDINATOR:
ANGEL MAYBERRY
Educational Service Unit #7
2657 44th Avenue
Columbus, NE 68601
Phone: 402-564-5753
Fax: 402-563-1121
amayberry@esu7.org

PROJECT COORDINATOR:
ERIKA FINK
Educational Service Unit #1
211 Tenth Street
Wakefield, NE 68784
Phone: 402-287-2061
Fax: 402-287-2065
efink@esu1.org

PROJECT COORDINATOR:
CHERYL ROCHE
Educational Service Unit #16
314 West 1st Street
Ogallala, NE 69153
Phone:  308-284-8481 ext. 2204
Fax: 308-284-8483
croche@esusixteen.org