What is an Early Childhood Coalition?
Groups who come together to support the development of community-specific action plans for enhancing Early Childhood Development (ECD) outcomes. Comprised of members that live, work or play in that community; parents, citizens, service organizations, funders and community partners. Working together with a common vision to address problems & outcomes that are not easily or effectively achieved by working alone.
Collaborations, partnerships and relationships between individuals, organizations and sectors, with a priority focus on the early years, provide a community voice for young children and their families. In Alberta, 100 Coalitions continue to meet regularly locally, regionally and provincially both in person and virtually. Diverse membership and a democratic space fosters shared leadership among local community members and professionals.
Membership
Coalition Members vary by community and often include parents, grandparents, Early Learning and Care providers, educators, health care workers, librarians, non-profit organizations, entrepreneurs, community groups, and service providers.
Active Members are individuals or organizations that directly participate in Coalition actions and activities; including but not limited to planning, regular meeting attendance, and contribution of resources.
Connected Members are individuals or organizations that stay up-to-date on Coalition activities, but are not directly involved in planning, attend a few to no meetings, and do not directly contribute to Coalition resources.
What do Members do?
Members provide a voice for the early years increasing their circle of influence in their community and throughout the province.
Members reflect, discuss and plan for their community. They celebrate the strengths and respond to emerging issues.
Members collaborate, using their communities’ strengths and resources, to promote positive early development and respond to local needs.
Coalitions create, develop and implement an annual work plan. The action plan includes measurable goals and provides details on the actions and activities that will contribute towards achieving the goals.
Community working together
The Early Childhood Coalitions are partners in the Alberta Early Development Instrument (EDI) program. Coalitions receive their communities’ EDI data and, alongside other community information, explore the EDI results to find out more about what is working well and what can be improved in the community in order to improve supports for local children and their families.
What Members are saying ...
of Coalition members believe their members are working well together at the Coalition table to strengthen ECD services and supports
of Coalitions’ work has increased opportunity for joint planning
have experienced improved communication among service providers in Coalitions.
