YMCA of the East Bay Early Childhood Impact
[DOCUMENT TITLE] 20212022 Annual Report
Another Year of Challenge
The Early Childhood Impact (ECI) program continued to face many challenges and changes in 2021-2022, and like the rest of the world, operated within a “new normal.” As COVID-19 impacts evolved, the program was able to loosen some restrictions around social distancing, and we gradually began to increase enrollment, bringing more children and families back into our care. We continued to implement precautions such as masking and daily health screenings to keep everyone as safe and as healthy as possible. The program still experienced a high number of classroom closures over the year, due to staff and child illnesses, as well as other COVID impacts. However, no matter what the circumstances, ECI staff and volunteers found a way to make a positive difference in our communities!
Highlights from 2021-2022 include:
Over 50 Early Educator Apprentices graduated, completing Associate Teacher permits, AA & BA degrees.
Staff planned and prepared for new center locations in areas with families in need of services.
Families were reached by virtual training, workshops, events, medical and dental clinics and computer donations.
The YMCA continues to work on program goals to strengthen the services and systems for children, families, staff and the community. The following goals are addressed: 1) Increase family engagement, 2) recruit and retain highly qualified staff and 3) improve health outcomes for children and families, with a focus on wellness.
YMCA of the East Bay Early Childhood Impact 2021-2022 Annual Report 1
Early Educator Apprentice Graduation 2022
IMPACT & ADVENTURE Inclusion
The YMCA reserves at least 10% of our enrollment for children with disabilities and other special needs. In order to fully include children with unique needs, we individualize the curriculum, working closely with special education and early intervention programs through local school districts and the Regional Center of the East Bay. We also have a highly qualified team of early interventionists, instructional assistants and a behavior specialist who support the children and families. The addition of a full-time instructional support team made an incredible difference for children in our classrooms who need one-on- one guidance to be safe in a group environment.
Adaptive trikes make a huge difference for some children during classroom “walks” in the neighborhood. They also prevent some children from running away while on walks, an important safety feature.
Andriel is riding one of the bikes provided by the Inclusion team. He really loved it. The first time he tried it, he was scared. It's been a few weeks and he was excited to get on the bike and take a ride around the neighborhood.
The YMCA has a special partnership with the Emery Unified School District Preschool Special Education program at the Ralph Hawley Center. Children with developmental delays, autism, and other special needs participate in a fully inclusive program supported by a special education teacher, specialists, and instructional assistants in the regular classroom. This inclusive approach provides typical developmental models for children who need additional/unique care.
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ABOUT OUR PROGRAM
The YMCA of the East Bay has served low-income children and families for generations. Our Y has been a Head Start Grantee since 1972, and a California Department of Education state subsidized child care provider since 1982. In 202122, we served about 1,000 children in Head Start/Early Head Start and state funded child care programs. Because of the challenges from the pandemic, enrollment, attendance, obtaining required documentation from families and community services/partnerships have all been impacted, However, the committed staff continue to push forward with creative solutions to achieve the highest outcomes possible for our children and families.
We strive for equity, value practices that honor diversity, and support quality early learning programs for children and their families in ways that are sensitive and facilitate the highest levels of success.
IMPACT Birth to Age 5
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Head Start Early Head Start �� Funded Enrollment 578 510 Number of Children Served 427 364 �� Eligible Percentage Served 95% 96% Average Monthly Attendance 68% 68% Children with Medical Home & Health Insurance 99% 99% Enrolled Children that Received Dental Exams 85% 87% Children with Disabilities with IEPs or IFSPs 10% 8%
Data is for the full year 2021-2022, and includes all Head Start/State funded slots, including those operated by partners.
IMPACT on Children & Families
Education & School Readiness
SocialEmotional Wellbeing Health & Wellness
Nutrition
Inclusion of Children with Disabilities
Family & Community Engagement
Social Services
Transition Support
YMCA ECI programs serve families and children with low income, birth to 5, across four counties. We provide comprehensive services in the core areas of early learning, health, and family engagement. Services are delivered in licensed centers or in the family’s home. The Y partners and collaborates with Berkeley Unified School District, Contra Costa County Community Services Bureau and Kidango, Inc. to provide needed services to eligible families.
The vast majority of our centers offer full-day, full-year options to meet the needs of families that are working, in school, job training, or seeking employment. This includes a program with special hours and services to accommodate migrant families working in agriculture. Every child receives health, developmental, behavioral and nutrition screenings and examinations. Families work with staff to set and meet individual goals for the year. Support services are available for children and families including mental health/wellness, early intervention/special education for eligible children, referrals to community agencies, and transition support when a child/family moves from one program to another or into kindergarten/TK.
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IMPACT on Parent Leadership & Education
The Head Start Policy Council (PC) continued to meet virtually in 21-22. The active engagement and oversight from parents and community members strengthens the program. PC members review and approve program and fiscal reports, grant applications and provide input into program operations, and major decisions.
Family engagement and leadership is demonstrated by:
Workshops, training, and events that are of interest and benefit to families, such as COVID vaccination clinics.
Conducting monthly parent meetings virtually and in-person so all can join.
Inviting families to participate in distributions at centers for food, educational materials, and electronic devices
Collecting data to inform ourselves about family outcomes, needs and interests.
Continuing partnership with Family Paths to facilitate Abriendo Puertas/Opening Doors parenting curriculum
Implementing parent teacher conferences and home visits
Holding drive-through dental clinics with Alameda County Dental Society
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Home-Based Field trip to the Oakland Zoo
IMPACT Home Based Program
The YMCA offers a home-based program for pregnant mothers and new babies in Oakland. The focus of this program is on the parent. The home visitor visits families once a week and there are bi-monthly socializations.
Families create vision boards
Home-based families participate in socialization activities that bring the whole family together for art projects, learning activities and field trips. Other socializations include parent education – including participation in Abriendo Puertas parenting curriculum and meeting with pediatricians from UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital Oakland to learn about developmental milestones.
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Getting dads involved
IMPACT on Preparing Children & Families for Kindergarten
YMCA ECI programs prepare children of all ages for Kindergarten by individualizing the curriculum and classroom environments to meet children’s unique needs in all developmental areas. Staff work closely with families to ensure that children get the best possible education.
The YMCA uses the Classroom Assessment Scoring System© (CLASS), a researchbased tool to assess the quality of classroom interactions that develop children’s higher-level thinking and communication skills.
Each child is assessed three times/year using the Desired Results Developmental Profile (DRDP), measuring all areas of child development, including school readiness skills. DRDP assessments measure progress towards specific school readiness goals and inform curriculum planning for individuals and groups of children.
Even with COVID-19 challenges, teaching staff worked closely with families to prepare children for kindergarten. Support staff with specialized expertise in behavior, inclusion, and mental health practices ensure that children with diverse strengths and abilities feel supported and welcomed in every classroom.
School Readiness Goals based on the Head Start Early Learning Outcomes Framework and the CA Preschool Foundations and Frameworks are designed and implemented annually for all children, with set targets informed by the results of previous DRDP assessments.
From Fall 2021 to Spring 2022, there were gains in all areas for 4-year-olds. The following chart depicts the progress of Kindergarten and TK-bound children in 6 areas:
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2021-2022 DRDP Results for 4-year-olds by domain: (Percentage of children at or above age expectations)
During 2021-2022, COVID-19 had an impact on children’s overall school experience. Children showed growth in all of the learning domains, as demonstrated by increases in scores from the first to the third assessment. However, center closures, child absences, staff absences, and other restrictions impacted curriculum implementation and the ability to obtain the consistent classroom observations that feed assessments and scores.
In 2021-2022, there was a strong focus in the curriculum and in lesson plans on social and emotional development, along with health, safety, and hygiene. Classroom materials were kept separated to keep things as sanitary as possibly, and some items that are hard to clean were eliminated. Children did not participate in family style meals, nor toothbrushing, out of concern for safety. Even so, Teachers found countless ways to be creative and work around restrictions to help children grow and develop.
To improve assessment results and outcomes for children in 2022-2023, the following is being implemented:
➢ Loosening of classroom restrictions for fuller participation in the classroom environment.
➢ Training to support new hires and veteran teachers in DRDP implementation, lesson planning and child observations.
➢ Training and coaching in teacher child interactions and high-quality classroom practices.
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29% 42% 73% 54% 46% 46% 41% 59% 88% 71% 60% 61% 0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100% 1st. Assessment 3rd. Assessment Cognition Approaches to Learning Physical Develop Health Language Social-Emotional Dev
IMPACT Teacher Preparation
In an effort to recruit and retain highly qualified staff, the YMCA Early Educator Apprentice program educates and trains parents and other community members to become early childhood teachers. The program also supports AA and BA acquisition for current employees. Services provided include: small cohorts for classes, tutoring, success coordination, mental health consultation, soft skills training, job placement, and anything else needed to ensure a positive outcome. The program continued to receive funding from Alameda County First 5 and Social Services Agency (CalWORKs), Tipping Point, Sunlight Giving and Witkin Foundations. Over 100 people completed early childhood coursework, degrees and/or permits this past year.
Tier 1 – Completion of 12 units ECE, Associate Teacher Permit
While classes remained online, we had 31 participants in the Tier 1 cohort. Of the 31:
⮚ 25 completed the 12 units & eligibility for the Associate Teacher permit
⮚ 27 became employed in ECE
⮚ 26 are completed the final requirements for the permit and/or continuing their education towards an AA or BA degree
Tier 2 – AA Degree Cohort, Teacher Permit
66 YMCA staff worked on their AA degrees and higher-level permits in 21-22.
Tier 3 – BA Cohort, Site Supervisor Permit
4 YMCA staff began their journey toward their BA degrees and 4 completed at Cal State East Bay.
Graduation 2022
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IMPACT Child & Family Health & Wellness
Tooth Fairies from Bay Area Community Health came to visit centers and trained children and families on dental health.
We welcomed Alameda County Dental Society to our Eastlake Early Learning Center as we completed on site dental exams for children
Improving health outcomes for enrolled children and their families focused on wellness is demonstrated by:
❖ Trauma-informed approaches throughout the program.
❖ Trained behavioral aides who provide individualized supports to children in need.
❖ Weekly Healthy Me! Nutrition, wellness, music and movement activities.
❖ Healthy, organic foods provided by Fare Community Kitchen, Semifreddi’s and Berkeley Food Network at various Head Start centers.
❖ Vision, hearing and developmental/ behavioral screenings for all children.
❖ Samuel Merritt School of Nursing Registered Nurses stationed at centers to support health.
❖ TOPS (Time Out with Pediatricians) parent workshops on health and nutrition.
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IMPACT YMCA Response to COVID-19 Continues…
Outdoor health clinics sponsored by Kerry’s Kids at the YMCA at the Eastlake Center in Oakland. Outdoor clinics served families in need while keeping COVID risk low.
➢ Weekly virtual Healthy Me! music & movement classes continued to bring health curriculum to children in a fun and lively format. Children danced and sang while utilizing a Zoom format.
➢ Abriendo Puertas/Opening Doors parenting curriculum implemented virtually, with instructors who adapted the format to be Zoom friendly.
➢ College classes for apprenticeship program available through virtual/accessible platform
➢ Laptops distributed to all Preschool families to support them with accessing virtual events and offerings.
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IMPACT FINANCIAL STATEMENT 2021-2022
The Early Childhood Impact program receives both state and federal funds to provide full-day, full-year and part-day, part-year services based on families’ need for care. Revenue and expenses for 2021–22 are detailed below, along with the projected budget funding for 2022-23. There were no findings for the fiscal year 2021–22 audit by the YMCA’s outside auditors.
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REVENUES 2021-22 2022-23 Head Start & Early Head Start Programs: Berkeley Head Start & Early Head Start 5,488,272 5,500,103 Oakland Head Start & Early Head Start 2,998,237 2,998,237 Early Head Start Childcare Partnership 2,123,456 2,060,683 Contra Costa County Head Start Enhancement & other 1,157,054 1,087,312 Kidango Head Start Enhancement & other 3,665,067 2,015,622 OHS CARE (Covid Response) 220,000 State Funded Programs: General Child Care & Development Programs Alameda 4,687,521 3,889,372 General Child Care & Development Programs Contra Costa 3,159,755 3,889,372 California State Preschool Program Alameda 2,720,700 2,808,708 California State Preschool Program Contra Costa 2,743,445 2,478,723 California State Preschool Program Yolo 2,038,598 1,693,593 Migrant Child Care & Specialized Services 1,503,932 1,158,748 CCTR & CSPP Sub-contracts 354,528 Other: Child and Adult Care Food Program 845,591 Local & Privately Funded ECI Programs 2,203,299 8,009,128 Reserves & other funding sources 2,032,00837,721,463 37,809,601 EXPENDITURES 2021-22 2022-23 Salaries & Wages 16,282,397 20,276,152 Employee Benefits & Payroll Taxes 5,192,715 7,744,229 Occupancy 2,962,421 1,681,448 Supplies 2,669,925 1,219,094 Purchased, contract or donated services 1,781,261 2,571,398 Travel, conferences & meeting costs 155,174 77,280 Equipment 49,249 318,000 Facilities Construction 5,056,393Other 3,571,928 3,922,000 37,721,463 37,809,601
2111 Martin Luther King Jr. Way, Berkeley, CA 94704
info@ymcaeastbay.org
www.ymcaeastbay.org
YMCA OF THE EAST BAY
