Together 4 Children

THE TEXAS CHILD CARE LEADERSHIP ACADEMY is funded through the TWCs Child Care Staff Retention Strategies program. The goal of T4Cs Child Care Staff Retention Strategies program is to create supportive work environments and improve staff retention by 1) improving the leadership and management skills of program owners and directors and, 2) fostering a culture of continuous quality improvement that leads to engaged learning for staff, children, and families. T4C is using a blended learning model that incorporates live face-to-face training and live virtual Professional Learning Communities to deliver a comprehensive 7- month (65-hour) training using the evidence-based TCC. Developed 20 years ago at the McCormick Center for Early Childhood Leadership, TCC is a well-respected model for leadership development of childcare administrators. It is based on McCormicks Whole Leadership Framework and is aligned to the principles of Adaptive Leadership Framework.

Leading Your Team Through the Challenges of Today Conflict Resolution Together4Children (T4C) provided a two-part series for a total of four hours on leading your team through the challenges of today as an early childhood leadership training. Up to 60 Owners, Directors, Assistant Directors and Administrators will participate in a virtual training with the goal of increasing their skills and confidence in preventing, managing and using conflict as a vessel for growth and development in the early childhood workplace. It is critical for organizational leaders to understand what causes conflict, view different conflict management styles, and apply appropriate and effective conflict resolution strategies.

VOICES OF EMPOWERMENT LEADERSHIP SYMPOSIUM AND CLOSING CEREMONY Celebration of the graduation of Cohorts 1 partipants in the Child Care Staff Retention Strategies Program.

INSPIRING QUAILITY LEADERSHIP- Together4Children (T4C) will provide a two-day-12-hour in-person professional training session on transforming early childhood programs through a strength-based leadership approach. This training session lays out strategies and practices needed for effective leadership. Owners, Directors, Assistant Directors, and Administrators will learn ways to implement strength-based practices that will intentionally transform their program into a high-quality early childhood program.

WHOLE LEADERSHIP-ENERGIZING AND STRENGTHENING YOUR EARLY CHILDHOOD PROGRAM - Together4Children (T4C) will facilitate a virtual Professional Learning Community (PLC) to assist up to 25 leaders in understanding their influence as a leader in shaping their program. The Whole Leadership Framework, developed by the McCormick Center for Early Childhood Leadership, identifies practical strategies to create action steps that develop growth opportunities. In this highly interactive PLC, Owners, Directors, Assistant Directors, and Administrators will journey together and benefit from real-life scenarios and reflections from other professionals

EQUIPED TO LEAD-Together4Children will conduct a 50-hour training series, Equipped to Lead- Leadership Essentials for new directors and assistant directors of early childhood programs. The intent is to help new administrators recognize their role as gatekeepers to quality and equip them with knowledge and skills to be models for effective change. Curriculum content aligns with Texas Rising Stars requirements for Director and Staff Qualifications training. Participants will join a cohort of 25 colleagues in a professional learning community that will convene in-person and virtually to delve into topics that enhance their leadership and management capacities.

REIGNITE- Together4Children (T4C) will provide a virtual two-part series for a total of four hours on strategies to reignite leaders passion for working with their staff, children, and families. Up to 60 Owners, Directors, Assistant Directors, and Administrators will understand and discover ways to deal with stress and burnout. In addition, participants will learn ways to support staff and to create a workplace environment that nurtures people rather than consumes them.

PRIME TIMES EXCELLENCE IN INFANT AND TODDLER PROGRAMSAchieve quality care and education in your infant or toddler program with practical strategies- establishing, organizing, and maintaining a quality program. Topics include developmental issues; infants and toddlers with special needs; staffing and staff training; creating learning and nurturing environments; establishing routines; child guidance; health, nutrition, and safety policies; curriculum; partnering with parents; assessment; and program evaluation.