|
ACF
Administration for Children and Families
|
U.S. DEPARTMENT
OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
|
| 1. Log No. ACF-IM-HS-06-03 |
2. Issuance Date: 07/11/2006 |
| 3. Originating Office: Office of Head Start |
| 4. Key Word: Early Childhood Learning and Knowledge Center |
INFORMATION MEMORANDUM
TO: Head Start and Early Head
Start Grantees and Delegate Agencies
SUBJECT: Early Childhood Learning and Knowledge Center
INFORMATION:
The Office of Head Start is pleased to announce the launch of a new interactive website, the Early Childhood Learning and Knowledge Center (ECLKC). [http://eclkc.ohs.acf.hhs.gov]
The ECLKC offers relevant, timely information, knowledge and learning to Head Start programs and the early childhood community in an easy-to-use format. It will grow and evolve over the next several years and is designed to be a comprehensive resource for anyone involved with or interested in early childhood education.
The Welcome Center provides an introduction to the current and future features of the ECLKC. The Help section explains how the site is laid out and how to search and quickly find what you need. Multiple methods of using the site are available in order to meet the diverse styles of users. The font can be resized to make it easier to read. Icons are available on every page that will easily allow printing or emailing the page. When materials are available in Spanish, it will be so noted.
Some of the information currently available on the ECLKC includes:
The Head Start Act, the Head Start Program Performance Standards, Information Memoranda and Program Instructions dating back to 1995, Policy Clarifications & frequently asked questions; all easily searchable.
The Transportation Pathfinder which, among other features, contains an extensive set of links to state level transportation data and requirements.
Professional Development information, including a fully searchable Distance Learning Catalog which features information on colleges which offer early childhood education degree programs online. Information to support and assist staff in obtaining and updating degrees and credentials is also available in this area.
A Resources section which provides access to an online bookstore, cinema and conference center. Videos and conference presentations with full transcripts are available.
Directories which offer access to a database of professional early childhood consultants that can be searched by area of expertise and experience. Directories of the Head Start T/TA network are available here as well.
The Head Start Locator which will enable users to find the location of virtually every Head Start center in the country.
In the future, personalized portals will be introduced in order to offer customized information to users. Communities of practice; i.e. groups of individuals within the site with a common goal, problem, or interest, will be established and available for discussion, support and sharing.
The input of the Head Start community is critical to the future development of the ECLKC. Please take time to bookmark the site, visit it often and share with us your comments and suggestions. With your assistance, we can make the ECLKC one of the most valuable tools available to the Early Childhood community and we look forward to working with all of you to make this a resource that will change and improve the way we all do business.
/s/Channell Wilkins
Director
Office of Head Start
See PDF version:
Early
Childhood Learning and Knowledge Center [PDF, 172KB]
