Youth Services Shout-Out: YSS Blog: What is WECCP?

Do you know about this great library/literacy partner?

WECCP is the acronym for the WI Early Childhood Collaborating Partners.

According to their website: "WECCP was started in 1994 and focuses on collaboration among diverse early childhood partners and exists now as a 'braided' funding effort among three state agencies:

Department of Public Instruction (DPI),
Department of Children and Families (DCF) and
Department of Health Services (DHS)

The WECCP website serves as the collaborative source of information on issues of cross-sector interest, state initiatives, and research-based practices. Regional Collaboration Coaches have been in place since 2004 connecting, building and sustaining cross-sector systems around the state and regionally. In July of 2018 transition to a new outreach structure will begin with the anticipation of the structure being in place by the fall of 2018. This new structure will continue the work of the Regional Collaboration Coaches and support ongoing cross-sector professional development and improvement activities."

The state is divided into three regions and regional coaches hold periodic meetings to share helpful information about early childhood programs, resources and research with collaborating partners working with young children across the state. Both Leah Langby and Anne Hamland, youth services system consultants, have recommended this important collaboration for libraries. They stress how much they have learned and the important connections they have been able to foster to serve their communities and families more effectively.

The collaborative has a listserv you can join to stay updated. The regional coaches also host periodic meetings to update partners and foster discussion of services and programs around the state. To join the meetings, please contact the regional coach in your area or stop by WECCP's website.

Here is a recent email from Tiffany Swain, the NE region coach to give you an idea of the scope and content of the meetings:

"Good Afternoon Northeast Region!

Save the Date for the next Regional Collaboration Team/ NE PDG Work Group meeting!