The Early Head Start National Resource Center (EHS NRC) at ZERO TO THREE, in partnership with the regionally based Quality Improvement Centers (QICs), works to provide training and technical assistance support to Early Head Start (EHS) programs. A task of the EHS NRC is to support capacity building of Federal staff. The Senior Early Childhood Associates (SECA) have a unique opportunity to support this effort on an individual and daily basis within the Regional Offices.

While Associate Commissioner of Head Start, the late Helen Taylor envisioned the Associates as critical to building knowledge and expertise among Federal staff because of their critical role in supporting EHS programs serving infants, toddlers and their families. The Associates support Federal staff on issues related to infant and toddler development and the link between knowing what is good for babies and families and creating and sustaining quality EHS programs. The Associates are co-located in the regional offices of the Federal government, the American Indian and Alaska Native Program Branch, the Migrant and Seasonal Program Branch, and the Head Start Bureau. The Associates represent diverse professions that include special education, early childhood education, child development, social work, and family life education.

Each Associate, in partnership with staff at the regional offices and program branches, creates work plans that outline the strategy for providing training and that support capacity building initiatives within the region or program branch. Support to Federal staff is offered dependent on the individuals' needs within each region or branch. The SECAs often accompany Federal staff on monitoring reviews. In addition, Associates may provide consultation and technical assistance on issues related to Early Head Start. We may provide a series of workshops on topics of interest to EHS, and our attendance at meetings and regional conferences assists in ensuring shared knowledge on issues related to babies and their families. Associates in each region have also established libraries with resources that support Early Head Start grantees.

The Associates have become integral team members in regional offices and program branches as we provide support through our knowledge on issues related to infants,
toddlers, and their families. Associates often participate in training initiatives supported by the QICs and Quality Improvement Centers for Disabilities (QIC-DS). Associates also play an active role in the conferences and meetings held by the EHS NRC such as the Leader's Seminar and Orientation Conference and the annual Birth To Three Institute. Often, participants in these events include Federal staff from regional offices.

As Associates working with Federal staff, we have had the opportunity to interact with a talented team of individuals who offer significant knowledge and skill in supporting babies and families, and who strive each day to improve the work they do within Early Head Start. Together, we work toward increasing capacity in infant/toddler knowledge and embrace lifelong learning as essential to improving the work of Early Head Start.

Lynette Kimes was a Senior Early Childhood Associate, Early Head Start National Resource Center at ZERO TO THREE. She can be reached at T: 202-260-2670; E: lkimes@acf.hhs.gov.