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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Vani","sans-serif"">Dear Directors:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Vani","sans-serif"">Below you will find a letter about the Early Learning Hubs that we have been discussing for the better part of two years. There are also a number of attachments. This information has been distributed
widely around the state. I know that a number of you are already very involved in early learning in your local community and have been discussion the possibilities with your colleagues. If you haven’t been in conversation with your early learning community
I would suggest that now is the time to participate in the discussion. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Vani","sans-serif"">Katie Anderson is following the progress of this very carefully and can provide you information if necessary. I know that she has also been communicating with the youth services librarians and
I wanted to make sure that you directors are “in the loop” so we can take advantage of this important opportunity to participate in making sure every child in Oregon starts school ready to learn.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Vani","sans-serif"">Thanks,<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Vani","sans-serif"">MaryKay<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Vani","sans-serif""><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Vani","sans-serif"">Dear Early Learning Supporter,
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Vani","sans-serif"">In 2011 Governor Kitzhaber shared his vision for an Oregon that prioritizes early learning to ensure that children arrive at kindergarten prepared to succeed.
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Vani","sans-serif"">At a time when across the state 40% of our young children live in poverty, when in some jurisdictions that number is closer to 80%, and when 1 in 4 children show up at kindergarten unprepared
to learn, acting on this vision is critical for our state’s future. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Vani","sans-serif"">For the past two and half years we have all worked tirelessly to design a path for achieving that goal. Out of that work emerged a vision for a cohesive early learning system where communities
would collaborate, design their own strategies for delivering early childhood services, and ultimately share collective responsibility for the same outcomes across the state.
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Vani","sans-serif"">With the recent passage of House Bill 2013, the last piece of the framework was put into place. We now have the funding and the statutory guidance we need to make this vision a reality.
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Vani","sans-serif"">Later this summer the Early Learning Council will release a Request for Applications for communities interested in applying to become Early Learning Hubs. Between now and then, we are releasing
the attached letter of community interest, timeline, and self-readiness assessment tools to aid communities in their planning efforts. This letter should be signed by a representative from each sector – early education, health, social/human services, K-12,
and business - participating in a potential Early Learning Hub Application. <o:p>
</o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Vani","sans-serif"">Completion of the letter of community interest is optional and non-binding, but we encourage anyone thinking of applying to become an Early Learning Hub to complete the attached six question
letter and return it by July 31. Doing so allows the Council to better plan for technical assistance and will allow communities across Oregon to better understand who is coming to the table.
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Vani","sans-serif"">To accompany the letter of interest, we are also releasing a community self-readiness assessment and a provider readiness assessment that we hope will serve as useful tools for communities as
they think about Early Learning strategies. In addition the Early Learning Division is planning a series of technical assistance webinars and a statewide summit to support future Early Learning Hub applicants. Please
<a href="http://oregonearlylearning.com/other-priorities/community-based-coordinators-of-early-learning-services-hubs/technical-assistance-resources-tools-information/">
go here</a> to register. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Vani","sans-serif"">Thank you all for your interest and leadership on behalf of our youngest Oregonians.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Vani","sans-serif"">Regards,<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Vani","sans-serif"">Jada Rupley Pam Curtis<br>
Early Learning System Director Early Learning Council Chair <o:p>
</o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:#1F497D"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:#1F497D"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:center;line-height:normal">
<span style="color:#1F497D">MaryKay Dahlgreen<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:center;line-height:normal">
<span style="color:#1F497D">State Librarian<o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<span style="color:#1F497D">Oregon State Library<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:center;line-height:normal">
<span style="color:#1F497D">marykay.dahlgreen@state.or.us<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:center;line-height:normal">
<span style="color:#1F497D">503-378-4367<o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<span style="color:#1F497D"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
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<a href="http://www.oregon.gov/osl/LD/Pages/youthsvcs/oregon.srp.certificate.aspx"><span style="color:#1F497D;text-decoration:none"><img border="0" width="204" height="69" id="Picture_x0020_1" src="cid:image003.jpg@01CE86C0.68020A10" alt="cid:image003.jpg@01CE4751.8A8D6B50"></span></a><span style="color:#1F497D"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:center;line-height:normal">
<span style="color:#1F497D">Summer Reading 2013 at <a href="http://libdir.osl.state.or.us/">
Oregon libraries</a>!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<span style="color:#1F497D"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
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