History
The Kansas Early Childhood Comprehensive Systems Plan was developed during a two year strategic planning and collaborative building process that engaged numerous early childhood stakeholders from across Kansas. It builds on the extensive work of early childhood professionals, the resulting Kansas School Readiness Initiative, and the early childhood priorities of Governor Sebelius and Kansas Legislators. Currently, the KECCS Plan is in the implementation phase and is funded from 2005-2008 through the Maternal and Child Health Bureau.
To identify gaps in early childhood, strategic planners used an environmental scan of services aimed at early childhood (birth to 5) and preliminary school readiness data on community, school, and family influences on children’s readiness for school (child level indicators). In addition to the scan, The Kansas State Department of Education collected data on all of the school readiness indicators and released preliminary findings, including the results of the Kansas School Readiness Assessment Pilot.
In fall of 2004, 4,949 surveys were sent to 976 kindergarten classrooms across the state. The response rate was 40% or 1,997 surveys returned. General findings indicate that female students were rated as more ready for school than male students. English Language Learner students were rated as less ready than native speakers except in the area of physical readiness. Low income students and students with an Individualized Education Plan (IEP) were rated as less ready than students of higher socio-economic status or students without IEPs. Baseline data on all school readiness indicators (family, community, and school) were also presented.
Description – Executive Summary
The Executive Summary 
provides background information about the Kansas Early Childhood Comprehensive Systems Plan and an overview of the goals, objectives, strategies, and activities in which partners from across the state are engaging.
The Executive Summary details the Plan in terms of five goals that will provide children birth through five with the resources they need to succeed in school and life. The goals of the KECCS Plan are:
Goal 1: Ensure that all Kansas children have health insurance and access to medical providers.
Goal 2: Fully integrate mental health and social-emotional development into the early childhood system in Kansas.
Goal 3: Develop a comprehensive and coordinated early childhood care and education system in Kansas birth-5.
Goal 4: Educate and mentor parents about childhood health, development, and education.
Goal 5: Promote a system that helps families develop and utilize both intellectual and material resources to prepare their children for school and life.
Strategic Planning Process
The Kansas School Readiness Framework provided initial information to inform the development of the Kansas Early Childhood Comprehensive Systems Plan.
The Environmental Scan was conducted as part of the planning phase to give stakeholders a detailed description of the current status of early childhood systems in Kansas. The Environmental Scan, which was completed in late 2003, is useful in assessing needs and identifying gaps in services.
The Converging Systems approach to early childhood in Kansas brings together stakeholders and initiatives from child care, health, mental health, education and family support to strengthen the development and implementation of a comprehensive plan
The Matrix of State Programs by School Readiness Goals is a detailed look at the programs in Kansas that are currently addressing the school readiness priorities. The Matrix is useful in providing information about the types of programs as well as the scope of services that are currently working on school readiness in Kansas.
The KECCS Plan Toolkit is designed to assist Kansas Stakeholders / Partners in presenting the KECCS Plan in their local communities. It includes a Powerpoint presentation and a colorful, 6-page Graphic of the established goals, objectives, strategies, and outcomes.