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By Lookout Staff

September 21, 2011 -- From data analysis to action – that's going to be the focus of an early childhood development conference at RAND Corporation Saturday, as experts talk about how they're measuring the progress of young children in various communities and then spurring those communities to provide needed services.

Two regional partnerships are working with UCLA-based Transforming Early Childhood Community Systems (TECCS) to compile data on preschool children, using a test that measures school readiness.

The Magnolia Place Community Initiative of central Los Angeles and the Santa Monica-Malibu School District working in concert with Connections for Children will share their experiences as they worked with TECCS and tried to inspire their communities to make sure young children get the help they need to succeed in school.

TECCS provides data mapping so local groups can see how their children are faring, leadership and outreach strategies to help them put their knowledge into action, a network putting all the groups in contact with each other, and a targeted program that focuses on helping a few particular regions succeed.

Neal Halfon, MD, MPH, director of the UCLA Center for Healthier Children, Families and Communities, Patricia Bowie, MPH, consultant to the Magnolia Place Community Initiative, and
Patti Oblath, executive director of Connections for Children, will be the conference presenters.

This community conference is a public service of the RAND Corporation. There is no admission charge. However, seating is limited and advanced reservations are required.

Check-in begins at 8:45 a.m., and the program runs from 9:15 a.m. to 12 noon, Saturday, September 24 at RAND Corporation, 1776 Main Street. Free garage parking will be provided.

Register online or call Nora Kerrigan at (310) 393-0411, ext. 7560 to register by telephone.

The conference is sponsored by the City of Santa Monica Human Services Division, the City of Santa Monica Child Care and Early Education Task Force, Connections for Children, and Santa Monica College.