The development of children is directly linked to the development of the adults who work with them. Mentor-coaching is a proven strategy for building strong and effective relationships among early childhood colleagues.

The Office of Head Start funded Steps to Success, which includes the development of training materials and other resources that draw upon current research and effective practices related to staff development and early literacy. Steps to Success mentor-coaching materials blend coaching and mentoring in a single, comprehensive system.

ACF Regional Offices can provide information about which programs received training or are implementing Steps to Success.

To learn more about the tools and features included in the Steps to Success mentor-coaching instructional design, refer to the following materials online:

Steps to Success: Decision Maker Guide
Designed for Head Start leaders, managers, and Policy Councils, the guide explains how to create strong, effective early literacy mentor-coaching systems. Topics include: Selecting a Model; Finding Financial Resources; Selecting and Matching Mentor-Coaches; Orienting and Training Mentor-Coaches; and Linking Mentor-Coaching to Management Systems.

Decision Maker Guide (English)http://eclkc.ohs.acf.hhs.gov/hslc/ecdh/eecd/Management%20and%20Staff%20Support/Mentor%20Coaching/edudev_hgm_00301_042106.html

Decision Maker Guide (Spanish) http://eclkc.ohs.acf.hhs.gov/hslc/ecdh/eecd/Management%20and%20Staff%20Support/Mentor%20Coaching/edudev_hgm_00301e_042106.html

Steps to Success: Facilitator Guide and Mentor Coach Manual
Enables each mentor-coach to build skills. Units addressed are: Building Relationships to Promote Child Literacy Outcomes; Observation of Staff and Analysis; Reflective Practice; and Using Child Assessment Information to Guide Instruction. http://www.headstartinfo.org/publications/stepstosuccess/mentorcoach.htm

Steps to Success: Professional Development Plan
Explains how to strengthen and refine mentor-coaching skills and chart professional growth. The plan identifies mentor-coaches’ skills and includes a form to guide mentor coaches toward improvement.

Professional Development Plan (English) http://eclkc.ohs.acf.hhs.gov/hslc/ecdh/eecd/Management%20and%20Staff%20Support/Mentor%20Coaching/edudev_caf_00500_061606.html

Professional Development Plan (Spanish) http://eclkc.ohs.acf.hhs.gov/hslc/ecdh/eecd/Management%20and%20Staff%20Support/Mentor%20Coaching/edudev_caf_00500e_061606.html

Steps to Success: Protégé Journal
Offers guidance to prepare for and reflect on work of a protégé classroom staff or home visitors with a mentor-coach. The three sections describe the roles of the mentor-coach and the protégé and associated skills and strategies; processes and activities that are the foundation of the relationship; and resources to promote positive language and literacy outcomes for children.

Protégé Journal (English) http://eclkc.ohs.acf.hhs.gov/hslc/ecdh/eecd/Management%20and%20Staff%20Support/Mentor%20Coaching/edudev_hgm_00302_042106.html

Protégé Journal (Spanish) http://eclkc.ohs.acf.hhs.gov/hslc/ecdh/eecd/Management%20and%20Staff%20Support/Mentor%20Coaching/edudev_hgm_00302e_042106.html

Materials may be ordered through the online catalog at http://eclkc.ohs.acf.hhs.gov/hslc/resources/ECLKC_Bookstore or by calling toll free: 1-866-763-6481.