The Learning Lab

What We're Doing
NAEYC Quality Initiative	Early childhood specialists provide on-site technical assistance and training to early childhood programs commited to achieve the nationally recognized accreditation provided by NAEYC. Program assessment, staff development and self-study form the basis of this process.
Coaching for Self-sufficiency	A five-day intensive workshop for social service workers and early childhood staff engaged in supporting families who are seeking economic self-sufficiency. The training prepares social service and human service workers to become effective job seeking and job retention coaches for their assigned families. Phase I of the training is for Family Service workers. Phase II expands to include previous participants along with the families they are coaching.
Summer Quality Institutes	Week-long experiential institutes designed to expose teams of center directors, education coordinators, teachers, and teacher assistants to developmentally appropriate practices for children aged 0-5. The camp-like setting promotes "hands on" learning , team building, planning for home site follow-up and reinforcement.
History of the Learning Lab	The Learning Lab is a direct outgrowth of The North Carolina Learning Center for Staff Development and Training. The Learning Center was one of fourteen five-year pilot projects funded by the Head Start Bureau of the Administration for Youth and Families. These research based projects were challenged to develop unique and innovative training programs which utilized adult learning strategies and an experiential focus which emphasized observation, guided practice, feedback and follow-up. In order to maximize support for accomplishing long term change, the Learning Center utilized a systems approach, involving the entire organization in the change process. Evaluation methodology, implementation, and results may be obtained from Ellen Peisner-Feinburg, Ph.D., Frank Porter Graham, Child Development Center at the University of North Carolina.
Contact Information	Mike Mathers, Director Chapel Hill Training Outreach Learning Lab 800 Eastowne Drive Suite 105 Chapel Hill, NC 27514 919-490-5577 ext. 238 919-490-4905 (fax) E-mail: mathers@chtop.org