MEF Associates was a subcontractor to the American Institutes for Research (AIR) on this project to help evaluate and identify the critical aspects of the ELMC initiative. The 18-month evaluation used a mixed-method approach to describe the implementation of the ELMC, highlighting mentor coaching approaches, examine the quality of the implementation of these efforts, and examine factors that appear to be related to successful mentor coaching. The intent of the ELMC initiative was to improve teaching practices in Early Head Start (EHS) and Head Start (HS), with grantees retaining autonomy over the coaching/mentor model they use to best meet their unique needs. The grants were funded in September 2010 to 131 grantees for a project period of 17 months.
