Raising JoCo - An Early Childhood Coalition’s Post

I really wanted to post this without commentary, but I must add a few things: 1. My friend David Daniels hits the nail on the head with this article. 2. Why is it "ok" to allow children to consistently enter school unprepared? Realize this is regardless of income status 3. It is unacceptable for educators in the early childhood education sector to be paid at the abysmal rates we see across the nation. These educators and workers are often women of color.....hmmm? 4. We, as a Nation, and as communities must come together to support children and families 5. Inaction on this issue is not only economically incorrect, but also morally indefensible 6. It will take leadership, coupled with the removal of egos and agendas to get this done 7. NOW is the time for the Lucas County community to galvanize and ensure our families are able to go to work, because they can afford high-quality and safe early education and childcare. #EducationMatters #ChildcareMatters #Equity #HOPEisReal #JoinUsOnTheJourney #CHOOSEwisely

This blog highlights one of our scholars and speaks to the help the Childcare Scholarship provides. The application is open so please spread the word. Link in comments!

Child care should be funded by federal and local governments as a public good, the same way we collectively fund public schools, roads, libraries, parks and bridges. Our current child care system is broken, and each day without action means we all - but especially young children and families - are paying a steep price. It’s time for stakeholders across businesses, philanthropy, government and education to come together with urgency to drive solutions and build a solid child care infrastructure. Some ideas on how to get started in my latest Fast Company piece.

Every year, millions of children who range in age from birth through five benefit from an array of federal early learning and care programs. While there are different early learning settings and certain programs have distinct requirements, together they form a mixed-delivery system that strives to support the care, education, and healthy development of children, prioritizing children from low-income families, parental choice, and children’s individual needs. Read the report: https://ow.ly/2AWF50R1vRV #earlylearning #funding

💥 Compassionate Communities: Reviving Early Support for Families 💥 This recent report from the Institute for Fiscal Studies sheds light on the benefits that Sure Start brought to children and communities. While we can't reverse the closures, we must recognise the critical role of early years support and glean valuable insights from the Sure Start experience. I still recall a young mum who I was talking to when Sure Start was at its height, saying that her local Sure Start Centre was a lifeline for her when everything else in her life was falling apart. Sadly, three years later it was closed. While Home-Start and other local family support charities continue to work tirelessly to provide a lifeline for families, the need is simply too great for us to do it alone. The introduction of the Family Hub programme is a step in the right direction, but it's crucial to acknowledge the huge gap left by the closure of thousands of children's centres that were once part of a thriving community of support for families. Now more than ever, we need to rally behind the idea of rebuilding these communities and a partnership between the voluntary and public sector that truly makes a difference. Reviving early support on the scale we once had demands not just political will, but substantial investment. Yet, the evidence demonstrates the transformative potential of such initiatives. So let’s unite in advocating for the resurgence of comprehensive early years support, leveraging the invaluable lessons learned from Sure Start to pave the way for brighter, more equitable futures for our children and communities. #EarlyIntervention #CommunitySupport #FamilyWellbeing #SureStartLegacy

Imagine a North Carolina where every working parent or caregiver has access to high-quality, affordable childcare in their community. Our families would feel more supported and less stressed. Our kids would arrive to kindergarten better prepared to succeed socially, emotionally and academically. Our workforce would be more stable, and our economy would be stronger. This future is possible. We’re part of a growing collective of funders committed to ensuring NC’s children and families have what they need to pursue their dreams, and that starts with early childhood education. Check out our letter in EducationNC to learn why investing in early childhood makes sense, and what solutions might look like. It’s time for North Carolina to renew our commitment to early childhood education, and it’s going to take all of us — a public/private partnership of parents, businesses, government, and philanthropy. CHILDTRUST FOUNDATION Dogwood Health Trust HopeStar Foundation Impact Alamance John Rex Endowment Kate B. Reynolds Charitable Trust Live Oak Bank STEPHEN L CORNWELL FOUNDATION THE CEMALA FOUNDATION, INC. The Duke Endowment THE JOSEPH M BRYAN FOUNDATION OF GREATER GREENSBORO INC The Leon Levine Foundation

🌍 LETCEE Mobile Toy Libraries: Bringing Play and Learning to Every Child 🎨 At LETCEE, we believe that no child should be left behind, especially when it comes to early childhood development. Our Mobile Toy Libraries are designed to reach children in remote areas where access to Early Childhood Development (ECD) services are limited or nonexistent. Play is essential for young minds, shaping their cognitive, emotional, and social development. Through our mobile services, we provide children with educational toys and a safe space to learn through play—unlocking their creativity, curiosity, and potential. By ensuring every child has access to these opportunities, we’re actively working to close the gap in early learning and give each child the foundation they deserve. Together, we’re building stronger futures for our communities, one playful moment at a time. 🌱 To find out more about LETCEE and how you can invest in ECD, please visit our website www.letcee.org #EarlyChildhoodDevelopment #PlayToLearn #MobileToyLibraries #ChildDevelopment #EducationForAll #LearningThroughPlay #NoChildLeftBehind #ECDinCommunities #EducationalToys #ToyLibraries #InclusiveEducation #CommunityDevelopment #ChildhoodEducation #NonProfit #SustainableEducation #AccessToEducation

ATTENTION TEXAS GRANTMAKERS! Join peer #grantmakers from across the state of Texas for AFN's meeting at 2025 RAISE Texas Summit, January 22, 2025. This engaging discussion will lift up innovative programmatic and policy interventions to expand quality, #affordablechildcare in our state and support the financial health of childcare providers. Recognizing that affordable childcare is critical for the financial health of working families, our workforce and economy, we will explore ideas for strategic philanthropic support across the state to continue advancing innovative solutions. There will be opportunities for grantmakers to build connections with peers from different AFN regions, and delve into ideas for how #philanthropy could take statewide or regional collective action on this topic. LEARN MORE AND REGISTER: https://loom.ly/aJMyB20

🌟 BABY 2000: Our Vision for the Future 🌟 At NJ MED with our BABY 2000 project, we are dedicated to supporting high-risk teen parents within the juvenile justice system. As we look ahead to the next four years, we are excited to share our long-term plans and vision to further advance our mission. Our Vision: 1.   Expand Our Reach: Increase the number of participants in our annual Toddler Management Forum to 50 teen parents per year, ensuring more young families receive the support they need. 2.   Enhance Educational Programs: Develop comprehensive, year-round educational programs focused on effective co-parenting, child development, and life skills. 3.   Strengthen Support Networks: Establish robust community partnerships to provide holistic support, including mental health services, vocational training, and childcare resources. 4.   Measure Impact: Implement a detailed tracking system to measure the long-term impact of our programs on the lives of the parents and children we serve. Upcoming Projects and Initiatives: ·        Online Resource Center: Launch an online platform providing access to educational materials, parenting tips, and a community forum for peer support. ·        Mentorship Program: Introduce a mentorship initiative connecting experienced parents with our participants to offer guidance and support. ·        Community Events: Organize quarterly community events to foster a sense of belonging and provide additional resources and support to our families. Join Us on This Journey: We invite you to be part of this exciting journey. Here are ways you can get involved: ·        Volunteer: Share your time and expertise by becoming a mentor or assisting with our programs. ·        Donate: Your contributions will directly support our initiatives and help us reach more families in need. ·        Provide Feedback: Share your ideas and suggestions to help us improve and grow. Together, we can make a lasting impact on the lives of high-risk teen parents and their children. Thank you for your continued support and commitment to our mission! #EveryoneBehindtheFlag #SDG4 #USA

Many daycare owners face the challenge of keeping their fundraising initiatives engaging and successful. But fear not, we've got you covered with 10 innovative ideas to help you surpass your fundraising targets and support your center's goals. https://lnkd.in/ggdAmbfh Now, here's the question: Which of these fundraising ideas resonates most with you and your community?