7. EDSR 08-11-2008 - Laserfiche WebLink

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h9rs~nv~v: ~ ERttr~ Cw~tu~toou ~,~ ' ~ ~~ `~. ~t~; 111I1~SC}ta ~t (DU Ill lV~ ~ ~ ~ r ~ A T } v ~ d~rj»ntpgrgn s.T. »aar y6uurrgc5~tj thr~jLtr'o~tr` _ 1' 1. ~ 1.1 .E:~.Y.~ A ?, ~ , ~, 1~'intcr ZQO8 ~ by Invest In Early Childhood? All young children need a healthy start in life to grow into strong, productive adults. Accumulating evidence indicates that our country is under-investing in early childhood development, which is diminishing our nation's ability to compete in the global marketplace. Reports such as the Economic Policy Institute's Exceptional Returns, the Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis' Early Childhood Development: Economic Development with a High Public Return, and Dr. James J. Heckman's Invest in the Very Young confirm the huge long-term payoffs from investments in early childhood development programs. .;>.- ~. hat l.a the Nl:iEanesota Early C'l~ilclhoocl I.niti.~tive`? In 2003, the six Minnesota Initiative Foundations (MIFs) began to collaborate on a joint public policy initiative focused on early childhood. Recognizing that strengthening early care and education for young children and their families is the most important investment communities can make for the future, the Minnesota Early Childhood Initiative was developed. The overarching goal of the tl~inneso#a Early Childhood lni#iative...A Campaign for ®ur 'Younges# Children is to ensure that every young child has the best possible start toward a healthy life of learning, achieving, and succeeding. ~ ~'~, i }, hat .Is Hlappening? Since 2003, the MIFs have established 66 early childhood coalitions. A Statewide Early Childhood Coalition Network has been created to link all the coalitions. This network serves as a vehicle to advance public policy, ex- change ideas, share promising practices, and create a statewide ground- swell of support for young children. „% hat .Has Been Accomplished to Date:' 66 Early Childhood Coalitions Launched To date, 66 Early Childhood Coalitions have been developed in Greater Minnesota. Within these communities, there are over 2,500 coalition members representing diverse sectors, including the business community. These coalitions encompass over 170 communities and 52 of the 80 Greater Minnesota counties. toss Business CommunltylECOnomic Dev Eery Chitlhood Care 8 Etlucafion Elected Official K-72 Etlucallon OHeahh Care(PUblic Heath ^Higher EducaOon • Community Profile Interviews Conducted ®Law Enforcement More than 2,800 communi members artici ated in face-to-face interviews °""ad® from 66 coalitions to share their "perceptionsRofthe accessibility and availability I:SOOicefi Bervices of resources and support for young children and their families. • Community-Based Forums -Speak dots For Early Childhood Held Over 4,800 community members across 66 coalitions have participated in forums focused on the realities of early care and education in their communities. • Community Visions and Local Action Plans Developed 66 coalitions have written Vision Statements and developed local Strategic Action Plans.