The Cook County Early Childhood Coalition has sent out the following letter to Governor Dayton and several legislators. We’d like News- Herald readers to see it as well.
Cook County has 200 children 0-5 and 45 percent are eligible for free/reduced lunch. The county does not receive either Pathways I or II Scholarships. There is a waiting list for childcare assistance program funds.
We, as members of Cook County’s Early Childhood Coalition, want you to consider the following points regarding Early Childhood prenatal-5 funding and programs currently considered in House and Senate Bills.
Minnesota has a diverse delivery system for early childhood care and education that is critical to meet families’ needs. Flexibility and collaborative relationships in rural Minnesota are essential for maximizing funding provided by the legislators.
Our coalition supports increased funding for preschool and scholarships for children birth to 5, and a coordinated and blended system that includes: . Increased funding for all preschools serving 3-and 4-year-olds; blended programming; 15 hours a week minimum; high quality/Parent Aware rated settings with State licensed Early Childhood and Parent Educators. . Head Start Programs in collaborative, blended sites without waiting lists. . Navigator Funding to support identification and access for those children and families “most at risk” in Cook County. . Legislation enabling school districts in collaborative efforts to braid funding sources to maximize services for children and families. . Early Childhood Educators and ECFE Parent Educators who are compensated at wages commensurate with K-12 teacher salaries. . Child Care Assistance Program funding that eliminates waiting lists. . A strong, high quality system of licensed programs: Family Child Care and Child Care Centers serving 0-5 year olds. . Universal Home Visiting for 0-3. . Parent Aware program enhancement. . Early Childhood transportation funding to support rural counties.
This is a historic time for us. Thank you Governor Dayton, and to our legislators for prioritizing resources to invest in our youngest citizens. Let’s do it right, and provide flexibility for families, programs and communities.
Schools, Head Start, and Child Care programs who work together in a collaborative effort make an outstanding team to best prepare Minnesota’s children and families for educational success, World’s Best Workforce, and lifelong learning.
Cook County
Early Childhood Coalition
Cook County Early Childhood Coalition members are:
. Gwen Carman, ISD 166 PreK-5 principal
. Beth Schwarz, ISD 166 superintendents
. Patty Nordahl, retired early childhood educator,
Governor’s Early Learning Advisory council member
. Gwen Danfelt, local childcare provider
. Kristin Blomberg, Child Care licensor
. Susan Scherer, retired Early Childhood
special educator
. Marty Smith, Region 11 IEIC
Help Me Grow project coordinator
. Andra Lilienthal, Community Education
. Sandra Taenzer, former director
Early Childhood Services SD 54 IL
. Kristin Wharton, parent, RN, PHN, IBCLC
. Rachel Liechty, ISD 166
Early Childhood coordinator
. Duane Hasegawa, MD, retired pediatrician
. Emily Marshall, Cook County YMCA director
. Terence Collins, PhD,
ISD 166 school board member
. Amanda Hand, ISD 166 School Readiness
Early Childhood educator
. Diane Booth, County Extension
. Pat Campanaro, Cook County/Grand Marais
Economic Development Authority
. Tina Frederickson, MEd, ECSE supervisor
and Help Me Grow coordinator,
Northland Special Education Cooperative
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