By Aaron Vehling

On the cover of an invitation to the North Branch Early Childhood Coalitionís Jan. 25 community meeting is an infant with inquisitive eyes.

Below the photo of the baby, the invite reads: ìEvery dollar invested in cutie-pies like me saves seven dollars on big words like ëincarceration,í ëwelfareí and ëspecial education.í And you thought diapers were expensive.î
The Coalitionís message: Help the children in their earliest years and save money in the future.

With information, based on a study published recently by Rob Grunewald and Art Rolnick of the Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis, the Coalition plans to open a community-wide discussion from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 25 at the NB High School commons.

ìThe scope of the project is to look at all early childhood needs,î said Sally Nault-Maurer, director of the Coalition and an early childhood teacher in North Branch. ìFrom health, mental health and education, to child care and community support.î

The Coalition was formed when the school district won a competitive grant for $15,000 from the Minnesota Early Childhood Initiative. The North Branch area joined 31 other Minnesota cities already involved in similar projects.

Members of the Coalition include people from the North Branch school district, county public health, county human services, Family Pathways, local churches, the police department and members of the local business community.

Kerry Moberg, early childhood program coordinator for the North Branch school district, said one of the goals of the community gathering will be to address areas where the community could help children in their early years.

ìPeople who come arenít going home with to-do list,î she said. ìHopefully, folks who come will learn about this and the wide variety of support systems in community.î

Nault-Maurer added that the Coalition is also looking at identifying the resources already in place in North Branch and will work to address identified needs.

She gave a few examples of how other communitiesí coalitions addressed certain early childhood issues.

ìSome communities have identified literacy needs by having more kids books available in places such as medical clinics and local libraries,î she said. ìAlso, some communities have identified a need for vision screening.

Nault-Maurer said that while those are examples, there are many different other ways that a community can work to help children in their earliest years. She urges parents, grandparents, business owners, professionals - pretty much anyone in the community - to attend next Tuesdayís meeting.

ìMembers of the community will be able to participate in a discussion of how to make the North Branch area the best it can be for young children and families,î she said. ìAlso, it will give people the chance to have a say in how the grant money is used.î

There will be a free dinner and door prizes. If you call (651) 674-1185 by tomorrow you can reserve a spot for childcare. There is no cost. Call the number above if you are interested in joining the Coalition or if you are just looking for more information on the organization.

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