Posted: 9/6/05
Last year the North Branch area joined 31 other Minnesota hometowns in a statewide Early Childhood Initiative to work toward giving young children access to the kind of community support, care and education needed for success in school and later life.
A local early childhood coalition has been formed and continues to work on building on the strengths already in place in the North Branch community regarding early childhood. Members of the North Branch Area Early Childhood Coalition include parents, child care providers, the faith community, the school district, the county, business owners, elected officials, health care providers, and more. Interested community members are welcome to join the coalition at any time.
During a communitywide visioning session held last January five top needs were identified for the coalition to address. These goals of the coalition are:
1. Improve communications for early childhood opportunities. They are developing a Web site to let families know about local events and opportunities, resources in the community, and links to information, organizations, and services about young children. Watch it develop at: www.EarlyChildhood-NB.org/Main.htm.
2. Educate young parents. They will participate in and help promote activities which foster the education of young parents.
3. Provide recreation for families with young children. They will offer opportunities for families to meet other families for local family gatherings and outings around North Branch and the Metro area. For more information about upcoming ìFamilies Out and About Adventuresî go to the Web site www.EarlyChildhood-NB.org/Main.htm or call Brenda at (651) 674-5426 or Tanya at (651) 237-0648.
4. Provide access for all preschoolers to literacy-based education. During this summerís Midsummer Days parade coupons for free books were given to families. They also gave away books at the Concerts in the Park series, WIC and immunization clinics.
5. Work to increase funding for early childhood opportunities. They will continue to communicate with local, state, and national policy makers regarding the needs of young children. Watch for upcoming advocacy training opportunities and ways to make a difference as an informed voter.
As the North Branch Area Early Childhood Coalition they are excited about these goals and invite you to join them. Whether youíre new to the community or a long time resident, this is a great opportunity to make a difference in the lives of children.
The next coalition meeting is scheduled for Friday, Sept. 9, from 10 a.m. ñ noon at Abundant Life Church in North Branch. Lunch and limited child care will be provided. Prior reservation is needed for lunch and child care. Please call if you will be attending (651) 674-1050.
The North Branch area received an initial $15,000 grant and future project funds from the Initiative Foundation located in Little Falls, Minn. Other supporting partners include The McKnight Foundation; the Jay and Rose Phillips Foundation; the Sheltering Arms Foundation; the Otto Bremer Foundation and the Buuck Family Foundation.
For more information about this event or the Early Childhood Initiative, contact Sally Nault-Maurer, North Branch Area Early Childhood Coalition Coordinator, at (651) 674-1064 or by e-mail at snault@northbranch.k12.mn.us.
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