Start Early

New brief alert! Check out our early findings about the complexity of using multiple funding sources in ECE from the Financing for ECE Quality and Access for All (F4EQ) project funded by OPRE and conducted by NORC at the University of Chicago, Start Early and The Children's Equity Project. https://lnkd.in/gtJYN4yz

Last month, Start Early Manager, Foundation Relations Suni Kartha and Senior Research Scientist Demi Siskind, PhD attended the final convening in Atlanta, Georgia of the 2024-2025 Public Voices Fellowship on Racial Justice in Early Childhood, sponsored by The OpEd Project in partnership with the National Black Child Development Institute (NBCDI). This in-person convening was a chance for fellows to meet their cohort colleagues in-person and delve into NCBDI’s “Eight Essential Outcomes for Black Child Development” with Dr. Iheoma Iruka. The eight outcomes not only ensure a future in which Black children can succeed, they detail necessary components of a healthy, sustainable and equitable system in which all communities can thrive. Congratulations to Demi and Suni, we applaud and thank you for contributing your experience and early childhood expertise to this work in the march towards racial healing and justice as 2024-2025 fellows.

“For me, the Summit offers an opportunity to see the work I do in home visiting in Illinois as part of a wider system supporting families. The Summit enables me to bring home innovative ideas to support the field in my role providing training and technical assistance.”? ? In a new blog post, Start Early Senior Technical Assistance & Training Specialist, Jesslyn (Jess) Jobe, shares her perspective on why the National Home Visiting Summit creates key opportunities for learning and connection. Jesslyn also showcases testimonials from direct service providers, funders, systems change leaders and researchers who attended the 2024 Summit on why their experience at conference resonates with attendees year-round?https://bit.ly/3Z6RHaE

“When you work on improving your own abilities to self regulate, you offer a more consistent and stable environment for your child to learn how to co-regulate alongside you, even from the earliest days. Your physical and emotional state directly influences their ability to regulate their emotions.” Start Early Early Head Start Network Mental Health Manager Michael Gouterman, LCPC was recently featured in an article by Motherly?. The article focuses on infant mental health, how it can develop as early as pregnancy, and how parents can support their young children. Michael recommends strategies for best supporting your child’s mental health–including prioritizing your own self-awareness to recognize triggers and implementing self-regulation strategies that work for you. Doing so, he explains, will help set a strong foundation for teaching your child how to manage their emotions effectively. Read more about infant mental health: https://lnkd.in/g2Y6KaxK

"Helping every child gain access to quality early learning and care is a marathon, one that spans generations. To achieve our vision, we stand on the shoulders of giants, and Barbara Bowman is one of them. Her leadership of early education at the Chicago Public Schools set the foundation of the high quality, mixed delivery system that has long been an exemplar for the nation. Hers was always a voice for equity, quality, and truth, and we are proud to carry her values in our work." - Diana Rauner, President, Start Early on the passing of tireless advocate and co-founder of Erikson Institute, Barbara Bowman

Start Early is grateful to be partnering with Juan Gabriel Moreno Architects (JGMA) to ensure the new Educare Lake County program's design meets the needs of the families it will serve. More exciting updates on this project will be shared in the coming months!

Amid another historical election season, Start Early remains committed to a vision where all young children have equitable access to quality early learning opportunities that they deserve and need. We are not alone in this commitment, as early childhood is the one issue that continually crosses party lines, with 90% of voters supporting continued investment in access to early childhood programs and services. ? With any change in administration comes new challenges and new opportunities. We will continue to stay focused on our mission and our collective work to transform the early childhood system. Visit our website to learn more on how you can support early learning and care for our youngest learners: StartEarly.org.

We will be in Anaheim, CA for the Annual National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) Conference on November 6 - 9th. Hear from Start Early and Educare Network staff as they speak at their different sessions. Sessions include “Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in ECE Using Data” and “Empowering Inclusive and Equitable Leaders.” The “Building community through equitable behavior management and nurturing relationships" workshop will offer CEU credits. Learn more about Start Early resources for ECE professionals: https://lnkd.in/gC2WUfAn

A recent article by NBC News shares findings from a disheartening job report. According to the Bureau of Labor more than 69k employees missed work in August due to child care difficulties, matching an all-time record. 89% of voters want candidates to have a plan ready to help working parents afford high-quality #childcare. Learn more about what we are doing to increase access to #ECE programs at StartEarly.org. Read on to learn about the impact of the child care crisis on our economy: https://lnkd.in/gmeW-RjM

A new resource by Start Early, elevates the voices of BIPOC home visitors and provides insights into how the home visiting field can support leadership pathways for home visitors of color. In November 2022, Start Early launched a national field engagement, Leadership Pathways for Home Visitors of Color: An Exploration. The project centered the voices and experiences of home visitors of color to define leadership within the home visiting field and to determine a vision and needed supports for developing and sustaining leadership pathways. This project generated several deliverables. The main article, Leadership Pathways for Home Visitors of Color: An Exploration, provides an overview of the project along with key findings and recommendations for policymakers, funders, state systems, and programs. Read more in the new resource: https://lnkd.in/gNGjCs7Z