| |
| |
|
|
by Tonja Rucker, Nation's Cities Weekly Investment in early childhood can yield significant economic benefits for cities and towns, while also helping strengthen a community’s families, according to participants in a first-ever City Leaders Summit on early childhood development in Los Angeles. More than 140 mayors, councilmembers and appointed municipal officials from 17 of Los Angeles County’s cities attended the summit, entitled “Building Blocks for Cities’ Economic Success: Investing in Early Childhood Development,” to explore the link between early childhood development programs and local economic vitality and to share ideas to improve these programs. “The City of West Hollywood feels that one of the best uses of public funds is to invest in early education and afterschool programs,” said Abbe Land, mayor of West Hollywood, Calif. “Better education for all children regardless of income is one of the most effective ways to lift many children out of poverty, reduce gang participation and create a stronger workforce for the future.” Speakers included Robert Lynch, chair of economics at Washington College, and Rob Grunewald, regional economic analyst at the Minneapolis Federal Reserve Bank. Both Lynch and Grunewald provided participants with in-depth information about how early childhood programs benefit not only families, but also taxpayers and communities. Attendees learned how quality early education can produce important long-term improvements in the intellectual and social development of disadvantaged children. Young children exposed to positive, stimulating experiences develop enhanced learning capabilities, which improve their odds for succeeding in school. This can translate into increased graduation rates, decrease the number of young people who end up on welfare and reduce crime. To assist local projects in enhancing child and family well-being throughout Los Angeles County, the Children’s Planning Council — a countywide public/private collaborative — along with its partners, composed an early childhood action agenda for municipal leaders. The primary steps in the action agenda are: • Making investments in child care, a major emerging industry, to enhance cities’ workforce development; • Creating partnerships that support young children and families; • Developing mixed-use and land-use development policies to strengthen city infrastructure for families; • Integrating early childhood into cities’ economic development plans; • Maximizing municipal resources to address critical issues; and • Developing smart financing strategies that support and improve outcomes for young children. “We received great advice regarding the creation of partnerships, as well as innovative land use ideas that would benefit families by providing green space,” said San Fernando Mayor Julie Ruelas. Events such as the summit often lead to identifying partnerships and strategies that enhance the development of early care and education. Summit sponsors believe that information and materials shared by speakers will lead to early childhood action plans at the local level. “It is my hope that the City of San Fernando will strengthen its commitment to children, youth and families as new ideas are discussed and implemented in the years to come,” said Ruelas. Details: For more information on municipal early childhood initiatives, contact Tonja Rucker at (202) 626-3004 or rucker@nlc.org. National League of Cities | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Subscribe to the Parents United e-list. | |||||||||||||||||||||||