15 Years of Early Childhood Initiatives The McDowell County Partnership for Children & Families, Inc. Presentation for McDowell LINC December 9, 2009
15 Years of Early Childhood Initiatives
The McDowell County Partnership for Children & Families, Inc.
Presentation for McDowell LINC
December 9, 2009
McDowell County Partnership for Children & Families, Inc.
Early Childhood: Why is it important?
1) Brain Development
2) Economic Development
McDowell County Partnership for Children & Families, Inc.
Brain Development – Emerging research says the window of time is short
Evolutionary Biology: Experience shapes brain architecture fastest in children age birth to three. The brain overproduces synapses in the beginning years and begins to prune back as a child reaches age 6 (700 synapses every second for the first years of life/trillions total in the adult brain) - The use it or lose it phenomenon. Experience is based on the “serve and return” relationship.
What hinders brain development? Three kinds of stress: positive (sharing a toy, shot at the doctor’s office), tolerable (death of a family member, terrorism), toxic (chronic abuse, exposure to constant violence, elevated cortisol levels).
Dr. Jack Shonkoff, MD Harvard University (Video clips at www.youtube.com/ncsmartstart)Example: Neuro-imaging research in Eastern European orphanages, Economist article April 2009.
McDowell County Partnership for Children & Families, Inc.
Economic DevelopmentEconomic Development
In McDowell County… Total Direct Economic Impact of Child Care Industry:
$22,463,964 Gross Receipts of Child Care Industry: $6,134,626 Child Care Workforce: 152 Total Gross Income made by Parents with Children in
Care: $18,031,281 Local, State and Federal Taxes Paid by Parents:
$5,409,384National Economic Development and Law Center 2004 Economic Impact Study on the NC Child Care Industry, updated for 2007; See Employers & Child Care Subsidies Report
Children get left behind by third grade Only 52% of 3rd graders pass EOG (07-08 Data, see handout) McDowell’s High School Drop Out Rate ranks high for the region
McDowell County Partnership for Children & Families, Inc.
NC’s Early Care & Education System
• 1993 – Gov. Jim Hunt: Smart Start legislation passed, first 18 counties selected (12 Partnerships), see timeline
• 1994 – McDowell County Partnership for Children & Families incorporated as a 501c3 with a mission to serve all children, all ages, and their families
• 1997 – McDowell receives Smart Start funding (year 4 Local Partnership - LP)
• 1999 – All 100 counties receive Smart Start
McDowell County Partnership for Children & Families, Inc.
History of the Partnership• 1990 – MTCC Child Development Center identified need to increase quality,
affordability, and accessibility of child care in McDowell County• 1990 – Children’s Services Network (CSN) formed with grant funds• 1990 – Child Care Resource & Referral (CCR&R) Advisory Committee
formed• 1993 – Advisory Committee forms Even Start committee, becomes
McDowell Child Advocates Committee• 1993 – Advocates Committee applies for Smart Start funding• 1994 – Advocates Committee receives grant funding and forms McDowell
Partnership for Children with office at MTCC• 1994 – Advocates Committee awarded Smart Start planning grant• 1996-1997 – Partnership receives Smart Start designation and another
planning grant• 1997 – Partnership moves to offices in Henson Building (currently Early
Head Start)• Founding Board Member currently serving on the Board – Joy Griffith
McDowell County Partnership for Children & Families, Inc.
Funding Streams• Smart Start (State $, DHHS>DCD>NCPC)
• Head Start (Federal $, DPI>OSR)
• Subsidy (Federal & State $, DHHS>DCD&NCPC-LP)
• More at Four (State & Lottery $, DPI>OSR)
• Even Start (State $, DPI>OSR)
• Early Intervention (Federal $, CDSA-Infant Toddler Program, EC, and LICC)
• ARRA, Consolidation Task Force
McDowell County Partnership for Children & Families, Inc.
McDowell Smart Start Funding
McDowell Smart Start Funding
$-$200,000$400,000$600,000$800,000
$1,000,000$1,200,000$1,400,000$1,600,000$1,800,000
McDowell County Partnership for Children & Families, Inc.
Allocation Formula• Services Funding – Increases based on LP
original year budget (year 4 Partnership) and Statewide Need Formula (45.32% of need met in McDowell)
• Administration = maximum 8% statewide, based on NCPC’s Services Funding Formula
McDowell County Partnership for Children & Families, Inc.
Allocation Formula
• Services funding restrictions• Subsidy = minimum of 30%• Child care related = minimum 70%• Other (health, family support, program
evaluation) = maximum 30%• More at Four funds NOT administered by
Smart Start in McDowell • Budget determined by local Board of Directors
see 2009-10 budget
McDowell County Partnership for Children & Families, Inc.
2009-10 Board of DirectorsMandated Board MembersMichael Lavender (2010) County CommissionerAshley Wooten (designee for Chuck Abernathy) County ManagerPhillip Hardin Director – Dept. of Social ServicesJim Hamilton (designee for Tom McDevitt) Director – Mental Health AgencyKris Edwards (designee for Buck Wilson) Director – Health DepartmentDr. Ira Trollinger Superintendent of Public SchoolsDr. Bryan Wilson President of Community CollegePatti Briggs (2011) Business LeaderTim Blenco (2012) Business LeaderKristin Mart (designee for Dan Smith) Director – Cooperative ExtensionAllison Hollifield (designee for Jean Krause) Director – Public LibraryPeggy Freeman (2010) Representative – Head Start Rebeccah Edwards (2011) Parents with Children ReceivingAllison Baldwin (2011) Smart Start Services (2)Sherri Owenby (2012) Child Care Provider/CenterRobbin Johnson (2011) Child Care Provider/FamilyJoy Griffith (2011) Representative – Child Care Resource & Referral AgencyReverend Phillip Sealy (2010) Representative from Religious CommunityRhonda McFadden (2010) Representative – Interagency Coordinating CouncilDr. Joan Conway (2012) Foundation RepresentativeBilly Martin (2011) Municipal Government Representative
Board Members At Large Chuck Aldridge (2011) Shaneah McCauley (2012)Michelle Boyles (2010) Jennifer Morgan (2010)Sarah Buchanan (2012) Amy Moomaw (2010)Amanda Crisp (2012) Suzanne Rampey (2010)Phyllis Davis (2012) Jane Schroeder (2010)Stephanie Goudreau (2011) Kim Welborn (2011) Rita Hollifield (2011) Vacant (2012)
McDowell County Partnership for Children & Families, Inc.
Partnership FundingSmart Start • Child Care • Health• Family Support• Administration and Other
Private Funds (United Way, fundraising, foundation grants)
• Used to supplement Smart Start programs or fund children’s programs outside the scope of Smart Start
• Children’s Dental Fund (see flyer in packet)
McDowell County Partnership for Children & Families, Inc.
Smart Start Programs:Child Care Related Quality, Availability, and Affordability
Parent Choice - Regulated and Non-Regulated programs• Wait List Prevention (subsidy) - DSS• Quality Bonus (subsidy) - DSS• Subsidy Administration (subsidy) – DSS• Quality Support Bonus – MTCC • Child Care Resource & Referral - MTCC• Professional Development Supplement - MTCC• McSmiles Mobile Preschool – McDowell Schools• Family Resource Programs: Part-Day Preschool – McDowell
SchoolsSee Brochure and Division of Child Development Data
McDowell County Partnership for Children & Families, Inc.
Child Care Availability
• 1990 – 8 licensed child care facilities serving 449 children, 6 licensed family child care providers serving 27 children 0-12 years of age.18 infant slots and 24 1-year-old slots available in the county.
• 2009 - 21 licensed child care facilities serving 688 children, 11 licensed family child care providers serving 46 children birth-5 years of age. 34 infants and 68 1-year-olds currently enrolled in the county.
* Does not include non-regulated part-day programs
Affordability – See CSN Demographics Report for regulated program costs
McDowell County Partnership for Children & Families, Inc.
Subsidy Child Care Wait List• 2003-04, 0 children on wait list• 2004-05, 0 children on wait list• 2005-06, 113 children on wait list• 2006-07, 117 children on wait list
McDowell Subsidy Funding
$0
$500,000
$1,000,000
$1,500,000
2003-2004
2004-2005
2005-2006
2006-2007
2007-2008
2008-2009
2009-2010
State Fiscal Year
Ava
ilab
le F
un
din
g
Series1
• 2007-08, 230 children on wait list• 2008-09, 0 children on wait list• Currently, 0 children on wait list
See Employers & Child Care Subsidy Report
McDowell County Partnership for Children & Families, Inc.
Child Care Quality
FY 2007-08 dip reflects change from 3- to 2-component licensing system. 2008-09 avg.=4.41
Child Care Placements - All Children
0
1
2
3
4
5
2001-2002
2002-2003
2003-2004
2004-2005
2005-2006
2006-2007
2007-2008
2008-2009
Fiscal Year
Avera
ge S
tar
Rating
McDowell
State
McDowell County Partnership for Children & Families, Inc.
Child Care QualityChild Placements: 4-5 star facilities
0%10%
20%30%
40%50%
60%70%
80%90%
2001-2002
2002-2003
2003-2004
2004-2005
2005-2006
2006-2007
2007-2008
2008-2009
Fiscal Year
% o
f C
hil
dre
n
McDowell
State
McDowell County Partnership for Children & Families, Inc.
Child Care QualitySubsidy Placements: 4-5 star facilities
0%
20%
40%
60%
80%
100%
2001-2002
2002-2003
2003-2004
2004-2005
2005-2006
2006-2007
2007-2008
2008-2009
Fiscal Year
% o
f child
ren
McDowell
State
McDowell County Partnership for Children & Families, Inc.
Child Care QualitySpecial Needs: 4-5 star facilities
0%
20%
40%
60%
80%
100%
120%
2001-2002
2002-2003
2003-2004
2004-2005
2005-2006
2006-2007
2007-2008
2008-2009
Fiscal Year
% o
f child
ren
McDowell
State
McDowell County Partnership for Children & Families, Inc.
Child Care QualityMcDowell Child Placements:
4-5 star facilities
0%20%40%60%80%
100%120%
Fiscal Year
% o
f child
ren
All Children
Subsidy
Special Needs
McDowell County Partnership for Children & Families, Inc.
Smart Start Programs: Health, Family Support & Other
• Healthy Start – The McDowell Hospital• First Steps – The McDowell Hospital• Family Resource Programs: Family
Support (FAST, Family Reading Adventures, Circle of Parents) – McDowell County Schools
• Program Evaluation – In HouseSee Brochure
McDowell County Partnership for Children & Families, Inc.
Work to be Done…
• Funding is always an issue• Early care and education is not seen as
important• Teacher Turnover, Teacher Education,
Teacher Pay • Use of Health Check (Medicaid) Services• Child Dental Health• Childhood Obesity
McDowell County Partnership for Children & Families, Inc.
Use of Health Check
Health Check Participation Ratio
60%
65%
70%
75%
80%
Fiscal Year
% o
f child
ren r
eceiv
ing
annual w
ell-
child
checks
McDowell
State
McDowell County Partnership for Children & Families, Inc.
Dental Health
See: United Way/Chamber Dental Fund Application
Children entering kindergarten with untreated tooth decay
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
2001-2002
2002-2003
2003-2004
2004-2005
2005-2006
2006-2007
2007-2008
Fiscal Year
% o
f ch
ild
ren
McDowell
State
McDowell County Partnership for Children & Families, Inc.
Child Obesity• Smart Start NAP-SACC Grant with Burke County,
funded by Blue Cross Blue Shield NC Foundation
Child BMI
0.00%
5.00%
10.00%
15.00%
20.00%
Fiscal Year
% o
f child
ren o
bese,
overw
eig
ht, o
r at ri
sk
McDowell
State
McDowell County Partnership for Children & Families, Inc.
Other Projects…
• Prenatal Intensive Interventions – Nurse Family Partnership Grant (NC Funder’s Alliance, DPH, & RPM Health District)
• McDowell Home Visitation Collaborative
• Transition to Kindergarten initiatives (Wachovia Grant)
Picture: First Steps Home Visit
McDowell County Partnership for Children & Families, Inc.
Contact Information
Caroline Rodier, Executive DirectorMcDowell County Partnership for Children & Families
P.O. Drawer 15870 N. Main Street, Suite 3
Marion, NC 28752Phone: (828) 659-2462
Fax: (828) 659-1934www.mcdowellpartnership-smartstart.org