Tuesday, July 3, 2012

Alexander Leaders Travel to Raleigh

 On Tuesday, June 18, 2012 child care professionals, parents and business leaders from Alexander County traveled to the North Carolina General Assembly as part of Smart Start’s statewide “Tuesdays for Tots” initiative.  The constituents met with the Alexander County legislative delegation and asked members to restore $18.8 million to Smart Start. In 2011, Smart Start funding was reduced by 20% ($37.6 million), disproportionately more than any other component of the education system. As a result thousands of children are no longer benefiting from much-needed early childhood programs.

“There are only 2,000 days between the time a baby is born and when that child shows up in for the first day of kindergarten,” said Alexander County delegation member Dale Clary who is board chairman of the Alexander County Partnership for Children.  “We’re meeting with legislators to discuss the needs of children in our community, the science that supports programs like Smart Start, and why investing in our youngest citizens is a wise investment for families, the economy and our society as a whole.”

State funding for Smart Start has been cut by $80 million over the last decade. These cuts are occurring at the same time that economists, military leaders, law enforcement and business leaders are advocating that investments in young children are one of the strongest investments for sustained growth and job creation, protecting our national security, and providing children with the opportunity to reach their potential.

Created by the North Carolina General Assembly in 1993, Smart Start is a network of 77 nonprofit local partnerships led by a state-level organization, The North Carolina Partnership for Children, Inc. working together measurably to measurably increase the health and well-being of young children, building the foundation for all future learning, by: 
·         Improving children’s early care and education programs so that they are safe, healthy and provide opportunities for children to learn skills they need for success in school.
·         Providing parents with tools that support them in raising healthy, happy, successful children.
·         Ensuring that children have access to preventive health care.

Local residents traveling to the North Carolina General Assembly today included:  Dale Clary, Reverend Tim Marsh, Natasha Beckner, Melissa Summers, and Susan Cogdill   The residents met with Senator Dan Soucek of the Alexander County legislative delegation and visited with Representative Mark Hollo’s legislative assistant.  Representative Hollow was unavailable due to a change in a committee meeting schedule.