Monthly Newsletter

July 2023

Happy Summer, Early Childhood Coalition!

We hope you are staying cool and finding time to take a breather during these hot days. While summer is a time for relaxation, we have been busy working with stakeholders across the region to ensure that all children have the tools to thrive in life and school. As Coalition members, you are a big part of that mission, and we look forward to continuing our work together!

Coalition Member Highlight

This month we are highlighting someone from our Family Council! Parent representatives from each of the 17 localities that make up Ready Region Central, sit on the council and provide valuable insight and guidance. Click here to learn more about Kanisha Jones from Sussex County. Follow us on Facebook for weekly Family Council introductions!

Resource Sharing

Handouts from the Coalition Meeting

This folder contains the following handouts, which were available in hardcopy at the coalition meeting:

2022 Data Snapshot of Virginia Kindergarten Readiness Program
2022 Data Snapshot of Early Childcare and Education in Virginia
2022 Virginia Employer Study

Handouts

Crater Health District is hosting a back-to-school event for families in Hopewell and surrounding areas on July 22nd! Questions? Email Melissa Perez Diggs at Diggs Melissa.Diggs@vdh.virginia.gov

VPM Early Childhood Resources

VPM is a wonderful partner in supporting early childhood care and development across the region. Check out their early childhood resources for more information!

June Coalition Meeting

Thank you again to everyone who participated in the Coalition meeting on June 22nd! We had 77 people in attendance who share an interest in ensuring the brightest futures for our littlest citizens. The focus for this meeting was on workforce, more specifically, how businesses can support early childcare and development in their communities.

We were joined by Dr. Kartik Athreya, Vice President and Director of Research at the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond, who gave an engaging presentation on the economics of childhood. The presentation was bookended by a report out from Samara Musselman on how Bon Secours support early childcare for their employees and in the community.

Next Steps!

Please complete the Business Leader Survey. We are seeking to understand and gather data on how our ready region can advocate and support the workforce.

For those of you who attended the meeting, please complete the evaluation survey. Thanks

Takeaway: What is one step you will take (as either a business leader or a community member) to support early childcare?

Be part of a locality group! For more information email mbwalsh@thriveb5.org

Reminder: Resource Sharing

Each month, we will share resources from coalition members for coalition members. If you would like to contribute any updates and/or information, please complete this form by clicking here.

Save the date! Next Coalition meeting will be October 2023

Ready Regions are Turning 1!

Ready Region Central was launched in early 2022. We are part of a transformative network of Ready Regions that are bringing unprecedented levels of coordination and accountability of early education programs and services in every community across the Commonwealth.

Throughout July, we will shine a spotlight, on social media, on our four key focus areas to transform early childhood education and child care in our communities: Build Relationships, Increase Access, Strengthen Quality, Engage Families. Follow us on Facebook!

Learn about Ready Regions

THRIVE BIRTH TO FIVE