North Carolina’s congressional leaders find common ground on childcare, families, and workforce
EdNC's summer updates on early childcare and early literacy
Early Bird readers, welcome back to school! This is Mebane, EdNC’s CEO and Editor-in-Chief. I’ll be taking the lead on Early Bird, which is expanding to include literacy. This year, Amy Rhyne, the former senior director of the Office of Early Learning at the N.C. Department of Public Instruction, will be writing for EdNC. You can get to know Amy and read her articles here.
This summer, EdNC was out and about across North Carolina, covering the Summer Literacy Initiative — a statewide collaborative effort working with rural faith communities in North Carolina to combat learning loss in their communities through evidence-informed summer literacy programs for rising first through third graders — with stories from Swansboro, Wilson, Tarboro, and Robeson County.
Angela Boykin, chief executive officer of Healthy Blue — Blue Cross NC’s Medicaid Managed Care plan — visited Pleasant Grove United Methodist’s Church camp in Robeson this summer and got a firsthand look at how it is changing lives. “When we invest in children, we’re investing in healthier families, stronger communities, and opportunities that can last for generations,” she said. Thank you to everyone committed to investing in our children!
And here is the latest out of DC, including sweeping changes to Head Start.
More from EdNC on early childhood
North Carolina congressional leaders find common ground on childcare, families, and workforce
For families across North Carolina, childcare is about more than finding a safe place for their children while they work. It is connected to whether parents can stay in the workforce, whether businesses can find and retain employees, whether families...'Work for a brighter day': Lessons from Dolly Parton's legacy of literacy and love
“Literacy legend,” “You were my first babysitter,” and “Miss you already!” Those were among the many chalk messages left in tribute to Dolly Parton outside her West Asheville mural when I visited on Wednesday, along with flowers, candles, stuffed animals,...A Transylvania County pilot is paying a group of grandparents, other at-home providers for 'the invisible work' of care
When Trudy McCall found out her son and daughter-in-law were pregnant, she immediately offered to help on the weekends. At the time, McCall was living in Charlotte, and would drive two and a half hours each way to Transylvania County...Nonprofit in WNC receives $25,000 grant to start a Tri-Share Childcare Initiative
WNCSource recently received a $25,000 grant from the Community Foundation of Henderson County to launch a Tri-Share Childcare Initiative in Henderson County. According to a press release, the program will decrease barriers to accessing high-quality childcare for families in western...North Carolina invests in fast-track training to combat childcare worker shortages, center closures
About a week after finishing the Early Childhood Workforce Ready Academy in Wayne County, Dominque McBride walked into Little Bulldogs Academy in Goldsboro. She carried a packet filled with certifications — such as CPR, first aid, playground safety — that she earned...Hunt Institute discusses registered apprenticeships in early childhood education
The Hunt Institute recently hosted a panel discussion about how registered apprenticeships have the power to transform the early childhood education (ECE) workforce. The panel was made up of four leaders in the field of early childhood policy: N.C. Rep....In Jackson County, 'when the gap exists, that's our obligation'
In Jackson County, leaders across the school district, county government, and nonprofits are finding new ways to meet the unique and evolving needs of rural children and families. To provide care when families need it — including before kindergarten and...Initiative announced to teach families the 'basics' of child brain development
The North Carolina Partnership for Children, through the Smart Start Network, released a press release on June 26 describing their new public health initiative: The Basics North Carolina (The Basics NC). The Basics NC is a community-wide movement and public...The big picture for little kids
Legislative Updates
ICYMI, here is our article on the impact of the state budget on early childhood.
A second technical corrections bill passed in August, including updates on funding for early childhood. Read more here.
As per an adjournment resolution, for the rest of the calendar year, the legislature is scheduled to meet on the following dates: Aug.31-Sept. 2; Sept. 28-30; Oct. 26-28; Nov. 16-19; and Nov. 30-Dec. 18. Votes are not expected to be taken until after the election, according to reporting from WUNC, starting on Nov. 16.
News & Research
- What’s next on North Carolina’s literacy journey? - From EdNC
- Inside North Carolina’s ELA standards revision and implementation process - From EdNC
- Beyond policy: Why literacy reform is entering a new phase - From EdNC
- Powering up leadership: How Wilkes County Schools is building a stronger instructional system - From EdNC
- How Rowan-Salisbury School System built the conditions for literacy success - From EdNC
- More than a summer program: Inside Mooresville Grade School District’s approach to helping young readers thrive - From EdNC
- Perspective | What 3,500 neighbors and 15,363 books taught us - From EdNC
- Perspective | The decrease of play-based learning in early childhood education - From EdNC
Taking flight! Opportunities to spread your wings
The annual conference of the North Carolina Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health Association will be held in Wilmington on Oct. 8-9. The focus will be on promoting early relational health.
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