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Our
area has an opportunity to become a leader and a role model in the care
and education of young children.
The
designation is not just at what might be considered the local level, but
perhaps could receive national attention. And, just like the
popular phrase "It takes a village..." to achieve the goal, it
will take an investment from not only parents and education experts, but
the community at large as well.
Sadly,
current statistics compiled at a national level show that today's
children are not the No. 1 priority of society. Not even second!
If
we are to put the important building blocks together to prepare our
children for the future, it will take all of our resources to make the
plan succeed.
The
Guidance Center, in its 40-plus years of service, has invested in early
childhood education. We recognized as early as 1968 that greater
numbers of youngsters need to be reached to expand their capacity for
success in school and in life.
It
will take government, the business community, the faith community,
philanthropic organizations, the public health sector, nonprofit
organizations, community leaders and parents to begin the necessary
preparation right at the beginning.
In
my years of experience in the field, I have discovered that all of the
above entities have the right intentions when it comes to serving the
needs of children.
We
don't always talk or work together to meet the common goal, however.
The
key ingredients are already in place, but there is the need for an
advisory committee to coordinate and suggest procedural changes.
The more cooperation from all the above-named sources, the more our
young citizens can be served.
One
of my personal goals would be to see a computer network linking all the
components. If there is a
child or a family in need, every agency would be advised and the area of
expertise to best serve them could quickly be determined.
We
need to speak to a single point if we are to be effective in our
mission. The center is already part of a
community-wide approach to improving
access to high quality childcare in low-income communities.
We hope to be the catalyst to bring all levels and groups
together to be involved in the solutions to today's
problems. We must be a team to ensure that parents can
become excellent "first teachers." They need and deserve our
support.
All
children deserve the same start in life. We are fortunate in the
area served by the center that the capacity for success has been
expanded and enriched through our programs and those of other agencies
and groups.
Life
is a journey. Let us give children a good start. |
