The Networks We Need for Early Childhood

To optimize children’s chances to grow and learn, it’s crucial to bring together partners from across the community.

We owe it to our children to do all we can to give them a good start in life. In last month’s State of the Union address, President Obama echoed that sentiment, saying that we should be committed to improving life chances for "every child, in every neighborhood."

The good news is that many communities across the country recognize this and are implementing new investments and programs for early childhood. However, a focus on simply creating more programs is out of step with what we know about how to best support child development.

The next surge of efforts must bring together partners from across the community, including those sectors not traditionally focused on children’s development. This forward-thinking approach will promote new and innovative collaboration with a shared goal of improving the first five years of children’s lives as the most crucial foundation to optimizing their overall development.

by Neal Halfon

Full Story: http://www.governing.com/gov-institute/voices/col-early-childhood-community-partners-collaboration.html