May 2024 Newsletter
Get Involved: Join an Advisory Group
The Children’s Opportunity Alliance is launching three advisory groups – focused on data, developing a common agenda, and engaging the business community – that will help shape the priorities and initiatives that will move us toward meaningful change by pulling on various levers and strategies within the early childhood system.
We are looking for both early childhood experts AND community members with diverse skill sets who are interested in helping the field! You can be a parent, an educator, a business leader, a researcher, or anyone who lives or works in Montgomery County and cares about our youngest residents.
Learn more about the three groups, and fill out our interest form by June 10 to join our work.
Attend an Advocacy Training
The Alliance and Nonprofit Montgomery are hosting advocacy trainings for early childhood champions. These one-hour, virtual training sessions provide attendees with an opportunity to learn how decisions are made in Montgomery County regarding budgets and policy.
Training options include (click on the preferred date to register):
Whether you’re a teacher, a parent/grandparent, a nonprofit leader, or a childcare director, you are welcome to attend a free session. Advance registration is required.
Community Leaders Unite to Prioritize Early Care and Education in Montgomery County
As part of Week of the Young Child in Montgomery County, the Alliance hosted a breakfast to discuss the economic imperative of early care and education. We were joined by more than 70 community partners, business owners, child care providers, and government stakeholders to discuss the critical need for early care and education investments for the County’s children and families. Every year, the absence and turnover of working parents due to childcare issues cost Maryland employers a staggering $2.41 billion. Meanwhile, the estimated cost of child care for a family of four in 2023 was $41,000 per year, which makes up 27% of the household income.
The event featured remarks from business owners, government officials, and child care providers. The Council president gave a proclamation for Week of the Young Child, and attendees discussed workplace best practices and filled out action commitments for how they can make sure early care and education are prioritized.
Access to quality early care and education is key to the future of children and families in Montgomery County. The Children’s Opportunity Alliance is committed to partnering with community stakeholders to help build sustainable, long-term solutions for children and families so that every child in our county can thrive.
You can support this economic imperative by:
Outlining Our Strategies for Improving Early Care and Education in Montgomery County
The Children’s Opportunity Alliance is proud to share our Foundational Action Plan, developed with the support of a wide range of community partners across Montgomery County. The Action Plan names our organizational mission and vision for the County:
Our Vision: Every young child in Montgomery County has an equitable start in life, creating a stronger future for us all.
Our Mission: The Children’s Opportunity Alliance connects our community to build an equitable, accessible, high-quality, and sustainable early childhood system that narrows disparities and puts all young children on a path to reach their greatest potential.
The Action Plan lays out the current state of early care and education in our County and provides a set of actions for the Alliance to focus on and organize around.
COLLABORATE WITH PARTNERS
We build strong relationships and coordinate with community members to work towards a shared vision for early childhood.SHARE INFORMATION
We share clearn information about early childhood and co-create spaces for learning anc correction.BOOST RESOURCES
We lead efforts to maximize current funding and expand the public and private investments that support the early childhood system.LEVERAGE DATA
We expand the availability, use, and power of data to advance equitable outcomes for young children and families.SUPPORT RESEARCH
We support research to learn about recent trends, reinforce what works, and promote innovation to generate new thinking and ideas.DRIVE ADVOCACY
We amplify community voice and advocate for practices and policies that put children and families first.
Our hope is that it will lead to lasting change on the journey to making Montgomery County a great place for young children to reach their potential, creating a stronger future for us all.