Governor releases framework to build statewide early childhood system
Portland –With family, health and child advocates from across the state, Governor Ted Kulongoski convened Oregon ’s first-ever summit on early childhood on March 20, 2008. The shared goal is to create a system that ensures every Oregon child is safe, healthy and ready for school.
“We know what we need to do; we have the research and expertise to help guide us; and we have all of you here today,” Governor Kulongoski said. “Many steps are still before us, but with this framework we will be able to work in concert, from our shared vision to a fully integrated system that will help every Oregon child reach his or her full potential.”
Early Childhood Matters is the Governor’s framework for a statewide birth-through-five early childhood system. Stakeholders at the community, local and state levels helped to develop the framework. It is a common set of strategies that will help to generate specific public policy ideas for the Governor and the state legislature.
In brief, the components of the framework are:
Heath Matters: Promote physical, social and emotional development and improve access to community-based health and behavioral health services.
Family Matters: Strengthen services that support parents and family safety and stability.
Early Learning Matters: Ensure high-quality early care and education settings are affordable and accessible for all.
The summit was in part made possible by the National Governor’s Association (NGA). The NGA supports governors who are working on school readiness. Oregon was one of ten states awarded a NGA grant to conduct an early childhood summit.
A copy of the framework can be found at: http://governor.oregon.gov/Gov/pdf/early_childhood_matters.pdf