Title
Accept an oral presentation from the Interim Health Officer and the Program Manager of the Planning, Evaluation and Policy Unit regarding County support for Early Childhood Development, as requested by Board of Supervisors Referral #2012.04.
Body
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the Board of Supervisors:
Accept an oral presentation from the Interim Health Officer and the Program Manager of the Planning, Evaluation and Policy Unit regarding County support for Early Childhood Development, as requested by Board of Supervisors Referral #2012.04.
SUMMARY/DISCUSSION:
The importance of investments in early childhood development (ECD) for fostering a competitive and productive workforce and future economic growth was underscored by a recent presentation in Monterey County by Professor James Heckman, a Nobel Laureate in Economics. Based on this presentation, the Board of Supervisors requested a report on current county investments in ECD programs in the Monterey County Health Department (MCHD), the Department of Social and Employment Services (DSES), and First 5 Monterey County (F5MC), a key local ECD funding partner.
This oral presentation by staff will present a summary of a report prepared by MCHD on ECD-related programs provided or funded by these three agencies in the areas of family support, health/nutrition, special needs/early education, mental health, parenting development, access to quality childcare, and childcare provider development. The presentation will summarize current funding levels, types of services, and numbers served. In addition staff will present a summary of opportunities for the Public Health Bureau to enhance ECD following Harvard’s Center for the Developing Child which recognizes Dr. Heckman’s philosophy and proposes three tiered approach to support early development. It stipulates that: 1) basic health and child care are available to all children, no matter what their background; 2) programs are targeted to those broadly ...
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