Program Description
A robust child care system is vital for the healthy development of St. Louis children and our local economy. We know that high-quality affordable early childhood education (ECE) leads to positive outcomes for children and delivers a significant return on investment for our region.
Since IFF's The First Step to Equity Report was released last summer, early childhood education advocates, providers, and funders have been busy implementing the key recommendations and working toward the deployment of existing state pre-K funding. Join us for an update on those efforts and learn more about engagement opportunities for philanthropy.
The program will cover:
- First Step to Equity Collaborative’s aligned work around the creation of a Regional Coordinating Nonprofit, the Ready by Five campaign, and their 2020 priorities.
- St. Louis City - November 3 ballot initiative to increase the property tax rate by 6 cents for ECE
- St. Louis County - Proposed ballot measure for a 1/2 cent sales tax for ECE
- STL Pre-K Cooperative's work to expand pre-K slots through the deployment of existing state pre-K funding, not currently being utilized in St. Louis City and County.
Presenters include Katie Rahn and Charli Cooksey, First Step to Equity Collaborative leadership team members; Gary Parker and Ellicia Lanier, who are leading the ECE Regional Coordinating Nonprofit CEO hiring process; and Anne Miller, STL Pre-K Cooperative coordinator.
Partnership
Thank you to PNC Bank for their generous support of the GCG Early Childhood Funders Affinity Group.
