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Engaging Economic Development Authorities

Engaging Economic Development Authorities. A New Champion for Early Childhood Investment Commissioner John Richardson Maine Department of Economic and Community Development. The Premise. Involvement in and advocacy for early childhood is sound business policy

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Engaging Economic Development Authorities

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  1. Engaging Economic Development Authorities A New Champion for Early Childhood Investment Commissioner John Richardson Maine Department of Economic and Community Development

  2. The Premise Involvement in and advocacy for early childhood is sound business policy • It will improve the workforce and our competitive edge • Investing in children makes sense for our economy and our communities

  3. The Value of ECD New voices speaking on behalf of young children and their families garner much more attention from policy makers than the “usual suspects” and… The early childhood system can benefit from applied business perspectives

  4. Why ECD Authorities? Natural connection to the business community Understanding of the constituency Awareness of and access to additional federal funds to support the potential partnerships between business and early childhood

  5. Getting to my AH-HA! Moment Hearing the message Governor’s Economic Summit on Early Childhood Development of Business Roundtable on Early Childhood Investment Partnering with the Early Childhood Systems Director (ECCS grantee) who reinforced the learning Creation of an Educare Center and opportunity to visit other centers across the county

  6. The Rules of Engagement Start at the top Find natural allies Identify the “hook” Sustain the relationship Listen carefully Apply what you learn Share what you know

  7. Start at the Top • Governor or Children’s Cabinet • Do you have support there that can reinforce the message to the Commissioner/Secretary of Economic Development? • Statewide Initiatives • What sort of movement currently exists that is engaging the business community? • The Commissioner • Set up a meeting and get to know your state ED authority

  8. Find the Natural Allies Find champions from the same circles Economic Growth Councils Technology Initiatives Development Foundations United Ways Legislators Colleagues

  9. Identify the “Hook” What makes the EC Authority tick and how does it align with early childhood? As a social and moral imperative Sound public policy (there is a return on social investment) Sound business policy (there is improved competitive edge and more skilled workforce)

  10. Sustain the Relationship • Find a role for the ED Authority • Liaison to the Business Community • Chair of a Business Roundtable • Define the Role • Voice of early childhood at other Councils • Point out the obvious and sometimes not-so-obvious connections that can be made for development plans (i.e., quality child care when negotiating new business to the state) • Meet frequently in the beginning

  11. Listen Carefully The ED Authority can function as a sounding board about what will (or won’t) sell to the business community Be cautious of the jargon of the early childhood field—it is not always congruous with that of industry and commerce

  12. Apply What You Learn Make visible the information you gather from the business community Reports Press releases Op-Eds

  13. Share What you Know Be sure the partnership is reciprocal You rely on the value of this new champion—these champions rely on you to provide them with accurate and timely information to speak on your behalf! As new information about brain development or returns on early childhood investments are available, be the resource for your EC Authorities—Keep them current as well!

  14. Maine’s Early Childhood Initiative Governor’s Business Roundtable on Early Childhood Investment http://www.maine-eccs.org/roundtable.html Maine Children’s Growth Council http://www.maine-eccs.org/growth.html

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