Our Focus
                                
                                                                  
                                  
                                  
                                  
                                  Current Priorities
                                
                                  
								
                              
                              
                                
                                  
                                                                      
                                                                                                                                   
                                        
                                            
                                        
                                        
                                
                            
                        The Early Learning and Development Working Group partners with child care providers to enhance early learning programs for children.
- Prioritize early childhood workforce development and wage increases to ensure centers have a strong workforce available.
- Check out our infographic: ECE Career Pathway in Hampton Roads
 - Virginia Child Care College Scholarships
 
 - Explore options for philanthropic, business and other community support for childcare systems and “family friendly” practices.
- Our Family-Friendly Business Toolkit provides businesses with ideas, knowledge and resources to advance early childhood outcomes while supporting one of their most valuable assets--their employees. Download the toolkit.
 - A Guide to How the Business Community Can Engage in Childcare – US Chamber of Commerce Foundation
 - Hampton Roads Developmental Screening Initiative Rack Cards
 
 
- Promote a professional development and education hub so child-care providers can easily find training opportunities.
 - Expand the Hampton Roads Shared Services model to help child-care providers work together and strengthen their businesses.
- Hampton Roads Shared Services Alliance Infographic - This two-page flier provides compelling data related to the shared services model here in Hampton Roads.
 
 - Increase regional access to information about child care and military resources. Check out our Hampton Roads Early Childhood Military Resources handout.
 - Establish resources and guidance for early childhood education directors and teachers when it comes to healthy social and emotional development.
- Resources for Early Childhood Mental Wellness
 - Early Childhood Marketplace Fact Sheet - Affordable and accessible coverage through the Health Insurance Marketplace.
 
 
                                      The Minus 9 to 5 initiative provides an incredible opportunity for me to contribute to big ideas that will improve our system of early care and education. The collaboration among organizations is allowing us to be much stronger together.
                                    
                                  
                                  
                                    
                                  
                                  
                                    
                                        
                                            
                                                Lauren Small
                                            
                                            
                                                Early Education Business Consultants, LLC
                                            
                                        
                                    Working Group Members
                            	
  
  
  
  Beth Anderson, Children’s Harbor
  
  
  
  Beverly Becker, Square One
  
  
  
  Katlynn Bodner, HRCAP Early Head Start/ Head Start
  
  
  
  Kisha Burchard-Goodfield, Infant Toddler Specialist Network
  
  
  
  Chanacy Butler, Chesapeake Thrives
  
  
  
  Kristen Carter, Macon & Joan Brock Virginia Health Sciences at Old Dominion University, Minus 9 to 5
  
  
  
  Kayla Corbitt, Operation Childcare Project
  
  
  
  Tessa Davis, Armed Services YMCA
  
  
  
  Dr. Navine Fortune, Macon & Joan Brock Virginia Health Sciences at Old Dominion University, Minus 9 to 5
  
  
  
  Sharon Howell, ChildCare Aware of Virginia
  
  
  
  Dusti Johnson-Brinker, Portsmouth Public Schools
  
  
  
  Dr. Jeanne Tardiff, Tidewater Community College
  
  
  
  Josetta Thomae, Virginia Beach Grow Smart
  
  
  
  Susanne Rakes, Child Care Aware
  
  
  
  Laura Roberts, Armed Forces YMCA
  
  
  
  Sara Rotherberg, Macon & Joan Brock Virginia Health Sciences at Old Dominion University Pediatrics, Community Health and Research
  
  
  
  Lauren Small, Early Education Business Consultants, LLC
  
  
  
  Sean Wynn, United Way, SHR
                          
                            
        Contact Beth Parker for more information at ParkerEK@ODU.EDU