Dear Partners and Friends:

It is our pleasure to invite you to attend the First 5 California and the Water Cooler Joint Conference on Early Learning Research, Practice, and Policy. The Conference will be held on March 9 and 10, 2010, at the Sheraton Grand Sacramento Hotel. The two-day co-sponsored effort features a series of panel discussions that will focus on how to improve and expand services for children from 0 to 5 and how to best position California to take advantage of new federal funding opportunities. Experts will discuss the most current scientifically-based research, best practices, policy developments and advocacy in the field.

 

Now is the time for California to step forward and take a leadership role in improving the quality of early learning programs for children and families. The conference is designed to strengthen leadership capacity in our state by continuing to inform a diverse group of partners on the best ways to develop and implement science-based policies and programs that enhance young children’s healthy development. We are proud to feature an array of speakers and workshop leaders with whom attendees can interact to maximize our collective opportunities.

 

Day One: INVESTMENTS IN EARLY LEARNING: Making an Impact, hosted by First 5 California. In addition to presentations by outstanding keynote speakers on March 9, there will be six two-hour panel discussions focusing on early learning, science, and research. These panel discussions will be presented twice during the day and will address the following topics:

 

• Educare: An Evidence-Based Early Learning Program with Promising Evaluation Results
• The Impact of Early Intervention with a Renewed Look at Home Visitation
• What is “Quality” and What Does it Look Like in Early Learning Programs?
• The Positive Impact of Comprehensive Early Learning Programs on Children’s Health
• Impacting Child Outcomes Through Quality Workforce Development
• The Importance of Family Engagement

 

The reception, hosted by the Water Cooler, will be held on Tuesday, March 9 at 5:00 p.m. The reception will honor individuals and groups working to enhance parent engagement in early learning programs.

 

Day Two: STRONGER TOGETHER: Expanding the Larger Education Conversation, hosted by the Water Cooler. Featured panels will focus on policy and advocacy, with nationwide acclaimed early learning leaders and advocates who will discuss:

 

• How Educare Can and Has Been Used to Leverage Dramatic Policy Reforms Across the Country
• How to Build Early Learning Champions Within the Business Community
• How California Might Surmount Challenges to Funding a Robust Early Learning System
• What Lies Ahead in Federal Investments in Early Learning

 

We have invited nationally renowned speakers who will offer their perspectives on the current policy environment and reflect on how California can most effectively contribute to policy change. We also have a menu of workshops that are designed as opportunities for experts, First 5 county commissions, and other partners to highlight successes, strategies, and promising practices grounded in scientifically-based research.

 

The Joint Conference promises to be an enlightening and engaging opportunity for all. We look forward to your participation and hope to see you there.

 

Sincerely,

 

Kris Perry Executive Director First 5 California	Molly Munger Co-Director Advancement Project