Leadership Raleigh 2013
Wake County SmartStart led a discussion with Leadership Raleigh 2013 on the importance of Early Childhood services and their impact on the community, at the Methodist Home for Children February 12th. SmartStart’s Pam Dowdy opened the meeting with an overview of the county’s needs related to childcare and how they are being met. Facilitators then led small group discussions that focused on access to services, how services impact both educational outcomes and economic well-being. This enthusiastic group of business leaders made the connection between a child’s success and early childhood education – as well as how availability of quality childcare can make or break a growing business. Special thanks to our panel of experts:
- Dana Aderhold, Manager of Employee and Family Support Programs
- SAS Sara Atai, Manager of Work/Life Balance Programs
- SAS Michelle Crawford, Parent Educator/Wellness Life Coach, Wake County Child Care Subsidy Program
- Kim Shaw, Early Childhood Education Center Owner & Pre-K provider, A Safe Place
- Phylis Sharpe, Early Childhood Education Center Owner, Holly Springs Academy
- John Guenther, Program Specialist, WCSS
- Elizabeth Santana, Quality Enhancement Initiative & NC Pre-K Director
- WCSS Pam Dowdy, Executive Director, WCSS
Coordinating the morning presentation were Jim Green and Akila Ganapathy, both graduates of Leadership Raleigh 2012. Great job everyone!