Communities

"It takes a village" aptly describes the support needed by families to raise healthy, happy children. Through the ELF initiative, California libraries have partnered with community organizations, government entities, educational centers and local businesses to support families and child care providers in their effort to meet the developmental needs of infants, toddlers and preschoolers.

Collaborations in support of families with young children contribute to the prosperity of each community. It is well documented by experts such as James Heckman, Nobel laureate economist at the University of Chicago and Arthur Rolnick, Senior Vice President, Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis, that early learning matters and the return on investment from these programs results in "the greatest economic and social returns," and is a much better economic development tool than other investments. For example, in the Perry Preschool Study the ROI was approximately $17 for every dollar spent. In the proposed national preschool program, each dollar invested would generate $3.78 or more in benefits with budget surpluses beginning in fourteen years. (R & D Alert. 2005, Vol. 7, No.1. A publication of WestEd)

Communities experience an immediate impact from early learning programs with benefits that contribute to the development of productive adults. Academic abilities in reading, language and math increase throughout school; more children graduate, fewer drop-out; fewer remedial programs are needed; fewer children are retained; children's health improves; the rates of child neglect and abuse decrease; teen pregnancy is reduced; there is less incarceration, crime rates are down; and there is less drug and alcohol use. As adults, these children have higher earnings and employment rates; they increase the tax base; they become more involved in their communities; dependence on public assistance is reduced; and the overall quality of life is improved.

National League of Cities

Local, regional and state initiatives have developed as have specific national programs that promote family support and early learning. Realizing the importance of mobilizing community efforts for the cause of children and their families, the National League of Cities, Institute for Youth, Education and Families (YEF), has documented promising practices by communities throughout the country. These initiatives are detailed in the YEF publications supporting parents: Promising City Efforts to Help Young Children Succeed; Supporting Early Childhood Success, Action Kit for Municipal Leaders; and Strengthening America's Families: An Agenda for Municipal Leaders. Practices that inform the ELF initiative are reflected in these efforts. They include: coordinated early learning services throughout the community, involvement of municipal leadership, strong local partnerships, services that reflect the community needs, program development based on family input, enhancement of successful programs and broad support secured through outreach, involvement and promotion.

Visit the National League of Cities website.