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Statement: Liz is unable to attend because she is at NCCAT (pronounced N Cat) this <br />week for professional development training. <br />Liz, along <br />with Deputy <br />County Manager Pam <br />Dubois, attended <br />the Institute for <br />Emerging <br />Issues Forum <br />earlier this year where <br />the focus was on <br />Early Childhood <br />Education <br />aka "Crib to Career." <br />Liz is asking for the Board of Commissioners to create an Early Childhood Task Force <br />to study this issue in Cabarrus County and bring back to this board, and others, actions <br />that could be taken to develop a plan of support for early childhood education. <br />There are over 2000 days between the time a baby is born and when he or she <br />will begin kindergarten. During that time brain architecture is forming, creating the <br />foundation for all future learning. Did you know that 50% of first graders did not <br />meet reading proficiency standards at the end of the 2015-16 school year? <br />Research shows us that reading proficiency by third grade is a key predictor of <br />high school graduation, as well as college enrollment and completion. In a state <br />where 67% of all jobs by 2020 will require post -secondary education and training, <br />this isn't just an early childhood education issue - it's a workforce issue, an <br />economic development issue and a finance issue. <br />Cabarrus County needs to invest early in our future. <br />Members of this task force would include, but not be limited to: <br />Deputy County Manager Pam Dubois <br />Commissioner Poole <br />Commissioner Kiger <br />Jackie Whitfield, early childhood advocate; faith community representative <br />Gina Smith, early childhood and exceptional children advocate; retired Charlotte <br />Mecklenburg Schools; Queens University instructor <br />Ann Benfield, Executive Director Cabarrus Partnership for Children <br />Susan Horne and Megan Shuping, Cabarrus Health Alliance <br />Nancy Kiger, Physical Therapist Cabarrus County Schools <br />1 or 2 employees of the Mary Francis Wall Center - CCS (classroom provides not <br />administrators), Meredith Lassiter and Laura Riley <br />1 or 2 employees of the McKnight Child Development Center - KCS (classroom <br />providers not administrator), Jennifer Baucom <br />1 CCS school psychologist with experience working in early childhood <br />Cabarrus County Department of Human Services representative <br />This beginning group would determine the focus of the task force and could invite <br />additional members to join the group. <br />Budget impact would be minimal (snacks) and go through Ms. Dubois. Liz would like <br />this as placed on the June Agenda for approval. <br />AWachmenl number 1 \n <br />F-1 Page 40 <br />