Early Childhood Education and Development Fund Buncombe County’s investments in early childhood care and education.
Buncombe County has established an Early Childhood Education and Development Fund for the purpose of advancing the strategic priority to ensure that every child in Buncombe County has an equal opportunity to thrive during their first 2,000 days, including access to quality early childhood education. This fund was established on October 30, 2018 by the Board of Commissioners in their adoption of Resolution #18-10-16.
The Board of Commissioners has identified the following goals related to this priority: Collaborate with community leaders and stakeholders for a coordinated system approach; Increase the availability of high-quality early childhood care and education with an emphasis on preschool and pre-k programs; Address issues of affordability, both for providers in a sustainable business model and for families in access to care; Support a robust career track in the field of early education, with development ladders from entry level to highly educated, credentialed, seasoned professionals; and Cultivate a system that responds to the needs of families, such as those impacted by trauma, poverty and addiction.
Funding will be allocated for the following purposes: Creating new classrooms to serve more children in early care and education settings; Implementing workforce development strategies to recruit and retain qualified teachers; Supporting strategies for scaling up effective programs; and Providing support services for children and families enrolled in early care and education programs.
Buncombe County is forming an Early Childhood and Development Committee for the purpose of engaging with community partners, soliciting public input and making policy and funding recommendations to the Board of Commissioners for Buncombe County’s Early Childhood Education and Development Fund.
Early Childhood and Development Committee Information Table: Boards & Commissions DescriptionThe purpose of the Early Childhood and Development Committee is to engage with community partners, solicit public input and make policy and funding recommendations to the Board of Commissioners for Buncombe County’s Early Childhood Education and Development Fund. The Committee shall consist of fifteen (15) members and shall be appointed by the Buncombe County Board of Commissioners upon application as follows: •three (3) members of the Buncombe County Board of Commissioners; •one (1) business community or economic development professional; •one (1) funder or community investment professional; •one (1) parent; •one (1) pediatrician or medical professional in service to young children; •one (1) professor or higher education professional; and •one (1) retiree from the field of early childhood education. Positions15 Term Length2 years Number of Terms3 Meeting Date1st Tuesday Meeting Time2:30 - 4:00 pm Meeting Location200 College Street Ground Floor Conference Room
Buncombe County requests proposals for community based projects to enhance outcomes for young children and their families in our community. Grants made through the Early Childhood Education and Development Fund will be focused on access to quality early childhood care and education. Note: Online applications are due by 5:00pm on April 19, 2019 at www.buncombecounty.org/apply | Descarga la Aplicación en Español Projects must align with the goals and purposes outlined in the application. The focus is on scaling up effective practices for an enhanced local system of early care and education that is effective, accessible, affordable, responsive and sustainable. All organization types are eligible to apply. This includes public/governmental agencies as well as private organizations, including nonprofits and private businesses. In the first year of the fund (FY2020), requests for capital projects will be restricted to the public school systems. Capital outlay projects are defined as planning, construction, reconstruction, enlargement, improvement, repair, or renovation of buildings and for the purchase of land for early childhood care and education purposes. Any organization type may request funding for program operations. Multi-year funding requests will be considered. Collaborative projects involving multiple organizations will be considered.