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: Early Childhood and Development Committee 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. •six (6) members of the public representing the community at large. Positions15 Term Length2 years Number of Terms3
Buncombe County requested proposals for community based projects to enhance outcomes for young children and their families in our community through early childhood care and education. Twenty six applications were submitted, totaling nearly $7 million. The committee reviewed applications and made recommendations to the Board of Commissioners. $1.95 million is allocated to new grants for FY2020, and $1.65 million is allocated to renewing commitments. The funding is divided among 19 different projects within 11 organizations. CLICK HERE for a full list of funded projects for FY2020.