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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.

Funded Projects

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. The committee reviewed applications and made recommendations to the Board of Commissioners. $3,820,348 in grants were awarded for FY2023. The funding is divided among 22 different projects within 17 organizations.


Committee

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
By-Laws Download PDF (adopted September 3, 2019)

Upcoming Meetings


Committee Members

Table: Early Childhood Education Development Committee Members
Role Member
Commissioner Jasmine Beach-Ferrara
Commissioner Martin Moore
Commissioner Al Whitesides
Business/Economic Development Emily Nicholson
Funder/Community Investment Vacant
Higher Education Pat Tuttle
Medical Professional Adrian Sandler, MD
Parent Carol Steen
Retiree Pam Holcombe
Community/At Large Diana Anthony
Community/At Large Linda McDaniel
Community/At Large Sara Lappe, MD
Community/At Large Heather Zanzig
Community/At Large Mark Taft
Community/At Large Maia Sloan

Committee Meeting Documents

Locate & Contact

Community Investment

Contact

Rachael Sawyer
Director of Strategic Partnerships
200 College Street
Asheville, NC 28801
P. (828) 250-6536

Community Investment
200 College Street, Suite 300
Asheville, NC 28801

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Hours of Operation

Monday - Friday
8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

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