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. Notice: FY2021 applications are due February 14, 2020. Refer to the document, “FY2021 Grant Guidelines” for full details, including: eligibility; timeline; application process; awards; and more.
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)
Asheville Art Museum - Early Childhood Programs Asheville City Schools - Maintaining Classroom at Hall Fletcher Elementary Asheville City Schools - Preschool Pyramid Model Coach - Strengthening teacher practices for social emotional learning. Asheville Jewish Community Center - Sustaining ECE Professionals through Recruitment and Training Buncombe County Schools Emma - Increasing Access to High-Quality Early Care and Education at Emma Elementary School CCCS of WNC, Inc. DBA OnTrack Financial Education & Counseling - SECURE Matched Savings for Buncombe County Childcare Workers CIMA-Compañeros Inmigrantes de las Montañas en Accion - PODER Emma Bilingual ECE Shared Services Cooperative & Network Community Action Opportunities - Boost Buncombe Children, A School-Day School-Year Pre-Kindergarten Project at Johnston Elementary Community Action Opportunities - Boost Buncombe Families, A Full-Day Full-Year Pre-Kindergarten Program at the Lonnie D Burton Center Eliada Homes, Inc - Eliada Child Development Evolve Early Learning - Strategic and Sustainable Systems for Evolve Crump - Exceptional Start Academy Heart of Horse Sense - The Teaching Horse: Training, Retention & Support for Early Learning Teachers, Students, & Families Irene Wortham Center: Early Learning Center Program Expansion Buncombe Partnership for Children: Buncombe County Early Childhood Teacher Workforce Development Program Buncombe Partnership for Children: Child Care Resources: Professional and Systems Buncombe County Partnership for Children: Developing a Comprehensive Staffed Family Child Care Network to increase FCCH slots Buncombe County Partnership for Children - Early Childhood Systems Coordination and Shared Services Development Rainbow Community School: Funding for architectural and design services Southwestern Child Development: Valley Child Development Swannanoa Valley Child Care Council-Childrern and Friends Enrichment Center: Opening the New Center for 170 Children The Christine Avery Learning Center: Sustaining Enhancing Acquiring Success (SEAS) Warren Wilson College: Partnership for Excellence in Early Childhood Education - A Gateway to B.A. and B-K YWCA of Asheville and Western North Carolina: Early Learning Program Quality Enhancement Program
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.