Public Invited to Early Childhood Community Summit

Do you have a young child in your family? Are you concerned about the challenges young families face? Do you want to be part of a conversation for positive change?

Healthy Peninsula (HP) will host an Early Childhood Community Summit on Wednesday, September 30th at George Stevens Academy in the Esther Wood Room from 3:30 – 6:30 pm. The purpose of the Summit is to present the results of a peninsula-wide survey of educators, health professionals, and parents, with a focus on discussion of the results and ideas for action as the participants look to the future.

Anne Schroth, HP’s Early Childhood Coordinator, surveyed principals, preschool teachers, school counselors, and parents of young children over several months this spring and summer, work funded by a grant from the Virginia Wellington Cabot Foundation. “We found many areas of overlap between school and parent concerns, but also some variation in priorities and perceived needs. We’re hoping the Community Summit will help bring all these voices together and define community priorities.”

The Summit will open with refreshments and networking, and will be facilitated by Early Childhood advocate Marjorie Withers from the Community Caring Collaborative in Machias. Suzen Polk-Hoffses, PreK teacher in Milbridge, a 2014 Maine Teacher of the Year Finalist, will be the keynote speaker.

Schroth and pediatrician Bob Holmberg, MD, will present the survey results and analysis, which will lead into a facilitated discussion of local resources and challenges for families and educators. The Summit will end with concrete next steps generated by the participants.

There is no fee for the Summit, and the public is invited to attend. For questions or more information, call the Healthy Peninsula office at 374-3257, or visit our website at healthypeninsula.org.