The Partnership educates business people
at inaugural State of Durham's Children event

A group mingles before the State of Durham's Children event. Pictured from left: Skip Auld, Durham Public Library Director; Dennis Jarmon, Greater Durham Chamber of Commerce; Anastasia Bush, Durham Public Library and Sarah Wolf, Durham's Partnership for Children Finance Director. Photo credit: Michael Yarbrough, Durham Public Schools

Four organizations committed to Durham’s education system converged at the Carolina Theatre for a reporting on April 25 for the inaugural “State of Durham’s Children: Celebrations, commitments, and Challenges.” 

Durham’s Partnership for Children joined with Durham Public Schools, The Greater Durham Chamber of Commerce, and the Durham Public Education Network, to present business leaders with information about how far our community has evolved and where it needs to reach regarding care and educational services for our children, beginning at birth. Panel participants included, Marsha Basloe, Executive Director of Durham’s Partnership for Children, Durham Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Carl Harris, Durham Public Schools Board of Education Chairperson Minnie Forte-Brown andDeborah Horvitz, executive director of the Durham Public Education Network and a DPfC board member.

The panelists urged an audience of more than 200 businesspeople and civic leaders to join them to take a collective approach to school success.

This approach was mirrored by the emcees of the event. Ted Abernathy, Vice President of the Research Triangle Regional Partnership teamed up with Angelica Powell, a sophomore at the innovative Middle College High School at Durham Technical Community College, to demonstrate that students and community mentors can work together to enhance Durham’s education system and future workforce.

“The event left business attendees with the message that a viable education system that supports a strong local workforce is one that engages the business community in a true public/private partnership,” said Minnie Forte-Brown, Durham Public Schools Board of Education Chairperson. “We need to make sure our community is reminded of the opportunities available to support a continuum of education that begins at birth and extends through the workforce of tomorrow.”

The plan is for the four organizations to hold an annual State of Durham’s Children event to report progress and challenges, such as school readiness in a changing community, graduation rates, and increased community investment.

Easy ways for you, your workplace to support early childhood activities

Are you connected to Early Childhood Initiatives? Here are some ideas to get on board. 

In the Workplace

• Implement or boost family friendly policies, such as child care reimbursements or flex time (visit www.whenworkworks.org for more information).

• Start a volunteer program with your office and volunteer in child care centers.

• Support your employees with young children on ways to access quality child care by teaming up with a high-quality child care facility.

• Volunteer with a committee at Durham’s Partnership for Children. Visit www.dpfc.net

Government and Policy

• Contact your state and federal legislators and ask for their support of early childhood initiatives, like Smart Start, More at Four and child care subsidies.

• Help provide scholarships to child care teachers to further their educationand work with young children.

• Raise funds for a school readiness initiative, outdoor play area or equipment for a child care facility.

• Adopt a child care center to help improve child care quality.

• Sponsor a school readiness event.

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