Cradle to K Draft Plan

I was very excited to see that in January, the Mayor’s Cradle to Kindergarten (K) Cabinet released its draft plan to address early childhood disparities. The plan outlines policy, legislative and collaboration recommendations intended to help ensure that all Minneapolis residents are able to thrive during their first years of life. 

Please take a few minutes to read the draft plan. 

I commend the group and the Mayor for this overdue focus 0 – 3 year-olds and for the practical, research based recommendations it makes under each of the following three goals:

Goal One: All children 0 to three will receive a healthy start rich with early experiences that prepares them for successful early education and literacy.

1. Increase early childhood screening at age three.

2. Improve mental health services of children birth to three.

3. Decrease the “Word Gap” of children birth to three.

4. Expand targeted home visiting services.

5. Increase community awareness and engagement in the importance of early childhood development

Goal Two: All children are stably housed.

1. Increase housing options for the lowest income families at 30% Area Median Income.

2. Target funding to address the needs of homeless children and families to improve their stability while on the path to housing.

3. Provide resources for very-low income families to become economically stable.

Goal Three: All children ages 0-3 have continuous access to high quality child development centered care.

1. Ensure that low-income families have access to financial resources to afford high quality early learning programs.

2. Increase the number of available high quality child care slots in Minneapolis.

3. Partner with family, friend and neighbor providers to ensure that the children they serve are prepared for kindergarten.

Over the next few weeks, the City, though the Mayor’s office,  will be accepting and reviewing feedback to incorporate into the final report. That report is due out later this spring.

You can provide feedback using a web- form here or, and especially if you have attachments to share, you can send those here. I look forward to being part of participating in the draft of the final plan which I hope to see approved and implemented in the years to come.

Additionally the Health, Environment and Community Engagement Committee will get a presentation of the draft plan, discuss it and offer feedback on March 2^nd at 1:30 pm. The meeting in the Council Chambers in room 317 of City Hall will be open to the public and televised.