New Hampshire business and civic leaders, educators, health care professionals and law enforcement officials agree: investing in early childhood is imperative for the future of New Hampshire. Those leaders discuss the importance of investing in early childhood in a video developed by Spark NH, the state’s early childhood advisory council.
“If we want New Hampshire to be in good hands, we need to develop a generation of young people who can lead their communities and grow our economy,” said Nannu Nobis, CEO of Nobis Engineering in Concord.
The video is being used to spread the word about the importance of investing in the early years – in early childhood education, home visiting, kindergarten and more. The Foundation supports SPARK NH’s communications efforts.
“We know that early childhood education reduces the likelihood of a young person committing a violent act by 70 percent before the age of 18,” said retired New Hampton police chief Eddie Edwards on the video. “I think it’s time we focused on the right end of the equation,” said Merrimack County Sheriff Scott Hilliard, “and give kids the strong foundation they need for their future well-being.”
The Foundation is supporting Spark NH as part of its 10-year, $100 million “New Hampshire Tomorrow” initiative to increase youth opportunity in New Hampshire.
“This video is a great tool to show the growing support and consensus that investing in early childhood is a smart investment for New Hampshire children, families, businesses and communities,” said Christina Lachance, Foundation Director of Early Childhood and Family Initiatives.
“Making effective early childhood education more available is key to the stability of our state today and tomorrow,” said Amanda Grappone Osmer, of the Grappone Automotive group and a member of the Foundation’s New Hampshire Tomorrow Leadership Council. “Today, 69 percent of New Hampshire children under the age of six have parents who are in the workforce and not at home. That is 53,000 kids. What would it mean for us if we ignored their early environments? If we provide access to effective early learning experiences to these children while their parents are working, we have a more stable economy today and tomorrow.”
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