By Dave Ranney
KHI News Service
TOPEKA, Sept. 12
–
A Gov. Kathleen Sebelius-led coalition of child advocacy groups will host a conference on early childhood development here next week that aims to make clear the links between child nurturing and the economy.
“Early childhood development is on a lot of people”s radar right now,” said Jim Redmon, executive director at the Kansas Children”s Cabinet and Trust Fund.
The Monday forum, “Building Blocks: Readying Kids for a Growing Economy,” will stress the link between school readiness and a strong economy.
About 100 people, business leaders, mostly, have been invited to the conference at the Capitol Plaza Hotel, beginning at 10:30 a.m.
“We want people – people who may not have heard the message before
– to understand the link between kids being ready to learn and a sound economy,” Redmon said.
The conference is underwritten by a $10,000 grant from the National Governor”s Association”s Center for Best Practices.
Featured speakers are:
*
Dr. Jack P. Shonkoff, director of Harvard University”s Center on the Developing Child.
*
J.B. Pritzker, philanthropist and founder of the Pritzker Consortium on Early Childhood Development at the University of Chicago.
The planned panel discussions:
*
11:15 a.m.: “Legislative and Business Perspectives” with Shonkoff; Kansas House Speaker Melvin Neufeld, R-Ingalls; Sen. Laura Kelly, D-Topeka; Mike Chesser, chairman and chief executive officer at Great Plains Energy and a member of the Mid-America Regional Council”s Early Learning Leadership Board.
*
1:30 p.m.: “Civic Responsibility of Investing in Kids” with Larry Dixon, former associate superintendent for Geary County Public Schools; Barry Downing, Wichita entrepreneur and founder of the Opportunities Project; Jim Ogle, representing the United Way of Topeka; Bill Nelson, chairman at George K. Baum Asset Management in Kansas City.
Sebelius will address the gathering at 2 p.m.
Other groups taking part in the conference include the United Way, Kansas Action for Children, and Coalition for School Readiness.
-Dave Ranney is a staff writer for KHI News Service, which specializes in coverage of health issues facing Kansans. He can be reached at
dranney@khi.org
or at 785-233-5443, ext. 128.