Start Strong Infant/Toddler Campaign to Launch

Infant and toddler brains make millions of neural connections every second -forming brain architecture for life. At no other time in a human’s life will the brain develop at this remarkable speed or with such intricacy. This is the foundation upon which all later learning, behavior, and health depend.

Guided by this evidenced-based research, legislators, their staff, families, and the press are invited to attend the launch of Start Strong PA, a statewide initiative to help ensure every Pennsylvania infant and toddler starts off strong.

“The Start Strong PA partner organizations have been planning to launch a child campaign for several years,” says Jodi Askins, Executive Director at The Pennsylvania Association for The Education of Young Children (PennAEYC). “Just as Pre-K for PA has successfully advocated for additional funds to expand access to high-quality pre-k throughout the Commonwealth, Start Strong PA will advocate for increased investments to ensure every infant and toddler has access to high-quality child care that will prepare them to learn, grown, and succeed.”

Hosted by the Start Strong PA partner organizations (see below), the event will take place Tuesday, January 29, 2019 and include a complimentary high-quality coffee bar in the morning (8:00 a.m. - Noon) and a press conference in the afternoon (12:30 - 1:30 p.m.) at the Pennsylvania State Capitol Complex in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. Speakers at the conference will include representatives from partner organizations, state legislators, parents, and child care providers including:

• Jodi Askins, Executive Director, PennAEYC
• Michelle McEllroy, Owner/Director, The Cuddle Zone Learning Center, Lehigh County
• Wanda Franklin, Director, Hug Me Tight, Allegheny County
• Lauren Bethea, Child Care Works Subsidized Family
• Senator Pat Browne, Co-Chair, Early Childhood Education Caucus
• Senator Jay Costa
• Representative Schlegel Culver
• Representative Mark Longietti, Co-Chair, Early Childhood Education Caucus
• Suzann Morris, Deputy Secretary, Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL)

On Monday, January 28, 2019, the Campaign website will launch at www.startstrongpa.org. Advocates can also connect with the Campaign on Facebook and Twitter @StartStrongPA. Questions about the Campaign may be directed to info@tryingtogether.org.

Start Strong PA | Partner Organizations

Fight Crime: Invest in Kids | First Up | Mission: Readiness | Pennsylvania Association for The Education of Young Children | Pennsylvania Child Care Association | Pennsylvania Head Start Association | Pennsylvania Partnerships for Children | Public Citizens for Children and Youth |Trying Together | United Way of Pennsylvania