Early Childhood OC
Partnering for Thriving Communities
Zeroing in On Early Childhood
Early Childhood OC is a community collaborative that was formed to develop Orange County’s Early Childhood Policy Framework in order to ensure young children reach their developmental potential and are ready to succeed in school and life. The Framework helps to guide communities, businesses, and organizations in prioritizing children and families, which results in economic and social benefits for all of Orange County. Early Childhood OC establishes a shared vision that all children are valued, nurtured, health and thriving. It leverages the great work that many organizations are already doing by helping to:
Align policies and goals across all sectors
Improve communication
and coordination
Identify strengths and address gaps
The Early Childhood Policy Framework provides a roadmap to catalyze action and enable highly effective community planning, advocacy, resource development and coordinated service delivery to reach the desired results. Join us and be a champion for early childhood.
The Measure
of Success
Every sector in Orange County is an advocate for young children and considers young children and families in policy development, everyday practices, and funding decisions.
Why the Work Matters
The science is clear, children’s early brain development occurs at an explosive rate, with more than one million neural connections formed per second in the first few years of life. Children’s early experiences shape their adulthood, which in turn shapes their community. Research shows that the earlier the investment in children’s health and development, the higher the return. (Orange County Community Indicator’s Report 2018)
Child Development is a foundation for a prosperous and sustainable society:
- Brains are built over time, from the bottom up.
- The interactive influence of genes and experience shape the developing brain.
- The brain’s capacity for change decreases with age.
- Cognitive, emotional, and social capacities are inextricably intertwined throughout the life course.
- Toxic stress damages developing brain architecture, which can lead to life-long problems in learning, behavior, and physical and mental health.
Four Big Benefits of Investing in Early Childhood Development
- It can prevent the achievement gap.
- It can improve health outcomes.
- It can boost earnings.
- It makes dollars and sense.
Child Development is a foundation for a prosperous and sustainable society:
- Brains are built over time, from the bottom up.
- The interactive influence of genes and experience shape the developing brain.
- The brain’s capacity for change decreases with age.
- Cognitive, emotional, and social capacities are inextricably intertwined throughout the life course.
- Toxic stress damages developing brain architecture, which can lead to life-long problems in learning, behavior, and physical and mental health.
Four Big Benefits of Investing in Early Childhood Development
- It can prevent the achievement gap.
- It can improve health outcomes.
- It can boost earnings.
- It makes dollars and sense.