CDF-Minnesota is increasing its attention on very early childhood with support from the Minnesota Community Foundation http://www.saintpaulfoundation.org/.
A major goal is to incorporate into state policies what researchers are learning about the importance of very early childhood experiences. A rapidly growing body of research is demonstrating the harmful effects of poverty, caregivers’ depression and other negative environments on children’s brain development. Science is also providing policymakers and practitioners with proven approaches for avoiding the unnecessary costs associated with harm in children’s early years. Together with other partners funded by the foundation, CDF-Minnesota will work to improve early childhood outcomes, especially for children most vulnerable developmental harm.
Marcie Jefferys, jefferys@cdf-mn.org, CDF-MN Policy Development Director is the lead staff person on the project. Her prior positions include Chief Fiscal Analyst for the Minnesota House and Fiscal Policy Coordinator the Senate Majority Leaders’ Office. She was the Director of the Center for Advanced Studies in Child Welfare at the University of Minnesota, and the Fiscal Policy Director for CDF-MN from 1996 to 2001. She has a PhD in Social Work from the University of Minnesota, an MA from the University of Chicago and a BA from Carleton College.
Read Huffington Post's Article by J.B. Pritzker, "Only Kids Can Fix This Economy"
"Thanks to a raft of economic and scientific research that's emerged in the last two decades, we can actually quantify the link between quality early education and achieving our most vital economic and social goals - a competitive workforce, improved health outcomes and reduced crime, among others." Click here to read entire article.
The Children’s Defense Fund Leave No Child Behind® mission is to ensure every child a Healthy Start, a Head Start, a Fair Start, a Safe Start and a Moral Start in life and successful passage to adulthood with the help of caring families and communities.