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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0726.002 2022-2024 PFc ems. q%2y Ckt;'56;je4i1 1:1 LH.-'1; COW-1Z To Whom it May concern. Re: Resolution 436 ?nti 11,4 ; -Li c. 22 My name is Tiphany Gillett. I have been teaching preschool and working with children and families in a variety of different settings and capacities since 1997. I obtained my Bachelor's degree in Psychology from the University of Hawaii in 2012 and received my AS in Early Childhood Education from Hawaii Community College, in 2022. I am writing to share my professional perspective on the lack of preschool education available in Hawaii county and to urge the city council to use ARPA funds to create more preschool programs in our community. It is my understanding that in efforts to address the childcare crisis in Hawaii, The County of Hawai`i's New Early Childhood Resources Program has set aside ARPA funding to "improve our system of early childhood and reduce negative trends for young children." Although`I am not fully informed on the allocation of ARPA funds, I do understand that funds have been available for quite a long time but will no longer be available after 2024. I am struggling to understand why some of this money has not been put towards creating more preschool programs. The childcare crisis is certainly a negative trend affecting children and this alone should justify using ARPA funds towards creating more preschool programs. It is also important to recognize that the shortage of preschool programs negatively effects the stability of the ECE workforce. It is common knowledge that there is a shortage of qualified reschool teachers and that efforts have been put in place to recruit more ECE students/teachers. However, ECE students cannot graduate without completing their practicum at a licensed (preferably high-quality) preschool. With so few preschool programs available, students often scramble to find placement. The pickings are slim, and as more students are recruited, finding a practicum placement for a growing body of ECE students could become even more of a challenge. Further, if ECE students are able to graduate, where will they teach when they enter the field? My own personal experience is testament to the dismal selection of preschool teaching jobs available: Despite having highly sought after certification and experience, I have found that there are very few teaching positions available, let alone those that offer reasonable pay and /or reflect high quality ECE standards. As such, instead of bringing my skills, and education to a preschool classroom, I am nannying-and I am not alone. I know other preschool teachers who have chosen different career paths due to lack of teaching positions available. There is little incentive to enter or stay in this field when there are so few employment options. Considering the childcare crisis our community faces, and the effects this has on the ECE system as whole, it seems that urgently allocating ARPA funds towards creating more preschools would reap the most benefit for the community at large. Not using these funds and missing an opportunity to make preschool more accessible would be a Comm. No. Ref. To: Ref. Date R 2024 • disservice-not just to the youth of this island, and the ECE system, but to the future of our community at large. Mahlo for your time in reviewing my testimony. I do hope you strongly consider my request.