HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0757.003 2022-2024 P/CRC C,
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ACTION STRATEGY `''OS
TAKING ACTION FOR HAWAII'S CHILDREN
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Date: March 16,2024
To: Communications, Reports and Council Oversight Committee
Hawaii County Council _...
From: Early Childhood Action Strategy
Re: Support for the Efforts,Goals and Progress of the County in developing and strengthening the Early Childhood
system on Hawaii Island
Early Childhood Action Strategy(ECAS)is a statewide cross-sector collaborative designed to improve the system of care for
Hawai'i's youngest children and their families. •
ECAS strongly supports the efforts of Hawai'i County to develop and strengthen the early childhood system and appreciates
the importance of assuring that ARPA funding is used thoughtfully and in ways that can be sustained.
The US Census estimates that there are 11,336 keiki under age 5 in Hawaii County. In a few short years,these children will
enter kindergarten,and their health,safety and school readiness will shape the workforce,families and communities of
Hawai'i'County's future.Today,more than 1 in 5 families in Hawai'i County live in poverty,fewer than 1 in 3 new
kindergarteners reach school ready to learn,'and by the end of third grade,a similar share of students are reading at grade
level.z
In response,Hawai'i County has developed a comprehensive plan that addresses the complex and interconnected needs of
• young children. In our judgement,this plan is evidence-informed,developmentally appropriate,and highly likely to lead to
the establishment of a strong infrastructure that will support the optimal development and readiness of successive
generations of young children.
Thank you for this opportunity to applaud the efforts of Hawai'i County in support of the development,readiness and
wellbeing of our youngest keiki and their'ohana.
Comm. No. v • 3
'Hawai'i Kindergarten Entry Assessment results,Fall 2023 Ref. To:
2 3rd Grade Achievement Scores,Hawai'i County,HI_DOE Ref. Date A 2024
Early Childhood Action Strategy is a project under Collaborative Support Services, INC.