Early Learning in Washington

Greetings

In the past few months I have been contacted by several organizations and foundations in Oregon. They all ask the same thing "What did you do in Washington to get so many people involved in Early Learning?"

The Foundation for Early Learning has been around for six plus years and we have seen tremendous changes in the field of Early Learning during that time. Whenever I am asked to recount what has happened in that time, it takes my breath away and always impresses the listeners. We all know that there is still so much more to do but I think that it is helpful, if not necessary to stop and think back to where we started.

Six years ago we couldn't imagine a Department of Early Learning, Thrive by Five Washington, the Chamber of Commerce's Business Partnership for Early Learning. Just the creation of Washington Learns with an Early Learning Council as an equal partner with K-12 and Higher Learning is astounding!

2007 promises to be a very exciting year for Early Learning in Washington. Graciela Italiano Thomas, new President and CEO of Thrive by Five will be starting in early January. We are all awaiting the governor's budget recommendations that come out next week. The Foundation for Early Learning will be unveiling its new direction in the beginning of the year. We are all working for the same people-the young children of Washington and their parents. That makes me feel really great about Washington and the people I work with throughout the Early Learning, Public, Governmental and Philanthropic communities.

Wishing you a very happy holiday season.

Jeanne