Summits focus on importance of early childhood programs

ST. CROIX — Spending a little money now on quality early childhood programs can reap big returns in the future.

That was the message Monday during the 2010 Virgin Islands Business Leaders Summit on Early Childhood Investment at the Carambola Beach Resort.

“Long-term studies show that children who come from disadvantaged environments who receive a high-quality early childhood program can return as much as $16 for every dollar invested,” Rob Grunewald, an associate economist with the Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis.

That return on money invested in quality early childhood initiatives comes down the road, in terms of lower costs for remedial education, crime and social welfare, as well as in higher tax revenues when those children hit the workforce, Grunewald said.

And, he said, public investment in quality early childhood programs — compared to other investments aimed at helping spur the economy — has a higher public return.

Grunewald, who spoke at the summit, said it boils down to this: Children who arrive at kindergarten prepared to succeed are “on a trajectory toward succeeding, but children who come in behind tend to stay behind and can be costly to society.”

Grunewald said the Federal Reserve got involved after officials were approached by a school readiness advocacy group and decided to start digging into the research on the topic.

After doing that research, they became convinced that investment in early childhood education showed a higher return than other investments made in human capital, Grunewald said.

“The Fed has a long-term view on economic growth and development, so leaders in the Federal Reserve have identified that investments in early childhood are consistent with promoting long-term economic growth,” he said.

The summits — one is being held on St. Thomas today — are aimed at raising awareness in the local business community about the importance of early childhood programs. They will also gauge the business community's interest in supporting early childhood initiatives.

Participants were asked to complete a form about their willingness to commit to early childhood initiatives ranging from encouraging employees to visit their children’s classrooms for two hours a month to serving on a Business Leaders Task Force to exploring increased investments in early childhood initiatives.

Public and private partnerships in early childhood initiatives that are working in other areas of the country were also part of the presentations.

Ross Thompson, a psychologist at the University of California Davis, spoke about research showing that early experiences play a crucial role in brain development — which in turn guides learning success and achievement. Those early childhood experiences may be positive or negative.

“It's partly that the brain is developing so rapidly. It’s also that experience is shaping your brain architecture,” he said in an interview. “The foundation is established in the early years.”

The research shows that if you’re trying to “build a productive society, starting early is a really good idea,” Thompson said.

Lloyd Lamm, capital region executive for the First National Bank of Pennsylvania, spoke about his role advocating for quality early childhood programs.

Sara Watson, director of Partnership for America’s Economic Success, discussed ideas and models for business leadership in early childhood initiatives across the country.

And Ellie Hirsh, director of The Family Connection, the early childhood initiative of the Community Foundation of the Virgin Islands, spoke about the state of the territory’s children.

The most recent Kids Count survey shows many indicators of child well-being spiraling downward in the territory.

“We realize that our kids are in trouble,” Hirsh said in an interview.

She said she hopes to bring more awareness to the business community about the importance of early childhood programs. She said she hopes some of those who attend the summits will want to help move things forward.

“I am hoping this is the beginning, not the end,” she said.

The summits are sponsored by the Community Foundation of the Virgin Islands, the Office of the Governor’s Children and Families Council, the St. Croix and St. Thomas/St. John Chambers of Commerce, the V.I. Economic Development Authority, Lutheran Social Services of the Virgin Islands, the Partnership for America's Economic Success, and the Pew Center on the States.

The summits were funded through a grant from the Edouard Foundation.

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