New coalition co-ordinator has vision for children
Cariboo Press -- Golden Star
11 Oct 2006

EXCERPT

The Early Childhood Development Coalition (ECDC) recently hired a new co-ordinator...

The coalition formed about a year ago when locals involved with early childhood development and education gathered together to formalize their loose coalition. They developed the Golden ECDC, a conglomeration of 20 or so local organizations that are involved with children in some way. Coalition members include the Golden Family Center, Childcare Resource and Referral, Interior Health, the Women's Centre, Golden Family Literacy and many other organizations and individuals, including parents.

Funding came from the Ministry of Children and Family Development to hire a co-ordinator and the coalition kicked into gear.

The mission of the ECDC is to co-ordinate a network of quality programs and services in Golden and area, based on a growing understanding of the importance of early childhood development.

"We see the coalition as the hub," says Connie Barlow, executive director of the Golden Community Resources Society, one of the member organizations of the coalition.

Managh adds the coalition brings the continuity needed so these organizations are all on the same page.

Members sit down together on a regular basis to discuss programs, opportunities and updates and to ensure young children in this community are getting the best possible start to life in their first six years.

Managh says the ECDC is helping to support Golden families through those early years.

"We have arrived at a time when, without a doubt, we know and value the importance of the early years, and we understand the impact that these years have on later academic and social success," Managh says. "We're transferring that research into effective, long-term solutions that will work for families."

Barlow agrees.

"We get our voice from our families. With the ECDC, what we're attempting is to find what's best for families in this community," Barlow explains.

She says hiring Managh was a pivotal step for moving the coalition forward.

"The co-ordinator provides that continuity and sustainability to the coalition," Barlow says.

Managh sees her role as an opportunity to help children and families in the community.

"Parents want support and we want to give them the best help possible," she says....

The goals of the co-ordinator include improving the organization of the coalition, providing consistent meeting co-ordination, agenda writing, networking and communication, increasing the efficiency of the coalition as it develops partnerships and expanding the responsibilities of the ECDC....