FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Nationally-recognized early childhood leader Dr. Valora Washington will present keynote at Annual Meeting.Durham, NC ─ Durham’s Partnership for Children announced Friday that it will hold its 2009-2010 Annual Meeting for more than 150 community leaders, volunteers and funded partners on Thursday, Oct. 15efrom 8-10 a.m. at the Hilton-Durham near Duke University, 3900 Hillsborough Hillsborough Road. The program will include a public release of the Partnership’s 2008-09 Annual Report and an overview of the Partnership’s 2008-09 investments in Early Care and Education, Child Health and Early Intervention, and Family Support. The meeting will also highlight the Partnership’s work to mobilize the community around multiple initiatives on behalf of early childhood. In addition, Ellen Reckhow, County Commissioner and Nominating Chair will present the new slate of Officers for 2009-10.Dr. Valora Washington, President of the Community Advocates for Young Learners (CAYL) Institute, is the featured keynote speaker of the event. She is a recognized authority in early childhood care and education. Valora has organized and developed initiatives targeting policy change in different areas of early care and education, including higher education and local, state or federal government. Frequently tapped for senior-level service, among many other appointments, Dr. Washington served as Co-Chair of the Massachusetts Governor's School Readiness Commission; Board Chair for Voices for America's Children; Secretary of NAEYC; chair of the Black Caucus of the Society for Research in Child Development; and Co-Chair of the National Head Start Association Commission on 2010.Durham’s Partnership for Children and its funded partners have faced funding challenges throughout this past year with multiple funding cuts taking place. This event will help build awareness for increased investments in early childhood. “As we enter our 15th year of operation, our community has made great progress creating an early childhood system in Durham County. We are continually challenged to serve all the young children and families who need support in the early years,” said Marsha Basloe, executive director of Durham’s Partnership for Children. “We know that starting early is key and that investments in early childhood will lead us to future success. It is up to us and our partners in local and state government and in the community to keep early childhood at the forefront of what we do to build the future. ”About Durham’s Partnership for ChildrenDurham's Partnership for Children celebrates 15 years making young children a priority. Founded in 1994 and first funded in 1995 to administer the Smart Start grant in Durham County, the Partnership works as an independent, local nonprofit that serves young children birth to age 5 and their families under North Carolina's nationally recognized initiative to ensure all children enter school healthy and ready to succeed. For 15 year, the Partnership has helped working parents pay for child care, improve the quality of child care and provided health and family support services to thousands of Durham County families with young children. The Partnership works to achieve its mission: To mobilize and unify the Durham community to create and support innovative and successful approaches to serving the needs of children birth to age 5 and their families, by working with funded partners and mobilizing groups and organizations in Durham County to support and coordinate efforts impacting young children and their families. The Partnership also administers the More at Four Program in Durham County serving nearly 400 children. For more information about Durham’s Partnership for Children, visit www.dpfc.net or call 919-403-6960, ext 221. -###-

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