The City of Sacramento, Sacramento Public Library and National League of Cities on Jan. 15 will host an event to discuss challenges and solutions surrounding early childhood education and quality, affordable childcare in Sacramento.
The event, called the Early Learning & Childcare Summit, runs 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the Tsakopoulous Library Galleria in downtown Sacramento (828 I St.). Admission is free, and the event is open to everyone. (However, space is limited; click here to register.)
Panelists will include local, state and national experts discussing how early learning and childcare intersect with economic growth, racial and economic equity and child well being. Speakers include Kris Perry, a senior adviser to Gov. Gavin Newsom, Assemblymember Kevin McCarty, Mayor Darrell Steinberg, Vice Mayor Eric Guerra and Mayor Pro Tem Angelique Ashby.
“Working families not only need good jobs and affordable housing, they need affordable and quality childcare that is readily available,” Guerra said. “The City of Sacramento is taking a leadership role in supporting working families through a collaboration between the Economic Development Department, the Sacramento Public Library and the National League of Cities to address the critical need for early learning and childcare options in our growing economy.”
“As the only mom on the Sacramento City Council, I am deeply invested in issues surrounding early learning and childcare,” Ashby said. “This summit is an opportunity to have productive discussions about the critical role the City of Sacramento plays in ensuring quality childcare is accessible to all its residents.”
The City Council in December 2017 approved a citywide youth development plan to ensure a successful future for Sacramento, and the City’s Youth Development Policy Manager Lindee Lane played an integral role in organizing the summit. The event also will feature Michael Jasso, assistant city manager and director of the Office of Innovation and Economic Development.
“Our intention with this summit is to explore this nuanced topic with other local leaders while inspiring collective action to advance early learning and care within the City of Sacramento,” Jasso said. “We hope that anyone interested in attending and contributing to this important dialogue will do so.”
SCHEDULE:
Networking Breakfast and Welcomes (8:30 a.m.)
- Mayor Darrell Steinberg, City of Sacramento
- Rivkah Sass, Library Director, Sacramento Public Library
- Mayor Pro Tem Angelique Ashby, City of Sacramento
- Anna White, Program Manager, Early Childhood Success, National League of Cities
Local Landscape Discussions (9:30 to 10:30 a.m.)
- Vice Mayor Eric Guerra, City of Sacramento
- Assistant City Manager Michael Jasso, City of Sacramento
- Cathy Rodriguez, Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
- Julie Gallelo, Executive Director, First 5 Sacramento
- Natalie Woods Andrews, Director, Early Learning Development, Sacramento County Office of Education
- Anthony Garcia, Director of Community Services, Child Action, Inc.
- Denise Lee, Deputy Director, Children and Family Services, Sacramento Employment and Training Agency (SETA)
Innovative Cities – Policy & Governance Panel (10:30 to 11:30 a.m.)
- Connie Williams, Childcare Specialist, City of Madison, Dept. of Planning and Community & Economic Development, Child Care Unit
- Kelly Allen Gray, Councilmember, Fort Worth, Texas
State and National Perspective Panel – What’s on the horizon? (11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.)
- Kris Perry, Deputy Secretary and Senior Advisor to the Governor at California Health and Human Services Agency
- Assemblymember Kevin McCarty, District 7, State of California
- Tonja Rucker, Director, Early Childhood Success, National League of Cities