High-quality early care and education give our kids a foundation that lasts a lifetime.
Originally broadcast in September 2005
The core concept of "The First Years Last Forever" is that all children benefit from high-quality early care and education through improved math and language ability, enhanced social skills and fewer behavior issues. Low-income children who attend high-quality programs are more likely to stay in school, attend college, earn more money and be in high-skilled jobs than their peers who do not participate.
This special profiles frontline families and children from birth through age 6 and the programs that serve them. It also provides a first-hand look at 14 effective programs for young children in four Northeast Ohio counties, home to nearly one out of every five Ohio children. The striking similarity of need indicates that the problems facing struggling working families are shared problems in urban, suburban and rural Ohio alike.
"First Years" helped to raise awareness among the public, public officials and community leaders of regional programs that help lift children out of poverty and model best practices of child-serving organizations in our region. Copies of the special have been shared with foundations, policy makers, community leaders and political candidates to educate them about the critical need to formulate programs and public policy that keep children healthy, well-educated and safe.