Think Babies™ Think Tank and Celebration

JOIN US TO GIVE YOUR INPUT ABOUT KEY STRATEGIES TO HELP BABIES AND THEIR FAMILIES THRIVE! COLLABORATE WITH YOUR EARLY CHILDHOOD COLLEAGUES AND ADVOCATES IN CHILD HEALTH, FAMILY SUPPORT, AND EARLY LEARNING, AND CELEBRATE THE WORK OF THINK BABIES™ NC. ------------------------- Are you passionate about BABIES AND THEIR FAMILIES? Do you want to make an impact on programs and policies to support our state's youngest children? Are you committed to working on infant-toddler issues? Then come take a seat at the table at the Think Babies™ Think Tank and Celebration!  Who should attend Parents, child care providers, early educators, service providers, professionals working in child health, family support or early education, and anyone who cares about and advocates for our state's youngest children and their families. ABOUT THE EVENT Learn about the importance of the earliest years from a reknowned pediatrician and a panel of parents sharing their personal experiences, and hear more about the exciting work taking place across the state by recipients of the Outstanding Baby Advocate Award. Then, in groups focused on healthy beginnings, supported families, and early care and learning, you'll have an opportunity to collaborate with your early childhood colleagues and THINK BABIES™ advocates for a critical conversation about key issues and potential strategies to improve outcomes for BABIES AND THEIR FAMILIES. The work you do at this event will help set the stage for improving outcomes for BABIES AND THEIR FAMILIES. Our goal for this event is to represent the great diversity of North Carolina - geographical, racial, expertise and experience, and background - so that the needs of all of our youngest children and their families can be recognized and we can work towards solutions together. PLEASE HELP US bring together a diverse group of stakeholders by sharing this invitation with your networks and helping to recruit parents, child care providers, early educators, and community partners across North Carolina. REGISTRATION_ _ * TICKETS FOR THIS EVENT ARE $20 FOR PROFESSIONALS WORKING IN CHILD HEALTH, FAMILY SUPPORT, AND EARLY EDUCATION. * TICKETS ARE FREE FOR PARENTS OF YOUNG CHILDREN NOT CURRENTLY EMPLOYED BY EARLY CHILDHOOD ORGANIZATIONS, AS WELL AS CHILD CARE PROVIDERS AND EARLY CHILDHOOD TEACHERS WORKING IN CLASSROOMS WITH YOUNG CHILDREN (FREE REGISTRATIONS WILL BE VERIFIED). Thirty tickets will be reserved for parents, child care providers, and early childhood teachers who would like to attend, and travel stipends may be available for these individuals upon request. Please indicate that you would like a travel stipend when you register and you will be sent further information. The event includes lunch and free parking.  _ _ABOUT THINK BABIES™ NC The THINK BABIES™ NC Alliance seeks to advance policies that support the healthy development of North Carolina’s BABIES AND TODDLERS. It is aligned with the NC Pathways to Grade-Level Reading initiative and the NC Early Childhood Action Plan. THINK BABIES™ NC is led by the NC Early Education Coalition with support from a Leadership Team of state and local organizations focused on advancing public awareness and policy solutions for infants, toddlers, and their families. CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THINK BABIES™ NC. ------------------------- THINK BABIES™ THINK TANK AND CELEBRATION - EVENT SCHEDULE MONDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 2020 9:30AM - 3:30PM 9:30 - 10:00 - REGISTRATION AND NETWORKING 10:00 - 10:15 - WELCOME 10:15 - 11:30 - KEYNOTE ADDRESS AND PARENT PANEL 11:45 - 1:00 - LUNCH AND THINK BABIES™ NC BABY ADVOCATE AWARDS 1:15 - 2:45  - CRITICAL CONVERSATIONS: HEALTHY BEGINNINGS, SUPPORTED FAMILIES, EARLY LEARNING 3:00 - 3:30 - SHARING, NEXT STEPS, AND CLOSING ------------------------- OUTSTANDING BABY ADVOCATE AWARD The THINK BABIES™ NC Alliance will be recognizing individuals, organizations, businesses, and policymakers who have increased public awareness or promoted programs and policies to make a difference for North Carolina’s infants, toddlers, and families. Thank you to everyone who nominated an Outstanding Baby Advocate who has gone above and beyond for young children, age 0-3, at the state level or in your community. We look forward to recognizing the great work taking place in North Carolina! ------------------------- QUESTIONS? If you have any questions about this event, please contact Angela Burch at angelab@ncearlyeducationcoalition.org. -------------------------