In the Arena with NOW

What does it take to tackle intergenerational poverty and ensure that all children have the best start in life to thrive? The West Philadelphia Action for Early Learning & Partners (AFEL) have been working to bring together critical partners, caregivers, and community stakeholders to ensure that families in Philadelphia have equitable access to quality early care and education opportunities. Led by Action for Early Learning at Drexel University,  AFEL & Partners builds upon the West Philadelphia Promise Neighborhoods effort and also includes key partners such as Health Federation of Philadelphia, Public Citizens for Children and Youth, A Running Start Philadelphia, and many others. In our fourth episode, we learn from two leaders of AFEL & Partners and their work to support an alliance of child care centers seeking to improve quality care, as well as strengthen community outreach and awareness campaigns to ensure that all children are kindergarten ready. They share the lessons learned about the power of peer learning, the importance of a trauma-informed lens in cradle-to-career efforts, and the impact of these partnerships on the lives of caregivers, children, and families in Philadelphia. 

Guests include:

• Maria Walker, Project Director, Action for Early Learning, Drexel University Office of University and Community Partnerships
• Leslie Lieberman, Senior Director of Training and Organizational Development, Health Federation of Philadelphia
• Host: Ronda Alexander, Director of Operations, NOW at Vital Village Network

Produced by: Networks of Opportunity for Child Wellbeing
Music By: Morgan Breland

Why are leaders of color imperative for improving early care and education systems? Based in Alameda County, California, the California Consortium for Equity in Early Childhood Education is taking on the critical challenge of interrupting inequities and systemic racism in early care and education by cultivating a new generation of leaders that are representative of the children and families they serve. In our third episode, we learn from Consortium co-directors about their innovative fellowship program, in partnership with the California Early Childhood Mentor Program, that brings together teachers, staff, and administrators for capacity building, mentorship, and peer learning. They share their journey in developing the program, the impact of their work in fostering more equitable curriculum, practices, and policies, as well as the importance of centering racial equity and authentic family engagement in systems change efforts.  

Guests include:

• Neva Bandelow, Early Learning Program Manager, Alameda County Office of Education
• Dr. LaWanda Wesley, Director, Quality Enhancement & Professional Development of Early Learning, Oakland Unified School District 
• Host: Ronda Alexander, Director of Operations, NOW at Vital Village Network

Produced by: Networks of Opportunity for Child Wellbeing

Music By: Morgan Breland

How can focusing on listening and relationship building with families strengthen early childhood system of care? In Tuscaloosa, Alabama, the Young Child Wellness Council (YCWC) has undertaken the critical work of shifting paradigms and processes to more fully center the voices, experiences, and wisdom of families in shaping efforts that promote the physical, as well as social and emotional, health and well being of infants, young children, and their families. In our second episode, we learn from YCWC about what they are doing to foster authentic relationships with residents of the Crescent East neighborhood, a community that has long experienced many services and research projects come and go. Council members share what they’ve learned through the process and how this has impacted partnerships and the types of counter stories they’d like to create for Tuscaloosa and the state of Alabama.

Guests include:

• Amy Crosby, Child Development Resources at the University of Alabama
• Trendle Samuels, Alabama Department of Public Health
• Stephanie Covarrubia, Community Service Programs of West Alabama, Early Intervention
• Host: Ronda Alexander, Director of Operations, NOW at Vital Village Network

Learn more about YCWC: Council Aims to Maximize Early Childhood Wellbeing

Produced by: Networks of Opportunity for Child Wellbeing
Music By: Morgan Breland

How can learning about each others’ stories foster healthier communities? In our inaugural episode, we explore the history of the Vital Village Network (VVN) in Boston and one of its central community-led initiatives, the Social Justice Mediation Program (SJMP). Entering its 6th year, SJMP has trained hundreds of community members in conflict resolution skills that can be used at home, in the workplace, in schools, and beyond. We spoke with VVN staff and SJMP co-leaders to learn about their approach to navigating power, identity, and stories in reducing conflicts and fostering healthier relationships across families, schools, and neighborhoods.

Guests:

• Latoya Gayle, Co-Director, Social Justice Mediation Program 
• Myles Green, Co-Director, Social Justice Mediation Program 
• Erica Pike, Communications and Policy Manager, Vital Village Network
• Desiree Hartman, Community Partnerships Program Coordinator, Vital Village Network
• Host: Ronda Alexander, Director of Operations, Vital Village Network

Learn more about SJMP:

• Social Justice Mediation Program (SJMP)
• The Social Justice Mediation Institute: Training Community Members in Conflict Resolution
• Building a Network of Community Mediators

Produced by: Ronda Alexander and Diana Rivera
Edited by: Diana Rivera
Music By: Morgan Breland