IMMEDIATE ADOPTION
Number
161610
Version
SUBSTITUTE 1
Reference
Sponsor
ALD. JOHNSON, HAMILTON, ZIELINSKI, RAINEY, LEWIS, MURPHY, STAMPER AND COGGS
Title
Substitute resolution creating the Early Education Task Force.
Analysis
This substitute resolution creates an Early Education Task Force to align Milwaukee Public Schools outreach and early education initiatives with City of Milwaukee Promise Zones, and to initiate a plan for birth-to-school literacy that will create more equity for children as they enter schools in Milwaukee.
Body
Whereas, The first 2,000 days of a child’s life are the most formative in setting the foundation for learning; and
Whereas, A child’s success depends upon support from parents, caregivers, educators, daycare operators, and healthcare providers; and
Whereas, Students enter Milwaukee’s schools with a wide range of literacy skills; and
Whereas, The City of Milwaukee intends to take a unified, city-wide approach to literacy; now, therefore, be it
Resolved, By the Common Council of the City of Milwaukee, that an Early Education Task Force is created and shall consist of the following:
1. One Common Council member appointed by the Common Council President to serve as co-chair.
2. One or two parent representatives of the community appointed by the Common Council President.
3. One representative of Milwaukee Public Schools appointed by the Common Council President.
4. One representative of Milwaukee Area Technical College appointed by the Common Council President.
5. One representative of Milwaukee Education Partnership appointed by the Common Council President.
6. One representative of Milwaukee Succeeds appointed by the Common Council President to serve as co-chair.
7. One representative of Next Door Foundation appointed by the Common Council President.
8. One representative of United Way appointed by the Common Council President.
9. One representative of the Milwaukee County Health Department appointed by the County Executive.
10. The Commissioner of Health Department or the Commissioner’s designee.
11. One representative of Milwaukee Health Services appointed by the Common Council President.
12. One representative of Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin appointed by the Common Council President.
13. One representative from the Medical College of Wisconsin to be appointed by the Common Council President.
; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the Early Education Task Force shall meet not fewer than five times over a period of time not to exceed six months on a schedule to be determined by the co-chairs; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the Early Education Task Force shall investigate matters related to early childhood literacy for the purpose of improving reading skills and laying a foundation for greater equity among children entering school; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the Early Education Task Force shall align Milwaukee Public Schools outreach and early education initiatives with the City of Milwaukee’s Promise Zones; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the Early Education Task Force shall push an early childhood literacy initiative for children from birth to school age, taking a unified city-wide approach to literacy; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the Early Education Task Force shall consider prenatal care as a touchstone for developing early childhood literacy, such that the Task Force shall set forth recommendations for developing a plan for caregivers of newborns to be provided with resources for literacy, put in contact with social workers for home visits, followed up with regarding healthcare issues, and given resources and training in developing literacy skills for each child; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the Early Education Task Force shall develop a plan for creating a birth-to-school literacy initiative that approaches the issue of equity for all children to enter school with common skills and supports parents and guardians in their efforts to prepare children for school.
Requestor
Drafter
LRB167784-2
Tea Norfolk
2/28/2017