THE UPSTREAM INITIATIVE: STRATEGIES TO IMPROVE EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION ACCESS IN VANCE COUNTY

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">This proposal outlines a comprehensive strategy for addressing Education Access and Quality, a Social Determinant of Health (SDOH) in Vance County. </span><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The Upstream Initiative</span><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> focuses on short- and long-term enhancements to early childhood education for overall improvement to community health. SDOH are critical, nonmedical factors that significantly influence individuals&rsquo; quality of life, health outcomes, and everyday functioning. There is a pressing need to expand access to high-quality early childhood education for low-income children aged 0-5 in Vance County, North Carolina, a region facing high rates of poverty, food insecurity, and poor health outcomes. A multifaceted strategy is outlined that includes systems co-design with community stakeholders, targeted policy recommendations, and leadership considerations for sustainable implementation. This proposal aims to recommend strategies targeting the North Carolina Child Tax Credit, workforce expansions and development based on analysis of current data supported by evidence-based practices. The suggested strategies are actionable recommendations for the County Commissioners that will foster sustainable improvements to education access and quality, and ultimately promote the well-being of children and families in Vance County.&nbsp;</span><span id="docs-internal-guid-beadccc3-7fff-cb4f-65d1-338eaa16e44f"></span>