About our organization

Ensuring Every Child Receives The Best Possible Start In Life

Melrose is a prosperous community located along Interstate 94 in central Minnesota. The citizens of Melrose value the opportunities, resources, and way of life that their community has to offer. They benefit from a leadership that truly values its citizens of all ages and are proud to be a part of the Initiative Foundations Healthy Community Partnership since 1999.

In 2004 our leaders recognized the need to join the Minnesota Early Childhood Initiative statewide network of community coalitions aimed at protecting, supporting and advocating for our youngest children. The Melrose Area Early Childhood Coalition, is comprised of the very best group of individuals who feel the community as a whole has a stake in ensuring that our children grow up to be healthy, productive adults who give back to their communities. Our motivation comes from these facts gathered by the Minnesota Early Childhood Initiative:

	Children are falling behind. Today nearly one in five Minnesota kindergartners are lacking the language and literacy skill they should have by age five. Only about 50 percent demonstrate the basic social skills needed for succeeding in school. Improved childhood care and education translate directly into improved school performance.
	Child care needs bolstering. In Minnesota, only about 20 percent of the children in child care who are ages 5 and younger enjoy a developmentally positive setting. With appropriate information and resources, parents and caregivers can provide the kind of experiences young children need to flourish.
	The early years are critical. The infant, toddler and preschool years are the foundation upon which a healthy childhood and adulthood are built. Current research demonstrates that all early experiences have a far-reaching effect on the brain. Healthy environments, positive nurturing and educational support makes optimal brain development possible.
	Pay now or pay later. A recent study by the Federal Reserve Bank in Minneapolis revealed that every $1 invested in early childhood yields a $7 return by reducing juvenile delinquency, special education, teen pregnancy, welfare dependency, and other negative outcomes later in life. Support for early childhood programs is a wise economic investment.

The Melrose School District 740 fully supports the Melrose Early Childhood Coalition and has agreed to be the sponsoring organization for our group. We have established "rings of support" with a group of dedicated community members making up the "outer ring" and have voiced their support of the Coalition. They have promised to lend their assistance when called upon for sub-committees and action groups. This "outer ring" includes city officials, health care professionals, law enforcement personnel, senior citizens, and active members of the faith community. We have also formed an "inner ring" of support individuals who are our Coalition members. This team of 20 committed members consists of the Community Education Director, ESL Teacher, Elementary School Principal, a K-12 teacher, ECFE/Family Literacy Parent Educator, a HeadStart Family Advocate, representatives from several businesses, family daycare providers, and a Culture Liaison Specialist. These individuals have attended the leader training sessions provided by the Initiative Foundation. Our Mission is to foster an environment which is physically, emotionally, and socially healthy for our community's youngest children and heir families. We strive to invest in our future by strengthening and/or establishing programs to help our children develop into intelligent, caring and productive people. We do this through four major focus groups:

	Communication - Strengthen and improve the communication between the schools, parents, early childcare providers, and the community.
	Health Care - Raise the awareness of health care (physical, mental, dental and eye care) available in our area and regionally which are covered by medical assistance.
	Educational Childcare - Inform family childcare providers and childcare givers of positive ways to discipline, health issues, physical fitness, self esteem, etc. Provide educational and/or activity packets to childcare providers and families. And advocate for affordable high quality educational childcare through our states policies and laws.
	Activities - Create programs and informal activities for families with young children to enjoy family time where children have educational activities and parents can network. Advocate for a community activity center that would provide a place for these events.

The long term impact of our Coalition will be seen in many areas. First, and foremost, the long term effect on our community's youngest members will be that they are more likely to be healthier, better educated, and better equipped to succeed in school. Parents with young children will also feel empowered and confident, because they have an opportunity to work with the Coalition and voice their ideas and concerns about their children today and in the future. Lastly, the impact of the Melrose Area Early Childhood Coalition will be felt throughout our community, as it will be a great place to raise young children - a community that cares about its youngest citizens.

For more information about our Coalition and how you or your organization or business can be a part of these efforts to ensure that every child receives the best possible start in life contact the Coalition Coordinator by email. Click Here