The Together We Grow Southern WV Task Force is looking for a diverse group of individuals and organizations who are passionate about improving the child care landscape in Southern West Virginia. Specifically, we invite participation from:

• Community Leaders: Individuals who hold positions of influence in the community and are committed to advocating for local families and child care services.
• Concerned Citizens: Residents who recognize the importance of quality child care and want to make a difference in their community by contributing their time and ideas.
• Business Owners: Local business leaders who understand the economic impact of a robust child care system and are interested in supporting sustainable solutions that benefit their employees and the broader community.
• Education Advocates: Professionals and advocates who are dedicated to the improvement and accessibility of early childhood education and are willing to share their knowledge and experience.
• Early Education Professionals: Individuals who work in early childhood education and can provide valuable insights into the challenges and needs of the child care sector.
• Government Officials: Public servants who are in a position to influence policy and allocate resources toward improving the child care infrastructure.
• Industry Experts: Specialists in areas such as child care business management, regulatory and legal issues, marketing, funding, or education who can contribute technical expertise to the task force.
• Members of Religious Communities: Faith leaders and members who are active in their religious communities and can help mobilize support and outreach efforts.

This task force is open to anyone who is committed to finding solutions to the early education crisis and is willing to collaborate with others to create meaningful change. Your participation is vital in shaping the future of child care in Southern West Virginia.

• Active Participation: Members are expected to attend regular meetings where they will collaborate with other task force members to discuss challenges, share ideas, and develop actionable strategies to strengthen the local child care infrastructure.
• Contribute Expertise: Each member will be asked to leverage their unique knowledge, skills, and experiences to provide insights that can help shape the task force’s recommendations and initiatives.
• Community Outreach: Members may be called upon to engage with local businesses, community groups, and other stakeholders to gather input, build support, and promote the task force’s goals and findings.
• Advocacy and Support: Task force members are encouraged to advocate for child care solutions within their own networks and communities, helping to raise awareness and garner additional support for the task force’s initiatives.
• Review and Evaluate Data: Members will review relevant data, studies, and reports to help evaluate the current state of child care in Southern West Virginia and to identify the most effective strategies for improvement.
• Develop and Recommend Solutions: Based on their discussions and findings, members will collaborate to develop practical recommendations for improving child care services in the region. These recommendations will be presented to local and state policymakers.
• Commit to Transparency: Members are expected to uphold a high standard of transparency, ensuring that the task force’s activities, findings, and decisions are communicated openly with the public and relevant stakeholders.
• Time Commitment: Members should be prepared to dedicate a reasonable amount of time to the task force’s activities over the duration of the campaign. This may include attending meetings, participating in discussions, and contributing to reports and outreach efforts.
• Sign the pledge to Stand With Families, Employers, Churches and Communities to Expand Quality Care.

By fulfilling these responsibilities, task force members will play a vital role in creating a stronger, more sustainable child care system in Southern West Virginia. Their efforts will help ensure that all families in the region have access to the high-quality, affordable child care they need.

The Together We Grow Southern WV Task Force is designed to be a focused, time-limited initiative with the goal of producing tangible outcomes. The campaign is expected to last for approximately 12 to 18 months. During this period, task force members will work intensively to assess the current state of child care in the region, develop actionable solutions, and advocate for the implementation of these solutions.

The timeline is structured as follows:

1. Initial Phase (First 3-4 Months): Formation of the task force, initial meetings, and data gathering. Members will work to understand the scope of the challenges and begin to outline potential solutions.
2. Development Phase (Next 6-9 Months): Members will collaborate to develop detailed recommendations and strategies for improving child care services. This phase will include community outreach, engaging with stakeholders, and refining proposed solutions.
3. Final Phase (Last 3-5 Months): The task force will finalize its recommendations and present them to local and state policymakers, along with a plan for implementation. The campaign will conclude with efforts to ensure that these recommendations are adopted and that there is ongoing support for sustaining improvements in child care infrastructure.

While the formal activities of the task force will conclude at the end of this period, the impact of its work is intended to be long-lasting, laying the foundation for continued progress in child care services in Southern West Virginia.

The Together We Grow Southern WV Task Force will be funded through a combination of sources, ensuring that the initiative has the resources needed to effectively address the child care crisis in the region. The funding sources may include:

• Private Donations: Contributions from individuals, businesses, and community organizations who are committed to supporting the task force’s mission. These donations help cover operational costs, outreach activities, and the development of resources and materials.
• Grants: The task force actively seeks grants from foundations, government programs, and other entities that support early childhood education, community development, and social services. These grants provide crucial funding for research, data analysis, and the implementation of recommended solutions.
• Corporate Sponsorships: Local businesses and corporations who recognize the importance of a strong child care infrastructure may sponsor the task force. In return, sponsors may receive recognition in task force publications and events, highlighting their commitment to the community.
• In-Kind Contributions: In addition to financial donations, the task force receives in-kind support in the form of volunteer time, office space, meeting venues, and other resources that reduce the overall cost of operations.
• Partner Contributions: Organizations involved in the task force, such as A Place To Grow Child Care Center, Melissa Colagrosso and Company, and Child Care Biz Help, may contribute resources, expertise, and financial support to sustain the task force’s efforts.
• Volunteer Support: The task force also relies on the generous time and effort of volunteers from the community. Volunteers can assist in various capacities, including outreach, event planning, data collection, and community engagement activities. This volunteer support is invaluable in helping the task force achieve its goals while fostering a sense of community involvement and ownership.

The combination of these funding sources will ensure that the task force can operate effectively, engage the community, and pursue its goals without being hindered by financial limitations. The task force is committed to using its funds responsibly and transparently to maximize the impact of its work in Southern West Virginia.

The findings of the Together We Grow Southern WV Task Force will be a crucial part of shaping the future of child care in the region. Once the task force completes its work, the findings will be handled as follows:

1. Public Report: The task force will compile its findings into a comprehensive report that details the current state of child care in Southern West Virginia, the challenges identified, and the solutions recommended. This report will be made publicly available to ensure transparency and to inform the broader community about the task force's work and conclusions.
2. Presentation to Policymakers: The findings and recommendations will be formally presented to local and state policymakers, including legislators, government agencies, and other key decision-makers. The goal is to influence policy changes and secure funding and support for the implementation of the recommended solutions.
3. Community Engagement: The task force will engage with the community to share its findings, raise awareness, and build support for the proposed initiatives. This may include town hall meetings, public forums, and other outreach efforts to ensure that the community is informed and involved in the process.
4. Implementation Support: The task force will work with local businesses, nonprofits, and community organizations to help implement the recommended solutions. This may involve coordinating efforts to improve child care facilities, expand access to services, or address workforce shortages in the child care sector.
5. Ongoing Advocacy: Even after the task force concludes its formal activities, the findings will continue to serve as a foundation for ongoing advocacy efforts. Task force members and partner organizations will use the report to continue pushing for improvements in child care services and to monitor progress over time.
6. Long-Term Monitoring: The task force may recommend the establishment of a follow-up committee or advisory group to monitor the implementation of its recommendations and to ensure that progress is being made in addressing the child care crisis.