"Doing What Matters for Tuscaloosa's Children" Conference

The third annual "Doing What Matters for Tuscaloosa's Children" Conference focused on making positive changes for children in Tuscaloosa and across the state of Alabama.

Having been on the planning committee for the previous conferences, Judy Young, from Tuscaloosa County Department of Human Resources, said everyone worked together to make this the best conference yet.

"We have representation from an excellent diverse group this year," said Young.

Young said the planning committee revised their agenda based on what was most important to those in attendance.

Representatives from different organizations devoted to making a difference in their communities gathered at this year's conference. Important leaders spoke about their involvement in what they are doing to help give Alabama’s children a brighter future.

Marquita Davis, deputy director for child development services with the Head Start program, spoke at the conference on the importance of expanding the Pre-K program in Alabama. First Class, a program developed on the Governor’s Pre-K Council, was a main topic of discussion for Davis’ presentation.

Davis said First Class’s mission is building on a foundation with three main objectives: to be flexible and affordable, have high standards and strong technical assistance and become a sound investment. There are several guiding principles for expanding Pre-K across the state. Right now Pre-K is a voluntary program for those who choose it.

“You don’t have to go to school until you are seven! Seven!” said Davis.

By expanding the Pre-K program, Davis said they are focusing on closing the achievement gap. Right now the program implements a research based curriculum. This means there is also an ongoing assessment of children’s health, development and learning. Davis says providing health care to these children is key to their development in education as well.

“Many times when we think children are being bad, they are really just sick,” said Davis.

First Class also supports parental and family involvement and is building on existing child-care and Head Start programs. Funding is for community-based programs as well as for schools in the community. However, First Class’s funding strategy is one that needs improvement Davis said.

“I’m not going to spend a lot of time talking about funding, because we don’t have any money,” Davis said.

Davis went on to talk about the Alabama high-quality Pre-K standards. Some of the requirements included mandatory health care screenings for each child, the program must utilize curricula approved by the Office of School Readiness and each classroom must meet DHR child-care standards.

Davis also addressed the issue of classroom supplies and equipment.

“If classrooms are in disarray, we will help you get them where they need to be,” said Davis.

First Class provides administrative and instructional materials for teachers and their students.

“The best learning environment is where the teacher is engaged with the students,” Davis said. “One size does not fit all children.”

Davis also addressed what she called “best practices.” These would include focus on physical health and development, emergent literacy, numeracy and science, as well as dramatic play and home living.

Davis said further information could be found on the Office of School Readiness website.

Among the attendees at this year’s conference was Eulonda Russell, a social work student in the masters program at Alabama, who said she found the conference to be very informative.

Other organizations were represented at this year’s conference, including VOICES, seeking to give every Alabama child the opportunity to be heard.