There is an overwhelming unmet need for quality early learning access and supports for young children in California. To support the development of a high quality early learning system, First 5 Association of California contracted with VIVA to research and understand how states have built and expanded early learning systems. As part of this research, VIVA developed…
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By Justine Hufford Two months after early learning experts, partners, and policymakers across California convened in the state’s capitol for the 8th Annual Early Learning Water Cooler Conference, I’m still digesting what I learned from the conference and putting it to use in my work. The conference was packed with information about early learning developments,…
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By Annalise Stromsta As an employee at VIVA, I am no stranger to concepts such as QRIS, ACE’s, and summer learning loss. However, after reading the 2016 California Children’s Report Card from Children Now, I find myself stepping back and asking, “How can this be OK with anybody? Why aren’t alarm bells ringing in…
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By Peggy Chang There are two types of people when it comes to data: the type that gets excited, delves into details, and eagerly plows through spreadsheets, and the type that groans and goes to pour another cup of coffee to make it through the meeting. It is completely natural for us to have…
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Here at VIVA, we’re always intrigued by articles and websites that present information in new or unique ways—especially when they use powerful visuals to present the information. After all, 90% of information transmitted to the brain is visual. There have been several unique articles and graphics that have caught our eye recently: Your Contribution to…
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By Laura Bowen In last week’s blog post on the five things we learned at the 2015 Child Health, Education, and Care Summit, Edwin Ferran described ACEs, or Adverse Childhood Events, as the public health issue of our time. Why? ACEs are shockingly common (67% of people studied in the original ACEs research had…
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By Edwin Ferran The recent 2015 Child Health, Education, and Care Summit brought together approximately 1,000 child and family advocates, funders, elected officials, and direct service practitioners to focus on how to enhance partnerships to implement more effective system changes and better coordinate services. Five VIVA staff members attended the event—and VIVA joined community…
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More and more, we hear about ‘closing the achievement gap’ and providing better access to quality early education to support children’s school readiness. At VIVA, this is a big part of our work, and we are excited that these issues are becoming more frequent conversations in the media, among policymakers, and at dinner tables across…
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By Laura Bowen Here at VIVA, we’re continually wowed by our clients’ commitment to making a difference in their communities, and we are thrilled when their efforts are acknowledged. At the beginning of December, a Fresno County news station teamed up with First 5 Fresno County to dedicate their Family Focus Series to showcasing…
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