Early Childhood Dialogue to Action Initiative

The first three years of a child’s life are a time of great opportunity, as well as risk. We can tip the scales in favor of healthy development by providing early experiences and relationships that help babies and toddlers thrive. Our failure to do so can lead to long-lasting harm to our children, communities, and economy.

In order to consider ways to ensure a good start for all West Virginia’s children, the Early Childhood Advisory Council of West Virginia is joining with the West Virginia Center on Civic Life to sponsor community discussions throughout the state.

These discussions will bring together members of local communities in a thoughtful conversation about what can be done. The ideas for action that surface in the community discussion will be brought together in community action planning to follow the forums.

Below you will find all the materials necessary to plan, host, and moderate a community forum.  Please contact Gretchen Frankenberry at gretchen.d.frankenberry@wv.gov 

Community Forum Discussion Guide–This guide should be given to each participant at the forum. Please contact Gretchen (gretchen.d.frankenberry@wv.gov) to receive copies.

Moderator Guide–This guide will walk anyone through the process of moderating and hosting a forum. The guide includes a survey that we ask that all forum participants complete at the close of the forum.

Conversation Starter Video–This video was designed to be shown at the beginning of each forum to initiate conversation and provide context for the issues. Feel free to use this link or to contact Gretchen to receive a DVD copy.