Voices received a challenge grant from the Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation supporting development of its policy agenda to improve outcomes for children newborn to age five. One of the foundation’s key priority areas is “Better Beginnings” through which it works to “…develop systems of support for young children and their families, strengthen the effectiveness of services provided and mobilize leaders from different sectors to improve success in life for our community's youngest and most vulnerable members.”

“All aspects of child development – physical, cognitive, social and emotional – are important in preparing a child for success in school,” said Pat Willis, Executive Director of Voices. “We will be looking at policies that can give the best start possible to the most children so that our schools can leverage their readiness to learn.”

One of Voices’ four objectives for child well being by the year 2015 is to increase the percentage of fourth graders who read at or above basic skills from 59% (2005) to 72%. “Reading well by fourth grade is a major predictor for ongoing school success,” says Willis. “With increasing percentages of Georgia’s children enjoying pre-kindergarten experiences through the lottery-funded or family and community funded programs, we ultimately would expect to see reading performance at higher levels in fourth grade,” she continued.

Funds from the Blank Foundation will enable Voices to review all current data and policies regarding early childhood development and investment, to compare them with other states and nationally-researched best practices, and to identify gaps in access, participation, and investment. Voices will draw on the insights of practitioners, scholars, and policy makers through an Advisory Committee to the process.

The goal of the grant is to present a policy agenda to the Voices board of directors by early 2007. In addition, Voices will develop a long term communications and advocacy strategy to promote policy and investment changes and to continuously monitor the results of early childhood investments.