Contact:
Linda Leonhart at (608) 261-2137 or (608) 628-3601
Strongest Links conference to stress ties between early childhood education and economic growth
MADISON A day-long conference aimed at making the connection between a
comprehensive early childhood education system and a vibrant economy will be held
Friday, Jan. 13, at The Concourse Hotel, 1 W. Dayton St., Madison.
Highlights of the conference will include a luncheon speech by Richard Florida,
author of The Rise of the Creative Class and The Flight of the Creative Class, and a
presentation by Mildred Warner, director of the Child Care and Economic Development
Project at Cornell University, Ithaca, N.Y. A taped address will be delivered by Dr.
James Heckman, Nobel Laureate economist from the University of Chicago.
Also scheduled is a presentation of a white paper on the Economic Impact of Early
Childhood by Roger Nacker, director of the Wisconsin Economic Development Institute;
an update on the Council on Economic Developments national early childhood
initiative by Dennis Winters of NorthStar Economics; and an overview of state
demographic data by Terry Ludeman of the Wisconsin Department of Workforce
Development.
Tom Still, president of the Wisconsin Technology Council, will moderate the morning
sessions.
The goals of Strongest links: Economic development and early childhood are:
n To strengthen development of a comprehensive statewide early childhood system.
n To increase understanding of early childhood investment as an economic
development strategy.
n To expand connections among existing and new partners, especially economic
development and business leaders.
Registration opens at 8:30 a.m. and the conference concludes at 4 p.m. Participants
may register for full conference ($60) or the luncheon only ($30) by phoning the
Wisconsin Head Start Association at 608-442-6879 or e-mailing case@whsaonline.org
Members of the news media who are interested in interviewing Florida, Warner or
other speakers may contact Rose Lynch at the state Department of Workforce
Development at (608) 266-6753 or (608) 338-9896.
