In the fall of 2006, a corporate consortium of Research Triangle Park and Durham-based businesses convened to discuss the economic impact of early childhood education and its role in relation to the local workforce, economy and future vitality of the region. Working with Durham’s Partnership for Children, this consortium—Corporate Champions for Children—have been working to better connect the private sector with early childhood education initiatives.
 
Economic development experts say that a world-class education system will attract businesses to our community. A strong early childhood system is a critical piece to this overall education system. Our community’s economic success, its global competitiveness and the ability to cultivate future leaders are contingent on the support of early childhood initiatives by employers, working parents and business leaders, like you. Learn more about Corporate Champions for Children, contact Karine Stallings, Community Development Manager, karine@dpfc.net.

Tools and Resources
••Ideas for you and your company to support young children.

Reports/Research
••2007 Investors Report

•• 2008 Community Report

••Making Work Work: New Ideas from the Winners of the Alfred P. Sloan Awards for Business Excellence in Workplace Flexibility

••Early Childhood Education: A Call to Action from the Business Community

••National Institute for Early Education Research Report: Does it Pay Off to Invest in Preschool for All? Analyzing Return-On-Investment in Three States

Upcoming Corporate Champion for Children Events
Save-The-Date: 2008 State of Durham's Children: Engaging Business for Educational Progress. Tuesday, Sept. 23 at 7:30 a.m. at Durham's American Tobacco Historic District- Bay 7  318 Blackwell Street. For ticket information, visit www.durhamchamber.org

Durham's Partnership for Children thanks the following Corporate Champions:
BB&T
Bright Horizons
Cardinal State Bank
City of Durham
Duke Energy
Duke University
Greater Durham Chamber of Commerce
IBM
KB Home
Merck & Co.
SunTrust
The Herald-Sun
Time Warner Cable
Verizon
Wachovia Bank, NA