On May 10, the Hanover Board of Supervisors presented a resolution of support to Smart Beginnings Greater Richmond for its Regional Plan for School Readiness 2017 –2020.  Representatives of Smart Beginnings Greater Richmond presented highlights of the plan to the Board of Supervisors, acknowledging the many Hanover organizations and agencies who contributed to the goals, strategies and outcomes of the plan.

Smart Beginnings Greater Richmond is a partnership among public and private agencies, businesses, and individuals serving the cities of Richmond, Colonial Heights, as well as Chesterfield, Charles City, Goochland, Hanover, Henrico, New Kent and Powhatan counties.  The partnership works to enhance the quality of early childhood care and learning for young children, so they will be well-prepared to enter the workforce.

Recognizing the importance of early childhood development, businesses, nonprofits, governments, school, and philanthropic leaders in Greater Richmond have been working together to provide support to families with young children and to bring attention to the value of investing early to help young children thrive. 

Some key partners from Hanover County include in the creation of the plan include Community Resources, Community Services Board, Social Services, Hanover Public Schools, Hanover Rotary, Hanover Safe Place, Hanover Early Childhood Action Council and the Pamunkey Regional Library.

At the core of the Plan is the belief that organizations, working together through a coordinated regional partnership, have more power, influence, and impact than they have working alone.  The essence of the plan is to increase families’ ability to access high-quality early childhood resources and to use the partnership’s collective influence to advocate for strategic and targeted investments. 

The new Regional Plan will continue this history of success as it emphasizes children and families most in need.  A child’s early years are too important not to invest in them, and this three-year plan provides a guide to where these investments are needed most.