Giving kids a good start in life is not only the right thing to do--it's the business-like thing to do.
The "return on investment" from early childhood and family programs is the topic for a special event coming up in Perham. The speaker will be one of the state's leading economists.
Rob Grunewald, associate economist at the Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis, will speak at a free breakfast in Perham on September 22 at Heart of the Lakes Elementary School.
The breakfast, which starts at 7 a.m. in the cafeteria, is open to the public. Child care will be available on site for parents who are attending the breakfast.
Grunewald is the co-author of "Early Childhood Development: Economic Development with a High Return," with Arthur Rolnick, Senior Vice President of the MN Federal Reserve. This economic policy paper has been featured in the media, legislative hearings, and seminars throughout the United States. Grunewald will focus his Perham breakfast program on the regional economic impact of supporting early childhood education and development at the local level.
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The Perham Early Childhood/Family Initiative is sponsoring the program as part of this year's focus on the importance of investing time, talents, and money in to our youngest citizens at a community level.
"Many of the great programs started by the Initiative in the past several years through the generosity of West Central Initiative's grants will be in jeopardy without the financial support of the community," says Patty Nunn, Grant Coordinator for Perham's Promise.
"Perham is in the final year of Early Childhood and Family Initiative grants. If programs like Tot Time at the PACC, Stories on the Go and the Early Childhood Welcome Express are to continue, the community will need to make it happen." Nunn added, "Grunewald's presentation will help us all see how important it is to Perham's future to make this happen."
Grunewald joined the Federal Reserve Bank in 1993. He holds a bachelor's degree in economics and religion from St. Olaf College in Northfield, MN. He serves on the advisory board for St. Paul Public Schools, the Minnesota visiting Nurse Agency, and First Children's Finance Growth Fund.
For more information contact Patty at the Perham's Promise office, 346-1474.
