Local Organization Honors Staff, Community Champions While Addressing Early Childhood Education Challenges
WAYNE COUNTY, NC – The Partnership for Children of Wayne County held its annual meeting on Thursday, October 30, recognizing dedicated employees and community partners while highlighting the critical importance of early childhood education and care in the community.
Long-Time Employees Honored for Dedicated Service
The Partnership recognized several employees for milestone years of service to the organization. Three staff members – Rosa Audelo, Angela Frady, and Maria Lopez – each completed 10 years with the Partnership, marking a significant achievement in an era of workforce shortages.
Shelly Willis was celebrated for 15 years of service. Executive Director Valerie Wallace praised Willis for her dedication and service.
Amanda Atkinson received special recognition as the organization’s longest-tenured employee, having served for 25 years.
Executive Director Valerie praised all staff members for their daily commitment to working on behalf of children and families throughout Wayne County.
Community Champions Recognized with Special Awards
The Partnership departed from tradition this year by honoring two individuals rather than one with the Champions for Children Award, recognizing their exceptional contributions to children’s welfare in Wayne County.
Military Spouse Honored for Program Leadership
Kasey Casbarro, a Family Support Specialist with the Partnership, presented the first award to Sarah Nixon, a military spouse and mother of two boys, Dominic and Rowan. The recipient’s family relocated to Wayne County from Okinawa, Japan, and she has been actively involved with the Partnership since early 2023.
The honoree quickly became a member of the Circle of Parents program when she began participating in January 2023, demonstrating natural leadership qualities through her willingness to share experiences and offer encouragement to other participants. She currently serves as Parent Leader for Circle of Parents.
In March 2023, she enrolled in the Parents as Teachers program and later completed the Incredible Years program in April 2024. She now serves as a Parent Representative on the NC Pre-K Committee, providing valuable insights and perspectives, particularly as her oldest son, Dominic, graduated from the program.
Beyond her leadership roles, she contributed her artistic talents by painting a beautiful mural in the front windows of the Partnership’s office, brightening the space and welcoming families with creativity and warmth.
Decade of Service to Safe Kids Coalition
The Partnership also recognized Tara Humphries for more than a decade of service with the Safe Kids Coalition. Humphries first joined the coalition through her role at Wayne Community College, bringing energy, expertise, and deep commitment to child safety.
Despite retiring several years ago, Humphries chose to continue dedicating her free time to the coalition, demonstrating that her commitment to keeping children safe extends far beyond any job title. Over the past ten-plus years, she has served in numerous capacities, beginning as a committee member and later stepping into leadership roles as both chair and co-chair.
Humphreys has volunteered countless hours at events, facilitating activities such as Spot the Tot, leading heat stroke safety demonstrations, and meticulously counting thousands of pills at Operation Medicine Drop events. Her dedication, enthusiasm, and selfless commitment have touched many lives throughout Wayne County.
Commissioner Highlights Early Childhood Education Crisis
Wayne County Commissioner Tim Harrell, representing District 4, delivered comprehensive remarks focusing on seven key points about early childhood education learned through his participation in the Hunt Policy Institute’s Hunt Fellows Program earlier this year.
Harrell, who also serves as WAGES Board Chair and has a background as an educator working from elementary through high school levels, brought a policymaker’s perspective to the challenges facing early childhood education in North Carolina.
The Science Behind Early Learning
Harrell emphasized that brain development in the first three years of life is critical to a child’s future outcomes and worldview. He noted that research from Harvard and other institutions has demonstrated that high-quality care for infants and children is essential for building neural pathways and establishing healthy relationships with parents and caregivers.
This foundational development, he explained, is often new information even for elected officials, mayors, sheriffs, and district attorneys who participated in the Hunt Institute program with him.
Economic Impact on Children’s Lives
The commissioner cited the High Scope Perry Preschool Study from 1960, which examined the impact of high-quality birth-to-five-year-old programs. The research showed that early childhood intervention provides a substantial return on investment, with every dollar spent on preschool or early childhood care returning 13 percent.
Researchers measured this return through multiple metrics including reduced involvement in the criminal justice system, decreased special education needs in K-12 education, and improved outcomes as taxpaying citizens. The study demonstrated that the earlier the intervention, the greater the return on investment – with prenatal through early childhood programs showing the highest returns compared to later educational investments.
Harrell connected this to his current role as county commissioner, noting the constant balance between providing necessary services while being respectful of taxpayers’ hard-earned dollars.
The Early Childhood Landscape in North Carolina
The commissioner shared concerning statistics about access to early childhood education. Of approximately 700,000 children aged 0-5 in North Carolina, only about 300,000 participate in some type of childcare or education program. About 60 percent of parents of these young children are in the workforce.
Multiple program types exist across the state, including Smart Start partnerships and Early Head Start and Head Start programs administered by organizations like WAGES. However, these programs can only serve a percentage of children who need these opportunities.
Harrell expressed deep concern about the impact of government shutdowns on the most vulnerable populations. He noted that WAGES serves over 600 children in Wayne County with 140 staff members, but as of November 14th during the shutdown, those federal funds were essentially cut off, leading to staff furloughs and interrupted services for children.
The commissioner also highlighted other affected programs, including USDA reimbursements for school meals (where every child eats free in the district) and WIC services. Wayne County voted to continue the WIC program, which costs about $1 million annually. He noted that 22,000 families in the county require SNAP benefits, and the county cannot afford to cover these federal programs if funding stops.
Access to Care and Licensed Spaces
Valerie Wallace had provided Harrell with data showing the significant need for more childcare centers and licensed spaces in Wayne County. The Hunt Institute shared that approximately 75,000 licensed spaces are needed across North Carolina each year to provide adequate early childcare and education – a need that currently goes unmet.
As part of the institute’s programming, participants heard from owners of licensed childcare facilities and in-home facilities about how they operate and the challenges they face in their businesses.
The Professional Workforce Shortage
Harrell highlighted the critical need for professionals in early childhood education. Currently, approximately 42,000 to 47,000 individuals work in this profession across North Carolina, but significantly more are needed.
The pay for professionals in this industry statewide averages about $14 per hour, while the living wage in North Carolina is approximately $22 per hour – representing a substantial gap. This financial reality was described as startling, with data showing that many childcare providers are actually receiving some type of public assistance while working in the field.
Harrell reflected on his own decision to become an educator, recalling his father’s words: “You’ll never get rich, but you’ll always have a job, and you’ll have some benefits and retirement.” In contrast, many early childhood education workers have no benefits, no retirement plan, no sick leave, and no paid vacation despite the critical services they provide.
The commissioner noted that these individuals have been called “the workforce behind the workforce” – enabling other parents to work by providing care and helping to mold young children. He emphasized the connection between investment in professionals, their training and education levels, and the quality of service they can provide to children.
He also acknowledged the operational costs facing childcare business owners, including food costs, facility upkeep, and utilities, all of which contribute to the challenges facing the industry.
Affordability Crisis for Families
Harrell shared data from the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services indicating that families should dedicate about 7 percent of their income to childcare. However, infant and toddler care now costs $11,000 to $12,000 annually – in many cases exceeding the tuition at in-state universities.
For families with multiple children, these costs can double or triple, creating situations where family members, often mothers, choose not to work because childcare costs exceed their potential income.
This lack of accessible, affordable childcare has led to economic studies showing it costs North Carolina over $5 billion per year in lost economic output. Some employers are now exploring their own childcare opportunities within their business structures to ensure employees can come to work.
Legislative Action and Hope for the Future
Harrell discussed legislative efforts by North Carolina’s early childhood education caucus in the state House and Senate. Despite challenges, North Carolina has been on the forefront of early childhood education initiatives, leading the nation when Smart Start was launched in 1993.
The state allocated approximately $67.5 million in stopgap funding as federal COVID relief dollars began to expire, addressing what educators call “the COVID cliff.”
Legislative initiatives being explored include:
- Reducing parent co-payments for subsidized childcare
- Creating paid family leave
- Increasing wages for early educators
- Offering tax credits to early educators
- Creating childcare stabilization funds to replace American Rescue Plan dollars
- Expanding pre-K and increasing pre-K subsidies per child
Harrell acknowledged that when he became an educator, his professor, Dr. Kevin Brady, told the doctoral students they were “the crazy ones” for choosing to get a terminal degree in something that would economically never pay for itself. However, he emphasized that for young people or adults looking at the early childhood field, pure finances create discouragement and barriers to pursuing their passion for working with children and communities.
Board Approval for New School
Harrell expressed pride that the county board, working with the school board, approved the purchase of land for Brogden Primary School, which dates from the 1950s and is in dire need of replacement. The new school will include an NC Pre-K program, demonstrating the county’s commitment to early childhood education.
Child Care Academy Success Stories
The meeting featured detailed presentations about the Partnership’s Child Care Academy program, a strategic initiative launched two years ago to address the state’s ongoing childcare workforce crisis.
Program Overview and Funding
The Child Care Academies represent strategic initiatives by Smart Start partnerships across North Carolina to address workforce issues through accelerated training programs. These academies offer intensive training designed to quickly equip individuals with foundational skills necessary for careers in early childhood programs.
Executive Director Valerie Wallace explained that the Partnership heard about similar programs from other partnerships in western North Carolina and decided to try implementing their own. Despite having no initial funding, the team launched two academies and then applied for grant funding.
The Partnership was awarded grants from the Camber Foundation totaling $100,000 over two years to implement the Child Care Academies. Valerie joked with Board Chair Selena Bennett that “she got none of it,” but emphasized the grants allow the Partnership to provide financial assistance to participants, prepare them for college enrollment, and cover costs for background checks and fingerprints that participants would otherwise pay out of pocket.
Graduate Success Story
Program Specialist Trinisia Carlton, who works with the Child Care Academies and facilities in Wayne County, introduced Dominique McBride, a graduate from the academy’s second cohort.
McBride holds an associate’s degree in general education and is currently pursuing her bachelor’s degree in early childhood education. She previously worked for two years at the Department of Social Services, supporting both adult protective services and child protective services. Her experience there inspired her passion for serving the community and supporting families, leading her to pursue a career in early childhood education.
McBride explained that she wanted to be more directly involved in shaping youth to become self-sustaining adults. When the opportunity arose to receive all necessary credentials and training free of charge through the two-week program, she saw it as a sign to transition into teaching.
Though nervous at first, McBride praised the thoroughness of the instructors who encouraged questions and applied real-world experiences to help participants make connections. The training covered not just teaching techniques but also critical safety protocols, behavior management, and the importance of establishing relationships with parents and the broader community.
By the end of the two-week program, McBride had all required credentials and certifications and understood that childcare involves “keeping them alive” through safety protocols and germ prevention, not just teaching and inspiring children.
Employer Perspective
Tabatha McLawhorn, owner of Little Bulldogs Child Health Center for 17 years, provided the employer’s perspective on the Child Care Academy program’s value.
McLawhorn described being “blown away” by the program when Valerie Wallace and the Partnership introduced it, noting it truly exemplified the concept of “it takes a village.” She explained that when hiring employees straight out of high school with no childcare experience, there’s typically a steep learning curve.
However, when McBride came from the academy, she was fully prepared – not just with classroom skills but with all requirements from the Division of Child Development including CPR, first aid, and additional training. McBride entered the facility already more educated than employees who had been there for a year.
McLawhorn emphasized that the academy prepares participants to handle emergencies, children with behavior issues, and the diverse needs of individual children through hands-on training that exceeds what some candidates receive even when completing associate’s degrees.
The academy training proved so valuable that McLawhorn was expecting two more employees from the current academy cohort to start in mid-November, expressing excitement about receiving additional well-prepared staff members.
Immediate Hire
McBride recounted that at the end of the academy program, participants received a resource sheet listing childcares seeking to hire. She prepared packets with all her certificates, planning to send applications to three different centers.
However, when she emailed McLawhorn to discuss employment opportunities and job duties, what was intended as an informational meeting turned into an interview, and she was hired that same day. When asked when she could start, McBride responded “next week,” and McLawhorn immediately agreed.
When McLawhorn brought someone from administration to review McBride’s credentials and discovered she could keep the entire packet of certifications, it made a strong impression. McBride has been with Little Bulldogs since March 18 of the previous year.
The Foundation of Education: Board Chair’s Closing Remarks
Board Chair Selena Bennett, a retired educator and Director of Communities Supporting Schools, delivered closing remarks that connected early childhood education to long-term educational and societal outcomes.
Early Childhood as Foundation
Bennett noted that while her agency, Communities Supporting Schools, serves students from kindergarten through graduation, the Partnership serves children from prenatal to age five. She emphasized that if the Partnership’s staff does their job well, it makes the work of K-12 educators significantly easier in getting children through to graduation.
As someone whose experience spans grades four through 12 in roles from classroom teaching to school counseling, Bennett acknowledged she is not an early childhood specialist. However, she emphasized what she has learned: “The foundation in early childhood is where everything begins.”
The Cost of Being Behind
Bennett painted a stark picture of the consequences when children lack strong early childhood foundations. When children arrive at kindergarten and first grade already two to three years behind in developmental skills, language skills, cognitive development, and social interaction, they struggle throughout their education.
By third grade, these children don’t test well, and their self-esteem is impacted. Bennett shared statistics she frequently cites to illustrate the long-term consequences: 75 percent of prison inmates are high school dropouts, and of those dropouts, 50 percent have an average reading skill level of fourth grade.
“I don’t know about you, but I can kind of speculate and put a few things together,” Bennett said. “Education makes a difference, and it starts with early childhood.”
Partnership and Collaboration
Bennett praised her proximity to the Partnership, noting that she frequently visits their offices and respects their work deeply. She described the organization’s willingness to share resources, whether financial policies, personnel policies, or other operational documents, calling the staff “amazing” and Valerie Wallace “a great leader.”
She stated that Wayne County is “extremely fortunate” to have the Partnership and specifically praised the Child Care Academies program. Bennett attended one of the academies herself and was so impressed.
Recognizing Professionals
Bennett emphasized the importance of the academy work continuing, calling it “a model for the state.” She stressed that it is time for North Carolina to recognize statewide that early childcare staff are professionals, “not glorified babysitters.”
“Once we get that message out there, I think we’ll continue to grow, and Wayne County has certainly paved the way,” Bennett said.
Call to Action
In closing, Bennett encouraged attendees to support the Partnership’s poinsettia fundraiser, noting the plants are beautiful and include bows this year. She described it as both a great fundraiser and a wonderful way for churches and businesses to support the Partnership while celebrating the Christmas spirit.
Bennett thanked attendees for coming and reminded them to pick up copies of the annual report at the exit, which features profiles of the two Champions for Children award recipients and showcases the impact the Partnership is making in the community.
About the Partnership for Children of Wayne County
The Partnership for Children of Wayne County serves children from prenatal through age five and their families through various programs including Circle of Parents, Parents as Teachers, NC Pre-K, and the Child Care Academy initiative. The organization works to improve early childhood education and care quality throughout Wayne County while supporting families and childcare professionals.
The Partnership collaborates with numerous community organizations including Wayne County Public Schools, WAGES (which administers Early Head Start and Head Start programs), Wayne Community College, the Safe Kids Coalition, and local childcare facilities to create a comprehensive support system for young children and families in the community.
