Investing in Kids: Early Childhood Programs and Local Economic Development

Acknowledgments

xvii Acknowledgments I appreciate the financial support of the Upjohn Institute and the Pew Charitable Trusts for the research for and writing of this book. In addition, I appreciate the financial support of the Upjohn Institute and the Pew Charitable Trusts, along with that of the Committee for Economic Development, for the research that led up to this book. The findings and opinions expressed in this book are mine, and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Upjohn Institute, the Committee for Economic Development, or the Pew Charitable Trusts. At the Upjohn Institute, I appreciate the support of the Institute’s president, Randy Eberts. I also appreciate research assistance from Wei-Jang Huang, and assistance with the manuscript’s many complexities from Claire Black. Linda Richer and the entire Upjohn Institute library staff also assisted in tracking down various references, for which I thank them. Comments on the manuscript and manuscript plans were received at various stages from Kevin Hollenbeck, Michelle Miller-Adams, Rich Wyrwa, Ben Jones, and George Erickcek. The manuscript was edited by Ben Jones. At the Pew Charitable Trusts, I appreciate the support of Sara Watson and Elaine Weiss. I also received helpful comments from Elaine Weiss and Rob Krupicka at Pew, and from Albert Wat at Pre-K Now. Additionally, I received helpful comments from two anonymous outside reviewers. These comments led to some significant revisions in the draft manuscript . I have learned from the opportunity to present versions of this research to different early childhood audiences. I appreciate opportunities to make such presentations provided by Diane Neighbors of the Vanderbilt Child and Family Study Center in Tennessee; the Louisiana Family Impact Seminar; Diane Halstead of the Pennsylvania Early Learning Investment Commission, the Pennsylvania Early Learning Keys to Quality; Rob Dugger of the Invest in Kids Working Group; and Judy Samelson of the Michigan Early Childhood Investment Corporation. I have also benefited from the opportunity to present versions of this research to economic development audiences. I appreciate such opportunities provided by Karen Bogenschneider of the Wisconsin Family Impact Seminar, the Milken Institute, George Fulton of the Research Seminar in Quantitative Economics , Hillary Eley of the Branch County Area Chamber of Commerce, and Dana Rothstein of the International Economic Development Council. In Kalamazoo, I have learned from my work with the Early Childhood Committee of the community organizing group ISAAC, and with the Kalamazoo County Committee for Early Childhood Education. I have learned from many individuals in these groups, but I wanted in particular to acknowledge Denise Hartsough, Rachael Tanner, and Rochelle Habeck-Hunt. ...