A report being released today by two child advocacy groups outlines evidencesupporting the development of early childhood care and education programs. The report is called “The ABC’s of Early Childhood.” Iowa Family PolicyCenter Director Charles Bruner says key indicators of child well-being suchas child abuse and low birthweight have increased in Iowa since the start ofthe decade. This has happened as more parents with children under the age offive are working and have less time to devote to kids.Two-out-of-three parents now work outside the home, which is double thenumber doing so in 1970. Bruner says there is no doubt children need a lotof attention early in their lives.Bruner says research shows families, communities and the state can benefitfrom better early childhood programs.Bruner hopes the report spurs the development of joint public/private earlychildhood programs.The Iowa Forum helped put together the report along with the Child andFamily Policy Center. The Iowa Forum is an organization that tries to creatediscussion on child and family issues.
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