Success StoryLetcher County's First Ever Early Education Summit



Letcher County's First Ever Early Education Summit

Author: Crystal Smith

Planning Unit: Letcher County CES

Major Program: Family and Consumer Sciences 4-H Core Curriculum

Plan of Work: 4-H Family Consumer Science

Outcome: Long-Term Outcome

On Thursday July 12, 2018 Letcher County had it's first ever Early Childhood Summit. I partnered with Oak Tree Learning Academy to hold the summit. Oak Tree Learning Academy received a grant from Save the Children Organization and ask if I would work with them to gather community partners. The purpose of the summit was to focus on educating our most vulnerable youth, that is those that are or have been affected by drugs both mentally or physically. The group came together to discuss non-traditional ways to help these children. People from various organizations came to participate from health care fields, educators from the school system, and those that work on the legal end. Keynote speakers for the day were ladies that founded Red Oak Forest School from the Natural Bridge area. Red Oak Forest School allows youth to use nature to learn and explore their natural habitats on their own they physically can be active in nature, psychological free their minds while learning and educational were the kids can gain motor skills and life skills and cope with problem solving in their own way. Also a presenter for the day was Kelli Heywood which an amazing yoga instructor that works with youth in expressing feeling through yoga. Letcher County District Judge Kevin Mullins came and spoke with the group about the methamphetamine pandemic that is plaguing the area in Letcher County. A rehabilitation specialist from Appalachian Regional Hospital that provides early care from birth to childhood came to speak with the group about the struggles that these youth are having when they get into school and even before entering school. How to work with children that have such issues to deal with. As a group we spoke about the next steps to bringing awareness to Letcher County and those who work with the youth on a daily basis. Our state representative attended the meeting as well. I want to partner with these folks and hold truth and consequence to raise awareness and take it to the youth of Letcher County. 






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