CHICAGO – The First Five Years Fund (FFYF) launches its new website today—featuring a blog written by Pulitzer Prize winning journalist and Executive Director of FFYF, Cornelia Grumman; as well as up-to-date news, tools and other resources.

FFYF provides research and advocacy tools to help federal policymakers make effective investments in early childhood education. The website’s downloadable, sharable content is designed to help advocates communicate with policymakers about the importance and impact of early childhood education.

“Our website offers advocates, journalists and others new research-based resources and customizable tools,” Grumman said. “I hope our new blog will give voice to the hundreds of compelling, everyday stories of those whose life trajectories were affected by the care and education they received in their earliest years.” Grumman previously served as a state government reporter and an editorial writer at the Chicago Tribune, and received several Casey Medals for Meritorious Journalism for editorials on children and family issues.

FFYF encourages you to visit the website to:

• Understand why investing in the first five years is so critical—as that is the most effective time to lay the foundation for later learning, achievement and adult productivity.
• Access FFYF’s campaigns, including Invest in US and Our Head Start—which educates policymakers, community leaders, and the public about the critical role the Head Start program plays in shaping the lives of so many successful Americans. Our Head Start is a place for alumni to share personal stories about how Head Start contributed to their professional success today.
• Read Cornelia Grumman’s blog, The Starting Point, and join the conversation.
• Learn more about key policy issues affecting early childhood education, such as reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act; the Early Learning Challenge Fund; and funding for core federal programs.
• Review relevant and recent news and events on early education.
• Access tools and resources for effective advocacy, including a template op-ed, template press statement, fact sheets, and videos from Our Head Start.
• Read more about FFYF, including information about FFYF leadership, and philanthropic partners.  

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First Five Years Fund

First Five Years Fund helps America achieve better results in education, health and economic productivity through investments in quality early childhood education programs for disadvantaged children. FFYF provides knowledge, data, and advocacy—persuading federal policymakers to make investments in the first five years of a child’s life that create greater returns for all.