The summit was broadcast on-air via the North Carolina Channel and through a livestream provided by UNC-TV. Recordings of the NC Early Childhood Summit are available now at: NC DHHS Early Childhood website.

Experts in childhood health, education and child welfare spoke, including:

• North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper,
• former Gov. Jim Hunt,
• NC DHHS Secretary Mandy Cohen, and
• Dr. Jack Shonkoff from the Center for the Developing Child at Harvard University.

They and others encouraged the crowd to take action to improve outcomes for young children.

Leaders from across the state in early childhood health, education and child welfare launched the NC Early Childhood Action Plan at a summit on Feb. 27 in Raleigh. The plan includes 10 statewide goals around early childhood health, development, and learning.

• Goal 1: Healthy Babies
• Goal 2: Preventive Health Services
• Goal 3: Food Security
• Goal 4: Safe and Secure Housing
• Goal 5: Safe and Nurturing Relationships
• Goal 6: Permanent Families for Children in Foster Care
• Goal 7: Social-Emotional Health and Resilience
• Goal 8: High-Quality Early Learning
• Goal 9: On Track for School Success
• Goal 10: Reading at Grade Level