2011: The keynote address was given by Harriet Dichter, currently National Director of the First Five Years Fund and previously Secretary for the Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare, as well as founding Deputy Secretary of the Office of Child Development and Early Learning.
Dichter's work with the First Five Years Fund encourages greater federal investment in early childhood education. As Secretary for the Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare, her partnerships with early education and business leaders led to efforts that implemented a quality early education system and initiated several new programs and supports, including:
- Early Learning Standards from birth through 2nd grade;
- A data system for comprehensive accountability;
- Tracking child outcomes across programs;
- Rigorous approaches to professional preparation and development.
Pennsylvania increased the number of children with access to quality early learning, as well as gained national attention for its commitment to innovation during her tenure.
Dichter is a summa cum laude of Yale and a cum laude graduate of the University of Pennsylvania Law School. Her husband is an attorney, and she is the mother of two young adult children.
Click here to download her Powerpoint and keynote address. Harriet can be contacted at:
For more information on Early Childhood Day at the Legislature, contact Kelly Ault, Kids Are Priority One Coalition, at 802-272-0795 or kault1@earthlink.net.
Information for previous years