Summit, hosted by Governor Beshear, the Kentucky Commission on Philanthropy, and Insight Communications, to foster public-private partnerships
FRANKFORT, Ky. – Recognizing the need to foster public-private partnerships aimed at creating a better quality of life for Kentucky’s children, Gov. Steve Beshear last year created the Kentucky Commission on Philanthropy with a mission to plan and implement a strategy focusing on early childhood education and child health.
As part of its work, the commission was charged with bringing together Kentucky’s philanthropic interests for a Summit on Philanthropy that would begin to address the long-term future of Kentucky’s children. The summit, presented by Insight Communications, will begin today at the Capital Plaza Hotel in Frankfort and run through tomorrow.
“One of my greatest priorities as Governor is to ensure every child a healthy start in life,” said Gov. Beshear. “We need partners now more than ever, and this summit will be a positive start that will allow us to be responsive to Kentucky families. The time is right to join forces in an unprecedented effort for the greater good of the Commonwealth.”
The commission, headed by Chairwoman Judith G. Clabes and Executive Director Michael J. Hammons, is an unprecedented private- public enterprise, a bold, strategic initiative encouraging voluntary private philanthropic investment in solutions to challenges endemic to Kentucky.
Clabes, who also serves as the President Emeritus of the Scripps Howard Foundation, said, “More and more, philanthropy is a powerful force for positive change and public good. Connecting private and public strategies can turn around a bleak future for too many of Kentucky’s children. Focused investment in Early Childhood Education and Child Health and Welfare means a brighter future in every aspect of Kentucky life.”
Hammons added, “It is not always a matter of new funds even though we know that investing in children saves society money in the long run. It is a matter of strategic use of resources and collaboration.”
The statistics concerning early childhood health in Kentucky are alarming. The number of women who receive inadequate prenatal care and smoke while pregnant far outpaces the national average while Kentucky also struggles in the areas of childhood obesity and children who do not attend preschool.
“As Kentucky’s technology leader, Insight is also working to improve the quality of life for families in the communities we serve,” said Insight Communications CEO Michael Willner. “We’re proud to play a lead role in this Summit and support Gov. Beshear and the Commission’s efforts to provide a brighter future for Kentucky’s children.”
A list of key summit events is provided below. For more information on the Kentucky Commission on Philanthropy and the Summit on Philanthropy, please visit www.kyphilanthropy.com.
Monday, October 26, 2009
1:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.: Philanthropy Workshops
5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.: Reception with Governor Beshear at the Governor’s Mansion - Special guests include Jamal Mashburn, officer and director, The MAP Foundation and former NBA star, and Linda Gibbs, deputy mayor for the Health and Human Services and advisor to Bloomberg Foundation. (This event is closed to media attendance)
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
8:30 a.m. – 9:00 a.m.: Welcome and Call to Action – Judy Clabes, chair, Kentucky Commission on Philanthropy.
9:00 a.m. – 9:45 a.m.: Keynote Speaker – David Lawrence Jr., president of the Early Childhood Initiative Foundation, Miami-Dade County.
9:45 a.m. – 10:15 a.m.: Investment in Children, Investment in the Future – Rob Grunewald, associate economist at the Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis.
10:15 a.m. – 10:45 a.m.: Overview of Solutions - Hear the Advisory Committees’ top recommendations to improve the status of Kentucky’s youngest citizens. Laura Douglas, vice president of Corporate Responsibility and Community Affairs at E.ON-U.S., will share the Health and Welfare Committee’s recommendations. Billy Harper, CEO of Harper Industries, will share the Early Childhood Education Committee’s recommendations.
11:00 a.m. – 12:00 a.m.: In-depth Reviews of the Advisory Committee’s
Recommendations - Hear how the top recommendations are effective, how partnerships can be developed, and how they could be replicated in each community.
12:15 p.m. – 1:45 p.m.: Lunch: “The Power of Partnerships” - Diane Baillargeon, president and CEO of Seedco, New York City, and appointee to President Obama’s Advisory Council on Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships. Stephanie Rubin is senior officer, Pew Center on the States, Pew Charitable Trusts, Washington, D.C. Miriam Shark is associate director of the Annie E. Casey Foundation, Baltimore, Md.
3:15 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. - Plenary Session: Next Steps - What do the next steps look like and how do we get there? What have we learned and how do we ensure a brighter future for Kentucky’s children? Discussion Leader: Bob Babbage, national managing partner, Babbage Cofounder. Guest Experts: Secretary Janie Miller and Secretary Helen Mountjoy will participate in the discussion.
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