Mission
EARLY YEARS LEADS EFFORTS TO STRENGTHEN ACCESSIBLE AND AFFORDABLE QUALITY EARLY CARE AND EDUCATION BY PROVIDING SUPPORT FOR FAMILIES, COMMUNITIES AND THE WORKFORCE. EARLY YEARS 'S PRIMARY PURPOSE IS TO PROVIDE SERVICES, RESEARCH AND EDUCATION AT THE LOCAL, STATE AND NATIONAL LEVELS. EARLY YEARS IS ONE OF THE MANAGING AGENCIES FOR THE NC CCR&R COUNCIL, AND AS THE LOCAL CHILD CARE RESOURCE AND REFERRAL AGENCY, PROVIDES FAMILY SUPPORT SERVICES IN ALAMANCE, CASWELL, DURHAM, FRANKLIN, GRANVILLE, ORANGE, PERSON, VANCE AND WAKE COUNTIES, WHICH INCLUDES HELPING FAMILIES FIND AND PAY FOR QUALITY CHILD CARE. EARLY YEARS HELPS CHILD CARE PROVIDERS IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF CHILD CARE, INCLUDING SUPPORT TRAINING, ON-SITE CONSULTATIONS, NUTRITION SERVICES, SALARY SUPPLEMENTS AND COLLEGE SCHOLARSHIPS. IN NC AND NATIONALLY, EARLY YEARS ADDRESSES THE ISSUES OF UNDER-EDUCATION, LOW COMPENSATION AND HIGH TURNOVER IN THE EARLY CHILDHOOD WORKFORCE THROUGH INNOVATIVE PROGRAMS.