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Patricia F. Lewis
04/09/97 12:32:26 PM
Record Type:
Record
To:
See the distribution list at the bottom of this message
CC:
Lori L. Anderson/WHO/EOP
Subject: Talking points, second round
These incorporate your initial suggestions: (We're still missing an answer on the cost. Anyone have
something to put there?)
Draft talking points on conference
FOR INTERNAL USE ONLY
Updated April 8, 1997
"White House Conference on Early Childhood Development and Learning:
What New Research on the Brain Tells Us About Our Youngest Children"
The President announced in March that he and Mrs. Clinton will host the White House
Conference on Early Childhood Development and Learning: What New Research on the
Brain Tells Us About Our Youngest Children on April 17, 1997, at the White House.
The President and First Lady chose this topic because of the critical role children's
earliest experiences play in their development and their later success in school and in life.
This is an issue that the Clintons have focused on for many years. While still in law
school, Mrs. Clinton spent an additional year at the Yale Child Study Center. A quick
read of
her book, It Takes a Village, is a strong reminder of the importance she has
always placed
on early childhood development. And this Administration is proud of the role it has played
from its first days in pushing infants' and children's programs, like Early Head Start and
immunization efforts.
It is only recently that scientists have learned just how active children's brains are from
the very first days of life. The Conference will focus on the practical applications of the
latest scientific research on brain development for parents and care-givers, as well as on
ways that all members of society can use this information to help strengthen America's
families.
The conference will discuss the recent findings, answer some of the questions parents are
asking most often in light of the research, and highlight model programs that incorporate this
information.
[NOTE: The President first announced this Conference in his State of the Union Address:
"Learning begins in the first days of life. Scientists are now discovering how young children develop
emotionally and intellectually from their very first days. and how important it is for parents to begin
immediately talking, singing, even reading to their infants. The First Lady has spent years writing about
this issue, studying it. And she and I are going to convene a White House Conference on Early Learning
and the Brain this spring, to explore how parents and educators can best use these startling new
findings. (State of the Union, 2/4/97)]
Q.
Who will be participating in this Conference?
A.
The President and Mrs. Clinton have invited leaders in the scientific and academic
communities, leaders in the field of early childhood development, as well as representatives from
various sectors of society, including the business, faith and medical communities to take part in
the panels and be part of the audience. However, because the Conference will take place at the
White House, space will be very limited. (Full panelist list to be attached.)
That's one reason we have worked to set up regional events, and are pleased that as many as 30
sites in 18 states will broadcast the morning session via satellite. (Site list to be attached.)
Q.
Is the President going to make a big policy announcement at this Conference?
This Conference builds on the Administration's commitment to children and to early
development. For example, the Administration has increased participation in Head Start, created
Early Head Start for 0-3 year olds, increased participation in the WIC Supplemental Nutrition
Program, and helped raise the rate of childhood immunization to record highs.
One of the things that will be explored at the White House Conference is how all members of
society -- including policy makers -- can use this information most effectively. The Conference
is certainly intended to focus the Administration's own attention on these early years and to spur
action, not necessarily for the day of the Conference, but for the course of the Administration.
Q.
How much does something like this cost?
Q.
Is this Conference part of Rob Reiner's 0-3 campaign?
A.
No. Rob Reiner is working on an important effort -- a National Engagement Campaign
--with a collaboration of foundations, corporations and media to spread the word about the
significance of the first few years of life. The President and the First Lady are supportive of his
efforts and believe they complement the White House Conference, but the two are separate.
Q.
Doesn't the research on the earliest years of life suggest that women should stay at home?
No. What the research suggests is that we should support all parents, those who work outside the
home and those who don't. What's most important is that children are surrounded by loving,
nurturing care-givers who understand the importance of the first few years of life.
Q.
Will there be a record of the Conference, a Conference report?
We're committed to making sure information from the conference is available as widely as
possible following the event, and that includes a report.
Q.
What about other materials?
That's something being looked at, and is likely to be discussed as part of the conference itself.
Again, one reason to bring all these people together is to explore how we get this information out
in the most accessible, usable fashion.
Message Sent To:
MCHUGH_L @ A1 @ CD @ LNGTWY
Ann F. Lewis/WHO/EOP
Nicole R. Rabner/WHO/EOP
Pauline M. Abernathy/OPD/EOP
Jennifer L. Klein/OPD/EOP
White House Conference on Early Childhood Development and Learning
Question: Gingrich and Armey have said that at the White House Conference on Early
Childhood Development and Learning you should devote at least one-third of the
discussion to the development of the brains of fetuses. Will you agree to do this?
Answer: Brain development before birth is a relevant topic. It will surely be discussed at the
conference.
One of the panelists has done significant work
in this area.
Question: Doesn't the new research that you are discussing at the Conference suggest that
mothers should stay home with their children rather than return to work?
Answer: No. The research suggests that we should support all parents, those who work outside
the home and those who do not. What is most important is that children are surrounded by
loving, nurturing caregivers who understand that the experiences our children have in their first
few years of life are essential to development and learning.
3/28/97 DRAFT FOR DISCUSSION PURPOSES ONLY
White House Conference on Early Childhood Development and Learning:
What New Research on the Brain Tells Us About Our Youngest Children
April 17, 1997
OPENING REMARKS
The East Room
10:30-10:45 am
President Clinton and First Lady Hillary Rodham Clinton frame the day,
highlight the investments and commitment of the Clinton Administration in
early childhood development, underscore the unique contributions of the
United States Government in supporting research on early childhood and
brain development, and highlight the national opportunity and
responsibility the new finding present.
SESSION ONE:
Exploration of Current Scientific Research on Brain
Development and Its Applications for Parents and Caregivers
The East Room
Moderator:
Dr. David Hamburg, MD,
President, Carnegie Corporation of New York
10:45-11:20 am
Overview of recent discoveries in neuroscience and behavioral science
(with brief slides and/or videotape and/or model of developing brain)
Dr. Carla Shatz, University of California, Berkeley
(neuroscientific overview)
Dr. Donald Cohen, MD, PhD, Director, Yale Child Study Center
(behavioral development overview)
Dr. Patricia Kuhl, PhD, University of Washington
(language/cognitive development)
11:15-11:35 pm
Discussion of What This Research on Brain Development Means for
Health Care, Child Care and Early Education, and Parenting
Dr. Ezra Davidson, MD, Drew University of Medicine (obstetrician)
Dr. T. Berry Brazelton, MD, Harvard University (pediatrician)
Dr. Deborah Phillips, National Research Council (child care/early education expert)
11:35-12:15 pm
Presenters from the opening session address concerns of parents, with
questions generated from a poll conducted by Zero To Three with parents
across the country
The First Lady frames the discussion, poses questions and calls on parents in audience to
voice questions and concerns
WORKING LUNCHEON
State Dining Room
12:30-2:00pm
Conference guests here have a chance to visit informally with one another
(Tables are hosted by a White House or Administration official)
Open Discussion [following the format of the White House Prayer
Breakfast]
SESSION TWO: Applying the Knowledge
Roundtable Discussion Exploring Model Efforts Communities Are Undertaking
To Support Parents and Enhance Early Childhood Development
The East Room
2:15-3:30pm
Various Sectors of society discuss how they are using new scientific
findings to support families and enhance early childhood development and
learning
Dwayne Crompton, Executive Director
KCMC Child Development Corp., Kansas City, Missouri
(Child Care, Community)
Dr. Gloria Rodriguez, President and CEO
Avance Family Support and Education Program
San Antonio, Texas
(Parenting)
Mr. Melvin Wearing, Chief of Police
New Haven, Connecticut
(Law Enforcement)
Mr. Arnold Langbo, Chairman of the Board and CEO
The Kellogg Company
Battle Creek, Michigan
OR
Mr. Ralph Larsen, CEO
Johnson & Johnson
New Brunswick, NJ
(Business)
Mr. Rob Reiner
CastleRock Entertainment
Los Angeles, CA
(Entertainment/Media)
Dr. Barry Zuckerman, MD
Reach Out and Read,
Boston, MA
(Medical Community)
Harriet Meyer or program designate
Ounce of Prevention
Chicago, IL
(Early Head Start)
Panel Respondents:
Governor George Voinovich, Ohio
Governor Bob Miller, Nevada
Co-chairmen of the National Governors' Association Task Force on Young Children
CONCLUDING REMARKS
The East Room
The First Lady
The President
White House Conference on Early Childhood Radio Address
Announcement Options:
1.
Executive Memorandum on FMLA
The President could announce that he is issuing an executive memorandum asking federal
agencies to adopt policies consistent with his proposed legislative FMLA expansion.
This includes allowing workers to take up to 24 hours off for their children's routine
medical appointments or to select a new child care provider or school, meet with their
child's day care provider or teacher, or participate in eligible volunteer activities at the
child care center, Head Start center or school.
2.
Prescription for Reading
The President could announce a new private-sector initiative to give the parent of every
child under the age of six a prescription for reading by the year 2000 and could challenge
communities to help put books into the hands of young children who do not have books
at home. Pediatricians have a unique opportunity to encourage reading to young children
because they see children regularly during these early years and because they are
authority figures. The Academy of Pediatrics is making prescribing reading part of
standard pediatric care and is working with Scholastic Books, First Book, the children's
hospitals, community health centers, and libraries to secure initial commitments by each
of their members toward achieving these goals and having doctors prescribing reading
and giving children books in communities across the country when they visit the doctor.
White House Conference on Early Childhood Development and Learning:
What New Research on the Brain Tells Us About Our Youngest Children
Policy Announcements Under Development
Children's Health Executive Order (t)
Executive Order directs all federal agencies to take children's well-being into
consideration when developing regulations.
Prescription for Reading Initiative
Initiative to encourage pediatricians to "prescribe" that parents read to their children,
when families visit the doctor. Possible announcement of a large-scale initiative that
builds on an existing program, based on the generous donation of children's books by
Scholastic, Inc.
America Reads Challenge Early Childhood Kits for Families and Caregivers:
Ready*Set*Read
Kits include activities booklet and calendar of activities for families of children birth
through age 5 and for caregivers of children birth through age 5, as well as a
developmental growth chart for families and caregivers. Kits were produced through a
partnership between the Departments of Education and Health and Human Services and
the Corporation for National Service.
CEO Summit
Kaiser Permanente will chair and fund a CEO Summit, bringing together business leaders
to discuss how business can best enhance early childhood development. POTUS can
challenge Summit to follow themes emerging from Conference. Kaiser Permanente CEO
will attend Conference.
Child Care Initiative (in development)
Initiative using Department of Defense child care model to enhance child care quality:
release of RAND study that outlines why the DoD child care model is effective, release
of DoD's preliminary on its outreach to the non-military child care community, and
announcement of Technical Assistance to the states to adapt part of the DoD model.
Challenge to states to do DOD
Children's Health Announcement (in development)
Release of HHS report that documents the need in human and economic terms for
children's health coverage, endorsement of Administration Children's Health proposal by
a consortium of academic health centers, and the announcement of a private-sector
commitment to invest $100 million in children's health coverage.
April
SMTWTFS
1 2 3 4 5
Weekly Planner
6 7 8 9 10 11 12
13 14 15 16 17 18 19
20 21 22 23 24 25 26
April 13 - 19, 1997
27 28 29 30
Sunday
13
Monday
14
3:00 PM HRC roundtable with reporters
Tuesday
15
10:00 AM CPSC recall of unsafe children's
Reiner & Co. testify on Hill (Riley also
Wednesday
products
scheduled)
16
"I Am Your Child" Engagement Campaign
kick-off
White House Conference on Early Childhood
Thursday
Development and Learning
17
Friday
18
Saturday
19
Printed by Calendar Creator Plus on 4/7/97
April
SMTWTFS
I 2 3 4 5
Weekly Planner
6 7 8 9 10 11 12
13 14 15 16 17 18 19
20 21 22 23 24 25 26
April 06 - 12, 1997
27 28 29 30
Sunday
6
Monday
7
Tuesday
8
Wednesday
9
Thursday
10
Friday
11
POTUS radio address
Saturday
12
Printed by Calendar Creator Plus on 4/7/97
White House Conference on Early Childhood Development and Learning:
What New Research on the Brain Tells Us About Our Youngest Children
Reports for Release
CEA White Paper on Early Childhood Development Investments
Cost-benefit analysis of USG investment in programs targeting early childhood across the
federal government, demonstrating the cost-effectiveness of these investments.
National Science and Technology Council Report: "Investing in Our Future: A
National Research Initiative for America's Children in the 21st Century"
Survey of USG research investments and their pay-offs in terms of public policy
development.
Zero to Three Poll Results
Poll of parents of young children to gauge what parents know about their children's
development, what they want to know, and how best to impart information to them. The
poll results will help frame the discussion portion of the first session of the Conference.
Zero to Three plans to release the poll on 4/16, embargoed for the start of the Conference.
Conference Report, "Rethinking the Brain: New Insights into Early Development"
Report of 6/96 seminal Conference, "Brain Development in Young Children: New
Frontiers for Research, Policy and Practice," which reviews emerging knowledge in early
childhood development.
APR-04 97 15:50 FROM:
TO: 69412
PAGE: 02
Ven-
these are old
NR
FOR INTERNAL USE ONLY
March 13, 1997
White House Conference on Early Childhood Development and Learning:
What New Research on the Brain Tells Us About Our Youngest Children
Today, the President issued a statement announcing that he and Mrs. Clinton will host the
White House Conference on Early Childhood Development and Learning: What New
Research on the Brain Tells Us About Our Youngest Children on April 17, 1997, at the
White House.
The President and First Lady chose this topic because of how critically important
children's experiences in their first few years of life are to their development and their
later success both in school and in life.
The Conference will focus on the practical applications of the latest scientific research on
brain development for parents and care-givers, as well as on ways that all members of
society can use this information to help strengthen America's families.
[NOTE: The President first announced this Conference in his State of the Union Address:
"Learning begins in the first days of life. Scientists are now discovering how young children develop
emotionally and intellectually from their very first days, and how important it is for parents to begin
immediately talking, singing, even reading 10 their infants. The First Lady has spent years writing about
this issue, studying it. And she and 1 are going to convene a White House Conference on Early Learning
and the Brain this spring. to explore how parents and educators can best use these startling new
findings. (State of the Union, 2/4/97)]
Q.
Who will be participating in this Conference?
A.
No formal invitations have been issued yet. The President and Mrs. Clinton will invite
leaders in the scientific and academic communities, leaders in the field of early childhood
development. as well as representatives from various sectors of society, including the business,
faith and medical communities. However, because the Conference will take place at the White
House, space will be very limited. We are exploring how best to involve as many people as we
can.
Q.
If people want to come or be involved, who should they call or write to?
A.
They should write to:
Office of Public Liaison
The White House
Washington, D.C 20502
Attention: Ann Eder
APR-04 97 15:50 FROM:
TO: 69412
PAGE 03
Q.
Is the President going to make a big policy announcement at this Conference?
This Conference builds on the Administration's commitment to children and to early
development. For example, the Administration has increased participation in Head Start, created
Early Head Start for 0-3 year olds, increased participation in the WIC Supplemental Nutrition
Program, and raised the rate of childhood immunization to all-time high levels.
One of the things that will be explored at the White House Conference is how all members of
society -- including policy makers -- can use this information most effectively. The Conference
is certainly intended to focus the Administration's own attention on these early years and to spur
action, not necessarily for the day of the Conference, but for the course of the Administration.
Q.
How much does something like this cost?
Because the logistics of the Conference have not been finalized, we aren't in a position to
estimate yet.
Q.
How is this going to structured?
While the details are still being worked out, we expect that the Conference will be divided into
panel discussions, exploring the latest scientific research, addressing the practical applications of
that research for parents and care-givers, and examining how all sectors of society can use this
research to strengthen families.
Q.
Will the President be there the whole time?
That hasn't been decided yet.
Q.
Is this Conference part of Rob Reiner's 0-3 campaign?
A.
No. Rob Reiner is working on an important effort -- a National Engagement Campaign --
with a collaboration of foundations, corporations and media to spread the word about the
significance of the first few years of life. The President and the First Lady are supportive of his
efforts and believe they complement the White House Conference, but the two are separate.
Q.
Doesn't the research on the earliest years of life suggest that women should stay at home?
(NOTE: Joe Klein wrote a recent piece suggesting this)
No. What the research suggests is that we should support all parents, those who work outside the
home and those who don't. What's most important is that children are surrounded by loving,
nurturing care-givers who understand the importance of the first few years of life.
Q.
Will there be a record of the Conference, a Conference report?
We're in the process of exploring that, but do not yet know definitively.
04/02/97
21:34
002
WHITE HOUSE CONFERENCE ON
EARLY CHILDHOOD DEVELOPMENT AND LEARNING: WHAT NEW RESEARCH ON
THE BRAIN TELLS US ABOUT OUR YOUNGEST CHILDREN
"Learning begins in the first days of life. Scientists are now discovering how young children develop emotionally and
intellectually from their very first days, and how important it is for parents to begin immediately talking, singing, even
reading to their infants We already know we should start teaching children before they start school."
--President Bill Clinton, State of the Union Address, February 4, 1997
Today, President Clinton issued a statement announcing the date and themes of the White House Conference on
Early Childhood Development and Learning: What New Research on the Brain Tells Us About Our Youngest
Children. The day-long Conference will take place on April 17, 1997 at the White House. The Conference will
highlight how critically important children's experiences before school are to their development and their later
success in school and in life.
The Conference will focus on the practical applications of the latest scientific research on the brain, particularly
for parents and care-givers. Also central to the Conference will be a discussion of the ways all sectors of society,
including the medical, business, and faith communities, child care providers and government, can use this
information to strengthen America's families.
Over the last four years, the Administration has invested heavily in research to help us better understand the
importance of the first few years to child development and learning, and in strengthening efforts that support
families and caregivers with young children, including:
Increased NIH Research Funding 23%. Unlike other research areas, the federal government is almost
the sole funder of research of children and youth, supporting over 90% of research on children and
youth. Under the Clinton Administration, funding for NIH research has increased by 23% since 1993, to
$12.7 billion in 1997. Between 1993 and 1997, funding for NIH children's research has increased 25%,
from $1.3 billion to $1.6 billion. This sustained level of investment has helped support many of the
research advances the April White House Conference will explore. In FY 1998 the President's budget
proposes to increase funding for NIH by an additional $337 million.
Enhanced Head Start Participation and Quality and Created the Early Head Start Program for
Children 0-3. The Administration has enhanced Head Start participation and increased its funding by
43% over the last four years, and created the Early Head Start program in 1994 to support families with
children ages zero to three. Head Start provides low-income children and their families with
comprehensive education, health services, and nutrition. The President's FY 1998 Budget further
increases participation to reach 122,000 more children in FY 1998 than when he took office.
Commitment to Full Participation in WIC. The Administration dramatically increased participation
in the WIC Supplemental Nutrition Program, providing 7.4 million pregnant women, infants, and
children with nutrition packages and information and health referrals -- 1.7 million more than when
President Clinton took office. And his FY 1998 Budget would achieve his goal of full participation in
the WIC program by the end of FY 1998. Research shows that every $1 invested in WIC prenatal serves
saves up to $4 in Medicaid costs in the first 60 days after birth. [USDA. 1990 Mathematica Policy Research].
Leading National Effort to Raise Immunization Rates. In 1993, the Administration launched a
national effort to raise childhood immunization rates by reducing vaccination costs for parents and
vaccine delivery services, and increasing community education and partnerships. Today, childhood
immunization rates are at record high levels.
Session Two:
Description of Recommended Participants And
How the President and First Lady Could Respond
Early Head Start/
Harriet Meyer, Ounce of Prevention, Chicago, IL
Child Care/Community:
Founded by Irving Harris, the Ounce of Prevention combines
public resources with private funds to develop and test innovative
early intervention strategies for replication. The Ounce's Center for
Successful Child Development provides child care, home visits,
medical care, Head Start, and other services to families in public
housing. The Ounce's Beethoven Project was the model for the
Early Head Start federal program. Highly articulate and respected.
We could respond with: our child care proposals, the 30%
expansion of Early Head Start and the expansion of Head Start in
our FY98 Budget, and our steps to link Head Start to child care to
cover the full day.
Parenting/
Dr. Gloria Rodriguez, Avance, TX
Home Visiting:
Avance is a widely acclaimed family support and education
program begun in Texas in 1973 serving Mexican American
families. Avance operates in public housing centers, elementary
schools, and through its family service centers. It conducts home
visits by trained staff, presents classes on child development,
reaches out to fathers, and disseminates information on community
services and education classes and job training. Avance is praised
in It Takes a Village.
We could respond by: announcing our wonderful new parenting
kits with activities for parents and childcare providers, and
discussing the Parents as First Teachers grants in our America
Reads proposal.
Law Enforcement/
Mr. Melvin Warring, New Haven Chief of Police,
Safety:
New Haven, CT
Model for DOJ-funded Yale Child Study Center effort that builds
collaborations between police precincts and child
development/mental health experts to train community police
officers. Highly articulate.
We could respond by highlighting our 100,000 COPS program and
DOJ funding for this project.
Business/Parenting/
Mr. Arnold Langbo, CEO, The Kellogg Company,
Community:
Battle Creek, MI
We recommend asking Langbo, the CEO of Kellogg, to participate
in the roundtable rather than Johnson & Johnson or St. Paul
Companies.
Kellogg wrote to you and the President asking to participate in the
Conference because last fall their CEO launched a community-
wide effort to reach every parent and caregiver in Battle Creek with
information about early brain development and what parents can
do to support their children from ages 0-5. The campaign includes
print, radio and TV ads, mailing parents information tailored to the
age of their children, and conducting brown-bag lunches in
hundreds of businesses.
We could respond by announcing that a group of business people,
led by Kaiser Permanente, have agreed to hold a conference of
business leaders this fall on how more businesses can support
early childhood development and parenting.
Pediatrician:
Dr. Barry Zuckerman, Reach Out and Read, Boston, MA
Dr. Zuckerman will discuss Reach Out and Read and how
pediatricians are changing their practice in response to the new
research.
We could respond by discussing the national effort to prescribe
reading to young children and give children books when they come
to the doctor that we hope to launch during the week of the
conference.
Entertainment:
Rob Reiner, CastleRock Entertainment
Respondents:
Gov. Voinovich & Gov. Miller, co-chairs
NGA 0-3 Task Force
4/2/97 DRAFT FOR DISCUSSION PURPOSES ONLY
White House Conference on Early Childhood Development and Learning:
What New Research on the Brain Tells Us About Our Youngest Children
April 17, 1997
OPENING REMARKS
The East Room
10:30-10:45 am
President Clinton and First Lady Hillary Rodham Clinton frame the day,
highlight the investments and commitment of the Clinton Administration in
early childhood development, underscore the unique contributions of the
United States Government in supporting research on early childhood and
brain development, and highlight the national opportunity and
responsibility the new finding present.
SESSION ONE:
Exploration of Current Scientific Research on Brain
Development and Its Applications for Parents and Caregivers
The East Room
Moderator:
Dr. David Hamburg, MD,
President, Carnegie Corporation of New York
10:45-11:15 am
Overview of recent discoveries in neuroscience and behavioral science
(with brief slides and/or videotape and/or model of developing brain)
Dr. Carla Shatz, University of California, Berkeley
(neuroscientific overview)
Dr. Donald Cohen, MD, PhD, Director, Yale Child Study Center
(behavioral development overview)
Dr. Patricia Kuhl, PhD, University of Washington
(language/cognitive development)
11:15-11:35 pm
Discussion of What This Research on Brain Development Means for
Health Care, Child Care and Early Education, and Parenting
Dr. Ezra Davidson, MD, Drew University of Medicine (obstetrician)
Dr. T. Berry Brazelton, MD, Harvard University (pediatrician)
Dr. Deborah Phillips, National Research Council (child care/early education expert)
11:35-12:15 pm
Presenters from the opening session address concerns of parents, with
questions generated from a poll conducted by Zero To Three with parents
across the country
The First Lady frames the discussion, poses questions and calls on parents in audience to
voice questions and concerns
WORKING LUNCHEON
State Dining Room
12:30-2:00pm
Conference guests here have a chance to visit informally with one another
(Tables are hosted by a White House or Administration official)
Open Discussion [following the format of the White House Prayer
Breakfast]
SESSION TWO: Applying the Knowledge
Exploration of Model Efforts Communities Are Undertaking
To Support Parents and Enhance Early Childhood Development
The East Room
2:15-3:30pm
Various Sectors of society discuss how they are using new scientific
findings to support families and enhance early childhood development and
learning
Dr. Gloria Rodriguez, President and CEO
Avance Family Support and Education Program
San Antonio, Texas
(Parenting)
Harriet Meyer
Ounce of Prevention
Chicago, IL
(Early Head Start/Child Care)
Mr. Melvin Wearing, Chief of Police
New Haven, Connecticut
(Law Enforcement)
Mr. Arnold Langbo, Chairman of the Board and CEO
The Kellogg Company
Battle Creek, Michigan
(Business)
Mr. Rob Reiner
CastleRock Entertainment
Los Angeles, CA
(Entertainment/Media)
Dr. Barry Zuckerman, MD
Reach Out and Read,
Boston, MA
(Medical Community)
Panel Respondents:
Governor George Voinovich, Ohio
Governor Bob Miller, Nevada
Co-chairmen of the National Governors' Association Task Force on Young Children
CONCLUDING REMARKS
The First Lady
The President
Draft 2:45 p.m.
'97 APR 11 PM2:54
PRESIDENT WILLIAM J. CLINTON
RADIO ADDRESS
APRIL 12, 1997
(TAPED APRIL 11, 1997)
Good morning. I want to talk today about the toughest job that any person can have. It's
not a job you can quit, or show up late for, or do just enough to get by. It is a life commitment,
in every way. It's being a parent.
In our times, parenting has become an even greater challenge. The world moves faster,
and that means parents worry more about how to protect their children's health and safety. Jobs
place more demands on mothers and fathers. Finding a balance between home and work takes
more effort than ever.
Parents could use some help. And while government doesn't raise children, it can give
parents the tools to make their jobs easier. We fought for and won the V-chip and a ratings
system for TV, so parents can better protect their kids from seeing unsuitable shows. We fought
to keep the tobacco industry from advertising their products to children. And we're fighting to
keep streets safer and to reduce juvenile crime. All that helps parents.
But there is still work to be done. Parents want to do right by their children -- from the
very start.
The very start of childhood is something Hillary has studied for a long time. In her book,
"It Takes a Village," she called our nation's attention to new findings about the early years of a
child's life that so often are overlooked in intellectual, social and emotional development.
Our Administration has worked to better understand these early years. Since 1993, we
increased funding for children's research at the National Institutes of Health by 25 percent and
my balanced budget requests increased funding [$337 million] for this important project. We
expanded and improved Head Start, and we created the Early Head Start Program for children
age 3 or younger.
From our research we know this: Learning begins in the first days of life. From those
very first days, a child is developing emotionally and intellectually, and how he or she does in
those first 3 critical years of life will help to determine how a child does later in school and in
life. That's why we need to begin teaching and nurturing children before they go to school.
We want to sort through and get out the information we have to parents and care givers
who can use it. So next week Hillary and I will bring together researchers, parents and other
experts for the "White House Conference on Early Childhood Development and Learning: What
New Research on the Brain Tells Us About Our Youngest Children."
We will be meet for a full day at the White House, with satellite hook-ups to more than
60 sites around our nation.
This conference is an exciting and enormous undertaking. It is a call to action to parents,
businesses, care givers, policy makers, media, the faith community and government to each do
their part to enhance the earliest years of life. It grows out of our commitment to find new ways
to support parents, and to help our children to thrive and to strengthen families.
As part of that commitment, I also want to call today on the Members of Congress to do
their part to come to the aid of our families. They can do that by passing my expansion of the
Family and Medical Leave Act.
This bill would allow Federal and eligible workers in the private sector up to 24 hours of
unpaid leave each year to fulfill certain family obligations. This leave time could allow a worker
to attend parent-teacher conference. If you have a two year old, you could take time off to go to
the pediatrician; or you could use the time to find quality child care, or to take a child to a routine
medical appointment. Or you could take leave to care for an elderly relative.
Families need this time -- not often and not forever -- but they do need it to take care of
their own. 12 million American families have benefitted from the Family and Medical Leave
Act since it became the first bill I signed into law in 1993. It was needed then; it's needed now,
and we need to improve on it. I urge the Congress to act soon on this legislation. Don't ask our
people to choose between being good workers and being good parents. We can help them to be
both: Pass the Expanded Family and Medical Leave Act.
I think this bill is so important that today I am asking all Federal Departments and
Agencies to make Expanded Family and Medical Leave available to their workers immediately.
Wherever possible, I want workers to have access now to essential time off for family
obligations.
Make no mistake: A little help for America's families now will make an enormous
difference later. It will mean parents who are more involved in the lives of their children and
who are there for them at important moments.
Almost a century and a half ago, Oliver Wendell Holmes said: "A child's education
should begin at least 100 years before he was born."
What we do now and what we learn now can have benefits for generations of Americans.
We can make it possible for all children to reach their greatest potential. We can start at the
grassroots with the smallest community -- the family. And from there, we can rebuild and renew
the best in America.
Thanks for listening.
2
PRESIDENT WILLIAM J. CLINTON
RADIO ADDRESS
APRIL 12, 1997
(TAPED APRIL 11, 1997)
Good morning. I want to talk today about the toughest job that any person can aspire to.
It's not a job you can quit, or show up late for, or do just enough to get by. It is a life
commitment, in every way. It's being a parent.
In our times, the job of parenting has become an even greater challenge. The world
moves faster, and that means parents worry more about how to protect their children's health and
safety. Jobs place more demands on mothers and fathers. Finding a balance between home and
work takes more effort than ever before.
Parents could use some help. And while government can't raise children, it can give
parents the tools to make their jobs easier. That's why we fought for and won the V-chip and a
ratings system for TV, so parents can better protect their kids from seeing unsuitable shows. And
why we fought to keep the tobacco industry from advertising their products to children. And
why we're fighting to keep streets safer and to reduce juvenile crime.
But there is still work to be done. We know that parents want to do right by their
children -- from the very start.
The very start of childhood is something that Hillary has studied for a long time. In her
book, "It Takes a Village," she called the nation's attention to new findings about the early years
of a child, up to age 3, that so often are overlooked in a child's intellectual development.
In the last four years, our Administration has worked to better understand early child
development. We increased funding for children's research at the National Institutes of Health
by 25 percent and my balanced budget requests increased funding [$337 million] for this
important project. We expanded and improved Head Start, and we created the Early Head Start
Program for children under age 3.
From our research we know this: Learning begins in the first days of life. From those
very first days, a child is developing emotionally and intellectually, and how he or she does in
those first 3 critical years of life will help to determine how a child does later in school and in
life. That's why we need to begin teaching children before they go to school.
Our next step is to sort through and get out the information we have to parents who can
use it. So next week Hillary and I will host the "White House Conference on Early Childhood
Development and Learning: What New Research Tells Us About Our Youngest Children."
We will be joined at the White House by hundreds of experts and many more will join in
by satellite link from more than 60 sites around our nation.
This is an exciting and enormous undertaking. It grows out of our commitment to find
new ways to help make better parents, and to help our children to thrive and to strengthen
families.
As part of that commitment, I also want to call today on the Congress to do its part to
come to the aid of our families and pass my expansion of the Family and Medical Leave Act.
This bill would allow Federal and eligible workers in the private sector up to 24 hours of
unpaid leave each year to fulfill certain family obligations. This leave time could allow
employees to attend parent-teacher conferences and other actitivities related to their child's
education. Or it could be used to take a child for a routine medical or dental appointment. Or it
child
could allow a worker to take care of an elderly relative.
care
These are all very basic family supporting activities. I urge the Congress to act soon on
this legislation. Don't ask our people to choose between being good workers and being good
parents. You can help them to be both. Pass the Expanded Family and Medical Leave Act.
I place great importance on this bill. So, I am asking all Federal Departments and
Agencies to make the expansion of Family and Medical Leave available to their workers
immediately. I want these workers at least to have the full advantage of essential time off for
family obligations.
Make no mistake: We must all take very seriously the work that we must all do to help
America's families. A little help now will make an enormous difference later. It will mean
parents who are more involved in the lives of their children and who are there for them at
important moments. And that means stronger and healthier families, and smarter and better-
adjusted children.
Forty years ago, the famous baby doctor, Benjamin Spock, said: "Perhaps a child who is
fussed over gets a feeling of destiny. He thinks he is in the world for something important and it
gives him drive and confidence."
If it's in our power, shouldn't we give more children that feeling of destiny? We can
make it possible for all children to reach their greatest potential. We can start at the grassroots
with the smallest community -- the family. And from there, we can rebuild and renew the best in
America.
0-3CONF 1PG
Page 1
WHITE HOUSE CONFERENCE ON
EARLY CHILDHOOD DEVELOPMENT AND LEARNING: WHAT NEW
RESEARCH ON THE BRAIN TELLS US ABOUT OUR YOUNGEST CHILDREN
"Learning begins in the first days of life. Scientists are now discovering how young childr
emotionally and intellectually from their very first days, and how important it is for parents
immediately talking, singing, even reading to their infants We already know we should S
children before they start school."
--President Bill Clinton, State of the
Address, February 4, 1997
Today, President Clinton issued a statement announcing the date and themes of the
White House Conference on Early Childhood Development and Learning: What New
Research on the Brain Tells Us About Our Youngest Children. The day-long
Conference will take place on April 17, 1997 at the White House. The Conference
will highlight how critically important children's experiences before school are to
their development and their later success in school and in life.
The Conference will focus on the practical applications of the latest scientific
research on the brain, particularly for parents and care-givers. Also central to the
Conference will be a discussion of the ways all sectors of society, including the
medical, business, and faith communities, child care providers and government, can
use this information to strengthen America's families.
Over the last four years, the Administration has invested heavily in research to help
us better understand the importance of the first few years to child development and
learning, and in strengthening efforts that support families and caregivers with
young children, including:
Increased NIH Research Funding 23%. Unlike other research areas, the
federal government is almost the sole funder of research of children and
youth, supporting over 90% of research on children and youth. Under the
Clinton Administration, funding for NIH research has increased by 23% since
1993, to $12.7 billion in 1997. Between 1993 and 1997, funding for NIH
children's research has increased 25%, from $1.3 billion to $1.6 billion. This
sustained level of investment has helped support many of the research
advances the April White House Conference will explore. In FY 1998 the
President's budget proposes to increase funding for NIH by an additional
$337 million.
Enhanced Head Start Participation and Quality and Created the Early Head
Start Program for Children 0-3. The Administration has enhanced Head
Start participation and increased its funding by 43% over the last four years,
0-3CONF. 1PG
Page 2
and created the Early Head Start program in 1994 to support families with
children ages zero to three. Head Start provides low-income children and
their families with comprehensive education, health services, and nutrition.
The President's FY 1998 Budget further increases participation to reach
122,000 more children in FY 1998 than when he took office.
Commitment to Full Participation in WIC. The Administration dramatically
increased participation in the WIC Supplemental Nutrition Program, providing
7.4 million pregnant women, infants, and children with nutrition packages
and information and health referrals -- 1.7 million more than when President
Clinton took office. And his FY 1998 Budget would achieve his goal of full
participation in the WIC program by the end of FY 1998. Research shows
that every $1 invested in WIC prenatal serves saves up to $4 in Medicaid
costs in the first 60 days after birth. [USDA, 1990 Mathematica Policy Research].
Leading National Effort to Raise Immunization Rates. In 1993, the
Administration launched a national effort to raise childhood immunization
rates by reducing vaccination costs for parents and vaccine delivery services,
and increasing community education and partnerships. Today, childhood
immunization rates are at record high levels.
THE WHITE HOUSE
OFFICE OF MEDIA AFFAIRS
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 8, 1997
Contact: 202/456-7150
PRESIDENT AND MRS. CLINTON TO HOST WHITE HOUSE CONFERENCE
ON EARLY CHILDHOOD DEVELOPMENT AND LEARNING
Washington, DC -- President and Mrs. Clinton will host the White House Conference on Early
Childhood Development and Learning: What the Newest Research on the Brain Tells Us About
Our Youngest Children, on Thursday, April 17, 1997. The conference will spotlight recent
findings about how children develop from the earliest days, and will explore what this means for
parents and policy makers.
"We hope that this one-day conference will make the latest scientific research more accessible and
understandable to America's families," President Clinton said in announcing the conference last
month. "Our goal is to take this information and explore how it can be translated into everyday
actions and activities involving children."
"We're excited that so many people will be able to take part in this event. We all have a role to
play in making sure parents have the tools they need to do the best job they can," Mrs. Clinton
said. "We believe this Conference can make a valuable contribution."
The morning session will also be broadcast, by satellite, to sites across the country. Watch parties
will be co-hosted by regional federal agencies, local officials, children's and other organizations.
President and Mrs. Clinton will open the morning session, which will feature leading researchers
and child experts. Among those who will talk about the new research and what it means to
parents are: pediatrician T. Berry Brazelton, neuroscientist Carla Shatz, and Director of the Yale
Child Study Center Donald Cohen.
The afternoon session will highlight model programs from across the nation that are supporting
parents and enhancing early childhood development. Among the programs that will be discussed
are the Avance Family Support program based in San Antonio, Texas, and the Ounce of
Prevention program based in Chicago, Illinois.