For immediate release April 16, 1999
Contact: Melissa Forsythe or Dr. Kim Townley 502-564-2611

Governor Paul Patton is asking for your help to develop a comprehensive, statewide plan to address the needs of Kentucky’s most important citizens, our children. Governor Patton said, "In Kentucky, we’re beginning a new challenge, of working to identify the best way to give our children the best start in life, during the most important first years of life. Those formative years, zero to five, are when the brain is programmed to develop. Our Early Childhood Development Office, established last year, is now seeking public input on how we should approach this most important task. We’re asking for your ideas and suggestions."

Nicki Patton, volunteer advisor to the Governor’s Office of Early Childhood Development, and chair of the Governor’s Early Childhood Task Force, will hold a series of public forums across Kentucky to allow all who’re interested to participate in shaping the future for Kentucky’s children. Dr. Kim Townley, Executive Director of the Office of Early Childhood Development said, "We have an enormous task ahead, and we want to take every opportunity to allow full public participation in performing this very important work of setting a progressive agenda for our children."

The dates and locations of the forums are :

Covington, Tuesday, April 27, 6:30 -8:30 pm, Holmes High School Auditorium
Somerset, Thursday, May 6, 6:30-8:30pm, Center for Rural Development
Lexington, Saturday, May 8, 2:00-4:00pm, Taylor Education Building, first floor auditorium, University of Kentucky
Owensboro, Tuesday, May 11, 6:30-8:30pm, Owensboro High School Auditorium
Bowling Green, Wednesday, May 12, 6:30-8:30pm, Tate C. Page Hall, first floor auditorium, WKU
Paducah, Thursday, May 13, 6:30-8:30pm, Robert Cherry Civic Center
Madisonville, Friday, May 14, 10am-12noon, Madisonville Community College, Multipurpose Room
Louisville, Tuesday, May 18, 6:30-8:30pm, Metro United Way Community Room, 334 E. Broadway
Prestonsburg, Monday, May 24, 6:30-8:30pm, Prestonsburg Community College Pike Technology Building
Morehead, Tuesday, May 25, 6:30-8:30pm, Carl Perkins Center.

END