Counties for Kids Champions: Letter to the Editor Template
County leaders have made significant investments in services and supports for children prenatal to age three (PN-3) and their families. They are making meaningful strides even in light of the global pandemic and tough economic times. Counties have shown dedication and commitment by approving local budgets, advancing county-based systems and leading ballot initiatives to expand services for young children PN-3.
The National Association of Counties Research Foundation (NACoRF) urges all county leaders to build on this momentum by sharing your PN-3 story and any efforts that you have championed to move the needle for young children in your county. Now, more than ever, we need county champions like you to help lift up these stories. NACoRF has created this NEW resource to help you elevate your county’s PN-3 efforts and share why it is important for counties to invest in young children. We encourage you to use this Letter to the Editor template to promote NACoRF’s Counties for Kids initiative and help grow the network of county leaders committing to PN-3!
Strategies for using the Letter to the Editor template:
Identify local newspapers that accept letters to the editor.
Review submission requirements, such as word count. Generally, LTEs should be between 200-250 words. Note: If your draft is too long for a letter to the editor, consider writing an op-ed!
Get creative! Use the template below as a guide but edit as needed to reflect your voice and share your unique story.
Share who you are and why this issue matters to you.
Submit the letter to the editor as directed by the newspaper.
Once your letter is published, share it with NACoRF by emailing info@countiesforkids.org. We will tweet it!
Share a link to your letter on social media and use the hashtag #CountiesForKids. Please tag @NACoTweets on Twitter.
Feel free to use the Prenatal-to-Three County Leader Toolkit and other resources from the National Collaborative for Infants & Toddlers for promoting your local PN-3 efforts. For more information, please email Arabella Pluta-Ehlers at aplutaehlers@naco.org or at info@countiesforkids.org.
Counties in the news
New Castle County, Del.: County Executive Meyer announces launch of new outcomes-based initiative to support first-time mothers
Outagamie County, Wisc.: Outagamie County devotes 'unprecedented' ARPA funds towards youngest citizens, fighting child care crisis
Franklin County, Ohio: Commissioners Announce Major New Child Care Initiative
Shelby County, Ohio: How One Ohio County is Leveraging COVID Relief Funds to Expand Access to Quality Child Care
Harris County, Texas: Harris County Judge Announces New $8 million Program to Support Parents, Educators, and Children with Early Childhood Initiatives
Eagle County, Colo.: How Eagle County’s rental assistance is helping keep some child care centers afloat
Summit County, Colo.: Where has Summit County’s Strong Futures money gone?
Montgomery County, Md.: Council Unanimously Approves Bill to Establish an Early Care and Education Coordinating Entity in Montgomery County
Allegheny County, Pa.: New Allegheny County Department focuses on giving all kids opportunities to succeed
New Castle County, Del.: New Castle County plans to provide $3 million for community health program
Oakland County, Mich.: Oakland County Launches Childcare Scholarship Program
Skagit County, Wash.: Skagit County, Children’s Museum start Skagit Family Resource Center
County Examples
Onondaga County, N.Y. — Onondaga County a leader in early childhood development
Mesa County, Co. — We need to invest in our youngest children
Franklin County, Ohio — “Counties For Kids” Campaign Highlights Franklin County’s Investments, Commitment To Equity In Early Learning
Livingston County, N.Y. — Livingston County Joins “Counties for Kids” Campaign
McKean County, Penn. — Investing in our children
Callaway County, Mo. — Resources abound for young Callaway County families