Poughkeepsie Children's Cabinet Visits Harlem Children's Zone to Learn from Baby College Model

November 4, 2024 - A delegation from the Poughkeepsie Children's Cabinet traveled to Harlem on November 2nd to visit the Harlem Children's Zone's renowned Baby College program, gaining insights into evidence-based early childhood strategies that could inform Poughkeepsie's own approach to supporting families with young children. The learning visit reflects the Cabinet's ongoing partnership with HCZ and the William Julius Wilson Institute, which has provided technical assistance and supported the development of the Cabinet's 10-year strategic plan focused on cradle-to-career pathways.

Baby College is a nine-week parenting workshop series that HCZ pioneered to support expectant parents and caregivers of children from birth to three years old. The program addresses the critical early years when brain development is most rapid, providing parents with research-based strategies to promote their children's

The early childhood delegation from the Poughkeepsie Children's Cabinet engage in a presentation from Harlem Children's Zone on their Baby College program

healthy development and school readiness. Topics covered in Baby College include early childhood brain development, discipline techniques, literacy and language development, nutrition and health, and navigating the educational system. The program recognizes that parents are children's first and most important teachers, and equips them with knowledge and confidence to support their child's learning from day one.

The Cabinet delegation observed Baby College sessions, met with HCZ staff to discuss curriculum development and community engagement strategies, and explored how elements of the model could be adapted for Poughkeepsie's context. The visit comes as the Cabinet works to develop early childhood support systems through initiatives like the Early Childhood Community Champions and partnerships with local pediatric practices, birthing hospitals, and daycare providers. HCZ's decades of experience reaching and engaging families during the 0-3 years, when families aren't yet connected to schools or formal programs, provides valuable lessons for building Poughkeepsie's own early childhood infrastructure. The insights gained from Baby College will help shape the Cabinet's strategies for ensuring every Poughkeepsie family has access to the information and support they need during their child's most formative years, creating a stronger foundation for kindergarten readiness and long-term success.