The Chatham Kids Matter Early Childhood Action Plan (ECAP) is a comprehensive blueprint guiding collaborative action to address opportunities and challenges in Chatham’s Early Childhood System. The ECAP is guided by the findings of the Early Childhood Community Needs Assessment.
As Chatham County continues to prepare for a period of sustained growth, this ECAP is a living, practical document and practice to support fostering an Early Childhood System that enables all of Chatham’s youngest residents and their families to thrive!
Join us at State of the Child 2026 for progress and updates to this plan!
Each year, with guidance from the ECAP Advisory Committee and the broader community input through our annual State of the Child Event, we identify five action steps to implement over the next year.
Among the recommended action steps, we aim to address the four focus areas (Child Health, Safety & Wellbeing, Child Care Access, Child Care Infrastructure, and High-Quality Learning), as well as the three types of recommendations and strategies (Collaborative, Equity-Oriented, and Fiscal).
Action Step One
Explore the possibility of initiating a funding collaborative with other Children-focused nonprofits in Chatham County to streamline fundraising efforts for maximum impact.
Action Step Two
Work in collaboration with the Small Business Center and school system to define a ECE career pathway that incorporates Business and Entrepreneurship learning.
Action Step Three
Utilize the Family Forward campaign as an opportunity to develop a robust business partner engagement plan to connect CCPFC with the right business networks, sectors, and individuals.
Action Step Four
Host storytelling workshop for families impacted by the childcare affordability “Gap” to gather stories to be used in an advocacy campaign (for government & business).
Action Step Five
Develop a plan with key partners (i.e. head start, child care subsidies, NC Pre-K) to integrate routine, evidence-based, and culturally-responsive mental health and developmental screenings into early childhood programs (birth to age 5), with clear referral pathways to early intervention and behavioral health services.
The Chatham Kids Matter Early Child Needs Assessment is a comprehensive needs assessment to understand challenges and opportunities for early childhood care and education in Chatham County, North Carolina. The assessment engaged parents, child care providers, educators, community leaders, and other stakeholders.
Early Childhood Community Needs Assessment by Partners for Impact and Community Voice ConsultingDownload the Full Report Here
Needs Assessment Findings
Early Childhood Community Needs Assessment Findings by Partners for ImpactNeeds Assessment Data One-Pagers
Meet Our Research Partners
Partners for Impact
Beth Bordeaux & Angie Walsh
Partners for Impact is a woman-owned and LBTQ-owned firm located in Apex. Their consultative approach is informed by our experience in strategic planning, organizational development, evaluation, trust building, integrating voices, and building accountability. They partner to build capacity for community change through assessing, developing strategy, evaluating, strengthening networks, and engaging stakeholder voices.
Learn more about Partners for Impact here: https://partnersforimpact.com/
Community Voice Consulting
Gabe Cumming & Carla Norwood
Community Voice Consulting, based in Warren County, NC, specializes in stakeholder engagement and participatory research/evaluation. We use methods including interviewing, film production, facilitated conversations, qualitative analysis, and surveys to ensure that diverse community members’ perspectives are represented in decisions that affect their lives.
Learn more about Community Voice Consulting here: http://communityvoicemethod.com
The Fiscal Analysis addresses challenges in Chatham’s Early Childhood System identified through the Early Childhood Community Needs Assessment.
The study draws on early childhood programs across North Carolina and the United States. Much of the initial research focused on in-state programs with similar funding mechanisms since revenue options in North Carolina are limited.
Recommendations from this analysis provide opportunities for strategic public and private partnerships while utilizing federal, state, and local funding streams to inform solutions proposed in the Early Childhood Action Plan.
The Fiscal Analysis One Pager outlines seven recommendations for strenthening early childhood programs and improving outcomes for young children in Chatham.
The Chatham County Government will begin funding recommendation one in January 2026!
Fiscal Analysis One Pager by Renee PaschalECAP Fiscal Analysis
Fiscal Analysis by Renee Paschal ConsultingDownload the Full Report Here
Meet Our Fiscal Analysis Consultant
Renee Paschal Consulting
Renee Paschal
Renee Paschal Consulting is a woman-owned business located in Chatham County, NC. We specialize in local government and nonprofit management and finance. The owner, Renee Paschal, retired as the Chatham County Manager, where she worked for 25 years building the county’s financial and workforce capacity. We specialize in analyzing complex local government and nonprofit issues and developing practical, financially feasible solutions.
Learn more about Renee Paschal Consulting here: https://www.reneepaschal.com/
Chatham Kids Matter Film
In addition to the Chatham Kids Matter Film, Community Voice Consulting produced five short films that dive deeper into the four focus areas of the Early Childhood Action Plan and other key themes from the Community Needs Assessment.
Focus Area #1: Health, Safety, & Wellbeing
An exploration of the strengths and challenges of accessing health and mental health care, recreation, and social supports and resources for young children and their families in Chatham County.
Focus Area #2: Childcare Access
An exploration of the challenges of finding child care, including barriers by availability, geography, schedules, transportation, and affordability.
Focus Area #3: Childcare Infrastructure
An exploration of the joys and challenges of providing quality child care, including workforce challenges, costs, and facility maintenance.
Focus Area #4: High-Quality Early Learning
An exploration of the diverse definitions of high-quality early learning.
Additional Themes: Growth & Development in Chatham County
An exploration of how residential and business growth and development in Chatham County impacts families with young children.
Meet Our Videographers
Community Voice Consulting
Gabe Cumming & Carla Norwood
Community Voice Consulting, based in Warren County, NC, specializes in stakeholder engagement and participatory research/evaluation. We use methods including interviewing, film production, facilitated conversations, qualitative analysis, and surveys to ensure that diverse community members’ perspectives are represented in decisions that affect their lives.
Learn more about Community Voice Consulting here: http://communityvoicemethod.com
Meet Our Action Plan Facilitator
Hilary Pollan Facilitation
Hilary Pollan Facilitation, based in Chapel Hill, NC, works in partnership with organizations and communities to design and facilitate equity-oriented, participatory planning and implementation processes. Our facilitative approach honors the strengths and contributions of all participants, fosters collaboration, connection and trust among diverse stakeholders, and creates meaningful and actionable plans ready for implementation.
Learn more about Hilary Pollan Facilitation here: https://hilarypollanfacilitation.com/
Many thanks to our community partners who have funded the Early Childhood Needs Assessment and Early Childhood Action Plan, and who continue to engage as thought leaders and advisors throughout the process!
