For every $1 spent on early childhood education, society gains as much as $16 in long-term savings.
Insufficient early childhood development programming costs the United States $57 billion annually due to loss of productivity.
At the Coalition for Health Equity and Early Development (HEED), our vision is to create a future where every child, regardless of their background or circumstances, has an equal opportunity to thrive and reach their full potential.
The Coalition for Health Equity and Early Development (HEED) is dedicated to engaging and empowering all stakeholders from diverse sectors and families as a collaborative community dedicated to developing every child’s human potential by ensuring their kindergarten readiness. HEED seeks to transform systems, policies, and practices to ensure equitable health, learning, and achievement for all by establishing early childhood development access for all children based on brain-based research and evidence-based initiatives. The HEED focus on early childhood development is both an investment in each and every child’s life and in capacity building for the successful future of our communities.
Human Potential: HEED advocates for all children to have the opportunities, learning, and support to achieve their individual human potential. Through a collaborative effort HEED will establish the expectation and the infrastructure and personnel to facilitate the achievement of this goal.
At the Coalition for Health Equity and Early Development (HEED), our vision is to create a future where every child, regardless of their background or circumstances, has an equal opportunity to thrive and reach their full potential.
We envision a society where health equity is a reality and early childhood development is prioritized and optimized.
We strive to be a catalyst for transformative change by engaging stakeholders from diverse sectors, including healthcare, education, government, finance and the arts. Through our collaborative efforts, we aim to build a collective intentionality that transcends individual boundaries and creates a united front towards systemic transformation.
Our vision is rooted in the belief that health equity and early childhood development are interconnected. By addressing the social determinants of health and promoting equitable access to resources and opportunities, we seek to dismantle barriers that hinder children’s growth and development.
Furthermore, we recognize the power of the arts as a means of expression and communication. We integrate the arts into our work to amplify voices, inspire creativity, and foster innovation in transforming systems, policies, and practices related to early childhood development and health equity.
In our envisioned future, every child will have equitable access to high-quality healthcare, education, and social support. Systems will be designed to meet the unique needs of diverse communities, ensuring that no child is left behind. We envision a society that values and invests in the early years of a child’s life as a critical foundation for lifelong well-being.
Through our unwavering commitment and collaborative spirit, we strive to create lasting change, leaving a positive impact on the lives of children and families for generations to come. Our vision is a future where health equity and optimal early childhood development are not just aspirations, but a reality for all.
The Coalition for Health Equity and Early Development (HEED) is dedicated to engaging and empowering all stakeholders from diverse sectors and families as a collaborative community dedicated to developing every child’s human potential by ensuring their kindergarten readiness. HEED seeks to transform systems, policies, and practices to ensure equitable health, learning, and achievement for all by establishing early childhood development access for all children based on brain-based research and evidence-based initiatives. The HEED focus on early childhood development is both an investment in each and every child’s life and in capacity building for the successful future of our communities.
Human Potential: HEED advocates for all children to have the opportunities, learning, and support to achieve their individual human potential. Through a collaborative effort HEED will establish the expectation and the infrastructure and personnel to facilitate the achievement of this goal.
Equity: We believe in a world where health outcomes and opportunities for early childhood development are equitable for all children and families. We are committed to addressing and eliminating disparities, both systemic and individual, by advocating for inclusive policies and practices that promote equal access to resources and services.
Collaboration: We recognize that achieving our mission requires collective action and collaboration. We engage stakeholders from diverse sectors, including healthcare, education, government, and the arts, to work together with intentionality. Through meaningful partnerships and shared expertise, we strive to create innovative solutions and drive systemic change.
Empowerment: We believe in the power of empowerment. We strive to empower individuals, families, and communities by providing them with the knowledge, resources, and support they need to make informed decisions and take control of their health and well-being. We value self determination, inclusivity, and the recognition of individual strengths and capabilities.
Capacity-building: Collaboration will intentionally result in community development and the capacity-building for leadership and program implementation.
Integrity: We uphold the highest standards of integrity in all aspects of our work. We are transparent, accountable, and ethical in our actions, decisions, and relationships. We value honesty, trust, and fairness, and we foster an environment of respect and inclusivity for all individuals and communities we serve.
Innovation: We embrace innovation as a catalyst for positive change. We encourage creativity, open-mindedness, and a willingness to challenge the status quo. By leveraging the power of new ideas and perspectives, technologies, the arts, and new approaches, we seek to transform systems, policies, and practices in ways that promote health equity and optimize early childhood development.
Evaluation: Through ongoing assessment and evaluations, we are committed to continuously improving our innovative strategies and initiatives to ensure the best possible outcomes for children and their families.
Arts and Expression: We recognize the arts as a powerful tool for communication, engagement, and healing. We integrate artistic expression and creative methods into our work to amplify voices, foster dialogue, and inspire action. We believe that the arts have the capacity to ignite social change and promote emotional well-being.
Continuous Learning: We are committed to lifelong learning and continuous improvement. We stay informed about the latest research, evidence-based practices, and emerging trends in the fields of health equity and early childhood development. We value a culture of curiosity, adaptability, and shared knowledge, ensuring that our work remains current and impactful.
These values guide our organization’s actions and decisions as we work towards advancing health equity and optimizing early childhood development. By upholding these values, we strive to create a world where all children have an equal opportunity to thrive and reach their full potential.
HEED is a collaborative network comprising diverse stakeholders committed to providing every child with the best start in life, ensuring they enter kindergarten prepared to achieve their maximum potential.
