Office of Governor Gary Locke
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - January 21, 1999
Contact:  Governor's Communications Office, 360-902-4136

First Lady Mona Lee Locke to host public forum in Vancouver

OLYMPIA — Washington's First Lady, Mona Lee Locke, will host a public meeting in Vancouver Thursday, Jan. 28, to discuss issues surrounding learning in very young children.

Serving as co-chair of the Governor's Commission on Early Learning, the First Lady will visit Vancouver to get comments from parents and caregivers. The Commission has been visiting cities around the state since last fall. So far, forums have been held in Spokane, Yakima, Tri-Cities and Bellingham.

"Giving a child the best environment for learning in the first three years of life is critical to brain function and development," Locke said. "We're trying to help parents learn to make the most of the first years of their children's lives by adding simple things to each day's activities. These public forums are a way for parents to have direct input to the Commission's work."

The Governor's Commission on Early Learning brings together leaders in health, education, child care, business and government to critically examine the state's role in improving the earliest stages of learning for children from birth to age five.

The Commission's goal is to make sure every child in Washington goes to school prepared to succeed. In its work, the 25-member group will identify gaps in programs for children and parents, as well as raise the public's awareness of issues surrounding early learning in children.

The Vancouver event is set for:

Thursday, Jan. 28, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at Image Elementary School Gym, 4400 NE 122nd Ave. Limited child care is available. Parents should call Image Child Care at 360-256-7273 by Monday, Jan. 25 to arrange for child care.

Spanish, Russian and ASL language interpreters will be available at the meeting.

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