Building Trust and a Shared Vision in Virginia
Virginia’s early childhood statewide system, Smart Beginnings, was created in 2005. Host Karen Ponder speaks to Kathy Glazer, president of the Virginia Early Childhood Foundation, and Abby Hamilton, president and CEO of United Way of Roanoke Valley, about this locally-driven enterprise creating community commitment to school readiness.
El sistema estatal para la primera infancia de Virginia, Inicios Inteligentes, se creó en 2005. La anfitriona Karen Ponder habla con Kathy Glazer, presidenta de Virginia Early Childhood Foundation, y Abby Hamilton, presidenta y directora ejecutiva de United Way de Roanoke Valley, sobre esta iniciativa impulsada localmente para crear un compromiso comunitario con la preparación escolar.
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Meet Monique Fountain Hanna: The BUILD Initiative’s Newest Staff Member
Blog June 30, 2025
The BUILD Initiative is thrilled to welcome Monique Fountain Hanna, MD, MPH, MBA, to our staff as Interim Director of State Services. Monique has over 23 years of experience transforming public health systems; driving health equity; overseeing the development of infant, maternal, and child health-serving systems; and advancing quality standards across the country.
No Place to Grow: Rethinking Homelessness Through a Whole-Child, Whole-Family Lens
Archived Webinar June 11, 2025
Imagine trying to raise your joyful, curious two-year-old in a walk-in closet. There’s no room for toys, no space to play, and every sound echoes too loudly. You’re constantly on edge—not because you’re hiding your child, but because you’re worried that the typical noise of a developing toddler might be too much for the homeowner. The fear of losing even this small, temporary space looms during everyday moments, from enjoying your child’s laughter to dealing with their tantrums. This is what homelessness can look like for families across the country—living in cramped, unstable conditions that threaten not just housing security, but a child’s developmental foundation.
When It’s Too Hot to Play, Sleep, or Learn: Supporting Children and Caregivers in a Warming World
Archived Webinar May 12, 2025
When we think about young children and temperature, we often think about cold conditions and the protections needed to stay warm and safe. But how often do we consider the opposite: extreme heat? As climate change drives temperatures higher, extreme heat is becoming a more frequent and dangerous part of everyday life, especially for young children and caregivers living in under-resourced communities.