Our Impact
With 80% of brain development happening by age three, investing in early childhood is essential. Yet, our region faces a critical shortage of early childhood professionals due to unsustainable wages, threatening families’ ability to work and raise children here. To reverse outward migration and build a vibrant, enduring community, we must prioritize early childhood education and care. Reliable child care creates jobs, supports economic growth, and helps families thrive. Quality early childhood services support families and allow children to grow and succeed here. By supporting early childhood services today, we invest in a stronger Adirondacks for generations to come.
Every dollar invested in early childhood saves up to seven dollars in future costs, yet our rural communities remain under-resourced. BT3 is the only coalition uniting organizations to address systemic challenges and secure vital state and federal funding. Your support ensures the Adirondacks is a place where children and families thrive—through access to high-quality early learning and a strong, vibrant economy.
Transforming Early Childhood Educational Services
Child care is the foundation for a thriving Adirondacks—it supports families, strengthens the economy, and ensures a bright future for our youngest residents. Through collaboration, advocacy, and innovation, BT3 is:
- Expanding Access: Secured funding for comprehensive home visiting in all five counties, reaching over 5,324 children.
- Strengthening Child Care: Established Stand Up for Child Care to tackle sustainability and access challenges, securing over $500,000 in county funding for child care provider recruitment and capacity-building.
- Enhancing Support Systems: Built coordinated efforts to fill gaps in early intervention, developmental screenings, and affordable child care.
- Supporting the expansion of Early Head Start in the region.
Direct Support for Families and Providers
BT3’s initiatives have delivered tangible resources, including:
- New Parent Kits and Baby Bundles for 2,385 families.
- Small Grants for Small Children, awarding $235,000 to over 120 child care providers for essential materials and training.
- The Basics Texting Program, guiding 130+ families in meaningful daily interactions with infants.
- QUALITYstarsNY, driving quality improvements in child care through $278,000 in grants.
- Home visiting services through Healthy Families NY, expanded to all five counties and the St. Regis Mohawk Territory.
The Power of Data and Leadership
BT3 is the Adirondacks’ leading aggregator of early childhood data, guiding funding and public awareness. We:
- Compile reports that inform legislators and leaders.
- Support successful grant applications that address early childhood educational needs.
- Promote BT3 priorities through media and publications.
- Conduct a comprehensive fiscal analysis of funding for all early childhood services.
- Lead regional advocacy efforts.
