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2017 SESSION

17104842D
SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 145
Offered February 13, 2017
Commending Ivy L. Mitchell.
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Patrons-- Mason and Locke
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WHEREAS, Ivy L. Mitchell of Hampton is a dedicated and passionate advocate of early childhood development in the Virginia Peninsula region; and

WHEREAS, for over 12 years, Ivy Mitchell has been a member of the board of Smart Beginnings Virginia Peninsula, a nonprofit coalition that champions high quality care, education, and health services so that children start school healthy and prepared; and

WHEREAS, Ivy Mitchell served on the 2005 Virginia Early Learning Council, which launched the Virginia Early Childhood Foundation and the statewide Smart Beginnings initiative; and

WHEREAS, Ivy Mitchell helped to establish Preschool Partners of the Virginia Peninsula, and, in 2012, she was a leader of the successful effort to merge that group with Smart Beginnings Virginia Peninsula to create one integrated nonprofit focusing on early childhood development in Hampton and Newport News; and

WHEREAS, Ivy Mitchell has spearheaded fundraising and awareness campaigns to gain support for early childhood initiatives from local businesses, government agencies, and individuals; and

WHEREAS, Ivy Mitchell reached out to child development experts in the Peninsula to ensure the region was included in the development and implementation of the Virginia Quality Initiative for child care providers and preschools; and

WHEREAS, Ivy Mitchell has been a vocal advocate at the local and state levels for improved focus on social and emotional development as it pertains to kindergarten readiness; and

WHEREAS, Ivy Mitchell was instrumental in promoting the use of social and emotional screening in private preschool and child care settings as well as in programs such as the Virginia Preschool Initiative, Head Start, Early Head Start, and within the child care subsidy program; and

WHEREAS, in partnership with Christopher Newport University, Ivy Mitchell founded the local Directors’ Academy, an annual event that provides leaders of child care centers and preschools with professional development; and

WHEREAS, Ivy Mitchell has received statewide recognition for her dedication to building a local community of support for families and caregivers of young children; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the Senate of Virginia, That Ivy L. Mitchell hereby be commended for her steadfast advocacy of early childhood development in the Virginia Peninsula region; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the Senate prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to Ivy L. Mitchell as an expression of the Senate of Virginia’s admiration for her life’s work on behalf of the children of the Peninsula.