Asheville Buncombe Preschool Planning Collaborative

The planning process is led by a planning team of 25 community members, and chaired by community volunteer Jennie Eblen. Buncombe Partnership for Children (BCPF) and Children First/Communities in Schools serve as convenors, and BCPF is our fiscal agent. A Steering Committee of five members oversees the logistics and timing of the planning process and spearheads fundraising for the planning process itself. The larger Planning Team includes a diverse group of grassroots and grasstops community leaders who will help set the direction of our effort for the short and long term. Planning Team members were identified because of their knowledge of preschool systems, finance, or regulations and standards. Members of this group either lead or are a part of organizations whose missions are directly related to early childhood or who have indicated that early childhood as a priority relative to their strategic vision or programmatic work. Planning Team members are engaged in leading and coordinating a number of Workgroups that dive deep into the issues surrounding the needs for preschool in Buncombe County and the partners and assets that we can bring to bear to ensure a brighter future for all kids who grow up here. 

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Asheville Buncombe Preschool Planning Collaborative Steering Committee

Jennie Eblen, Eblen Short Stop (Collaborative Chair)                                                                   

Terry Bellamy, Asheville Housing Authority

Allison Jordan, Children First/Communities in Schools

Amy Barry, Buncombe Partnership for Children     

Betsey Russell, Community Volunteer

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Asheville Buncombe Preschool Planning Collaborative Members

Marta Alcala-Williams, Asheville City Schools

Stacey Bailey, Buncombe Partnership for Children

Ginny Barrett, Buncombe County Schools

Amy Barry, Buncombe Partnership for Children

Terry Bellamy, Asheville Housing Authority

Greg Borom, Children First/Communities in Schools

Jennifer Bosworth, Asheville Buncombe Technical Community College

Matt Buys, ACS Board of Education

Kit Cramer, Asheville Chamber of Commerce

Allison Jordan, Children First/Communities in Schools

Dawn Meskil, Asheville City Preschool

Rachel Nygaard, Buncombe County Service Foundation

Natalia Rabin, Mission Health

Brian Repass, Community Action Opportunities

Chuck Rosenblum, Community Volunteer

Betsey Russell, Community Volunteer

Gordon Smith, Asheville City Council

Parker Smith, Pisgah Legal Services