Denise Damron is a mom and advocate from Palmyra. As the Executive Director of the United Way of the Mark Twain Area, Denise is fully aware of the importance of quality early childhood services to the larger community. Denise has a unique perspective in navigating Missouri’s early childhood systems, as she has done so as a mom and advocate for her own children, some of whom were adopted out of the state’s foster care system. Get to know Denise here!
How did you become an advocate for early childhood education?
As the director of the local United Way organization, education and early childhood are key components of our work. We partner with several organizations that provide Early Childhood Education programs and are part of some coalition work to expand ECE opportunities within our community.
While completing my Master’s Degree in School Counseling and working in the school system, it was imperative that children have opportunities for quality learning before kindergarten. Otherwise, children are already behind before they even begin. One could see which children previously had those experiences and which children didn’t. Those children who were already behind had holes and gaps that took extra care and effort to be filled.
But, most importantly, I am a mom. My oldest two children, who are in high school, were both adopted from foster care. During their early childhood, they were living in chaos. Neither had consistent or quality early childhood or an elementary experience. Many basic educational skills that were learned in those early years were never developed or learned. The lack of those skills have negatively impacted the remainder of their educational journeys. Though both will hopefully graduate high school within the next few years, there have been regular challenges on this journey.
Then contrary to their childhood, our youngest two children have had quality early childhood education in a structured daycare/preschool setting since they were less than a year old. This, paired with ample educational opportunities at home and a home with great support and loving parents has resulted in our youngest children scoring in the 99th percentile for developmental screenings.
All young people need to have that second scenario so they can be the best they can be.
Why do you think it’s important to be an advocate as a parent?
A parent is a child’s most important advocate – they are the individuals provided with these opportunities and responsibility. Parents want to see their children succeed and must work to ensure their children are provided with the opportunities they need to help them succeed.
Why should Missouri invest more in child care and early education?
The future resides in the little minds that are in diapers currently. Children are the future. They are tomorrow’s leaders, tomorrow’s teachers, tomorrow’s doctors…
In one sentence, what does the ideal child care and early education system look like for Missouri families?
Missouri families need access to high quality, affordable, and reliable early childhood education with educated professionals providing care for children to meet the holistic needs of children while providing advocacy and connection to other resources as needed.
What is one thing you’ve learned about advocacy that you’d like to share with others?
Many times by just sharing a story to raise awareness of an issue, those individuals you are wanting to “convince” don’t need convincing rather they want to join you to be part of the solution.