A year after consolidating the state's early childhood programs into a single Office of Childhood, Missouri Gov. Mike Parson said the agency is "exactly what we had envisioned."
The Office of Childhood launched as a new state agency housed under the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) in September 2021. Parson issued an executive order to create the office, which combined early childhood programs from DESE, the Department of Social Services, and the Department of Health and Senior Services.
Parson said the state is delivering care to children and serving the organizations that deal with early childhood better than it used to.
"I think this was one of our priorities early on, and we see how successful it's been and how much more efficient it is," he said.
Parson paid a surprise visit Wednesday to state employees in the Office of Childhood to thank them for serving in the new division.
Although initially facing criticism for the consolidation, Parson said he's received nothing but praise for the work the Office of Childhood has done during the past year.
Mallory McGowin, chief communications officer for DESE, said the governor "uniquely understands" education and workforce development initiatives have to work hand-in-hand to prepare Missourians to meet demands of the future.
Parson said improving conditions for children throughout Missouri sets up the state for better outcomes related to crime, health care or "whatever you want to talk about."
"Workforce development starts with childhood," he said. "It doesn't start in the companies, in the corporate world and people going to work, that's all part of it, but ... if we don't change the life of a child, we're not ever going to change society for the better."
Parson said he doesn't care where Missouri's children are educated, whether it be public, private or charter schools, but that they get an education.
Education grows the state's workforce and leads to a more productive society, he said.
"We're on the road to that," Parson continued. "These folks here are doing a great job, and there's going to be a lot of good things happening in the next several years coming out of this agency."
Parson said he wants the state to ensure every child gets an education and is cared for, whether that be meeting safety, health or other needs.
"This is much bigger than just a bureaucracy of agencies," he added. "This is about changing lives."
Bureaucracy was getting in the way of a functioning state government that supports early childhood care and education, Parson said, because it was siloed by departments.
McGowin said stakeholders were contacting the state "for quite some time" to voice the need for a more coordinated and streamlined approach to early childhood care, and Parson's administration responded with consolidation. No staff or divisions were downsized as a result of the transition.
Parson said it was clear what the state was doing well and what it was failing at. And the solution was already working for the state.
"I didn't change it around," the governor told division employees. "I asked Pam (Thomas), I asked all of you to make changes to be better and we've done it."
McGowin said assistant commissioner Pam Thomas has brought the Office of Childhood vision and mission to life.
"She will kill herself to make this office a success," McGowin told staff Wednesday. "I've never seen anyone work harder, I've never seen anyone be more passionate about their work and more committed to serving the children and families in this state."
Parson said he believes the department is equipped with the resources it needs to execute its mission, and he doesn't see why it couldn't.
The governor proposed $722 million for child care programs when creating his budget earlier this year.
State lawmakers responded with $450 million in federal funds designated for child care programs, which Parson calls the largest investment in child care in state history.
Child care facilities can use the funds to reimburse operation costs, recruit and retain staff, and support professional development, McGowin said.
Legislators also appropriated $2.6 million and 10 additional staff members for the Office of Childhood, according to appropriation legislation.
Parson said it's money well spent.
"I've got all the confidence in this office," he said.
Julie Smith/News Tribune photo: Missouri Gov. Mike Parson attended an event Wednesday in Jefferson City to recognize the first anniversary of the Office of Childhood, which is designed to provide a comprehensive approach to child care and education in the state.