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Rep. Rush Holt says Trenton preschool program could be national model

By Nicole Mulvaney/The Times of Trenton 
on May 30, 2013 at 8:05 AM, updated May 30, 2013 at 8:07 AM

TRENTON — U.S. Rep. Rush Holt visited the Millhill Child and Family Development Center yesterday to highlight President Barack Obama’s proposals for greater access to high-quality, affordable preschool programs nationwide.

“As we look to a national, universal preschool program, which is under development in Washington, it’s important to see a good, long-standing program working here,” said Holt (D-Hopewell).

At Millhill, children from infancy to adolescence are enriched through educational, social and behavioral health and medical programs designed to develop the skills necessary to be successful in school, at home and later in life, said Monica Carmichael, interim director of early childhood programs for the Trenton school district.

The need for such a program on a national level, as proposed by Obama in his State of the Union Address in February, calls for a model similar to New Jersey’s Abbott Preschool Program that is implemented at Millhill, said Cynthia C. Rice, senior policy analyst for Advocates for Children of New Jersey.

“When you look at the federal proposal, it mirrors many of New Jersey’s Abbott components, such as very high standards, small class sizes, teachers with a bachelor’s degree, comparable salaries and benefits to public schools, a research-based curriculum,” she said. “It’s great for our state because it shows that we’re making a difference.”

In his address, Obama said he will propose a series of new investments that will establish a continuum of high-quality learning for children through a cost-sharing partnership with all 50 states and extend federal funds to public preschools.

In the upcoming months, Holt will work with lawmakers on the U.S. House Committee on Education and the Workforce on legislation to expand preschool programs.

“I hear from national experts that New Jersey’s Abbott preschool program is one of the very best,” Holt said. “I want to communicate to my colleagues in Congress that we have a working model in New Jersey.”

According to Rice, children who do not attend high-quality preschools have lower academic achievement rates, struggle more in school and have barriers to learning. She said children who take part in these preschool programs are also four times more likely to graduate high school and college and less likely to live in poverty.

Cynthia Oberkofler, executive director at Millhill, said early intervention is key to a child’s success.

“We’re seeing everything from ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder) to bipolar to autism spectrum and schizophrenia; we see the gamut,” she said. “I think that a lot of families are in crisis and are struggling with challenges they have and are reaching out in the community where mental health is not necessarily something that people talk about.”

Steve Rosen, secretary and treasurer of the Millhill Foundation Board of Directors and former executive director, noted that 4- and 5-year-olds are having adjustment problems due to pressures of the community and at home.

“They don’t tell you what they’re feeling, but they show you. It’s getting younger and younger these days,” he said.

During his visit, Holt read “The Very Hungry Caterpillar” to a group of 4-year-old children, who predicted the story’s outcome as he read.

“The earlier that people are involved in the development of a child, prenatal on, the greater the benefit for the effort put in,” Holt said. “Excellent preschool programs produce lasting results in academic performance and social adjustment of kids.”

Contact Nicole Mulvaney at (609) 989-5723 or nmulvaney@njtimes.com.