Our Impact
Our Impact in the
Community
Uplifting Local Children for Over 45 Years
Since 1977, the Children’s Council has been helping to build strong foundations and soaring futures for the children of Watauga County and beyond. From a small group of volunteers to a full-fledged non-profit with over 20 programs and services, one thing has always been clear, the Children’s Council is committed to growing strong and staying strong for local children, families and early childhood educators.
View our 2025 Impact Report Below.
View our 2024 Impact Report Below.
Previous Year's Annual Reports
Children’s Council Annual Report 2016-2017
Children’s Council Annual Report 2017-2018
Children’s Council Annual Report 2018-2019
Children’s Council Annual Report 2019-2020
Children’s Council Annual Report 2020-2021
Children’s Council Annual Report 2021-2022
Children’s Council Annual Report 2022-2023
Children’s Council Annual Report 2023-2024
Learn more about our impact in the community by watching the videos below.
It Takes a Village.
Why Early Childhood?
The early days of a person’s life are critical; 90% of brain development occurs prior to age 5, before a child first sets foot inside a kindergarten classroom. The gift of a strong foundation launches a journey toward a soaring future.Why focus on Strong Foundations?
Research shows us that Investments in Early Childhood Initiatives benefit the child, the family, the community and our larger systems.
As shown here, our community has a need for investing in Early Childhood Initiatives.
We can be a leader. Our community is a leader in North Carolina in so many ways, why not in early childhood? The knowledge and resources are here. We must put them together and lead.
Board of Directors
Critical to the success of our agency, our amazing board members help steer our path upward.
- Board Chair, Vanessa Brumfield
- Jonathan Lubkemann, Treasurer & Chair – Finance/Personnel Committee
- Laney Wise, Secretary
- Jennifer Maulding
- Pam Shue, EdD -Chair of the Programs & Services Committee
- Alysia Price
- Lindsay Cook
- Anne Wright
- Kelly Stroud
- Emily Greene, Watauga County liaison to the board
- Brian Bettis
- Steven Lacey
- Jason Carpenter
Committee Meetings
Board of Directors
The Board of Directors meets from 12:00 pm to 1:30 pm on the 4th Monday of the following months: August, October, December, February, April, and June
The Children’s Council of Watauga County, Inc. follows open meeting laws.
For a meeting link, call (828) 262-5424 or email: info@thechildrenscouncil.org
Monday, August 24, 2026
Monday, October 26, 2026 – Location TBD
Monday, December 14, 2026* (Date adjusted for holidays)
Monday, February 22, 2027
Monday, April 26, 2027
Monday, June 28, 2027 – In Person
Executive Committee
The Executive Committee meets virtually at 1:00 pm on the 3rd Monday of the following months: July, September, November, January, March, May
The Children’s Council of Watauga County, Inc. follows open meeting laws.
For a meeting link, call (828) 262-5424 or email: info@thechildrenscouncil.org
Monday, July 20, 2026
Monday, September 21, 2026
Monday, November 16, 2026
Monday, January 11, 2027
Monday, March 15, 2027
Monday, May 17, 2027
NC Pre-K Committee
NC Pre-K Committee Meeting – Watauga County
Open to the Public
Date: Monday, August 10, 2026
Time: 12:00 PM – 1:30 PM
Location: Zoom
For a meeting link, call (828) 262-5424 or email: info@thechildrenscouncil.org
Finance/Personnel Committee
The Finance & Personnel Committee meets virtually at 11:00 am on the 3rd Wednesday of the following months: August, October, December, February, April, and June
The Children’s Council of Watauga County, Inc. follows open meeting laws.
For a meeting link, call (828) 262-5424 or email: info@thechildrenscouncil.org
Wednesday, August 19, 2026
Wednesday, October 21, 2026
Wednesday, December 9, 2026*(meet prior to board meeting)
Wednesday, Feburary 17, 2027
Wednesday, April 21, 2027
Wednesday, June 16, 2027
Programs & Services Committee
The Programs & Services Committee meets virtually at 1:00 pm on the 2nd Tuesday of the following months: July, September, November, January, March, May
The Children’s Council of Watauga County, Inc. follows open meeting laws.
For a meeting link, call (828) 262-5424 or email: info@thechildrenscouncil.org
Tuesday, July 14, 2026
Tuesday, September 15, 2026
Tuesday, November 10, 2026
Tuesday, January 12, 2027
Tuesday, March 9, 2027
Tuesday, May 11, 2027
Our Early Childhood System
Elevate Watauga is a community led initiative that is focused on early childhood for Watauga County. The common agenda of the early childhood initiative was to enhance Watauga County’s early childhood system and increase local investments for Watauga County’s prenatal to age three population.
Together, our community developed these goals and objectives:
- Collaborate with community leaders and stakeholders for a coordinated system approach with a specific focus on Prenatal to age.
- Implementation of a universal family connection and referral strategy which provides initial screening and referrals for maternal depression, early care and education, and child health and developmental services to all newborns in Watauga County.
- Address issues of child care quality, accessibility, and affordability, both for providers in a sustainable business model and for families in access to care with an emphasis on infant and toddler slots/programs.
- Increase availability of evidence-based models of home visiting and parent education for
families with young children ages birth to 3 with an emphasis on those impacted by trauma, poverty and addiction.
Early Childhood Education & Development Fund
The Boone Chamber of Commerce Foundation became the administrator of this fund in December 2023, continuing a multi-year effort toward the goals established in the Elevate Watauga initiative. This fund will support workforce development and educational attainment needs for Watauga County’s early childhood workforce, while also providing funding support for initiatives outlined in the Watauga County Childcare Study.
Visit the Boone Chamber’s website to learn more and make a donation:
