Chambliss Center for Children will serve as host for more than 30 individuals from around the country who are exploring sustainable business models and collaborations in the early childhood education arena.
The two-day study tour will include an in depth look at how Chambliss Center for Children provides quality services to more than 600 each day using a collaboration model. The agency is unique in that it operates a main campus in Brainerd where all back office work is done, along with five off-site centers, and eight classrooms inside of Hamilton County Schools.
“We are pleased that leaders from outside our community have recognized the benefits of our collaboration. This model allows us to provide quality early childhood education to a large number of children throughout the City, at a fee that parents can afford,” said Phil Acord, president/CEO of the non-profit organization. The attendees of the study tour include representatives from early childhood education centers, foundations, and United Ways, all hoping to be able to replicate some part of the collaboration model in their own area.
Beginning on Thursday, participants will meet with Chambliss Center staff, tour off-site centers across the city, and hear from other collaborating partners including United Way of Greater Chattanooga, Head Start, Hamilton County Department of Education, and the City of Chattanooga. The tour is being facilitated by Opportunities Exchange, a consulting firm that helps organizations improve their financial stability by forming partnerships and collaborations. Louise Stoney, co-founder of the organization, will be in town along with three other staff members to facilitate the conference.
For more information about Opportunities Exchange, visit its website at www. http://opportunities-exchange.org.