By Juli Metzger—
MUNCIE, IN—Area leaders, experts in early childhood development, math and reading, postsecondary success and career pathways, gathered recently to breakdown the details that will fuel a five-year strategic plan for the Cradle to Career Muncie initiative.
Collaborative Action Networks (CANs), which are outcome-focused, cross-sector teams, looked at what they’ve done, where the successes lie, and where the gaps remain. Cradle to Career Muncie is a collective impact model embracing a philosophy that the needs of the many outweigh the needs of the one.
Behind each network are core services that prop up a thriving society, including not only excellent educational opportunities, but also good health care and social support services. Muncie is part of the StriveTogether network, a national model whose mission is to build a world where every child has every opportunity to succeed.
The daylong strategic planning workshop came on the heels of a discussion of population trends in Indiana and in small communities like Muncie. The Indiana Business Research Center at Indiana University’s Kelley School of Business shows a prime age (age 24-55) declining for an extended period —more than 20 years—and it will have significant effects on the state’s economic well-being. None of this is a surprise. Demographers have been warning about this as the Baby Boomers age out and the following generations have fewer babies themselves.
Delaware County’s population began dropping in 2016, a result of what is called a natural contraction, the result of more deaths than births. The trend is projected to continue as increasing numbers of young adults leave the state.
Population information helps inform the work at Cradle to Career Muncie. With partners like Muncie Community Schools, local early childcare educational providers, Innovation Connector, Ball State University, Ivy Tech, Greater Muncie Chamber of Commerce, YMCA of Muncie, Open Door Health Services, Heart of Indiana United Way, area churches and neighborhood associations, and numerous others, together these organizations are choosing where to put their best efforts to get the best possible results for the next generation. One priority will be to find ways to effectively attract and retain more young adults in the community.
Delaware County’s life expectancy ranks 87th among all 92 counties, according to the research we reviewed.
What’s more troubling is the number of preventable deaths in the Muncie community. Demographic data shows that of deaths among 25–54-year-olds, 50 percent were potentially avoidable. Many of these unnecessary deaths among young adults are a result of significant battles with mental health and substance use disorders.
And while the work ahead will require hard and “heart” work, there are some wins we should celebrate now.
Muncie Community Schools is the 53rd largest school district in the state. And is 15th largest for preschool enrollment. Data from the Indiana Youth Institute shows high school graduation rates in Muncie are at record highs.
Health care is being reshaped in this community by adding access points. More and more providers are establishing clinics and taking health care into neighborhoods. Muncie and Delaware County residents are sure to see more of this in the coming months. Access to health care is a keystone to vibrant communities.
Muncie and Delaware County is a small community with rural and urban issues. Without a doubt, reading to our children, engaging with our youth early, often sets students on a pathway that leads to upward mobility. Indiana economist Michael Hicks writes often about what it takes to be a vibrant community and he’s right when he says communities that make themselves attractive to young families—with good schools and good downtowns and offer recreational opportunities—will flourish.
The focus at Cradle to Career Muncie is to give children in the community the runway needed to flourish. The initiative is about building strengths and addressing the work that must be done, not for any of us, but for tomorrow’s families—for our kids.
Juli Metzger is chair of the Indiana Youth Institute Board of Directors and president of Board of Directors for Project Leadership.
