Early Childhood Block Grant
The early days, months, and years of a child’s development shape their future.
United Way is the backbone organization of the local Early Childhood Block Grant from the Kansas Children’s Cabinet and Trust Fund. To help move the needle on healthy childhood development, strong families and early learning, United Way has formed a collaborative with community partners to provide direct services to at-risk children and families. Through this grant, United Way helps ensure children enter school ready to learn, reduces the need for future specialized education, provides professional development for classroom teachers and promotes enhanced parenting skills.
IMPORTANCE OF EARLY CHILDHOOD
To be “school ready” refers to the social, emotional and cognitive abilities that allow children to successfully participate and learn at school. Early Childhood Block Grant funds are used for high-quality early childhood programs that serve children and families at risk. The goal of the grant is to make the following impacts:
- Increase the number of children who enter kindergarten school ready with age-appropriate skills
- Reduce the need for future specialized educational services by conducting regular developmental screenings and connecting families to early intervention services
- Improve classroom quality through professional development and coaching opportunities
- Promote supportive parenting skills and positive nurturing parent-child relationships which are predictive of positive developmental outcomes and age-appropriate social skills
UNITED WAY OF THE PLAINS COLLABORATIVE
United Way of the Plains Collaborative partners serve at-risk children and families in the Wichita metropolitan area by offering the following programs:
Home Visits
Promotes safe, stable, and nurturing parent-child relationships through parenting education and developmental screenings.
Family Engagement and Referrals
Offers parent and guardian support though peer groups, advisory councils and community cafés.
Infant & Toddler Early Care & Education
Scholarships for preschool children to attend the Greater Wichita YMCA Early Learning Centers.
Social-Emotional Consultations
Individual support for children with social-emotional needs, including instruction for teachers to enhance classroom environments.
Developmental Screenings
Offers screenings and referrals for developmental, hearing, vision, speech/language, and social-emotional needs.
SETTING CHILDREN UP FOR SUCCESS
OUR FOCUS
Our focus is on health, education, financial stability and basic needs—the building blocks for a good quality of life and a strong community. Click below to learn more about what we’re doing, the programs we invest in and our lasting impact in each area.
