7. EDSR 08-11-2008 - Laserfiche WebLink

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hat Has Been I,earrted? Through interviews, Speak Outs, and community dialogue, several common themes have emerged from the 66 coalitions that were established between September 2003 and 2007. Common themes include the need to increase: 1)Infant /toddler, extended hour, and respite child care; 2) Infant and early childhood mental health services; 3) Financial resources for early care and education programs due to funding cuts; 4) Outreach efforts to families who are not accessing services; 5) Early childhood opportunities due to long waiting lists in existing programs; and 6) Activities to reduce social, cultural, and economic disparities in communities. There is great local enthusiasm across diverse sectors working together to address early care and education issues and opportunities. rojeets, Prr~grams, and Activities Imptementecl Since 2003, more than 400 projects, programs, and activities have been implemented by early childhood coalitions to strengthen local early care and education. Examples include: • Conduct community literacy programs to increase reading in the homes of families with young children regardless of income; • Offer a series of comprehensive home visits for new parents/babies; • Implement a Kindergarten Transition Program in two neighboring school districts; • Form professional associations for licensed family child care providers to share resources and connect with the local early childhood community; • Hold meetings with local legislators and community members to increase awareness of early care and education; • Heighten awareness about early childhood through comprehensive media campaigns; • Equip a Community Dental Clinic Pediatric Suite serving children on MinnesotaCare and Medical Assistance; and • Provide every child, regardless of income level, a comprehensive eye exam (rather than-just a "screening") before entering kindergarten. ~ . or~tact .Information , ~~ ^ Northwest Minnesota Foundation ^ Northland Foundation ~ ^` Lin Backstrom Lynn Haglin ~ Early Childhood Development Specialist Vice President/KIDS PLUS Director 4225 Technology Drive NW 202 West Superior Street, Suite 6l0 Bemidji, MN 56601 Duluth, MN 55802 (218) 759-2057 1-800-659-7859 (218) 723-4040 or 1-800-433-4045 www.nwmf.org www.northlandfdn.org West Central Initiative ^ Initiative Foundation Nancy Jost Linda Kaufmann Early Childhood Initiative Coordinator Senior Program Manager for Children, Youth & Families 1000 Western Avenue 405 First Street SE Fergus Falls, MN 56537 Little Falls, MN 56345 (218) 739-2239 1-800-735-2239 (320}632-9255 1-877-632-9255 www.wciforg www.ifound.org ^ Southwest Initiative Foundation ^ Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation Sara Carlson Anni O'Neill Program Officer Early Childhood Director 15 3rd Ave. NW, P.O. Box 428 25 Florence Avenue, P.O. Box 695 Hutchinson, MN 55350 Owatonna, MN 55060 (320}587-4848 1-800-594-4480 (507)455-3215 1-800-590-7753 www.swifoundation.org www.smifoundation.org "Ever= Ynun~ C'hiltl lleserves to he Rerrtly for ,School urrd Recrtty= far Life"