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11~ hat ~~as Been Learned'.' <br />Through interviews, Speak Outs, and community dialogue, several common themes have emerged from <br />the 51 coalitions that were established between September 2003 and January 2006. Common themes <br />include the need to increase: 1) Infant /toddler, extended hour, and respite child care; 2) Infant /toddler <br />mental health services; 3) Financial resources for early care and education programs due to funding <br />cuts; 4) Outreach efforts to families who are not accessing services; 5) Early childhood opportunities due <br />to long waiting lists in existing programs; and 6) Activities to reduce social, cultural, and economic dis- <br />parities in communities. There is great local enthusiasm across diverse sectors working together to ad- <br />dress early care and education issues and oppo rtunities. <br />rojects, .irograms, and Activities I.mpietnented <br />A few examples of the projects, programs, partnerships, and policy changes that are currently being <br />implemented by the coalitions to strengthen local early care and education are: <br />• Conduct community literacy programs to increase reading in the homes of families with young <br />children regardless of income; <br />• Offer a series of comprehensive home visits for new parents/babies; <br />• Implement a Kindergarten Transition Program in two neighboring school districts; <br />• Form professional associations for licensed family child care providers to share resources and <br />connect with the local earl y childhood community; <br />• Hold meetings with local legislators and community members to increase awareness of early care and <br />education; <br />• Heighten awareness about early childhood through comprehensive media campaigns; <br />• Equip a Community Dental Clinic Pediatric Suite serving children on MinnesotaCare and Medical <br />Assistance; and <br />• Provide every child, regardless of income level, a comprehensive eye exam (rather than just a <br />"screening") before entering kindergarten. .~ <br /> ~- -_ ~ <br />,~ <br />r_ <br /> <br />o*tiaet inf`orntaiion <br />~ ~~ ~ n.., <br />"t:; ~' ~ <br />~ Northwest Minnesota Foundation ^ Northland Foundation '~ ~'' <br />Lin Backstrom Lynn Haglin <br />~ <br /> <br />Early Childhood Development Specialist <br />Vice President/IQDS PLUS Director ~ ~ <br />L <br />'~ ""'~ <br />4225 Technology Drive NW 202 West Superior Street, Suite 610 <br />Bemidji, MN 56601 Duluth, MN 55802 <br />(218)759-2057 1-800-659-7859 (218)723-4040 or1-800-433-4045 <br />www.nwmf.org www.northlandfdn.org <br />West Central Initiative Initiative Foundation <br />Nancy Jost Linda Kaufmann <br />Early Childhood Initiative Coordinator Program Manager for Early Childhood & Grants Development <br />1000 Western Avenue 405 First Street SE <br />Fergus Falls, MN 56537 Little Falls, MN 56345 <br />(218)739-2239 1-800-735-2239 (320)632-9255 ]-877-632-9255 <br />www.wci£org www.ifound.org <br />Southwest Initiative Foundation Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation <br />Sara Carlson Anni O'Neill <br />Program Officer Community Success Coordinator <br />15 3rd Ave. NW, P.O. Box 428 25 Florence Avenue, P.O. Box 695 <br />Hutchinson, MN 55350 Owatonna, MN 55060 <br />(320)587-4848 1-800-594-9480 (507)455-3215 1-800-590-7759 <br />www.swi foundation.org wvvw.smifoundation.org <br />a: <br />~v~~:~t~ ~~t~,ati CVd~ilct I,~~gcar~°i~:s t«~ ~e ~i'c~r,ir~j~ f~~° ~~clE«r~~ ~~~s~ .~~'~~~ag~t~.f~r•d~~fc'~, <br />