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Major Grants for 4 Kids
PITTSBURGH (09/05/2007) -
The 4 Kids Early Learning Network (www.4kidsearlyed.org) has received three important grants to support and extend its educational work with young children.
Infant and toddler pre-literacy is the focus of two new grants: $150,000 from The Grable Foundation and $160,000 from a private 4 Kids supporter. 4 Kids will create an innovative program benefiting children from ages six weeks to three years, giving them early preparation for reading. The program builds on the success of the existing 4 Kids Early Reading First Success Starts Early initiative, which concentrates on preschoolers and is currently celebrating its first anniversary. Both programs follow the latest scientific research on the development of early language and the first stages of literacy.
The new Infant and Toddler Literacy Program is funded for two years, and will begin this Fall. The grants will allow 4 Kids to address a variety of infant and toddler-related needs, including new classroom resources, expanded professional development for the 4 Kids staff, and the addition of an Infant and Toddler Literacy Coach, to support parents in their role as children?¢‚Ǩ‚Ñ¢s first and most influential teachers.
Pennsylvania Pre-K Counts is a new program from the state of Pennsylvania designed to help children in greatest need of academic support. 4 Kids, applying with the Woodland Hills School District, is one of the few Allegheny County organizations to receive a Pre-K Counts grant. Starting in September, the $237,600 grant will provide support for thirty-two preschool children in two full-day 4 Kids classrooms at Good Shepherd School in Braddock. .
These 4 Kids Pre-K Counts classrooms are open to children ages 3-5 years of age until eligible for kindergarten. The program is designed to provide no-cost, quality early education for children who do not qualify for traditional childcare funding streams.
Robert M. Grom is President and CEO of Heritage Health Foundation, Inc. (www.hhfi.org), which created and operates the 4 Kids Early Learning Network. He said, ?¢‚Ǩ?ì4 Kids has ?¢‚ǨÀúgraduated?¢‚Ǩ‚Ñ¢ over three thousand children who otherwise would have entered school less well-prepared than their peers?¢‚Ǩ‚Äùand studies show they would have remained behind throughout their academic careers. Ongoing independent research at 4 Kids has shown remarkable success in preparing kids for kindergarten and beyond. We are grateful that these major grants will help us continue and extend our work with young children.?¢‚Ǩ¬ù |