Helping Children and Youth Achieve Their Potential

There is no doubt that future success is greatly influenced by the education and experiences people receive in their early lives.  We know that children who start school ready to learn and continue to stay on track as they grow, have better chances of being self-sufficient as adults.  In contrast, youth who possess numerous risk factors in their lives have much higher chances of experiencing negative outcomes.

This is why United Way of Berks County is committed to supporting programs that help children and youth achieve their educational potential.  Whether it is promoting quality early child care and education to help prepare children for school, or supporting programs that help children and older youth develop age-appropriate life skills, our work is focused on helping the younger generation gain the education they need to experience success now and in their futures.

Community Outcomes and Partner Agency Programs

Following is a list of community-level outcomes that have been established for the focus area of Education, and a list of partner agency programs receiving funding to address each particular outcome. For a full description of these agency programs and contact information, click here.

SCHOOL READINESS 

Outcome:  All families, especially those in greatest need, have access to immediate, affordable, accessible and quality childcare.

YOUTH DEVELOPMENT

Outcome: Youth participate in diverse and effective out-of-school programs that are supportive and develop skills, knowledge and values

Outcome: Youth develop age-appropriate life skills and social competence and have the opportunity to effectively utilize those skills

United Way Initiatives

Right From the Start Initiative
Because the first years last a lifetime

Research shows that the window of optimal brain development is from the prenatal period through the first few years of a child’s life. In their early years, children develop critical cognitive, social and emotional skills that will last for their lifetime. Developed primarily through interactions with parents and other caregivers, these skills are also critical to children’s readiness for early and continued educational success.

Because many children in the City of Reading have the potential to be negatively impacted by factors such as poverty, language and cultural barriers, single parent households, and low levels of educational attainment by parents, United Way of Berks County developed the Right from the Start Initiative to help these children get a better start in life. Begun in 2005, Right from the Start is a comprehensive early care and education initiative that engages parents and other caregivers of children ages 0-5 in the City of Reading, to help them gain the knowledge, support and opportunities needed to help children begin school ready to learn and succeed.

Right from the Start is based on the following theory of change which includes long-term outcomes for parents and children:

• Parents increase their competence and confidence
• Parents provide more nurturing and stimulating care for their children
• Children reach developmental milestones
• Children are prepared for school success

Right from the Start Program Components

YMCA Baby University (formerly known as Baby College)

YMCA Baby University (formerly known as Baby College) is a 10-week session of free, weekly group parenting education and family support classes for parents of children ages 0-3. It was developed by United Way, based on a similar program developed by the Harlem Children’s Zone in New York. Educational topics include child development, communication and discipline strategies, and health and safety issues and are available in both English and Spanish. Home visitors conduct weekly visits with parents to reinforce class material, and to help with assessment and referrals for other needed services.

Since its inception in September 2005, close to 500 parents and caregivers graduated and demonstrated significant increases in their parenting and child development knowledge, attitudes and behaviors.

As of 2009, United Way began contracting with the YMCA of Reading and Berks County to assume full responsibility for the continued operation of the YMCA Baby University (formerly known as Baby College) program. For more information, contact the YMCA at (610) 378-4700.

Raising A Reader Program

Raising A Reader is an award-winning early literacy development program developed in California. The program provides colorful book bags filled with high quality, multicultural-focused books on a weekly basis to families with children who often have limited exposure to books. Raising A Reader helps to support healthy brain and language development in young children, increases family bonding time through book sharing experiences, while building critical early readiness skills. This is accomplished by helping parents learn strategies on how to promote an interest in books with their children, and by teaching them the importance of telling stories and reading with their children on a regular basis.

United Way is partnering with 14 early care and education sites in the City of Reading, including Head Start classrooms, child care centers and home visitation programs to provide this program to approximately 1,000 children and their families.

For more information about Raising A Reader, contact Jennifer O’Brien at (610) 685-4586 or jennifero@uwberks.org.

Berks Early Care and Education Council

United Way of Berks County manages the Berks Early Care and Education Council, which also serves as the LEARN (Local Education and Resource Network) Team for Berks County.  Over 30 local organizations representing children from birth to five years of age are involved.  The Report to the Community on early care and education provides additional information on children from birth to five years of age.

LEARN

• Provides assistance to parents in their role as their child's first teacher with information on child development and appropriate early learning activities based on Pennsylvania's Early Learning Standards
• Supports families with a child transitioning into an early learning program or kindergarten
• Provides information to parents and the community on the state and local early childhood programs that support families

Local resources available to parents include:

• While You Are Working, a directory of child care options around the county with information on Keystone Stars, the quality rating system for child care in Pennsylvania
• A Transition Fair on January 26, 2012 (snow date Feb. 2) where parents can meet school district staff to learn about the kindergarten registration process and participate in activities to help their children learn skills they will need for kindergarten
• Kindergarten registration information for public school districts in Berks County
• A Quicklist of  agencies parents can contact for assistance with a variety of needs.  The Quicklist is also available in Spanish.

State Resources include:

• PA Promise for Children
• Office of Child Development and Early Learning

For more information, contact Jane Moyer at 610-685-4577 or janemoy@uwberks.org