Kent County Community Providing Support to Meet Growing Needs of Local Children and Families
Michigan’s economic difficulties are having a profound impact on the state’s youngest children. The percentage of young children living in poverty has steadily climbed since the turn of the century, with one in four now relying on food stamps for their basic nutrition. Scientific research makes it clear the stresses threatening the stability of a family- such as poverty, unemployment or foreclosure-also threaten the healthy brain development of young children.
Given the importance of the first few years of life, the 2008 Kids Count in Michigan Data Book focuses on the status of Michigan’s youngest children. The Michigan League for Human Services will release the report at 2 a.m. on Tuesday, January 13th. This report includes data specific to each of Michigan’s 83 counties as well as a statewide overview.
While the Kids Count report documents the significant needs of young children, its release is also an opportunity to highlight community’s response to those needs. First Steps is a community partnership focusing on children ages 0-5 in Kent County. It is developing a network of early childhood services in the areas of family support, health care and child care.
“We know the experiences and relationships a child has in the first five years of life are critical to that child’s later success,” explained Judy Freeman, coordinator of the Great Start Collaborative of Kent County, a major partner of First Steps. “The Kids Count report shows us conditions are getting worse for many of our children and underscores how important it is that we provide all children with the opportunity to succeed and reach their full potential.”
Representatives of First Steps will be available to discuss the Kids Count report as well as the early childhood system being developed in Kent County.
For more information, contact:
Amy Turner-Thole, Communications Director
616-632-1011
aturner-thole@waybetterunitedway.org
First Steps is a partnership of parents, community agencies, business leaders, healthcare providers, educators, foundations, faith leaders and individuals who are investing in our youngest children to ensure a better future for all. The vision of First Steps is that every young child in Kent County will be ready to succeed in school and in life. The inaugural funders for First Steps are the Frey Foundation, Steelcase Foundation, Heart of West Michigan United Way and Early Childhood Investment Corporation. To learn more, please visit www.firststepskent.org.