In Kankakee County, early learning is critical to building strong citizens and a strong workforce.  That’s why the United Way of Kankakee County and the Community Foundation of Kankakee River Valley created the Success by Six® Initiative.  This early learning coalition - made of early childhood experts, United Way agencies, childcare providers, businesses, and volunteers – is working together to make sure kids get what they need to succeed.  Collectively, we can help young children be ready for school, which can lead to increased graduation rates, improved public safety, and a stronger local economy.

Kankakee County Success by 6® Initiatives

Born Learning:

     Everyday life is a learning experience for children!  Born Learning is a public engagement campaign to help parents, grandparents, & caregivers turn everyday moments into fun learning opportunities.  Find Born Learning information at www.parentspage.org

Parent Cafés:

 
     Across Illinois, parents are engaging in lively, real conversations to keep their families strong.  Profound change starts with meaningful conversation - these conversations are called Parent Cafés, and they are transforming parent education.

Parent Cafés take place at schools, churches, and other friendly places.  Guided by trained Parent Hosts, parents gather in small groups and explore questions that really matter to them. In 2009, SB6 will bring Parent Cafes to our neighborhoods.

Child Care Quality Rating System:

     75% of children are in child-care at some point.  Illinois has a new Quality Rating process for child-care providers, using “star levels” to rate the quality of the child-care provider.  For families, affordable, quality child-care is essential to a child’s health and development.  In addition, if a child-care provider receives Quality Rating designation, he/she gets higher child-care subsidies from the state, improving the financial stability of the provider and adding increased wages to the local economy.  SB6 is funding technical assistance for home-based child-care providers to apply for Quality Rating System designation.