Building Our Future
  • Home
  • About Us
    • History
    • Approach
    • Our Investors
    • Leadership
  • Data and Resources
    • Data >
      • County Overview
      • Economic Overview
      • Smart Beginnings
      • School Success
      • College & Career Readiness
      • Technical Notes
    • Publications
    • Community Resources
  • Networks
    • Community Engagement
    • Smart Beginnings
    • School Success
    • College & Career Readiness
  • Get Involved
​

Imagination Library

2/28/2018

 
Picture
The Dolly Parton Imagination Library began in 2008. “[The Imagination Library] is a way for children to develop their love for reading” explained Tara Panasewicz, Chief Executive Officer of the United Way of Kenosha County.  This program provides free, age appropriate books to be mailed to a child within a qualifying zip code monthly. In addition, the United Way also offers programs, like book clubs, to coincide with the Imagination Library.

Panasewicz shares that since 2008 more than 915,000 children have taken part in the national program.  According to the United Way of Kenosha County, studies have found that “children participating in this program for two or more years are 30% more likely to be ready for Kindergarten than those not participating.”

Panasewicz beamed regarding the United Way, “we fight for health, education and financial stability of every person in our community.” Seeing that this program is of deep value, the United Way of Kenosha County is committed to bringing it to Kenosha.

A pilot for western Kenosha is being planned, where 1,602 children may be eligible according to the Census.  After the initial pilot, they plan to expand the program across Kenosha County.  

The United Way of Kenosha County has estimated that the annual child program cost will be $30 for every child enrolled.  Due to this cost, they are seeking financial sponsors to help bring this program to Kenosha.  If you are interested in learning more about the Imagination Library or becoming a financial sponsor, please contact Tara Panasewicz the Chief Executive Officer of the United Way of Kenosha County, at tpanasewicz@kenoshaunitedway.org.

How You Can Help
Anyone can help provide valuable reading opportunities to Kenosha County’s youth.  Consider doing so by:
  • Taking time daily to read to your child
  • Join the United Way of Kenosha County’s Readers Are Leaders Tutoring Program as a tutor, contact Laurie McDonald.
  • Visiting the United Way of Kenosha County’s website to find out about other programs they offer for youth
  • Share what the Imagination Library program is with your friends and family
Picture
Article Written by Marley Uran
Communications Intern 
University of Wisconsin Parkside
​Published by the Kenosha News

YoungStar

2/14/2018

 
Picture
​YoungStar is a seven year old early care and education program run by the Wisconsin Department of Children and Families. As part of its focus on continuous improvement, it offers ratings and support for child care centers as they work to improve the quality of care they give children.

“[Youngstar] values educated and well trained staff, enriching learning experiences, professional business practices and safe, healthy, and nurturing environments," according to the YoungStar website.  Providers that participate in Youngstar can receive technical consultation from early care and education professionals to help them grow quality and improve practices.

In addition to providing child care center ratings, YoungStar’s website provides a variety of parent focused resources such as videos and activities to support their child’s growth and development outside of the classroom.  

In 2000, the University of Wisconsin Institute for Research on Poverty found that quality and affordable child care can have a positive impact beyond families and children by decreasing crime, giving employers and more focused workforce, and expanding the tax base by allowing more people to work.

In Kenosha County 94 out of the 113 child care centers are YoungStar rated.  Building Our Future Smart Beginnings believes YoungStar is an important program for the county because it provides a framework for assessing what higher quality child care in Kenosha County should include and ensures children are getting the best possible care.

How You Can Get Involved
Kenosha County’s children deserve the best child care so they too can thrive.  Here are a few ways you can help Kenosha County’s children succeed:
  • Find a YoungStar rated child care center near you
  • Discuss questions about YoungStar with a YoungStar Early Care and Education professional at 414-267-3434
  • Discuss YoungStar ratings with your child care center and encourage them to participate in YoungStar if they are not already
  • Apply to have your child care center rated by YoungStar
  • Learn about Center for Disease Control's Developmental Milestones and how you can help your child achieve them​
Picture
Article written by Marley Uran
Communications Intern
​University of Wisconsin Parkside
​Published by the Kenosha News


    Annual Report 2018

    2018 Partner Survey Results

    Categories

    All
    Kenosha News Article
    Other Articles
    Reports

    Previous Posts

    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    March 2017
    November 2016
    October 2016
    November 2015

Keep in Touch!

Picture
Email
Picture
Facebook
Picture
Instagram
Picture
Twitter
Picture
YouTube
Picture
Mission:
Together we will engage our community to provide an environment in which all contribute and excel

​Vision:
Everyone achieving personal potential from cradle to career
Website provided by Leeward Business Advisors
  • Home
  • About Us
    • History
    • Approach
    • Our Investors
    • Leadership
  • Data and Resources
    • Data >
      • County Overview
      • Economic Overview
      • Smart Beginnings
      • School Success
      • College & Career Readiness
      • Technical Notes
    • Publications
    • Community Resources
  • Networks
    • Community Engagement
    • Smart Beginnings
    • School Success
    • College & Career Readiness
  • Get Involved