Vision
All children in Kenosha County enter kindergarten
ready to learn on the first day of school
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Every child deserves a strong start in life, no matter their zip code, race, income, or circumstance. The early years - from birth to age 5 - are critical for a child's development, shaping both their future and the future of our community.
To ensure optimal child development, access to quality, affordable early care and education is vital to our community. It allows parents parents to work, supports employers in building a strong workforce, and ensures children to develop to their fullest potential. Yet, for far too long, families in Kenosha County and statewide have struggled to access affordable, quality care. The data shows:
The COVID-19 pandemic has only exacerbated these challenges for families, the child care sector, and the workforce. Our community is at its best when we recognize that children, particularly our youngest, are our greatest resource. To build a healthier, more resilient, and prosperous Kenosha County, we must invest in our children now. |
Making sure children have the opportunity to reach their potential starts long before they get to school. The experiences they have in their first five years set the stage for their future success. Screenings are an easy way for parents to check if their child's development is on track." |
Kindergarten Readiness in Kenosha County
Marketing Materials for Smart Beginnings
Using the shared kindergarten readiness measures developed in 2019-2020, Smart Beginnings members have come together around shared messaging and language to support parent and caregiver understanding of kindergarten and school readiness. Using this language, Network members developed marketing materials, including English and Spanish brochures and videos, for community partners to use to increase knowledge of child development and the importance of supporting the whole child, which you can see below.
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Let's Get Your Child Ready for Kindergarten!
You might be surprised to learn that being ready for kindergarten doesn't mean teaching your child math and reading. Rather, your child is ready for kindergarten when they have developed a love of learning and are curious to learn new things. Helping your child prepare for kindergarten will help them have a more positive and successful experience in school. In this video, explore how you can help your child succeed in kindergarten - and beyond! |
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¡Preparemos a Su Hijo(a) para el Jardín de Niños!
Quizás le sorprenda saber que estar preparado(a) para el jardín de niños no significa enseñar a su hijo(a) matemáticas y lectura. Más bien, su hijo(a) estará listo(a) para el jardín de niños cuando haya desarrollado un amor por el aprendizaje y muestre curiosidad por aprender cosas nuevas. Ayudar a su niño(a) a prepararse para el jardín de niños le ayudará a tener una experiencia más positiva y exitosa en la escuela. |
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Help Me Grow
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Building a Strong Foundation for Our Children: Help Me Grow in Kenosha
Since July 2021, the Building Our Future (BOF) initiative has brought together local partners to address a critical question: How can we ensure that every child is developmentally on track, and when they’re not, receive early support to reach their full potential? Partners such as Kenosha County, KUSD, Advocate Aurora Health, United Way of Kenosha County, KAC, 4C for Children, PSN, and others have united to explore the Help Me Grow model for Kenosha County. Help Me Grow is a proven, national program designed to support pregnant women, new caregivers, and families with young children. By using data and a community navigator approach, it connects developmental screenings, services, and referrals across multiple agencies, ensuring children receive the early support they need. With the success of Help Me Grow in the Fox Valley and a $500K grant from the State of Wisconsin's Equitable Recovery Program, we are excited to bring this impactful model to Kenosha. Housed within KAC, Help Me Grow will collaborate with local organizations and deploy community navigators to provide comprehensive support for families throughout the region. |
Sparkler: A Free App to Support Child Development
Sparkler is a completely free app, partnered with Help Me Grow affiliates across the country, including Help Me Grow Kenosha. Sparkler’s mission is aligned with Help Me Grow’s goal of providing families with the resources they need to raise happy, healthy children, and offering free developmental screenings to improve developmental outcomes. ASQ-3 Screening and Developmental Milestone Awareness
Since 2017, the Smart Beginnings Network has been working to ensure that every child in Kenosha County is regularly screened for developmental milestones during their first five years. Through the integration of data from developmental screenings, the Network aims to increase the use of the ASQ-3 and ASQ-SE, with the goal of helping more children receive the services they need to stay on track. |
