For the past ten years, Connecticut Community Foundation has helped provide young children with a strong educational backbone through its LitLinks grantmaking initiative. Aiming to improve the quality of preschool programs by increasing the number of centers that are accredited through the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC), ease transitions to kindergarten, and enhance parent involvement, LitLinks has touched thousands of young children from birth to age 8 through programs like these:
- Reach Out and Read
- Literacy Volunteers on the Green, Family Read
- Children’s Center of New Milford, Early Literacy through Music
The Foundation recently undertook a comprehensive evaluation of the impact of the LitLinks grants.
“Since 2005, we have invested over $1 million in early childhood education through LitLinks. As we celebrate 10 years of supporting children through this grant program, we wanted to take a good look at what our grantmaking has accomplished, identify needs and gaps in funding, and chart a course for the future,” explains Ellen Carter, director of community leadership and program officer for LitLinks. “The evaluation revealed clear benefits to the community as well as remaining needs. “Several of our communities are successfully engaging parents but we found they are looking for more information about changes in curriculum and standards,” indicates Carter. “Also, some programs are effectively connecting preschool and Kindergarten teachers, but a lack of time and funding for substitute teachers impedes their ability to communicate regularly.”
These findings underscore the need for continued funding, and the Foundation remains committed to this area.
“We know there is still work to be done to improve access to preschool education and connect children with social, emotional and educational resources. We plan to re-align these programs within a more holistic new Cradle to Career framework, which will focus on education from birth through high school and will give us new insights into the community needs and gaps in funding,” adds Carter. Ensuring that young children have access to quality early education programs – Timeless Impact.
