SISTERS OF CHARITY FOUNDATION of Canton

A Local Foundation Approach Aligning Our Efforts with a P-16 Strategy

SISTERS OF CHARITY FOUNDATION of Canton Who We Are Our Focus: To serve the needs of the poor and underserved by – Understanding the root causes of poverty – Building healthy communities – Emphasizing youth and families – Measuring the outcomes of our work Our Directive: Strategic as well as responsive grant-making Our Mission Statement

SISTERS OF CHARITY FOUNDATION of Canton Strategic and Responsive Grantmaking Aligned with a P-16 Context After School with the Stark Community Foundation ACT Prep Courses Compass – Community-Wide Data Gathering Quality Child Care Initiative (QCCI)

SISTERS OF CHARITY FOUNDATION of Canton Our Strategic Response: Quality Child Care Initiative (QCCI) Focusing on the Start of the P-16 Continuum

SISTERS OF CHARITY FOUNDATION of Canton Why Early Education and Care? Quality Child Care Initiative (QCCI) – Alignment with focus and mission of both our foundation and P-16 – Community key informant interviews and focus groups – Brain development research – National research

SISTERS OF CHARITY FOUNDATION of Canton Accreditation Support Services Professional Development Public Awareness & Public Policy Components of QCCI Over $5,000,000 from fall of end of 2003 Staff Commitment

SISTERS OF CHARITY FOUNDATION of Canton Accreditation Accomplishments – 38 sites accredited by NAEYC – 53 of 56 maintained progress toward accreditation – Correlated to lower staff turnover – Improvement in classroom environment at 5 urban centers – Positive change in staff of QCCI-supported programs vs. non-QCCI programs

SISTERS OF CHARITY FOUNDATION of Canton Support Services Accomplishments – Behavior and Parenting Resource Center – Curriculum Development – Family Child Care – Early Childhood Resource Center (ECRC) Professional Development – Scholarships – Family Child Care

SISTERS OF CHARITY FOUNDATION of Canton Public Awareness & Public Policy Accomplishments – Early Childhood Funders Collaborative – Numerous state-level initiatives and decision- making processes – PRC funds Leveraged Funding – Alignment of SCDJFS “quality funds” with QCCI and SPARK – SPARK – Funding from other local foundations for T.E.A.C.H. and other early education and care issues

SISTERS OF CHARITY FOUNDATION of Canton Kellogg SPARK Initiative ($4.1 million over 5 years) Accomplishments – Stark County one of eight national sites – Component of SPARK  Assessment  Learning Advocates  Parent Involvement  Transitions  Public Awareness/Policy

SISTERS OF CHARITY FOUNDATION of Canton Future Challenges Connection of Bethlehem Project for Oral Health Parent involvement better but still needs improvement Serious upper-management problems at large urban centers Growing needs of family child care providers Salary levels remain low More formal public awareness

SISTERS OF CHARITY FOUNDATION of Canton Importance of including early education and care Importance of transitions Community Collaboration Systems Change Why We Support P-16?