Program Designed To Aid Preschoolers

Community leaders on Friday kicked off a new program to help Spokane’s youngest citizens get ready for school.

The Success by Six program is a joint effort by business, non-profit agencies, schools, social service providers and law enforcement.

“Children should be at the top of everyone’s agenda,” said Jose Pena, executive director of United Way of Spokane.

Over the past two years, United Way has worked in the community to plan strategies for the new program, using a three-year, $114,000 grant from Momentum.

On Friday, supporters of the program gathered at the Spokane Area Chamber of Commerce for a kickoff announcement, featuring children who might benefit from the new program.

Supporters said the most important years in children’s development come before they enter the first grade, and well-prepared preschoolers may become successful adults and workers in the community.

Success by Six was started in Minneapolis and has been adopted in some 50 communities around the country, Pena said.

Parent education is one of the program’s goals. Supporters also are trying to open a book bank so that children’s books will be available for low-income families.

In another project, supporters are putting together kits that can be handed out to mothers in hospitals to help them learn tips for nurturing their infants.

Rob Fukai, president of the Spokane School Board, said the idea is to target more resources to families with pre-school children.

Organizers want a greater community emphasis on early childhood development and school readiness, he said. , DataTimes