Media Release
December 17, 2009

Contact Information:
Teresa Rupp, Executive Director
Office: (316) 682-1853
E-mail: trupp@childstart.org

Anne Maack, Director of Public Affairs
Office: (316) 682-1853
E-mail: amaack@childstart.org

Local program for disadvantaged children expanding

WICHITA, KAN. – Child Start, a nonprofit organization in Wichita, announces that they will be able to serve 132 additional disadvantaged children through grants from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. The grants expand access to the Head Start 0-5 Program, which currently serves 1020 children and their families.

The expansion creates 31 new jobs including preschool teachers, family educators, and early childhood mental health specialists.

The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act awarded three different grants to Child Start. One grant award is to serve 60 three-year-olds in Sedgwick County. Another allows Child Start to serve 72 infants, toddlers, and pregnant women and teens in Sedgwick and Harper Counties. A third grant is for quality improvement in the areas of mental health services and staff qualifications.

“The word ‘Reinvestment’ is a perfect description for these ARRA grants.” said Teresa Rupp, Executive Director of Child Start. “We know that investing in early childhood development is the most effective investment for the future.”

Child Start is collaborating with multiple community partners to provide services. The Wichita Children’s Home currently serves homeless pregnant and parenting teens in their Bridges program. Through the expanded partnership with Child Start, these children will now be able to receive Early Head Start program services all in one place. “With this additional funding, Child Start and the Wichita Children’s Home will have a greater potential to strengthen young families and prevent child abuse,” said Sarah Robinson, Executive Director of the Wichita Children’s Home. Teen parents will also receive mentoring from seniors through a partnership with Senior Services.

A coalition in Harper County has been working to expand and enhance early childhood services in the area since developing a comprehensive plan in 2007. According to 2009 Kids Count data, the proportion of Harper County children living in poverty exceeds the state average for rural counties. “I am so excited that Early Head Start will be coming to Harper County,” said Heather Whealy, an early childhood advocate. “The research is clear on what a difference early intervention makes in the lives of not only family members, but also their children. This investment in Harper County will create successful children and strong, able adults. I am thrilled that we were accepted to be able to be one of the counties offering this amazing program.”

Child Start’s 0-5 Program is designed to break the cycle of poverty with comprehensive early childhood services that produce lifelong benefits. Children who have access to high-quality early childhood programs go on to have higher academic achievement and are less likely to depend on social welfare services as adults.

Child Start, Inc. is a charitable, nonprofit agency in operation since 1958 promoting early childhood experiences that prepare children for success in school and beyond. Administering Early Head Start, Head Start and the Child Care Resource and Referral program, Child Start works with parents, child care providers, early educators and caregivers providing a wide range of services to ensure that children enter school ready to learn. For more information about Child Start, please visit www.childstart.org on the Internet or contact the agency at 316-682-1853. Child Start is located at 1069 S. Glendale in Wichita.
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