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4community2:
Focus Group Report
Implementation Grant
Every dollar invested in early childhood yields at least an $8 return to the community through saved taxpayer-funded social services. Indiana is one of only eight states that do not invest any public funding in early childhood programs. Children who participate in early learning programs experience higher employment and compensations rates into adulthood.
This statement was the guiding force in the 4c2 partners’ decision to focus on Early Learning Opportunities in Jackson County following the focus group report from the community partner meetings.
Jackson County United Way and community partners included but were not limited to: Child Care Network, Read Jackson County, Mental Health America, Healthy Families, Jackson County Public Library, Brownstown Central Schools, Crothersville Schools, Medora Schools, and Seymour Community Schools, Community Foundation of Jackson County, and the Greater Seymour Chamber of Commerce, developed the Jackson County Successful Schools Initiative.
Grant dollars of $86,000 are available for match through the Indiana Association of United Way from Lilly Endowment. Of this amount $35,000 has been raised locally and matched. These dollars have allowed for 3 Jump Start Kindergarten programs in Brownstown, Crothersville and Medora to provide 2 weeks of before school opening classroom experience for 50 children. These children and their families were introduced to school staff, classroom expectations, and social interaction with their teacher and fellow classmates. Also added to the Successful School experience was a 2nd Family Preschool at Jackson Elementary in Seymour. This program will expand the preschool experience started with the initial 4c (QL+) initiative.
4community:
The Jackson County United Way, with the support of Indiana association of United Ways and Lilly Endowment began work on the 4community (4c) grant in 2005. Community forums and meetings culminated in a county wide needs assessment that identified 10 areas of major concern.
The “Top Ten” issues identified by the QL+ Partners were:
Improve Performance & Lower Drop Out Rates for Grades K – 12
Expand Services to Improve Family Literacy
Increase Opportunities for Higher Education
Educate Public to Reduce Meth Use & Production
Increase English Language Learning Opportunities
Reduce Teen Pregnancy
Increase Quality Childcare and Early Educational Opportunities
Expand Resources to Support the Needs of Those Over Age 65
Establish County Wide Public Transportation
Add Third County Court to Reduce Backlog
As the lead agency, the Jackson County United Way brought community leaders together and called the initiative QL+ (Quality of Life plus). The partners focused on the 10 identified areas of concern.
The QL+ Initiative brought support from companies and individuals totaling $110,557 local companies, individuals, and IaUW.
This partnership strengthened our community by improving the quality of life for families throughout the county.
Programs, projects and initiatives begun with this grant included:
Family Preschool which has prepared more than 65 “at-risk” children to enter Kindergarten with the skills needed to succeed. Many of these children entered the program unable to count, identify letters or their name and some not knowing their colors. They left able to write their name, know their alphabet, numbers and colors and feel confident in the classroom. Thanks to the support of Cummins Industrial Center and JCUW Impact Funding this program continues to be offered at Brown Elementary and is expanding in 2009 to Jackson Elementary. The success of this program enabled local Impact Dollars to support a JumpStart Kindergarten program in all county school systems in 2009.
Payroll stuffers provided to working parents providing resources and support for their families.
2-1-1 information and referral service became available for all Jackson County residents. The toll free, easy access number connects those in need to services and available resources throughout the County. More than 1,500 calls from Jackson County residents were received in 2008.
Third Court –In 2006 a plan to provide the required County funding was developed and approved by the County and the four municipalities. The request for a Third Court was accepted and supported by the Commission on Courts in September and was contained in the Omnibus Courts bill for the 2007 legislative session. The 3rd court opened in January 2008 and is currently serving families in Jackson County.
Brownstown Seniors Bus – While countywide transportation was identified, the cost of this was beyond the scope of this initiative. Home Federal Bank did support funding for a new senior citizen bus for the Brownstown Center to give added access to hospital, doctor and shopping trips for seniors served.
2005 Needs Assessment Shorten Version
2005 Needs Assessment Full Version
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