Let Me Explain

Let Me Explain

Recently, three representatives from the Wrangell Early Childhood Coalition returned from a conference in Anchorage sponsored by Best Beginnings, which is the state-wide umbrella organization. The Wrangell Early Childhood Coalition is a partnership of Best Beginnings. Nine other partnerships from different communities in Alaska also have been accepted under the umbrella of Best Beginnings with the goal of ensuring all Alaska children begin school ready to succeed. At the conference, the ten partnerships met to discuss both local and statewide plans to improve early childhood education and well-being.

With a focus on Wrangell children ages 0-5, the Wrangell Early Childhood Coalition conducted a community assessment in order to determine the most appropriate areas on which to focus its efforts. After the community assessment, a strategic plan was built around these focus areas: providing support to parents, improving access and quality of childcare, and education for the community regarding children ages 0-5. Over the next two years, the Wrangell Early Childhood Coalition will work on the following objectives: Creation of a Parent Resource Center (completed), Continuation of the Imagination Library, Delivery of Welcome Bags for new babies, Pre-school scholarships to children who do not have access, Mentoring for childcare workers, Movie premiere of Babies on Track, Children’s Fair (coming October, 2012).

The Wrangell Early Childhood Coalition has created a Parent Resource Center at the Alaska Public Health Center. These books and resources can be checked-out, read and returned by anyone who would like to use them. For more information on the Parent Resource Center, you can contact Janet Strom or Rinda Howell at the Public Health Center, 874-3615.

Pre-school scholarships for children ages 3-5 (for those who do not have access to pre-school) will be offered this spring. If your child will be 5 years old by October 31st of this year and is NOT in a licensed childcare program or Headstart, call Krissy Smith at 305-0985 for information about how to enroll in the scholarship program created by the Wrangell Early Childhood Coalition.

If you are interested to find out more about any of these programs/resources, or would like to help improve the lives of Wrangell’s children from 0-5 years of age, please contact Krissy Smith, Chair of the Board of Directors (Shelby@aptalaska.net). You can also become a member of our Facebook group. Stay tuned for more information over the next year regarding upcoming events from the Wrangell Early Childhood Coalition.

Julie Decker

Wrangell Early Childhood Coalition