Grant Will Help County's Youngest Learners

Fairfax County Department of Family Services
Office for Children
12011 Government Center Parkway, Suite 920
Fairfax, VA 22035-1102
Contact: Lois Kirkpatrick, Marketing & Strategic Analysis Manager
Phone: 703-324-7162, TTY 711
DFSPIO@fairfaxcounty.gov

August 8, 2007

A grant given to the Office for Children in 2005 has resulted in significant improvements in child care programs in Fairfax County, and the organization has received a sustaining grant to continue its efforts.

“The success of the program is based on the collaboration between the public school system and neighborhood child care programs,” says Office for Children Director Judith Rosen.

The Virginia Early Childhood Foundation has awarded a $100,000 grant to the Fairfax County Department of Family Services’ Office for Children. This two-year grant will be matched with $100,000 from the county to support education programs for preschoolers.

Studies show that children from high-quality preschool programs are more likely to do well in school and graduate, and are less likely to become pregnant or delinquent as teens. Adults who had a high-quality preschool education generally contribute more to the economy and are less likely to use welfare and public health services.

The Office for Children will use the grant funds in several ways. The first is in educating the educators – teaching child care providers how to deliver effective early learning programs. The grant will also be used to help child care providers partner with parents to plan educational experiences for their children.

The organization will continue to collaborate with the public school system and child care providers in four areas of Alexandria, Annandale, Reston and Vienna. School Readiness Teams in these areas will plan ways to help children successfully transition from early education programs to kindergarten.