Program Rationale

• Over half of children 0-5-years-old in Cowlitz County exhibit two or more risk factors effecting ability to succeed in school
• Over half of children eligible for Head Start/ECEAP cannot be served due to funding limitations.
• Twice the number of children in Head Start/ECEAP required intervention from three years ago.

The SSHS grant helps provide several readiness programs and activities to help our youngest learners be prepared to enter school. The program serves approximately 250 children. It seeks to increase parent and providers knowledge of age-appropriate developmental milestones, positive parenting practices and positive discipline techniques. It also encourages adults to spend time reading to children.

Several partners, including school districts early childhood professionals, faith-based communities and parent support agencies participate in the Early Childhood Advisory Groups to plan and implement outreach strategies, serve as facilitators, identify families needing service and evaluating program components.