The White Center Early Learning Initiative, a first-of-its-kind public-private community based partnership, will significantly expand early learning opportunities to children from birth to 5 years old in White Center.

Funded by two grants-$4.7 million from Thrive by Five Washington and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation for expanded early learning options for families with young children, and $7 million from the Gates Foundation for the construction of an early learning community center, the White Center Early Learning Initiative aims to provide parents and caregivers with education and support to ensure that all children in the community begin school ready to succeed.

One of only two Washington communities

White Center and Yakima County are two communities selected more than a year ago to design comprehensive early learning networks for children ages birth to 5. Created in 2006, Thrive by Five Washington is a champion for early learning improvement and is funded by a diverse group of public, private, and philanthropic partners.

"One of my priorities is to help ensure that children get the support they need to succeed in school and in life," said Gov. Chris Gregoire, co-chair of the Thrive by Five Washington board of directors. "This innovative partnership is helping to make best practices in early learning a reality."

The early learning initiative has spent more than 18 months convening local stakeholder groups and developing business plans to make positive early learning opportunities- whether at home or in child care centers-available to families in their community.

These grants will fund the first phase of those plans beginning in 2008. Funding will be jointly administered by; the Puget Sound Educational Service District, Child Care Resources of King County and Public Health of Seattle/King County.

The process has involved numerous focus groups with multiple language translations taking place in real time through "e-polling," projecting information and answers on screens during the groups.

Thrive By Five Involvement

"I want to commend the hard work and dedication exhibited by the White Center community," said Graciela Italiano-Thomas, president and chief executive officer of the public-private partnership Thrive by Five Washington.

"The partnership between the community, public agencies and private caregivers will be critical to meeting the unique needs of families in White Center and sustaining this groundbreaking model," she said. "Your efforts will enrich the lives of thousands of children and prepare them for success in school and life."

Italiano-Thomas continued, "The rest of the nation is watching what we are doing... the challenge is enormous, but then so is the opportunity."

Funding for services will support the development of a continuum of programs aimed at children from birth to 5, their parents and caregivers, including: outreach services to pregnant and postpartum women through the Community Doula program, which pairs new mothers with trained women who provide emotional support and guidance; nurse home visitation for expectant families through their children's first years; play and learn groups for toddlers; and literacy resources for parents.

Existing Head Start centers will receive grants to improve teacher qualifications and program quality. In addition, grant funds will enhance the learning environments of licensed child care centers, preschools and family child care homes in the White Center and Boulevard Park neighborhoods through professional development for staff and a quality rating and improvement system that will make better information available to parents.

"Providing engaging, positive early learning environments for young children is one of the smartest investments we can make in the future," said Bill Gates Sr., co-chair of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and the Thrive by Five Washington board of directors. "We will be watching the White Center community as they show us what is possible when we help all children thrive."

To date, Thrive by Five has raised more than 30 million dollars in pledges in Washington.

Greenbridge Early Learning Center

The planned Greenbridge Early Learning Center (GELC) will serve as a headquarters for education and outreach services in the community. Funds for construction will come from Thrive by Five, federal tax credits and other public and private sources, including $2 million in state support proposed by Gov. Gregoire.

Based on the "Educare" model first developed in Chicago, the center will include space for parenting classes and preschool programs taught by credentialed instructors. The center will demonstrate how partnerships and links between early learning and K-12 create an environment that supports school readiness for all children.

As an Educare program, the site will host regional and national observers and leaders who are interested in seeing effective early learning in action. Educare is a nationally recognized research-based birth-to-five program that incorporates critical quality elements, such as low staff/child ratios, small group sizes, rigorous educational and professional development for staff and parent/family involvement.

The Greenbridge center will be a learning and training hub for early learning staff and caregivers in the White Center community. More than 200 White Center childcare staff and informal care providers in the community will be able to access hands-on training there. Staff can take college classes and earn college credit for their learning experiences at the center.

As the hub of the White Center Early Learning Initiative, the goal is to make Greenbridge a place that can impact all children in the community; a place where parents, caregivers, teachers, neighbors and local business people can learn more about early learning, parenting and school readiness support.

Approximately 3,000 children under age 6 live in White Center. The Greenbridge center will directly serve 134 children and their families, including 32 infants and toddlers and 102 preschoolers.

The Center Constuction and Funding

Construction on the Greenbridge Early Learning Center is expected to begin by the middle of the year on 8th Avenue Southwest, adjacent to the existing Greenbridge housing and north of White Center Heights Elementary.

It's expected to open in the fall of 2009 pending complete funding. The project will cost just over $19 million. A proposal for this funding is in the Washington State legislature but should the public monies not be forthcoming, further private donations will be sought.

White Center is Diverse

White Center is one of the most diverse communities in the state with 32,000 residents who collectively speak more than 70 languages. With an active network of civic and cultural organizations, the White Center community has strong social capital, yet, one in five children below the age of 5 lives in poverty.

In addition, 17.2 percent of fourth grade students at White Center Heights Elementary passed all three sections of the Washington Assessment of Student Learning in 2007.

Where it Began

The effort to bring the project to fruition began about three years ago with the "Making Connections" initiative from the Annie E. Casey Foundation in Baltimore, MD. The foundation focuses on early learning, asset building for families, work and earnings.

Theresa Fujiwara was the site team liaison hired by the Casey Foundation to develop their efforts here. She began the dialog with the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and Thrive By Five.

Fujiwara has since joined the White Center Community Development Association, headed by Aileen Balahadia, and the Making Connections initiative efforts have been folded into the association.

"Our role is in partnership with these other organizations, acting as a major convener in bringing the Gates Foundations and Thrive by Five to focus on the whole area," said Balahadia.