On Monday, Sept. 30th, YWCA Clinton will host its first event under their new "Strong Brain, Whole Child" program. The project will serve as a two-generational preschool focusing on holistic education for both children and their caregivers.
This program was implemented after receiving a grant from Better Health Foundations. Now, Director of Children's Programming Amanda Snyder said they are able to target community disparities in access to nutrition and physical and mental healthcare.
"This was a program that came out of need based off just different kiddos in our community that were needing some of that extra care and kind of falling through the cracks," Snyder said. "At three-years-old, sometimes there's not a lot of resources available until they get to school."
This two-year pilot program will welcome around 40 three-year-olds and their guardians each year. It will teach a curriculum designed to meet the needs of the families enrolled, focusing on health, safety and trauma-informed care.
"This program is the education of the future," Marketing Director Jen Bruce said in a press release. "Strong Brain, Whole Child is a comprehensive approach to ensuring our children and families thrive. It is sure to benefit our community for years to come."
YWCA Clinton is collaborating with local services to bring other professionals into the classrooms, bringing a community-centered approach to education.
"Studies show that the more connections that people have, especially in their early ages, the more it really helps them out as they get older, the more of a community aspect that they have," Snyder said. "It can really help the children and really the families. That's why it's a two-generational program: To be able to get the parents connected to people that can help them and fulfill the areas that they might need some help in."
Guardians enrolled in the program will be invited to a monthly "Whole Family" night to participate in wellness activities and classes and join in a group meal. Families will also be provided a free YWCA fitness membership.
The students' progress will be tracked through the National Institute for Children's Health Quality Vanderbilt Assessment Scale. Snyder said this will act as a proactive approach to ensure that the needs of each child are being met.
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