Who will benefit from First Steps?
Everyone. Our community’s greatest strength has rested with the
quality of its workforce, which has been the main engine of our economic
development. Employer demands for an educated workforce will only
increase in future years. For our children to compete in the global
economy, it is incumbent upon us to provide them with a solid foundation
for academic success.
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Why is early learning important?
Recent research has confirmed that 75 percent of a child’s brain
development occurs by age 5. Early learning forms the emotional and
intellectual foundations young children need to succeed in school
and in life. Without the right stimulation and caring attention,
children fall behind and often never catch up. The growing body of
information underscores three key conclusions:
- More needs to be done to equip parents and other adult caregivers with the knowledge and tools to prepare children to succeed in school.
- A child’s early experiences actually sculpt developing brain areas in the key domains of school readiness.
- The early care children receive powerfully affects their self-control and ability to learn, with good care enhancing and poor care impeding their development.
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What are the program outcomes?
First Steps provides a comprehensive plan to meet the early education
needs of our children, ages 0-6, and positions our community for
future economic success. Key outcomes include:
- Informed parents and adult caregivers
- Collaboration and integration of community services for young children and their families
- Accountability for improved results
- Children enter kindergarten prepared and ready for school
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Who is involved?
This is a community-wide collaboration. Key planning partners include
Rochester Area Foundation, Child Care Resource and Referral,
Family Action Collaborative (FACES), Olmsted County Public Health,
Olmsted County Community Services, Rochester Area Chamber of Commerce,
Rochester Public Schools and United Way of Olmsted County.
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What will the program cost?
As pointed out in a study by the Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis,
an investment in early education will pay significant dividends to the
community. These include decreasing the burdens of remedial education,
crime and welfare costs, getting more from our existing investments in
K-12 education and capturing gains from a more highly-educated workforce
earning higher incomes. An ounce of prevention delivered in efficient,
focused and accountable services will be worth a pound of cures in
avoiding poor outcomes.
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How can people contribute?
Financial contributions to First Steps can be directed to:
Rochester Area Foundation
400 South Broadway, Suite 300
Rochester, MN 55904
or by calling (507) 282-0203.
You may also contribute online: Donate Now
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How can people find out more about the program?
For more information, contact us using one of the methods listed below.
FIRST STEPS | Rochester Area Foundation
400 South Broadway, Suite 300
Rochester, MN 55904
Phone: (507) 282-1027 / Fax: (507) 282-4938
