Trident United Way leading the way through collective impact
As the convener for our region’s first Kindergarten Readiness Network, and in partnership with the Tri-County Cradle to Career Collaborative (TCCC), Trident United Way (TUW) is positioned to provide the infrastructure necessary to support hundreds of early learning organizations, providers, businesses, governments, community volunteers and others to collect data for an ambitious common agenda, develop shared goals and milestones and identify and operationalize promising solutions. This move aims to improve academic and developmental outcomes for children from birth through age 5 by creating a cohesive and strategic plan in coordination with community, local and state stakeholders.
The Kindergarten Readiness Network (KRN) is growing and comprised of more than 100 members in the community who are committed to achieving the vision of Kindergarten Readiness. A Guiding Team supports the network by helping analyze data and focus the scope of the work. Network membership is open to any interested party and includes representatives from schools, colleges, businesses, and community-based organizations, as well as parents, community volunteers and others who wish to support the movement to help children, parents and communities ensure children enter kindergarten ready to learn. To learn more about the role of network partners and to sign up to join the network, click here.
Network Leadership
Convening Partner: Trident United Way
Primary Contacts: Amanda Lawrence, Trident United Way alawrence@tuw.org
LaTisha Vaughn-Brandon, TCCC’s Director of Networks and Community Engagement, LaTisha@TriCountyCradleToCareer.org
Guiding Team Members
Bryan Buroughs, Institute for Child Success
Crystal Campbell, Dorchester County First Steps
Jame Farrell, Community Volunteer
Kim Foxworth, Charleston County School District
Kelsey Gilmore-Futeral, SC Department of Social Services
Janice Key, Medical University of South Carolina
Kyle Lahm, City of North Charleston
Cathy Marino, Community Volunteer
Adrienne Troy-Frazier, Berkeley County First Steps
Herman Knopf, University of South Carolina
Kelley White, College of Charleston
James Ella Collins, Charleston County First Steps
Karen Warren, Community Volunteer
A Vision for Kindergarten Readiness Network
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The Kindergarten Readiness Network has agreed upon the following vision to guide their efforts:
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Kindergarten Readiness involves children, families, early care and educational environments schools and communities.
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Families and caregivers encourage the physical, social and emotional, cognitive, and language development of children.
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Early Childhood practitioners partner with children and their families using evidence-based, child-centered, and developmentally and culturally appropriate curricula and practices.
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Communities create a system for access and support resources and institutions that will promote and support the development of the whole child.
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All are necessary so that all children will experience kindergarten success.
Interested in learning more? Contact Amanda Lawrence at alawrence@tuw.org or 843-740-7724.