Having access to a high-quality education in the earliest stages of a child’s development sets them up for a lifetime of success.
The McCune Family Foundation has awarded Children First a $50,000 grant in support of scholarships for Sarasota County’s most economically vulnerable children, ages six weeks to five years old. Scholarships ensure access to comprehensive services that includes early childhood education, nutrition, and emotional and behavioral support as well as family strengthening services for parents.
Since 2017, the McCune Family Foundation has granted $230,000 to Children First through support of the agency’s Raise Your Hand Campaign, high-quality services, and family wellbeing.
Children First serves at-risk children and families at 15 locations throughout North Port, Sarasota, and Venice as the exclusive provider of Head Start and Early Head Start services for Sarasota County.
“The need for our services has never been greater as we continue to battle the ongoing effects of the pandemic. The McCune Family Foundation’s support allows us to focus on our mission of empowering parents and building a strong foundation for the healthy development of the children we serve. Thank you for your investment in accessible, high-quality education and care for our community’s most vulnerable children and families,” says CEO Philip Tavill.
About Children First:
Founded in 1961 and ranked in the top 1% out of over 1,800 Head Starts nationwide, Children First strengthens children and families by improving the quality of their lives through a comprehensive approach to development, education, health, and well-being. At 15 sites throughout Sarasota County, Children First offers full-day preschool, infant and toddler care, and nutrition and health care assistance to children ages birth to five years old from low-income families. Through Children First, the children receive the social and cognitive skills needed to enter kindergarten and elementary school on track. For more information, call (941) 953-3877 or go to childrenfirst.net.
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