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Discovery Grants are funded by the William Caspar Graustein Memorial Fund, the Children’s Fund of Connecticut, and the Connecticut Office of Early Childhood.
The grant will help to ensure that children of all races and income levels in Danbury are ready for school by age 5 and prepared to be successful learners by age 9.
“We’re excited that once again the William Caspar Graustein Memorial Fund is willing to invest in Danbury’s children,” said Caroline LaFleur, director of Danbury’s Promise for Children Partnership. “For the past five years, we have been able to bring parents, educators at all levels, family support providers, and health providers together to support young children. This is made possible by the financial support of the Memorial Fund. The result is that we have more services and supports for Danbury families, and children are better prepared for school and life.”
The Danbury Discovery Program, called Danbury’s Promise for Children Partnership, serves as a local resource for children from birth to age 8 and their families. The Partnership seeks to engage parents in their child’s early childhood education – birth through age 8 – and in taking leadership roles within the community on behalf of all children.
“Because we have been working together as a Partnership we have been able to bring in many resources to Danbury – from a variety of sources – to support early learning,” said Juleen Flanigan, the partnership’s co-chair. “The support of the William Caspar Graustein Memorial Fund makes this work possible, and improves the lives of our children and families.”
Flanigan said the Partnership has brought in funds for home visitation services for at-risk families, preschool teacher training, and parent outreach on child growth and development.
“This grant supports local community action on behalf of young children and families,” said David Addams, executive director of the William Caspar Graustein Memorial Fund. “Early childhood councils, along with our state partners, work with Connecticut’s new Office of Early Childhood to create a comprehensive early childhood system in our state. By working together we can best utilize state and local resources to improve life for all children. ”
Danbury’s Promise for Children Partnership was established in 2009 guided by this mission: All Danbury children are healthy and ready for school and lifelong learning. It is a community partnership spearheaded by the United Way of Western Connecticut, Danbury Public Schools, Danbury’s family support agencies, early childhood education providers, and health providers.
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