WKF Grant Award Recipients — Sweetwater, Natrona & the Wind River Reservation
Collaborators in Natrona County, Sweetwater County and the Wind River Reservation were awarded the first Wyoming Kids First Planning grants by Joan Evans, Director of the Department of Workforce Services, at a news conference held on April 9, 2009, in Cheyenne.
The Planning Grants provide $50,000 in funds that will help staff and operate a Wyoming Kids First office in their county. These Regional Partnerships will be responsible for building an early childhood system on the local level by identifying the needs or gaps in services for children zero to age eight and working with partners to fill the needs. This pilot program is funded with seed money through the Wyoming Department of Workforce Services. The funds can be used to employ at least one staff person and fund the operations of a Wyoming Kids First office. The initial work of the Regional Partnerships will include: conducting a community assessment to identify gaps in services in the priority areas of early care and education, physical, mental and emotional health and family support; developing a strategic plan to prioritize and address these needs; and developing a public engagement plan.
In all, nine regions applied for this first-time grant. Others regions include collaborators from Laramie County, Converse County, Weston County, Sheridan County, Teton County and Sublette County. A team of reviewers from Wyoming and Colorado reviewed and scored the grants based on current and past efforts of collaboration and their ability to bring partners to the table. The grants were awarded to the highest scoring counties in small, medium and large-sized county categories.
All applicants, regardless of whether they receive the grant will receive training and technical assistance from the WECP. In addition, each partnership will be supported through the placement of a VISTA volunteer who can either lead the program or assist with the work.
- WKF in Natrona County Regional Partnership Leader
- Jackie Immel, Executive Director Child and Nutrition Services
exdir@wyoming.com
307-266-1236 - WKF in Sweetwater County Regional Partnership Leader
- Kathy Tack, Director of Community Impact, United Way of Southwest Wyoming
community@swunitedway.org
307-362-5003 - WKF on the Wind River Reservation Regional Partnership Leaders
- Patricia Bergie, Representative of the Joint Tribes Business Council
pbergie@washakie.net
307-332-3532 - Belle Ferris, Representative of the Joint Tribes Business Council
bferris@northernarapaho.com
307-332-6120
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Mission
Lead a public-private partnership in the development of an accessible and sustain-able, high quality, early childhood system that supports communities and families.
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Vision
All children in Wyoming live and learn in safe and nurturing environments that prepare them for success in school and life.
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