National League of Cities and Foundation Unite to Improve Early Childhood Outcomes

April 28, 2004 — The National League of Cities (NLC) received a $75,000 grant from the Freddie Mac Foundation recently to support a program entitled the Freddie Mac Foundation Early Childhood Challenge. NLC is selecting 12 cities nationwide to receive technical assistance in developing multi-year, strategic action plans that promote early childhood success in their communities.

"Municipal leaders play a vital role in supporting our youngest citizens. This project will help city officials create targeted plans that improve outcomes for young children, aged birth through five, in their communities," said Clifford Johnson, executive director of the NLC's Youth, Education and Families (YEF) Institute.

The selected cities include: Columbus, Ohio; Fort Worth, Tex.; Greenville, S.C.; Hamden, Conn.; Indianapolis, Ind.; Jackson, Miss.; Kokomo, Ind.; Mansfield, Conn., Northglenn, Colo.; Ralston, Neb.; St. Louis, Mo.; and Tulsa, Okla.

The selected cities will create and adopt strong, outcome-oriented early childhood plans for their communities that address parent education, health and safety, quality child care, and school readiness.

Each city's planning process will include: conducting an assessment of local early childhood needs; creating a local task force of community representatives to spearhead planning efforts; consulting with parents and other key stakeholders; and identifying goals and priorities for early childhood in the community. All 12 cities will receive individual assistance from YEF Institute staff and access to related resources and expertise.

The Foundation is dedicated to open doors of hope and opportunity for children, youth, and families. This grant aligns with the Foundation's goal to strengthen families and provide leadership support for children's issues at the national level.

To read more about the Freddie Mac Foundation's Early Childhood Challenge, read the article that appeared in the Nation's Cities Weekly.