The National League of Cities team is visiting Jacksonville during the week of July 29th and will attend the 4th Annual Historic Eastside Back-to-School Event on Saturday, August 3rd, 2024 from 8:30AM – 2PM at the Jacksonville Fairgrounds Expo Center.
“This recognition aligns with the goals of my administration in so many ways, from the importance of early literacy and family inclusion to economic growth and quality of life for all Jacksonville citizens. In January, the Mayor Deegan’s River City Readers literacy challenge was established to provide opportunities for youth and families to not only enjoy reading together, but also receive additional resources to help them grow and succeed,” said Mayor Donna Deegan.
Dr. Saralyn Grass, Kids Hope Alliance CEO said, “This initiative underscores our commitment to creating an environment where young children and families can thrive. By focusing on early learning and supporting providers, we are not only enhancing educational outcomes but also contributing to the overall economic and social well-being of our community. This recognition is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our team and partners, and we are extremely honored to be included.”
The City of Jacksonville, Kids Hope Alliance dedication to improving Early Childhood Outcomes over the years:
This initiative is a significant opportunity for Kids Hope Alliance and the City of Jacksonville to showcase how local governments have championed early childhood development over decades. Jacksonville's selection as part of this cohort (along with Boston, Seattle, and Hartford, CT) is a testament to our long-term commitment and innovative approaches to supporting early childhood success. Our engagement with NLC in this area gained significant momentum during the Peyton Administration, marked notably by the commitment to early learning with initiatives like the Mayor's Book Club.
We have not only sustained these efforts but also expanded them significantly. One of our current projects that we have been working with NLC closely on is the Business Leadership Institute (BLI) for Early Educators and our Accreditation Academy, where up to 30 childcare owners and directors go through a rigorous series of courses to learn to enhance their business operations and reinvest in the quality of their facilities. Approximately half of these facilities, upon completing the cohort, participate in our Accreditation Academy, where we cover accreditation costs and provide coaching. The state grants a 20% higher reimbursement rate for accredited facilities receiving state vouchers, enabling substantial improvements in facility quality and staff compensation. Since the program’s inception in 2020 more than 130 childcare owners, directors and team members have completed the BLI programs with 20 programs successfully completing accreditation and more than 30 currently in the process.
Additionally, as part of these efforts, we are aligning our early childhood work with broader citywide priorities, ensuring that our efforts are both impactful and sustainable. For example, in collaboration with the Jacksonville Small and Emerging Business (JSEB) office and the University of North Florida, we have launched a business boot camp for our graduates, a new venture for JSEB which typically did not work with non-profits or childcare entities. This work complements our ongoing collaboration with the Early Learning Coalition to improve school readiness rates, ensuring children are well-prepared for kindergarten. And we are getting books into the hands of young children and their families starting at birth, with their first well-child visit to a doctor – a complement to Read Jax and the Mayor’s River City Readers initiative.
This initiative runs from January 2024 through December 2025 and is supported by the Foundation for Child Development.
About the City of Jacksonville: The City of Jacksonville is the largest city by land mass in the continental United States, serving approximately one million residents. Located in Duval County, City of Jacksonville leadership includes Mayor Donna Deegan and a 19-member City Council led by President Randy White. To learn more about the City of Jacksonville, visit www.jacksonville.gov.
About National League of Cities: The National League of Cities (NLC), the voice of America’s cities, towns and villages, representing more than 200 million people. NLC works to strengthen local leadership, influence federal policy and drive innovative solutions.
About Kids Hope Alliance: With the vision that every child and youth will reach their academic, career, and civic potential, Kids Hope Alliance: The Jacksonville Partnership for Children, Youth, and Families (KHA), a fiscal agency of the City of Jacksonville, is responsible for overseeing the implementation and management of children and youth programs, services, and activities, accomplished through third-party service providers. For more information, please visit www.kidshopealliance.org.