The first six years of life are critical. Research shows that 90% of the brain’s growth occurs before the age of six. 25% of children entering Kindergarten do not have the foundational skills they need to be successful in school.
Success By 6 programs and services ensure children six years or less are receiving health and development programs that will help them get a good start in life.
“Conservative estimates indicate that $1 spent on supporting young children can save up to $7 in future health and social service costs.” says Jennifer Wright, Success By 6 Coordinator for Northwest Indiana’s United Ways. “Healthy children build healthy communities. Everyone prospers from investing in children.” Wright was recently named the Northwest Indiana Success By Six Coordinator. She grew up in Valparaiso, Indiana, obtained a Bachelors degree in psychology and education, spent ten years working for the Boys & Girls Clubs in Metro Denver & New York and six years with the Department of Children and Family Service’s emergency infant, toddler and child shelter care program in Palm Beach County, Florida. While working in Florida she obtained a Masters degree in human services and is currently working toward her PhD. Most recently she worked as the Director of Resource Development for the Boys & Girls Clubs of Porter County.
Responding to the needs of young families, the Success By 6 in Northern Indiana supports collaborative efforts of agency partners from Lake, Porter and Laporte County United Ways. The focus of the programs and services is on parenting, access to prenatal, consistent access to health care, high quality child care, developmental screening and intervention, and child advocacy.
“By supporting Success By 6 the United Way is promoting prevention” adds Sharon Kish, President of United Way of Porter County. “We may not solve all the problems that face our community but investing in the future through Success By 6 is something we believe will make a difference in young lives.” Every child deserves to be a Success By 6.