For Immediate Release
February 14, 2007
Contact Information
Monique Brackett
BaumanCurry & Co. Public Relations
(323) 525-0559, ext. 237
First 5 California Launches “Leading Ladies for School Readiness” Campaign
Statewide Collaboration with Leading Ladies of African American Churches Aims to Prepare Children for Success in School
SACRAMENTO (February 14 ,2007) – First 5 California announced today it is partnering with leading ladies from African American churches to launch a statewide effort designed to educate parents and caregivers on the importance of preparing children for success in school.
To launch the campaign, entitled Leading Ladies for School Readiness, First 5 California established a partnership with the California Association of Ministers’ Wives and Ministers’ Widows. To date, more than 50 leading ladies – women in leadership roles at their church – are participating in the statewide faith-based program.
“Leading ladies play an important role within their churches and communities,” said First 5 Executive Director Kris Perry. “The leading ladies of the African American church are trusted and reliable sources for information and our ability to reach parents with important messages about school readiness will be significantly strengthened through this historic partnership.”
According to First 5 California, two-thirds of children in the state’s high-priority elementary schools do not have the necessary developmental skills to enter kindergarten such as sharing, taking turns or sitting still in a classroom.
As local advocates for school readiness, leading ladies will work closely with church leadership and other community leaders to educate parents and caregivers on topics including good nutrition, health care, early literacy and the benefits of preschool.
Some of the outreach activities organized by the leading ladies will include hosting church and community forums focused on African Americans and school readiness, establishing a speakers’ bureau to educate parents and generate support for school readiness efforts, and serving as local media spokespersons for the school readiness education effort.
“We want parents to know they are their child’s first teacher, and preparing their child for school starts the day he or she is born,” said Henryetta Benton, president of the California Association of Ministers’ Wives and Ministers’ Widows. “We are looking forward to working closely with First 5 California to help ensure children get the best possible start in life and enter school healthy and happy.”
To support the leading ladies school readiness outreach efforts, First 5 California created a comprehensive outreach tool kit, which includes a variety of ready-to-use education materials and useful tips for reaching parents and caregivers throughout their churches and surrounding communities.
According to First 5 California, 90 percent of a child’s brain develops most dramatically during the first 5 years of life. Therefore, what a parent does during these early years to support their child’s growth and encourage learning will have a meaningful impact throughout their child’s life.
Leading ladies interested in participating in the Leading Ladies for School Readiness campaign are encouraged to contact the California Association of Ministers’ Wives and Ministers’ Widows at info@leadingladiesforschoolreadiness.com or call (866) 305-4813. An interdenominational organization, the association has more than 200 members throughout California and has recently added school readiness among African Americans to its many advocacy goals.
About First 5 California
First 5 California (also known as the California Children and Families Commission) is dedicated to improving the lives of children under the age of 5. First 5 California and the 58 County Commissions were established after voters passed Proposition 10 in November 1998, adding a 50 cents-per-pack tax on cigarettes to fund education, health, child care and other programs for expectant parents and children up to age 5. For more information, visit their Web site at www.first5california.com.
To launch the campaign, entitled Leading Ladies for School Readiness, First 5 California established a partnership with the California Association of Ministers’ Wives and Ministers’ Widows. To date, more than 50 leading ladies – women in leadership roles at their church – are participating in the statewide faith-based program.
“Leading ladies play an important role within their churches and communities,” said First 5 Executive Director Kris Perry. “The leading ladies of the African American church are trusted and reliable sources for information and our ability to reach parents with important messages about school readiness will be significantly strengthened through this historic partnership.”
According to First 5 California, two-thirds of children in the state’s high-priority elementary schools do not have the necessary developmental skills to enter kindergarten such as sharing, taking turns or sitting still in a classroom.
As local advocates for school readiness, leading ladies will work closely with church leadership and other community leaders to educate parents and caregivers on topics including good nutrition, health care, early literacy and the benefits of preschool.
Some of the outreach activities organized by the leading ladies will include hosting church and community forums focused on African Americans and school readiness, establishing a speakers’ bureau to educate parents and generate support for school readiness efforts, and serving as local media spokespersons for the school readiness education effort.
“We want parents to know they are their child’s first teacher, and preparing their child for school starts the day he or she is born,” said Henryetta Benton, president of the California Association of Ministers’ Wives and Ministers’ Widows. “We are looking forward to working closely with First 5 California to help ensure children get the best possible start in life and enter school healthy and happy.”
To support the leading ladies school readiness outreach efforts, First 5 California created a comprehensive outreach tool kit, which includes a variety of ready-to-use education materials and useful tips for reaching parents and caregivers throughout their churches and surrounding communities.
According to First 5 California, 90 percent of a child’s brain develops most dramatically during the first 5 years of life. Therefore, what a parent does during these early years to support their child’s growth and encourage learning will have a meaningful impact throughout their child’s life.
Leading ladies interested in participating in the Leading Ladies for School Readiness campaign are encouraged to contact the California Association of Ministers’ Wives and Ministers’ Widows at info@leadingladiesforschoolreadiness.com or call (866) 305-4813. An interdenominational organization, the association has more than 200 members throughout California and has recently added school readiness among African Americans to its many advocacy goals.
About First 5 California
First 5 California (also known as the California Children and Families Commission) is dedicated to improving the lives of children under the age of 5. First 5 California and the 58 County Commissions were established after voters passed Proposition 10 in November 1998, adding a 50 cents-per-pack tax on cigarettes to fund education, health, child care and other programs for expectant parents and children up to age 5. For more information, visit their Web site at www.first5california.com.
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