Believe every child deserves the chance to learn.

That’s the philosophy behind Mile High United Way’s School Readiness Initiative.

Studies show that learning begins at birth. A child’s brain experiences expansive growth and development between birth and 5 years of age. That’s the time to reach them. That’s the time to teach them and prepare them for a lifetime of learning.

The problem is many families do not have access to quality early care and education designed to spark a child’s mind.

Mile High United Way’s School Readiness Initiative is changing that.

Making A Difference

We combine our community’s strengths – from the business leaders to local school districts, foundations, government and nonprofit organizations – to create lasting solutions that ensure that children in low-income families enter school with the skills and support needed to read at or above grade level and succeed in the classroom.

Our goal is to help prepare every child for that first day of school and beyond through:

	Early Childhood care and education - programs that provide access for children of low-income families to high quality early care and education and training for their teachers.
	Quality - partnership with Qualistar Early Learning, a statewide organization that helps early care and education providers focus on quality standards for better learning environments, family partnerships and professional development.
	Targeted Programs - programs like the partnership with the Annie E. Casey Foundation focusing on increasing reading proficiency at Harrington Elementary School in Denver.
	United Way’s 2-1-1 Childcare Options - free referral through United Way’s 2-1-1 to quality early care and education centers throughout the metropolitan area.
	Family, friend and neighbor care - programs that promote community awareness on the importance of school readiness and the role families and caregivers play in children’s lives.
	Advocacy - ongoing work to influence and impact systems and public policy by increased public awareness and support for early care and education and early grade literacy.

Learn more about Mile High United Way, read our stories of success, watch our online videos and join the movement for positive change at www.unitedwaydenver.org.

Believe that We Can Do More Together!

Click here to read a School Readiness Success Story