All young children deserve the opportunity to realize their full potential. That’s why Greater Twin Cities United Way invests in a future where families and caregivers are equipped to support children in becoming successful learners, and all children enter kindergarten ready to learn and thrive.
Our multiyear Community Investments and 80x3: Resilient from the Start partner, Wilder Child Development Center, provides whole-family support for children ages 16 months to five years and their caregivers. We share the belief that young children are better prepared for kindergarten when they have everything they need to succeed, and their caregivers have everything they need to help their young people thrive. We also share the belief that early childhood providers better care for young children and their guardians when they have training and support to thrive in their careers.
Holistic support for families of young children
Learn more about our partnership with Wilder Child Development Center from their director of early childhood services, Angela Clair:
My colleague, Steven Walvig, also works with Wilder and our other early childhood education partners. “Our goal is a future where all children in Twin Cities metro enter kindergarten ready to thrive,” says Walvig. “To meet this goal, we connect families to quality childcare and other critical resources through services like our 211 resource helpline. Often, our nonprofit partners use 211 to help the families they work with.”
Wilder Child Development Center shares our strategy of connecting families to may different types of support:
“We have a role at this center called the Family Services coordinator. And in that role, families are able to ask for support for whatever they need for their family. 211 is one of the first things we use to see what resources are available for that family,” shares Clair.
Affordable childcare is a huge expense for Minnesota families and caregivers. Especially for the 35% of Minnesotans who fall below the ALICE threshold (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed), who face difficulty affording the basics. In addition to nationally recognized childcare and early learning programs, Wilder offers tuition support and subsidies, a food shelf, housing resources, mental health support, a lending library, dedicated caregiver space and more to ensure children and families have what they need to be successful.
Wilder isn’t only providing quality childcare; they’re also helping families maintain stability. Their approach recognizes and demonstrates how our youngest community members depend on a network of support for their guardians to thrive.
When parents and caregivers expressed wanting a dedicated space at Wilder Child Development Center, Wilder responded with support from 80x3. The vision was a room designed by caregivers, for caregivers.
They designed a space to recharge before reuniting with their children, and to share experiences and connect with peers and where helpful resources — like a computer for printing, and books on raising children — could be found easily and quickly.
By investing in the support caregivers ask for, early childhood education programs, like Wilder, acknowledge the vital interplay between resilience in caregivers and child development. A caregiver better nurtures their child's growth when they feel supported, heard, and valued.
We know that 80 percent of brain development happens by age 3. At this time of great potential, families are often the most strained. Quality childcare makes a huge difference for kids and caregivers, but it can be hard to find.
That’s why, in 2022, we launched our 80x3: Resilient from the Start initiative. Through 80x3, we work to increase the number of early childhood educators that can provide trauma-sensitive and culturally informed care.
Trauma-sensitive care is necessary for healthy brain development. Trauma-sensitive care uses appropriate knowledge and tools to recognize and mitigate the negative effects of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs). Without this kind of care, young children have an increased risk for long-term toxic stress that can cause lifelong physical and mental health issues.
ACEs are common and include experiences like abuse of any kind, physical or emotional neglect, divorce, living with caregivers with mental health challenges and childhood bullying. In 2022, 47% of Minnesota students reported experiencing at least one ACE.
By investing in early childhood educators to train in trauma-sensitive care practices, we can reduce the harmful effects of ACEs for young people and their families. And we can provide the type of professional development and mental healthcare that helps the childcare system retain necessary and impactful educators.
As an 80x3 partner, Wilder Child Development Center has seen firsthand the difference that trauma-sensitive education can make. Because of 80x3, teachers better understand why children may be exhibiting certain behaviors and can approach situations in a more positive, supportive way. And the center has been able to review and revise its policies and procedures to incorporate practices that reduce the harmful effects of trauma. This has led to improved family and staff retention, as teachers and families feel heard and supported.
“Our United Way 80x3 partnership has impacted trauma-informed care within our program in a way that has really helped children, families and teachers be successful. And we’ve gotten training and information about things that we had no idea existed. Without that partnership, we would have been lost,” says Clair.
United Way is unique in our approach to funding. We know that flexible, trust-based funding based on strong, mutually accountable relationships allows our partners to use resources as they know best. With our partnership, Wilder can better support and work with children, families and early childhood educators.
“The funding we receive through United Way provides the resources and support necessary to help meet the individual needs of our families. Whether it is funding for our food shelf, to get some toys in the classroom or to help a family that’s struggling to pay a co-pay — it really gives a lot of different opportunities,” shares Clair.
From training and professional development opportunities for staff to Wilder's dedicated caregiver space, our partnership is transforming how teachers and staff at Wilder interact with and support children and their families.
All children and families deserve access to early childhood education that provides the foundation for a lifetime of success. Together, we’re building a community where every child enters kindergarten ready to learn and thrive, families have what they need to support their child’s lifelong success, and educators have the skills and career development they succeed in their careers for a long time.
We are proud to partner with Wilder Child Development Center and our many nonprofit partners working in education. Together, we’re supporting young children and their caregivers today for a brighter tomorrow.
Here’s how you can join us:
