Title
Phoenix Great Start Program
Description
This report provides the Community and Cultural Investment Subcommittee with an update on the Phoenix Great Start program that began in 2014 to increase family-engagement opportunities prior to Kindergarten.
THIS ITEM IS FOR INFORMATION ONLY.
Report
Summary
The Phoenix Great Start Program started in 2014 to increase family-engagement opportunities for children before entering kindergarten. The program provides Phoenix children in Title I schools free admission to several educational and cultural centers to support early literacy development. The program provides opportunities for children to learn, explore and discover new things at the following organizations: Arizona Science Center, Children’s Museum of Phoenix, Phoenix Zoo, Desert Botanical Gardens, Arizona Latino Arts and Cultural Center, Musical Instrument Museum, Japanese Friendship Garden, and Pueblo Grande Museum. The program is part of Read On Phoenix, a third grade-level reading initiative, that implements and promotes high-quality early education programs to increase children’s language and literacy skills.
Parents participate in various workshops on early literacy development and learn how they are their child’s first teacher. The program engages students and parents to learn together and provides educational materials to enhance early child development that incorporates family activities with early literacy. The program also recommends that parents sign up for a library card, visit a Phoenix library, attend a Phoenix family resource center, and visit their children's future school.
In 2021, the City received funding from the National Campaign for Grade Level Reading and Vanguard to reinvigorate the program after being on hiatus due to the Pandemic. As of October 2022, the program has increased participation by 168 percent from 434 in 2019 to 1,232 in 2022. It is anticipated that by the end of the year, the program will serve more the 2,200 families and children.
The 2022 Great Start Program's culminating event is scheduled for Friday, Dec. 2, 2022, from 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. at the Phoenix Zoo for Zoo Lights. Parents will have the opportunity to participate in fun-filled activities that include face painting, caricaturist drawings, animal experience, and a visit from Santa Claus. It is anticipated that up to 500 parents and children will be in attendance.
Department
Responsible Department
This item is submitted by Deputy City Manager Inger Erickson and the Youth and Education Office.