Situation- the 2020 Early childhood Profile for Crittenden County indicates that only 50% of pre-school age children are kindergarten ready. Testing for general and cognitive knowledge (33.9%), physical wellbeing (36.3%), and social/emotional (76%) were all below the State average. Crittenden County is part of the Caldwell, Crittenden and Lyon County Community Early Childhood Council (CCLCCECC).  The council received a 2020-2021 grant for $11,100. Of those funds Crittenden County received $3300.  

Educational response: The tri-county group met quarterly via zoom, with county sub committees meeting locally as needed.  The Crittenden County FCS agent served as the chair of the overall council. One of the goals of the grant was for each county to host a literacy event and our county was budgeted $1000 for 1000 books before kindergarten.  Crittenden county extension service sponsored a family fun night at the park.  We collaborated with the preschool, headstart and FRYSC to provide goody bags with books and educational materials.  The event was held in the fall and had an apple theme.  4-H provided a story walk with a book about apples.  Apples were available for snacks along with other pre-packaged healthy foods. Costumed story book characters social distanced in the back of a truck but waved and stood for photos.  A fitness instructor from a local facility led families in exercises and stretches on the field by the walking trail.  We had a total of 80 in attendance.  The school and FRSYC donated all the books for the goody bags so none of the grant funds were used on our literacy event.

Outcomes: As our grant year came to an end and Covid restriction didn’t change, we realized having an “event” to spend our grant funds would be impossible.  So sixteen literacy theme kits were purchased and placed at the library for families to check out.  The kits were supplemented with additional books.  Each kit has comprehensive, hands-on lessons that cover 10 curriculum areas —from science to dramatic play. Some of the theme boxes topics are food & nutrition, farms, health & safety, growing things, cultures of the world and more. Funds were also used to purchase books about feelings, self-esteem and multi-culture that head start teachers can take with them on home visits and leave with the families.   The CCLCCECC wrote a 2021-2022 grant.  They were awarded a $11,100 primary grant and an additional $17,500 supplemental grant, for a total of $28,600.  Plans are already underway for the upcoming program year.