FAMILY FUTURES RECEIVES LARGE GRANT FOR DEVELOPMENTAL SCREENING
Grand Rapids, Michigan, June 9, 2015 - Family Futures has received a multi-year grant from the W.K. Kellogg Foundation totaling $757,800 to expand developmental screenings for vulnerable children in Kent County. This three year grant will enable any parent with a child under the age of five in Kent County to receive just-in-time developmental information through Family Futures' Connections program.
The Connections program - which provides parents with a means of gaging their child's development during the first five years of life - currently serves over 9,000 children annually. This new grant will grow that capacity. It will also allow the program to expand developmental screenings to include social-emotional feedback.
"We have made a substantial impact by allowing thousands of parents to determine if their children are developmentally on track," stated Candace Cowling, Executive Director of Family Futures. "With this grant, we can provide peace of mind for parents to know if their children are developmentally on track and connect them with resources when a concern arises. This important service makes it possible for all parents to support their children to reach their full potential.
The grant will strengthen the program's ability to reach parents who have yet to participate. Since it was established in 2005, Connections has served over 24,000 children, processing over 90,000 of the developmental questionnaires.
"We are empowering all parents to be more knowledgeable about how their child is progressing," stated Cowling. "We are grateful to the Kellogg Foundation for continuing to support our efforts to be inclusive here in Kent County. This service contributes to a community in which success can be available for all.”
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About Family Futures
Parenting is a journey – but it doesn’t come with a road map. Family Futures is a West Michigan nonprofit dedicated to shaping a strong community by building safe and strong families. Founded in 1985, the organization was previously known as the Child and Family Resource Council and is celebrating thirty years of serving local families.
More information can be found at www.familyfutures.net.
About the W.K. Kellogg Foundation
The W.K. Kellogg Foundation (WKKF), founded in 1930 as an independent, private foundation by breakfast cereal pioneer Will Keith Kellogg, is among the largest philanthropic foundations in the United States. Guided by the belief that all children should have an equal opportunity to thrive, WKKF works with communities to create conditions for vulnerable children so they can realize their full potential in school, work and life. The Kellogg Foundation is based in Battle Creek, Mich., and works throughout the United States and internationally, as well as with sovereign tribes. Special emphasis is paid to priority places where there are high concentrations of poverty and where children face significant barriers to success. WKKF priority places in the U.S. are in Michigan, Mississippi, New Mexico and New Orleans; and internationally, are in Mexico and Haiti.
For information, visit www.wkkf.org.
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