United Way of Central Georgia (UWCG) is thrilled to announce that it has been awarded a $10,000 sustaining grant as part of the 2023 Empowering Communities through Collective Impact Grant Initiative. This grant, in partnership with The Sandra Dunagan Deal Center for Early Language and Literacy, will provide crucial support to continue the implementation of The Basics principles and strategies in our community.
The Basics Initiative, founded in 2016 by Ronald Ferguson, Ph.D., director of the Harvard Achievement Gap Institute, is an international coalition known as the Basics Learning Network (BLN). Grounded in the latest research in early childhood learning, brain development, behavioral science, and community change, The Basics offers a comprehensive strategy for communities to support vibrant learning and brain development among infants and toddlers.
The Basics principles and strategies are simple, powerful, and highly accessible, equipped with a Community Toolkit that provides a rich constellation of implementation guides, videos, and written resources for organizations and staff members to inform and support parents and caregivers around their use. Collaboration between members of the BLN also engages partners with an ongoing research agenda, promoting documentation, evaluation, and ongoing communication for continuous learning and improvement.
Through the sustained grant from the 2023 Empowering Communities through Collective Impact Grant Initiative, UWCG will continue to integrate The Basics principles and strategies into our community. This initiative focuses on improving early language and literacy skills in children by establishing strong systems of family, community, and educational support. By utilizing The Basics principles and strategies, UWCG is committed to promoting the social, emotional, and cognitive development of children from birth to age 3.
"We are honored to receive this sustaining grant, which reaffirms our dedication to fostering early language and literacy skills in children," said Lauralen Avery, Early Learning Resource Manager at UWCG. "Through our collaboration with The Sandra Dunagan Deal Center for Early Language and Literacy, we are confident that this grant will help us make a lasting impact on the lives of children in our community."
The sustained grant from the 2023 Empowering Communities through Collective Impact Grant Initiative will support UWCG's ongoing work in implementing The Basics principles and strategies. The grant will also provide access to the Basics Learning Network (BLN), fostering collaboration and continuous learning among partners.
UWCG is grateful for the opportunity to continue supporting The Basics Initiative and ensuring that all children growing up in Central Georgia have access to strong systems of family, community, and educational support in early language and literacy development. Together, we can empower children to succeed in school, the workforce, and life.
Learn more here: https://www.unitedwaycg.org/TheBasics