There’s nothing more important than ensuring our community’s children have what they need to thrive. Whether it’s space in a high-quality preschool or opportunities to engage in activities outside of the classroom, we work to ensure that starting at birth, kids and families have the tools and resources to succeed in school and life, helping them not only survive, but thrive.

The Need

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Kentucky

40th in the country for child well-being

43rd in family and community factors 

21% of children live in poverty 

61% of 3 and 4-year-olds not in preschool 

44% of children enter kindergarten ready to learn (42.8% in Jefferson County)

The child care system in Jefferson County lacks space for an estimated 4,759 children whose families want care​

An average of 1,177 children are born with low birthweights each year in Jefferson County which means higher chances of health conditions later in life

Jefferson County has an average of 1,634 annual births to mothers without a high school education

Indiana

24th in the country for child well-being 

31st in family and community factors 

16% of children live in poverty 

60% of 3 and 4-year-olds not in preschool 

67% of fourth graders not proficient in reading 

 

Sources: 2024 Kids Count Data Book, aec.org, JCPS Brigance, Louisville Metro Public Health, 2021 U.S. Census American Community Survey, MUW data analysis

 

 

View the 2023-2024 Louisville Early Learning Workforce Study

Key points from the report include:
  • 30% of early learning teaching staff and 30% of family child care providers have a total family income of less than $30,000
  • 11% of teachers and 13% of assistant teachers, working full-time, said they must work another job to make ends meet
  • 47% of teachers left their center in the past year
  • 22% of teachers said they “probably will not” or “definitely will not” be in the field in three years

What We're Doing Together
To Help

  • Focusing on PUBLIC POLICY and ADVOCACY for kids and families.
  • Leading collaboration of 100+ EARLY CARE and EDUCATION ORGANIZATIONS.
  • Equipping families with FREE CHILD DEVELOPMENT SCREENERS and individualized referrals and supports.
  • Offering early childhood educator TRAINING and PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT.
  • Supplying BOOK ACCESS in targeted neighborhoods.
  • Providing 111 YOUTH-SERVING ORGANIZATIONS with:
    • INVESTMENTS to trusted and effective organizations empowering children outside of the classroom
    • TRAINING and PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT for youth leaders/employees.
    • MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORTS for youth leaders/employees.
    • CAPACITY BUILDING and data supports, including youth outcome data.
  • Empowering neighborhood youth groups to identify and work on SOCIAL ACTION PROJECTS that improve their community.
  • BUILDING BEDS for kids who need them.
  • Creating BARRIER-FREE PATHWAYS for YOUNG BLACK MEN to reach their academic and career goals.

Here are some of the proven, long-standing programs and initiatives as well as innovative solutions that we work together on every day.

...and our partners in this work

Results

How children benefit from Metro United Way's Ages and Stages Developmental Screening Hub

  • 178 organizations are engaged in the MUW’s Youth Success Network

  • To date, 25,000 developmental screenings have empowered families to help their children reach their full potential.

  • MUW has provided 72 hours of training and professional development to 231 individuals representing 56 different organizations

  • 93% of parents agreed that Metro United Way's Ages & Stages developmental screening and the tools received were helpful

  • 30 youth-serving organizations have received additional capacity-building supports

  • Children of families that complete four or more Ages & Stages screenings are more likely to show up ready on the first day of kindergarten.

  • Public Policy Efforts

    Learn More

It will take all of us working together to ensure every kid in our community thrives. Join us and invest today.

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