Wythe and Bland Counties

Receive $50,000.00 Grant for New School Readiness Initiative

The statewide Smart Beginnings initiative brings people together to help Virginia's youngest citizens, ages prenatal to five, be better prepared for success in school and in life.  Community leaders from the public and private sectors in Wythe and Bland counties recently received a $50,000.00 Smart Beginnings planning grant from the Virginia Early Childhood Foundation (VECF).  The early childhood development and education initiative will be know as Smart Beginnings Wythe Bland.

The grant from the VECF will be used to fund a comprehensive community assessment of early learning needs in the two participating counties, as well as the development of a local leadership council and community coalition.  These groups will work together to create a long-term strategic plan that will be executed in the initiative's service area.

The planning grant began July 1, 2010 and will end September 30, 2011.  This grant is a major first step in a seven to ten year grant continuum that could potentially result in an investment by the VECF and Wythe and Bland communities of up to $750,000.00 in early childhood education.  Wythe County Public Schools Foundation for Excellence will serve as Fiscal Agent.  The Leadership Council is currently hiring the Smart Beginnings Wythe Bland Coordinator.  A job description can be found at the top of this page.

The Smart Beginnings Wythe Bland Leadership Council includes representatives from Wythe County Public Schools, Wytheville Community College, Bland County Department of Social Services, Wythe County Department of Social Services, Mount Rogers Community Services Board, and the Foundation for Excellence.  The Leadership Council is committed to provide all young children, age prenatal to five, with the necessary skills to start school ready to learn and be successful.   With over 85% of the brain developing before the age of five, children must be equipped with the necessary skills to start school healthy and ready to learn, so they will become engaged citizens and members of a productive workforce.

"A diverse group of enthusiastic and committed community leaders is prepared to develop a strategic plan for reaching the early education goals in Wythe and Bland counties," said Dora Butler, Virginia Early Childhood Foundation Southwest Program Officer.  "We encourage our statewide network of grantees to improve the system that serves young children and to create awareness about the importance of quality childcare along with support for families.  When young children are ready for school, they are ready for life."

About Smart Beginnings Wythe Bland:  Smart Beginnings Wythe Bland is a collaborative partnership of public and private agencies, businesses, and individuals working to enhance the quality of services for young children. 

About the Virginia Early Childhood Foundation:  The Virginia Early Childhood Foundation is a public-private partnership with a mission to provide collaborative leadership to foster Smart Beginnings for all young children in Virginia and through them a vital future for the Commonwealth.  For more information, visit http://www.smartbeginnings.org/ or call     804-358-8323.