25 Years and Beyond, FOCUS Continues Critical Advocacy for Early Learning

 

FOCUS began as a community-wide initiative, convened by the York County Community Foundation in partnership with United Way of York County, Penn State York, and Child Care Consultants to improve the quality, affordability and accessibility of child care for York County children from birth to 5 years.  

 

Carolyn Steinhauser, former Executive Director of the York County Community Foundation, spearheaded the project, which would become a community-wide initiative on behalf of York County’s youngest children and their families. 

 

With strong communication connections and collaborations, in its first decade, FOCUS led to increased public and private financial resources, increased educational and training opportunities, increased availability of mentoring and technical assistance, and increased community awareness and involvement. Early efforts resulted in 10 nationally accredited child care centers, and 8 nationally accredited home-based programs. 

 

This momentum continued and informed the work of FOCUS over the next two decades. (Click the image at right for a larger-scale look at an op-ed from Peter Brubaker celebrating 20 years in 2014.)

 

Through inclusion, collaboration, research, and integrity, FOCUS continues to improve the lives of children in York County by supporting quality early childhood experiences.  

 

 

 

Today, FOCUS commits special attention to initiatives dedicated to early literacy, kindergarten readiness and transition, and early learning advocacy.  

 

As a community, we witness the power and impact of quality programs and experiences every day. The success of these initiatives can be seen by the smiling faces of children as they receive new books for their personal library or from participating in a reading challenge. It is felt by parents who receive pre-kindergarten scholarships that enable their child to attend a high-quality early learning center. The impact is heard at well visits, where pediatricians are issuing a “prescription” to read at home, providing a free book, and sharing tips with parents.  

 

In each of these situations, we can see a child’s confidence and excitement building in these early years that are so critical: 90% of the brain’s core structure is developed in the first five years of life. 

 

 

 

FOCUS strives to ensure children enter school ready to learn by providing quality programs and experiences. With that goal in mind, FOCUS has launched many programs and initiatives that have led to big outcomes in the past 15 years: 

 

 

FOCUS also has a longstanding history of advocating for early childhood education, along with providing resources, technical assistance, support, and opportunities for networking, collaboration, and professional development.   

 

Trish Bowersox, director of Bethlehem UM Preschool, shared her thoughts around the professional development opportunities: 

 

“Our Preschool Director meetings have become an invaluable tool to my job. The opportunity to meet and discuss a variety of day-to-day challenges is incredibly beneficial and appreciated. The occasions when we meet at United Way of York County has been very knowledgeable as well. Our guest speakers have been amazing and after each meeting, I feel like l have learned so much and I am eager to share my new knowledge with my staff.” 

 

From its inception 25 years ago to the critical work that FOCUS continues today, United Way of York County remains committed to ensuring our children are ready to achieve in school. 

 

 

 

 

United Way of York County celebrates 100 years of service to our community in 2021. We began as The York Welfare Federation, an organization that raised funds on behalf of 17 member agencies.  Today, as United Way of York County, the mission of raising community funds remains the same, but the strategies have broadened in order to meet the growing and changing needs of people living in York County.  

 

Join us this year as we take a look back at 100 years of impact, and look ahead at the future we can build together for York County: A future where every person in our community can thrive.