Friends of Foster Children Forever receives $14,500 Grant from the Community Foundation of Collier County
Friends of Foster Children Forever (FFCF) is proud to announce they recently received a $14,500 grant from the Community Foundation of Collier County from their Community Impact Grants program.
The grant will support a full time “Go-to” resource manager for the new FFCF “Ready for 5” initiative. This position provides a centralized resource for caregivers, case managers and the Early Learning Coalition to connect young foster children to quality early learning resources.
Studies have shown that 57% foster children ages 1-5 years of age have developmental problems in at least one of three domains and with their high risk of developmental delays it is essential the foster children be given a chance to enter Kindergarten ready to learn.
Stats show that only 50% of foster children graduate from high school and only 3% earn a college degree. According to studies, to narrow the educational achievement gap between foster children and their peers, it is imperative that foster children access early intervention resources, quality childcare and Head Start programs.
“This grant means a great deal for these children and the future of this initiative,” says Jane Billings, Executive Director of FFCF. “The Community Foundation has a very strategic grant process, one that is rigorous and includes ongoing evaluations of the effectiveness of the funding. Receiving this grant is a tremendous help in validating the need for this new initiative.”
The FFCF mission is to focus on the children they serve by providing targeted educational and enrichment opportunities that allow each child to fulfill his or her potential. The charitable organization works to fulfill the unmet needs of every child who enters, or is at risk of entering the foster care system in Collier, Hendry and Glades Counties.
For more information about Friends of Foster Children of Forever (FFCF) or how to help, visit www.friendsoffosterchildren.net or call (239) 262–1808.
