Newsmakers: IOCP Emphasizes Early Childhood Education
Interfaith Outreach and Community Partners has a comprehensive program called Caring for Kids that offers scholarships for childcare, case management, mental health supports and parenting education for adults with children ages 5 and below.
Sarah Johansen is the manager of Caring for Kids.
“Child care is often the lever, as we talk to families looking to go back to school to earn a better job or a different degree,” explained Johansen. “Not having a place for your youngest students before they go to school is really fundamental.”
Johansen said IOCP provides early learning scholarships and supports to parents as part of their wrap around services approach. Adding early childhood education to their other services helps provide not only greater stability for the family, but it also gives those youngest learners a solid start.
“It’s making sure all members of the family are given the foundation to reach their fullest potential, age 0-5 is a big piece of that,” said Johansen.
Interfaith Outreach is preparing for the Caring for Kids breakfast on Oct. 9 from 7:30 a.m. to 9 a.m. at the Plymouth Community Center where the public is invited to learn more about the program.
