News & Events
United Way of Northeast Florida announced two innovative strategies to decrease dropout rates and increase the number of preschool children attending high quality early learning centers. With more than 100 educators, community leaders, and public officials present, United Way unveiled its Success By 6 and Achievers For Life initiatives at a media briefing held at Arlington Middle School.
Six years ago, United Way of Northeast Florida took a close look at how its programs affect the good of the community and saw that change was needed. Indicators showed that the community’s efforts toward resolving complex social problems were not producing the results needed for improved conditions. United Way adopted a new direction—a direction that addresses the root causes of the symptoms that plague Northeast Florida children and youth. After an intensive study to uncover the most important root causes of social ills, United Way found that helping preschool children prepare for school and helping students at-risk for dropping out of high school were two of three areas that held out the possibility of doing the most good for the greatest number of people. These initiatives represent United Way’s first work under this new approach.
Achievers For Life targets middle school students at risk of dropping out with comprehensive services and programming to move them successfully into 9th grade and increase their capacity for completing high school on time. Success By 6 significantly increases the number of children attending high quality early learning centers, thereby improving young children’s early academic achievement.
United Way’s Success By 6 was developed to increase access to quality early learning and help parents prepare their children for school. Research shows that for every $1 invested in high quality early learning $17 is returned to the community. However, quality childcare is expensive and out of the range of many hardworking families. Families earning more than 150% of the federal poverty level are not eligible to receive state assistance with childcare and therefore, can not afford to place their children in high quality centers. For example, a family of four earning $30,975 would not qualify to receive assistance.
As a result of this initiative, United Way will provide early education grants that will enable children to attend learning centers with the five-star quality rating, the highest ranking in the Quality Rating System (QRS). Through Success By 6, children will be better prepared for kindergarten and ready for school. The Florida Institute of Education will evaluate the outcomes of the Success By 6 program by testing children receiving the early education grants for school readiness. A comparison group of children will be measured as well to determine the progress of program children versus those who do not receive the grant.
“Quality early learning is essential to the future economic health of our region. Each of us has a stake in our community’s children growing into successful adults,” Connie Hodges, President of United Way of Northeast Florida, said.
United Way’s Success By 6 supports the significant investments already made by Mayor Peyton’s Jacksonville Early Literacy Partnership, the Early Learning Coalition of Duval, the Jacksonville Children’s Commission, Episcopal Children’s Services, Nemours and the Florida Institute of Education at University of North Florida.
The second initiative, United Way’s Achievers For Life, seeks to improve the dropout and graduation rates. Research shows that the dropout rate for Duval County is twice the average for the State of Florida. Studies also show that only two-thirds of Duval County ninth graders graduate on time. Experts explain that the process of dropping out begins way before high school. Through Achievers For Life, United Way will help 6th grade students at Arlington and Ft. Caroline Middle Schools stay engaged and successfully complete high school.
United Way’s Achievers For Life will provide support to both students and their families with access to social services, provided by professional Family Advocates, and focused academic assistance, provided by trained Achievement Advocates. The progress of these middle school students will be followed from 6th grade and into their 7th, 8th and 9th grade years. The two middle schools will also work to identify obstacles that prevent parents from being fully engaged in their student’s academic lives and implement research-based parent engagement activities.
Due to the unique feeder pattern in the Arlington community and high drop out rates, Ft. Caroline and Arlington Middle Schools and Terry Parker High School were selected as the pilot locations for Achievers For Life. This will also allow United Way to accurately evaluate the impact of these services. United Way will measure grade promotion, grade point average, behavior and attendance for students served by Achievers For Life. In addition, United Way will measure the dropout and graduation rates at Terry Parker High School, expecting to see improvement in these indicators as a result of Achievers For Life.
Partnering with United Way in Achievers For Life are the Duval County Public Schools, the State Attorney’s Office, Jacksonville Children’s Commission, The Community Foundation in Jacksonville, FCCJ and area social service providers.
“It’s our belief that Success By 6 and Achievers For Life will give students and their families the tools and opportunities to realize their potential and achieve their highest dreams,” Jay Plotkin, Chief Assistant State Attorney said.
In addition to Community Fund dollars provided by donors throughout Northeast Florida, Community partners who have also committed financial support to these initiatives are: David and Linda Stein, The Baldwin Foundation, Fifth Generation Foundation and The Early Learning Coalition. Additionally, through the Child Care Executive Partnership, the State of Florida will match one dollar for every four dollars of United Way’s investment in Success By 6. Together with the state’s match, the total first-year investment of new dollars through these two initiatives is $668,000. These funds are in addition to United Way’s investment in more than 95 programs of 70 plus certified agency partners.
Download the comprehensive reports detailing the in-depth research and recommendations that support these two initiatives:
Executive Report on Success By 6 >>
Executive Report on Achievers For Life >>
Visit the Your Impact page >>
more news >>
United Way Launches New Strategies that Drive School Readiness and High School Completion
United Way of Northeast Florida announced two innovative strategies to decrease dropout rates and increase the number of preschool children attending high quality early learning centers. With more than 100 educators, community leaders, and public officials present, United Way unveiled its Success By 6 and Achievers For Life initiatives at a media briefing held at Arlington Middle School. Six years ago, United Way of Northeast Florida took a close look at how its programs affect the good of the community and saw that change was needed. Indicators showed that the community’s efforts toward resolving complex social problems were not producing the results needed for improved conditions. United Way adopted a new direction—a direction that addresses the root causes of the symptoms that plague Northeast Florida children and youth. After an intensive study to uncover the most important root causes of social ills, United Way found that helping preschool children prepare for school and helping students at-risk for dropping out of high school were two of three areas that held out the possibility of doing the most good for the greatest number of people. These initiatives represent United Way’s first work under this new approach.
Achievers For Life targets middle school students at risk of dropping out with comprehensive services and programming to move them successfully into 9th grade and increase their capacity for completing high school on time. Success By 6 significantly increases the number of children attending high quality early learning centers, thereby improving young children’s early academic achievement.
United Way’s Success By 6 was developed to increase access to quality early learning and help parents prepare their children for school. Research shows that for every $1 invested in high quality early learning $17 is returned to the community. However, quality childcare is expensive and out of the range of many hardworking families. Families earning more than 150% of the federal poverty level are not eligible to receive state assistance with childcare and therefore, can not afford to place their children in high quality centers. For example, a family of four earning $30,975 would not qualify to receive assistance.
As a result of this initiative, United Way will provide early education grants that will enable children to attend learning centers with the five-star quality rating, the highest ranking in the Quality Rating System (QRS). Through Success By 6, children will be better prepared for kindergarten and ready for school. The Florida Institute of Education will evaluate the outcomes of the Success By 6 program by testing children receiving the early education grants for school readiness. A comparison group of children will be measured as well to determine the progress of program children versus those who do not receive the grant.
“Quality early learning is essential to the future economic health of our region. Each of us has a stake in our community’s children growing into successful adults,” Connie Hodges, President of United Way of Northeast Florida, said.
United Way’s Success By 6 supports the significant investments already made by Mayor Peyton’s Jacksonville Early Literacy Partnership, the Early Learning Coalition of Duval, the Jacksonville Children’s Commission, Episcopal Children’s Services, Nemours and the Florida Institute of Education at University of North Florida.
The second initiative, United Way’s Achievers For Life, seeks to improve the dropout and graduation rates. Research shows that the dropout rate for Duval County is twice the average for the State of Florida. Studies also show that only two-thirds of Duval County ninth graders graduate on time. Experts explain that the process of dropping out begins way before high school. Through Achievers For Life, United Way will help 6th grade students at Arlington and Ft. Caroline Middle Schools stay engaged and successfully complete high school.
United Way’s Achievers For Life will provide support to both students and their families with access to social services, provided by professional Family Advocates, and focused academic assistance, provided by trained Achievement Advocates. The progress of these middle school students will be followed from 6th grade and into their 7th, 8th and 9th grade years. The two middle schools will also work to identify obstacles that prevent parents from being fully engaged in their student’s academic lives and implement research-based parent engagement activities.
Due to the unique feeder pattern in the Arlington community and high drop out rates, Ft. Caroline and Arlington Middle Schools and Terry Parker High School were selected as the pilot locations for Achievers For Life. This will also allow United Way to accurately evaluate the impact of these services. United Way will measure grade promotion, grade point average, behavior and attendance for students served by Achievers For Life. In addition, United Way will measure the dropout and graduation rates at Terry Parker High School, expecting to see improvement in these indicators as a result of Achievers For Life.
Partnering with United Way in Achievers For Life are the Duval County Public Schools, the State Attorney’s Office, Jacksonville Children’s Commission, The Community Foundation in Jacksonville, FCCJ and area social service providers.
“It’s our belief that Success By 6 and Achievers For Life will give students and their families the tools and opportunities to realize their potential and achieve their highest dreams,” Jay Plotkin, Chief Assistant State Attorney said.
In addition to Community Fund dollars provided by donors throughout Northeast Florida, Community partners who have also committed financial support to these initiatives are: David and Linda Stein, The Baldwin Foundation, Fifth Generation Foundation and The Early Learning Coalition. Additionally, through the Child Care Executive Partnership, the State of Florida will match one dollar for every four dollars of United Way’s investment in Success By 6. Together with the state’s match, the total first-year investment of new dollars through these two initiatives is $668,000. These funds are in addition to United Way’s investment in more than 95 programs of 70 plus certified agency partners.
Download the comprehensive reports detailing the in-depth research and recommendations that support these two initiatives:
Executive Report on Success By 6 >>
Executive Report on Achievers For Life >>
Visit the Your Impact page >>
more news >>