United Way strengthens families with new members

The 2006 United Way campaign kicked off in late August with a goal of $1,120,000 and a commitment to strengthen families.

To better achieve their goals, United Way has two new initiative coordinators.

Reba Barkley, Ed. D., was recently hired to coordinate the LIFE initiative (Leading and Inspiring Families to Excel) for United Way. LIFE was introduced as a pilot program in 2005. The major focus of the initiative is on children at risk of failing school to help parents in the community build stronger families and support children so that they become successful adults.

In order to meet this goal collaboration between the Boys and Girls Club, Cape Girardeau public schools, area parent education programs, Cape Area Family Resource Center and New Vision Counseling Services was formed. Research has shown that children who have strong family units lead more productive successful lives, hence, the initiative is grounded in three components: teens, parent and family.

During the 2005-2006 school year, 22 of the 86 children served by LIFE initiative improved their grades, 41 percent of junior high students decreased discipline referrals and 49 percent increased school attendance. Behavioral and academic improvements were seen by 83 percent of parents surveyed. Of all the teachers surveyed, 96 percent would recommend this program to other students. Planning meetings are underway to expand the program to the Jackson School District.

Barkley moved to Cape Girardeau with her husband, Bill, in 2003. He is a plant manager for Procter & Gamble, Paper Products Division.

Mary Dillivan, Ph.D., joined the United Way team as the Coordinator for Success By 6, the nation's largest network of early childhood coalitions, focused on improving school readiness through community change. Operating under local United Way organizations, Success By 6 coalitions are galvanizing business, government and not-for-profit leaders around early learning. For 16 years, Success By 6 coalitions have been raising awareness of the importance of early childhood development, increasing access to services, advocating for public policies and improving systems budgets, laws and supports to improve children's lives.

Dillivan and her husband, Kim, moved from the Knoxville area to Cape Girardeau in 2004. He is a professor at Southeast Missouri State University in the Department of Agriculture. They have two children, Natalie and Grant, 5-year-old twins.

Help for families

The Success By 6 initiative in the Cape Girardeau area began in 1999. Three goals include promoting quality early care and education, increasing access to parent education opportunities and increasing access to basic needs for low-income families with young children. Since its inception, the initiative has focused on removing barriers of child-care centers in obtaining accreditation. Children who receive early care from accredited facilities have increased potential of succeeding in school and life. Success By 6 has helped seven area child-care centers obtain accreditation. The current focus is on educating parents on the importance of early care through the use of a tool kit created for United Way and available through www.bornlearning.org. For more information, visit www.bornlearning.org.

cpagano@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 133