The Eastside Early Learning Facilitators (EELF) are getting ready for family visits starting in September. The highlight of this project, a partnership between Eastside Pathways and NISO Programs Promotores, has been co-designing and co-creation with the community at every step.
Read the snapshot to learn more about the project.
What is it?
- A grant awarded to Eastside Pathways in partnership with NISO Programs Promotores
- The team applied for and was awarded the grant last year based on its earlier work with the NISO Programs Promotores and evidences learned from conducting a Latino community survey in 2017 that supported the need for such a project.
- NISO Programs, an Eastside Pathways Partner, is rooted in the community advocacy model ‘Train Community workers to be Facilitators’ that “serve as the bridge between the Latino community and the Early Learning Resource Providers,” says Alma Gonzalez, Founder and Director of NISO Programs.
What is the purpose of the Project?
- Increase access for Latino families with children (prenatal to age 5) to Early Learning support, programs, and services.
- Help Early Learning providers on the Eastside strengthen their delivery of services to the Latino Community.
Why is there a need?
The intent of the project is to:
- Reduce parenting stress, which was recognized as one of the key factors affecting outcomes for kids in the survey that was conducted in 2017.
- Improve parenting confidence through knowledge of services that are available to support them and their children.
- Empower individuals and the community, and advocate on behalf of the community.
This will contribute towards reducing the opportunity gaps and helping Latino children be better prepared for Kindergarten.
How is this Project being executed?
- Bi-lingual and bi-cultural Latino community members are being trained in the Promotores Model – recruited as EELF.
- EELF are the bridge between the Latino Community and the Early Learning Providers.
- EELF have learned about the services and programs that are available for families with children (prenatal to age 5) through the Resource Learning sessions with Early Learning Providers on the Eastside. The services range from health, education, basic needs to parent-child. (Watch videos from the Resource Learning sessions.)
- EELF take this knowledge to the community through a series of family visits to educate and inform the community about what is available for them and their children. They will also bring back feedback and suggestions to help providers serve the Latino community better and in more culturally relatable ways – this will be shared at the providers group meeting.
What’s Next?
- Family visits start in September.
- Providers Group will launch in September/October to invite providers that participated in Resource Learning sessions and others.
How can you help?
- Talk about the EELF-BSK project within your organization, and outside.
- Share ideas and information to build a strong partnership to support better outcomes for Latino kids.