Research shows that nearly one in every two children entering Minnesota kindergartens are not ready to learn. That is why Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation has made early childhood education one of its primary areas of interest, and has invested more than $4.3 million in early childhood programs and activities over the past six years.

SMIF currently invests 20 percent of its annual budget in this focus area because we believe that providing resources for children to have a healthy start in life is a long-term strategy leading to a vibrant and capable future workforce.

For example, this month, SMIF made five grant awards for Home Visitation services as part of its overall Early Childhood Initiative. A total of $70,700 was awarded.

Programs funded include: Greater Mankato Area United Way, Freeborn County Public Health, Sibley County Public Health, Brown County Public Health, and Waterville-Elysian-Morristown Early Childhood Family Education.

Home Visitation, often a part of county public health or early childhood family education programs, can be a clear determinant of early learning success. Because the home is the first and most important learning environment for children, parents are a child’s most influential teacher.

In one recent example, Mankato Area United Way’s First Steps program showed some remarkable outcomes in 2009. Of the 80 children/families that received First Steps home visits:

94 percent of 3-year-olds completed the preschool screening prior to exiting the program

97.5 percent of the parents showed decreased risk scores upon completion of the program

100 percent of the families were offered the ‘Follow Along’ Program (for children aged 3 mo.-36 mo.); of those, 95% of the children had no developmental delays. The remaining 5 percent where delays were identified, 100 percent of them were referred to appropriate agencies

The First Steps program will continue to grow and serve families this year, with help from another grant award from SMIF.

The annual Home Visiting Grant Program is supported by SMIF’s Youth Trust Fund, an endowed fund started in 1998 by Founding Cornerstone contributors IBM Corporation, Mayo Foundation, Red Wing Shoe Company, and Wells Fargo Bank. Since that time, the Youth Trust Fund has grown to over $1 million thanks to hundreds of local supporters who have invested in the well being and success of this region’s children and youth.

There is always more to be done. With state cuts to local governments (cities and counties), the need is greater than ever to continue programs like these and develop new ones. At SMIF, we firmly believe that one way to support families and meet the crucial needs of young children is through home visitation.

We invite you to join us in our efforts to ensure that all young children have the best possible start — in school, and in life. Please consider making a gift to the Youth Trust Fund — just earmark your check “YTF” and payable to Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation. You can also support your community’s early childhood efforts through volunteering, or helping parents of young children who need encouragement or a helping hand.

Our children do deserve better — let’s all help to make sure they get off to a good start.

Tim Penny is the president and CEO of the Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation, which provides grants, loans, technical expertise and partnerships for the emerging workforce and new businesses, especially in the areas of bio-medical, bio-agriculture and alternative energy.