Funds advance local initiatives by connecting the alliance with a nationwide network of states and communities collaborating on improving outcomes for children prenatal to three years old  

The Adirondack Birth to Three Alliance at Adirondack Foundation has received a three-year $250,000 grant from the Pritzker Children’s Initiative, one of 10 grants awarded following a national, year-long competition to identify innovative community-based efforts to improve health and development outcomes for infants and toddlers.

The Adirondack Birth to Three Alliance of public and private partners works together to improve access to programs and services offering babies and toddlers a foundation of skills for a strong start in life. Through this grant, the alliance will join other national, state, and local organizations as part of the National Collaborative for Infants and Toddlers, opening up opportunities for trainings, peer-learnings, and access to a host of other resources.

In addition to gaining access to this nationwide network, these grant funds will help move forward key initiatives, including the following:

• strengthening community support for early childhood services and raising awareness about the importance of a child’s first 1,000 days as a critical time to build a foundation of skills for learning and development

• improving skill-based parenting and family support through distribution of new parent kits and providing free access to texting programs with age-centered tips and activities

• supporting child care providers through trainings and certifications to bolster early childhood education.

“We are deeply honored to receive this competitive grant funding. Not only will it help us reach new levels, it is also a strong endorsement of our many partners and their dedication to children and families,” said Lindsay Turner, Adirondack Foundation Program Director of the Birth to Three Alliance.

“Supporting strong prenatal-to-three efforts in communities across the nation is key to expanding the numbers of young children in the United States with access to high-quality programs and services.  We believe that setting infants and toddlers on the path to success in school and in life is work on which we can all agree,” said Gerry Cobb, Director, Pritzker Children’s Initiative. “We are pleased to support the priorities of the Adirondack Birth to Three Alliance through this grant and want to build on the innovative work being done by the outstanding public and private partners that have come together on behalf of the Adirondack region’s youngest children.”

The Adirondack Birth to Three Alliance works to ensure that all young children are healthy, learning, and thriving. By implementing a targeted strategy to bolster early childhood and family services and resources essential for success in school and throughout life, this cross-sector partnership of county agencies, early childhood educators, pediatricians, and family support networks reaches low-wealth families across a vast rural geography.

Jamie Basiliere (Childcare Coordinating Council of the North Country),  Linda Beers (Essex County Department of Health), Debbie Collette-Cromp (Early Childhood Professional Development Specialist), Bob Frawley (BT3 Advocate and volunteer advisor ), Esther Piper (Behavioral Health Services North), and Laura Sigel (Healthy Steps, Plattsburgh Primary Care) are among the local advisors lending their skills and expertise to help implement the goals of this grant.

Through its Pritzker Children’s Initiative, the J.B. and M.K. Pritzker Family Foundation has been a champion of quality early learning for almost two decades. The Pritzker Children’s Initiative supports organizations and coalitions in states and communities to expand equitable access to and participation in high-quality services for infants, toddlers, and their families across the United States.

The National Collaborative for Infants & Toddlers (NCIT) brings together early childhood leaders, policymakers, and practitioners committed to advancing policies and programs that ensure every child from prenatal to age three has the support he or she needs for a strong start in life.

About Adirondack Foundation

Adirondack Foundation enhances the lives of people in the Adirondacks through philanthropy. Our vision for a thriving Adirondacks is a region where, against a backdrop of scenic beauty, communities are strong, just and inclusive, human wellbeing, education, and economic vitality are supported, nature is protected and cared for, and arts and cultural opportunities are available to all. As the community foundation serving the Adirondack region of northern New York, Adirondack Foundation awarded $5.4 million in grants last year, including more than 100 grants responding to economic, social and health impacts of COVID-19. We work with generous people from all walks of life to support nonprofits, schools, and municipalities. For more information, visit www.adirondackfoundation.org or call 518.523.9904.