The Parent Place web site launches to promote Early Childhood Learning during national Week of the Young Child,
April 2-8, 2006

April 5, 2006

Sometimes, parents need help. Now, you can find that help in one easy place—The Parent Place.

That’s the purpose behind United Way’s Parent Place, a new online database of 1,000 local resources for parents at www.unitedwayparentplace.org. The website launches April 6.

Comcast is sponsoring the United Way of Snohomish County project, which is most comprehensive in Snohomish and Skagit counties, and growing in Island, San Juan and Whatcom. The Parent Place is accessible through our home page, at www.unitedwayparentplace.org, or by calling 2-1-1.

“Whether you’re looking for recreational activities, parenting classes, preschools, or library reading programs for toddlers, The Parent Place can help you find it simply by typing in your zip code and area of interest,” said Kristi Reardon, manager of United Way’s Success By 6 initiative for early childhood development.

“We invest in families and education because we view it as an investment in our community and in our future,” said Steve Kipp, Vice President of Communications for Comcast’s Washington market. “We know an investment early in a child’s life pays off with better graduation rates and a stronger workforce. Sponsoring The Parent Place is not only good for children—it’s good for all of us.”

The Parent Place is one tool for parents and kids that being launched as part of an effort to raise awareness about the importance of parent’s involvement in their young children’s lives.

Children are born to learn, and everyday moments can provide a wealth of “lessons” to help prepare young children for school. That’s the message of Born Learning, a national public awareness campaign.

In Island, San Juan, Skagit, Snohomish, and Whatcom counties, the Born Learning campaign is led by United Way of Snohomish County and Northwest Educational Services District 189. Residents in those counties can log on to the Northwest Washington Born Learning Web site, www.esd189.org/nwel for educational materials and fun ways to make everyday activities such as sorting laundry or grocery shopping into learning moments for young children.

Statewide, 38 organizations are participating in regional campaigns as part of Born Learning. National Born Learning partners are United Way, the Ad Council and Civitas.

April 5, 2006

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