The Greater Salina Community Foundation has awarded grants from the Fund for Early Childhood Care, Education & Development. The grants are designed to offer assistance to those working with pre-school children in Saline and Ottawa Counties.

Established in 2010 by Salinans Mark & Jane Berkley, grants are awarded through an annual application process. Special consideration is given to programs or organizations that work with children in poverty or with other significant barriers to learning.

2013 grants were awarded to:

$1,000 Rolling Hills Zoo-to underwrite the “Once Upon a Beast Story Time” reading program offered at local and area libraries, community centers and through Parents as Teachers. Each session includes selected books that feature animals, music, crafts and a live animal encounter.

$1,000 Heartland Programs- to improve the transition from pre-school or child care to kindergarten for children in traditionally lower-income elementary schools. The transition team will offer lunch and learn sessions with principals and classroom staff; staff development for Head Start and kindergarten teachers, and written materials for parents to prepare and assess their children with regard to school readiness.

$900 Salina Child Care Association- to construct an outdoor storage shed for equipment that develops gross motor skills.

$1,000 Partners in Early Childhood Education- to develop literacy skills in pre-school children through the support of 40 children in the Dolly Parton Imagination Library program. Each participating child receives an age-appropriate book delivered to the home each month from birth to age 5.

$1,000 Child Advocacy & Parenting Services, Inc.-to support professional staff for a free weekly school readiness program for low-income pre-school children who are not enrolled in a formal pre-school program.

$1,000 Circles of the Heartland- to staff a new youth program for children of the families going through the Circles training.

Total $5,900