Bright Futures

We aim to create opportunities for youth by making sure all children are prepared for school and achieve their reading goals.

Our Goal for 2030

Literacy proficiency and early learning are strong indicators of long-term success. Investing in early childhood education programs helps more children hit grade-level benchmarks.

By 2030, United Way of Story County will deliver 12,500 high-quality early childhood education opportunities through:

Birth through third grade focus
Quality, affordable child care
Kindergarten readiness
Expanding Iowa Reading Corps
Summer learning experiences

Bright Futures By The Numbers

of children served met/exceeded child development expectations

0 %

children enrolled in slide scale child care spots

of Story County third graders met reading proficiency

0 %

students reported academic success

Creating Bright Futures in Story County

Reading Proficiency

We aim to create opportunities for youth by making sure all children are prepared for school and achieve their third-grade reading goals. By working together with local organizations, we hope to pave the way for every child in Story County to succeed academically.

NOTE: Data from 2023 or most recent year available. While these indicators are not the only ways to assess reading proficiency in our community, these are data points that illustrate that there is a need in our goal area.

Local need

There is a significant gap in reading proficiency, especially at the third grade level in Story County:

24% of kindergartners are below fall literacy benchmarks
32% of third graders are not proficient
15% of eighth graders are not proficient
20% of eleventh graders are not proficient

Response

Invest in high-quality, out-of-school learning programs with an emphasis on youth from birth through third grade. These programs include:

Sliding scale fee spots at nonprofit childcare centers
Iowa Reading Corps in-school tutoring program at local elementary schools
Early childhood family and parent classes (pre-kindergarten)
Summer learning and after-school programs

Impact

These strategic investments deliver tangible outcomes for Story County youth:

24% of students in UWSC-affiliated programs improved their reading level
72% of students participating in Iowa Reading Corps exceeded target growth
81% of youth K-8 reported feeling a sense of belonging
85% of youth K-8 improved or maintained positive relationship skills
94% of students reported learning a new skill

School Readiness

We are here to help all kids get ready for kindergarten by offering programs and resources that support early learning. Our goal is to make sure every child in Story County has the skills they need to succeed in school.

NOTE: Data from 2023 or most recent year available. While these indicators are not the only ways to assess school readiness in our community, these are data points that illustrate that there is a need in our goal area.

Local need

Many children in Story County face challenges before ever stepping in a classroom:

8% of newborns face three or more cumulative birth risks (i.e., poverty, pre-term/low birth weight, exposure to toxins, etc.)
13% of children under 5 years old are living in poverty
19% of children do not enroll in preschool before entering kindergarten
24% of kindergarteners are below fall benchmarks for early universal literacy screening measures

Response

Help children and parents nurture a love for learning during early childhood development through:

Access to basic needs
Increate capacity of affordable, high-quality childcare at local childcare centers
Provide resources and supports to families and caregivers that strengthen interactions and promote early learning in a home environment
Partner with local childcare centers to offer employee recruitment and retention incentives

Impact

These strategic investments deliver tangible outcomes for Story County children and families:

60 new childcare slots were opened at partner centers
68% of childcare employees stayed in their positions
80% of children ages 0-5 improved proficiency in early literacy skills from pre- to post-assessments
93% of children ages 0-5 met or exceeded widely held child development expectations
100% of caregivers participating in a family support program successfully exited the program
124 caregivers were provided with information, training, tools, and resources

Creating Bright Futures in Story County

Golf Fore Kids

Frankee dedicated her career to community service, transitioning from education to non-profit leadership. As President and CEO of the United Way of Story County from 2000 to 2010, she championed philanthropy by addressing community issues, supporting education, and consistently exceeding annual campaign fundraising goals.