The United Way of Southwest Virginia is partnering with Ballad Health to help get soon-to-be students ready for kindergarten.
Around 45 percent of students in some parts of Southwest Virginia aren’t prepared to enter kindergarten, with nearly half of the region’s students lacking in literacy, math and social skills.
The partnership, looking to address the deficits, will provide funding and support for up to 30 Kinder Camps classrooms. The Kinder Camps will provide a jump start for kindergarten students in Buchanan, Dickenson, Grayson, Lee, Russell, Scott, Smyth, Tazewell, Washington, Wise and Wythe counties and the cities of Bristol and Norton.
United Way of Southwest Virginia President and chief executive officer Travis Staton said that 450 families in the region could be served by the project.
“When you think about the ripple effects of that, this project has the potential to change the trajectory of hundreds of lives of children in Southwest Virginia.”
State Secretary of Education Atif Qami said that students in kinder camps will get the opportunity to acclimate to school, learning how to learn and getting to engage with teachers.
“Virginia’s littlest learners are among the most affected by the pandemic,” first lady Pamela Northam said, “but they are strong; they are resilient, and with access to quality early learning opportunities, we know they can thrive in school and beyond.”
The Ballad Health Foundation investment is among the first major investments from the STRONG Accountable Care Community. STRONG is the committee developing actions to improve the health of the region required by the state as part of signing off on the merger between Mountain States Health Alliance and Wellmont Health System.
Alan Levine, executive chairman, president and chief executive officer of Ballad Health said the health care giant wants to ensure children are cared for “at the hospital, in their homes or at school.” He noted that programs like Kinder Camps reduces the risk that children fall behind in later grades.
