The Kansas Department of Education is now funding the Early Childhood Block Grant program, Parents as Teachers, through a different funding source named Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF). This funding source has different PAT eligibility criteria than the previous source.

These funds may only be used to provide services to families that meet at least one of the eligibility criteria that qualifies under the federal guidelines for the TANF program. As of July 1, 2016 eligibility to receive services will have to change to meet the eligibility standards of the new funding source. Parents will be notified of these changes by PAT Educators throughout the month of June to make sure families are aware and can continue services if they qualify.

Earlier this year The Kansas Children’s Cabinet which administers the Early Childhood Block Grant notified school districts that funding would be cut by 14%. As a result of this funding cut the number of families that can be served through PAT programs state wide will have to adjust as well as the number of children PAT can serve.

USD 475 plans to serve as many families as possible that meet the new criteria. They include teen parent, child with disabilities or chronic health conditions, parents with disabilities or chronic health conditions, parent with mental illness, low educational attainment, low income, recent immigrant or refugee family, substance abuse, court-appointed legal guardians and / or foster care, homeless or unstable housing, incarcerated parent(s), very low birth weight, death in the immediate family, domestic violence, child abuse or neglect, military family, and multiple live births.

Parents as Teachers is a no-cost, early learning program for parents, grandparents and guardians whose children are birth to Kindergarten. This home-based parent education and family support program is designed to help give children the best possible start in life. PAT Educators provide research-based learning activities and information to help children meet age-appropriate developmental guidelines. Parent Educators (through weekly/monthly home visits) provide parents with:

• Information on child development
• Playgroups
• Encouragement and ideas for parent-child activities that enhance language development and intellectual growth
• Activity ideas to help a child’s social development and motor skills

Hugh Davis, Executive Director of Communications