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United Way of Jamaica

United Way of Jamaica. History.

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United Way of Jamaica

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  1. UnitedWay of Jamaica

  2. History • Since its inception in 1985, The United Way of Jamaica has been investing in early childhood education by funding various programmes and projects across the island and partnering with its stakeholders to address safety, security and nutritional concerns of many Early Childhood Institutions(ECI). • In Manchester and Clarendon, 19 early childhood institutions received assistance to upgrade building and playground facilities, install security fencing, renovate canteen and sanitary facilities, since 2000.

  3. History • To date, a total of 250 ECI’s received fire safety equipment through United Way’s partnership with: • Jamaica Public Service • GraceKennedy Foundation • Jamaica Producers Group • Usain Bolt Foundation

  4. History • The Women’s Leadership Initiative (WLI), a committee of the United Way of Jamaica, has adopted and upgraded the VOUCH/Sylvia Foote basic school, library and recreational areas. • Further, members of WLI regularly conduct reading days with the children • Additionally they fund the salary of a special education teacher.

  5. TheUnited Way(UW) Community Impact model Rather than raising funds and disbursing them to agencies that respond to local community needs, United Way’s new community impact approachseeks to address the causes of systemic community problems rather than just treating their symptoms. United Way does this by bringing community actors together to identify priority issues, analyze the root causes of those issues and develop and carry out strategiesthataddressthose root causes, thus altering the conditions that impact lives. UW will now become an agent for change: acatalyst, a convener and/or a collaborator.

  6. TheUnited Way(UW) Community Impact model This model arose because while community agencies do good work individually, they are not in a position to address underlying community conditions on their own, and are now being asked to collaborate with each other on joint strategies, while sometimes competing for funding. New and different skills will be required to bring together government, business, and community NGO,s who probably never worked together on common issues. United Way is well placed to catalyze this activity.

  7. United WayBusinessModel HowUnited Wayssupport communityimpactstrategies Develop&implement education,income&health impactstrategies thatimprovelives Understandpartner’sinterests;and build ongoingrelationships with them Framestrategiesand connectthemtopartner’s interests/aspirations 6

  8. Impact Model DevelopmentProcess •ISSUEIDENTIFICATION– Engage with thecommunity, includingpartners,toidentifypressingcommunityissues; select issues forUnited Wayinvolvement. •STRATEGYDEVELOPMENT– Establish targetoutcomes; researchanddevelopstrategiesto achievethem;identify United Way’sandotherpartners’roles. •IMPLEMENTATIONPLAN –Setmilestones; fundraising goalsbasedonfinancial forecast;incorporateintoresourcedevelopmentplan; create communicationplan. •EVALUATION– Evaluateprogressandresults;course- correctasnecessary.

  9. TheProject • The United Way of Jamaica (UWJ) has made Early Childhood Educationone of its priorities and is committed to bringing together contributors, providers, planners and other stakeholders to ensure that the best resources and facilities are available for our children’s learning and development.

  10. Why start with Education? Mastery of literacy at Grade 4 is only 62% Internationally Jamaicaranks129th out of 205 inliteracy 70%ofadultsdonothavetherequired skillsfor job training

  11. Education= EconomicDevelopment “Investment inhumancapitalbreedsnotonly economicsuccessforthose beingeducated, but alsoforthe overalleconomy.” --ArthurJ.Rolnick,seniorvice presidentanddirectorof research, FederalReserveBank

  12. WhyEarly Childhood Education? • PrimaryEducationisa UNMillenniumGoal. • Ensurethat,by 2015,childreneverywhere,boysandgirls alike,will beableto completeafull courseofprimaryschooling. • GlobalCitizensCareaboutEducation. • 48%ofglobal consumers supportthePrimary EducationGoal • Strategic priority in Vision 2030 development plan. • Establish world class education and training • Women/MothersinParticularCareaboutEducation. • Educationandhealthare#1ratedcauses amongmothers globally. • Source:IModerateResearch,September2011

  13. Return OnInvestment (ROI) IsStronginEarlyLearning Policymakersshouldinvestin young children,where the return oninvestmentisstrongerthan inlow-skilladults. NobelLaureate,JamesHeckman

  14. Why Early Childhood Education? Early learninginfluenceslong-termsuccess and gives high returns • QualityEarlyLearning REDUCES • CrimeRates • TeenagePregnancy • WelfareDependency • JobTrainingCosts • SpecialEducationCost • GradeRepetition • QualityEarly Learning INCREASES • Success inSchool • GraduationRates • WorkforceReadiness • JobProductivity • Community Engagement Many studies document a return to society of more than $ 17 for every dollar invested in early child care and education programs.A.Rolnick: Perry Preschool Programme 2004

  15. Why Early Childhood education? Some children start behind and never catch up however Studies show that simple psychosocial stimulation in early childhood can compensate for developmental delays and reduce social inequality in later life.

  16. WhyEarly Childhood Education? • Improved labour market outcomes • A recently concluded 20- year World Bank study in Jamaica showed that EC stimulation resulted in a 42% increase in the earning power of stunted children compared to a control group. • Source:2013World Bank follow up study,2013 • United Way Worldwide regional project • The Inter-American Development Bank and United Way Worldwide recently signed an agreement to promote programmes and projects aimed at improving early childhood development in the Latin American and Caribbean Region.

  17. TheIssue • Although enrollment in Early Childhood institutions in Jamaica is high, the learning experience is very poor. • One of the major challenges for early childhood education is the lack of trained teachers, as only 29% of the 9000 practitioners are qualified, and 2,500+ are untrained. • Children are not being properly prepared to begin primary education, and this introduces and perpetuates costly cycles of remedial training into the educational process.

  18. The opportunity for United Way of Jamaica • Mobilize resources to improve the quality of the teachers in basic schools • Partner with Corporate entities • Partner with employees through payroll giving • Retain the trained teachers • Work in progress • Scaletheprogramto have a national impact • Engage our volunteers islandwide

  19. . Volunteer board member participates in reading programme at Amy Bailey Basic School Volunteer board member participates in reading programme at Amy Bailey Basic School

  20. Progress to date • The UWJ’s most recent initiative is an investment of $16M by the Alcoa Foundation to provide training for 150 basic school teachers in the “Fundamentals of Early Childhood Education” over a two year period. • In addition, 150 parents will receive training to help them to assist and stimulate their children. The training is being done through the Mico University and the goal of the programme is to have a 20% increase in the number of students from Manchester and Clarendon achieving mastery in numeracy and literacy at the end of two years.

  21. Children represent 28%ofourpopulationand 100% ofour future

  22. ThankYou!

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