Benton Franklin Early Learning Alliance(BFELA)

Statement of Purpose:  Believing that all young children (ages 0-8 years old) need a diverse, inclusive community of knowledgeable, caring adults to help them reach their potential, the BFELA will work together to:

- be a unified voice for disseminating the message of early learning to parents, caregivers, and community members

- provide access to resources on school readiness, parenting education, child care, children's health and safety

- collaboratively sponsor community events twice yearly to help parents gain acess to resources and information

- coordinate professional development opportunities for caregivers to enhance their skills with young children and their families

Mid-Columbia Libraries (MCL) hosted the event at Kennewick Branch Library at 1620 S. Union.  Donations for refreshments came from Wal-Mart, Kennewick; Starbucks Coffee; and Red Apple Market. The Tri-City Herald donated space for an ad in the Saturday paper.  MCL provided a ‘reader board’ to advertise the event, Spanish-language radio advertising, and a bounce house for entertainment.  Mid-Columbia Reading Foundation brought books to give away to each child.

Each participating organization brought a “hands-on” activity for children.  These activities included a cake-walk by Benton-Franklin Community Action Committee, making bead necklaces by the Washington State Migrant Council (Pasco), swirling paint by the Washington State Parent Information & Resource Center, and more.

The event was very successful and we look forward to an even bigger event next year.

The Fair inaugurated an official Early Learning coalition for Benton and Franklin counties.  The group is called Benton Franklin Early Learning Alliance (BFELA).  The 24 groups represented at the fair are all partners in the Alliance.

List of Participating Organizations:

1)      Mid-Columbia Libraries

2)      Our Babies Can’t Wait – United Way

3)      Mid-Columbia Reading Foundation

4)      WA State Parent Information & Resource Center

5)      Catholic Family & Child Services

6)      Benton Franklin Health Department

7)      ESD123, Special Education

8)      Lutheran Community Services (did not attend)

9)      Benton Franklin Head Start        

10)   Pasco Migrant Council 1 (ECEAP)

11)   Kennewick ECEAP

12)   CBC Parent Education

13)   Benton Franklin Community Action Committee

14)   Pasco School District

15)   KGH – Afterhours Pediatric Services

16)   La Clinica 

17)   LIGO

18)   Boys Scouts

19)   Boys & Girls Club, Kennewick

20)   Three Rivers Children's Museum

21)   Department of Early Learning, Eastern Washington

22)   Richland Child Care Providers

23)   Richland School District, ECEAP

24)   ARC of Tri-Cities, Birth to Three Early Intervention program