Kenneth Rainin Foundation Commits to "Invest in US" Challenge

OAKLAND, Calif., Dec. 10, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Kenneth Rainin Foundation has joined the launch of Invest in US, a national campaign and challenge issued today by President Barack Obama to business leaders, philanthropists, advocates and public officials to build a better nation through high-quality early childhood programs for children from birth to age five. The Rainin Foundation joins dozens of corporations, foundations and nonprofits throughout the country that have also pledged significant commitments – financial and otherwise – to making sure that more children and communities have high quality early childhood education programs.

As part of Invest in US, the Rainin Foundation is increasing funding for early childhood education. In 2013 the Foundation provided $500,000 in grants for literacy development for young children, supporting community based nonprofits and working in partnership with the Oakland Unified School District (OUSD). Our investments will grow to more than $5 million in 2015 to support multi-year initiatives for families and OUSD teachers. The Rainin Foundation will build strong foundations for early learning for Oakland children and reduce early disparities through efforts that include:

• Providing resources to make Oakland a literacy rich city through programs that give families books and access to playgroups, advocate for quality preschools and prompt families to Talk, Read and Sing to their young children.
• Support Quality Preschool and Transitional Kindergarten through the SEEDS of Early Learning professional development for teachers. Research based training, coaching and data are already helping children to secure needed early literacy skills and to become joyful and confident learners.

Planning is currently in progress to invest deeply in charter and district school communities in Oakland to build a birth-8 system. Efforts are also underway to build a citywide infrastructure to support young children.

"The Kenneth Rainin Foundation is a passionate supporter of early literacy in Oakland.  We are proud to be a part of this expansion of quality early childhood education programs across the nation so that all children have the opportunity to succeed in school and life," said Dr. Jennifer Rainin, CEO of the Kenneth Rainin Foundation. "We are working closely with OUSD to heed President Obama's call and take action locally. Partnership and collaboration are vital to making these programs successful – parents, educators, nonprofits, businesses and philanthropies must work together to ensure that children are getting the assistance they need at the right time so that they can thrive and become successful learners."

The Invest in US challenge was announced by President Obama today at the White House Summit on Early Education. Organized by the First Five Years Fund and its philanthropic partners, Invest in US catalyzes the overwhelming cross-sector support for early childhood education. Since the President's initial call to expand access to high-quality early childhood education to every child in America in his 2013 State of the Union Address, he has proposed a series of new investments in early childhood education, and more than 30 states and cities have established new programs or expanded access to preschool.

Invest in US also comes on the heels of growing public and private investment in early childhood development. In addition to the announcement of significant new private sector funding, the departments of Education and Health and Human Services announced $750 million in new grants for early learning programs. Numerous public leaders at the state and local level have also committed to making early childhood programs a policy priority.

"Preparing every student for success in college, career, and community begins long before the first day of high school," said OUSD Superintendent Antwan Wilson. "In order to help all students realize their potential—regardless of background or circumstances—we must invest intentionally and intelligently in early education. Our charge is to transform a public education system that reinforces race and class-based fault lines into one that breaks down barriers to achievement and graduates all students with the skills required to be responsible and productive citizens. This can only be accomplished when we are serious about building a foundation of teaching and learning for our youngest children that sustains them throughout their school years and throughout their lives."

A full list of commitments to early education announced Wednesday can be found at http://investinus.org/. 

About the Kenneth Rainin Foundation
Kenneth Rainin Foundation is a private family foundation dedicated to enhancing quality of life by championing and sustaining the arts, promoting early childhood literacy and supporting research to cure chronic disease. Collaboration and innovation are at the heart of all our programs. Our vision is guided by the belief that change is possible through inquiry, creativity and compassion. More at krfoundation.org.

About Invest in US
Invest in US is a challenge to public and private partners, business leaders, philanthropists, advocates, elected officials and you to build a better nation by expanding high-quality early childhood education programs for children from birth through age five. When we invest in them, we invest in us. More at InvestinUS.

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SOURCE The Kenneth Rainin Foundation

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http://krfoundation.org