YMCA of GKC Receives a $243,243 Grant from the Jackson County Community Children’s Service Fund

The YMCA of Greater Kansas City was recently awarded a $243,243 grant from the Jackson County Community Children’s Services Fund to support the salaries of an existing Behavior Specialist, and one new Behavior Coach position in Y-Club, and two new Behavior Specialist positions in Head Start.

Behavior Specialists provide individualized assessments, classroom coaching, individual parent/teacher/staff coaching, and facilitate referrals for outside services daily at the school-based program. In Y-Club, they also offer 100% of families the opportunity to develop ISPs and monitor children’s’ progress.  Behavior Specialists and Behavior Coaches will provide events for families to come and learn about additional strategies that can be used at home. Finally, the Behavior Specialists and Behavior Coaches will provide weekly coaching and follow up for Y-Club youth workers and Early Head Start/Head Start staff as they work with children and families.

Youth development workers and teachers (staff) that work with children will be equipped, empowered, and supported as they translate new knowledge of trauma informed care, behavior management, and social-emotional learning strategies into classroom practices. The Y will enjoy greater capacity to address challenging classroom behaviors. Staff will also become more aware of self-care tools that may benefit their personal situations, likely leading to improved quality of staff and greater retention.  The Y’s increased capacities will help more families with children impacted by toxic stress experience preventative and treatment services in a way that engages them in a continuum of care while not even leaving the classroom.  Finally, the Y will deliver a higher quality of service that leads to improved mental and behavior health outcomes for children and families.  The ultimate impact:  Healthier caregiving through trauma-informed care equals better outcomes for children and families in the program.

Founded in 1860 as the seventh YMCA in North America, the YMCA of Greater Kansas City, is a charitable organization founded on Christian principles with an inclusive environment committed to enriching the quality of family, spiritual, social, mental and physical wellbeing for individuals of all ages. The Y is the largest provider of childcare in Kansas City and has over 25 years of experience providing Y-Club, a licensed before/afterschool program for school age youth. Y-Club began in the Center School District in 1994. Y-Club was launched at Crossroads Academy in 2016, serving youth from Quality Hill and Crossroads campuses. Funding from the Jackson County Community Children’s Services Fund provides support to children enrolled in Y-Club (grades K-6), Early Head Start (age 6 weeks-2 years), and Head Start (age 3-5 years) programs in Jackson County, Missouri and their families.



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