Created by the United Way of the Concho Valley, this program was initiated as part of a national effort designed to assist children to be successful in school and in life by the age of six. The request was for administrative costs for a case manager to provide individualized services to teenage parents and their children.

The Need:
Current research reveals that the quality of life for a child and the contributions the child makes to society as an adult can be traced back to the first few years of life, from birth until about five years old. If this period of life includes support for growth in cognition, language, motor skills, adaptive skills and social-emotional functioning, the child is more likely to succeed in school and later contribute to society.

The Response:
San Angelo Area Foundation approved a grant in October 2003 to United Way to be administered over a two-year period to provide $10,000 for administrative support for operating this initiative.