Start at Zero

🎉 Congratulations are in order! 👏 Did you know Start at Zero was named June’s KCTV5's DeVaughn James First Warn 5 Three-Degree Guarantee recipient?⁠
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Dustin DeVaughn and Richard James from DeVaughn James Injury Lawyers talked with our Executive Director Dr. Amanda Vega‑Mavec about our impactful early childhood education and parent engagement initiatives—and why investing in little learners creates big societal change. 💡👶⁠
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📺 Click the link below to watch the segment to learn how Start at Zero is laying the foundation for lifelong learning and success for children in Kansas City!

https://www.facebook.com/share/v/19T5gDscmq/?mibextid=wwXIfr

💛 "I was excited to know that [my son] could go to a place once a week and work with other kids his age to learn how to work on his communication skills, how to be around other people...[They also] allowed our entire family to fall in love with being outside. So, I thank Start at Zero for that because it introduced us to how to play and do things in nature."⁠
-Rasheedah Villarreal⁠
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Start at Zero bridges the gap in early care and learning across Kansas City, partnering with parents and caregivers to promote healthy early childhood development for children from 0 to age 5. From nature-based learning, field trips, developmental screenings and flexible meetups at parks, schools, and libraries — SAZ meets families where they are, literally and emotionally.⁠
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🌱 Because 90% of a child’s brain develops before kindergarten.⁠
🎨 Because learning looks like letters and numbers, but also painting, making friends, and time outside.⁠
🏞️ Because every child deserves a chance to thrive.⁠
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This month, is donating up to $1500 to support Start at Zero — and you can help too!⁠
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👇🏽 Check out our recent feature on KCTV5 to learn more of Rasheedah's story, about KCTV5's commitment, or about our award-winning work in KC!

Before children enter kindergarten this charity has free tools to educate and develop them Start at Zero’s goal is to partner parents and caregivers with Early Childhood Education Services. The work is done at home for children until they’re five years old.

Celebrate a home visitor in your life during ! Organized by The Institute for the Advancement of Family Support Professionals, NHVW celebrates and recognizes home visitors and the positive impact they make on maternal and child health outcomes. Utilizing a variety of research-based models, home visiting supports healthy birth⁠
outcomes, increases family self-sufficiency and helps children enter school fully prepared to succeed.⁠
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Home visitors play an important role in the lives of families across the country. Start at Zero is proud to have the best home visitors on our team, working for Kansas City this week and every week!⁠
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Right now, we know there is a lot of information coming out that can impact our families in a variety of ways. We are working to stay on top of it so that we can share accurate information with families in a timely fashion.

If you are a parent or caregiver in a potentially impacted family, please know that Start at Zero is here to support you. Please talk to our staff if you have questions, or reach out at [email protected].

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En este momento, sabemos que hay mucha información que está saliendo a la luz y que puede afectar a nuestras familias de diversas maneras. Estamos trabajando para estar al tanto de ella y poder compartir información precisa con las familias de manera oportuna.

Si usted es padre o cuidador de una familia que podría verse afectada, sepa que Start at Zero está aquí para brindarle apoyo. Hable con nuestro personal si tiene preguntas o contáctenos a [email protected].

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That's right. According to a recent survey conducted by OnePoll and sponsored by Mixbook, the majority of 2,000 parents surveyed actually think ages 2, 3, and 4 are a piece of cake compared to age 8.

Of course, we all have different experiences as parents - some think it's the toddler years, and some might say the teens are tougher.

If you're a parent or caregiver of a little one from prenatal to age 5, allow us to come alongside you, and lay the groundwork for your future. 💪🏾 Our FREE programming and resources set children up for lifelong learning and success, and helps give parents meaningful support on their journey.

If you're a parent, do you agree with the other parents surveyed? 🤔⬇️

Start at Zero offices are closed in honor and observance of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. We will resume normal operations tomorrow, Tuesday, January 21, 2025.

💻🤝 SAZ is currently seeking a talented leader to add to our amazing team of Family and Community Support Workers (formerly “Parent Educators”)! FCSWs drive forward our mission to partner with parents and caregivers to promote healthy early childhood development.

Swipe to learn more about this wonderful opportunity! Visit startatzero.org/careers for additional information about the role, and to apply! 💪🏽

Annual health and development screenings are a central part of what we do at Start at Zero. Did you know that most of the children in evidence-based screenings who are observed with developmental delays overcome these delays by age 3? If you are a parent or caregiver of a child prenatal to age five, don't hesitate to contact us for this FREE service. It's an invaluable investment in your peace of mind, and your child's lifelong learning! Visit startatzero.org/programs to connect with our team and get started!⁠
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Source: Pfannenstiel, J., Lambson, T., & Yarnell, V. Second wave study of the Parents as Teachers program. Overland Park, KS: Research & Training Associates.

💻🧸 Our dedicated and talented staff go above and beyond to support children and parents - even in wintry cold and snow, with virtual home visits. From developmental screenings to helpful activities to meaningful connections with parents, the Start at Zero team is here for YOU, Kansas City! To learn more about our FREE home visiting services, visit www.startatzero.org/programs to get started! 👶🏾

❄️🩵 It's wonderful to be back, and we're excited about all the possibilities a new year holds! Whether caring for our smallest humans at home or in early learning centers across the city, we wish you a beautiful year of growth and learning! For ways to support your child's development and your parenthood, visit startatzero.org to get started!

It’s time for our annual winter pause! Beginning Monday, December 23, our team will be taking time to rest and spend time with our families for the next couple of weeks. We'll be back better than ever on Monday, January 6 - ready to support you!

If you need assistance, please dial 211! 211 connects people with resources in our community that provide help to those in need and accept help from volunteers.