About Success By Six

United Way Success By 6 is the nation's largest network of early childhood coalitions, focused on improving the quality of local early care and education programs through community change. Operating with support from the United Way of Dickinson, the local Success By 6 coalition is committed to raising public awareness of the importance of early childhood development and advocating for public policies and programs that improve young children's lives. During the past year the Dickinson area United Way Success By 6 supported a parent education program, Gearing Up for Kindergarten, designed to educate parents on supporting their children's transition to kindergarten.

Why do we need to take action?
The early years of life represent the period of greatest growth and lay the foundation for educational and life success. The early years matter because early experiences affect the architecture of the maturing brain.

Eighty-five percent of a child's core brain structure is formed by age 3.

Our children need early experiences that capitalize on the interconnection of cognitive, emotional, and social development. Providing these rich early experiences will guarantee that our future citizens have the skills they need to lead North Dakota into a prosperous future. Child development is the foundation upon which we can build thriving communities. Capable and competent children become skilled and proficient adults and ensure a prosperous and sustainable economy.

Our Mission
To help all children enter school healthy and prepared to succeed by:

• Expanding and enhancing our community's early childhood readiness efforts.
• Establishing effective partnerships among stakeholders: parents, community and business leaders, health and human service providers, educational providers and all those interested in the lives of young children.
• Ensuring that services are available for all children from birth to age six.

    

Regional Quick Facts and Stats 28% of children in Stark County under the age of four live in or near poverty. 81.19% of females with children under the age of five are in the workforce.  Only 6% of North Dakota infant toddler programs rate high enough to support an infant's development. This is consistent with national data.

    

Goals of Success By 6 of Southwest North Dakota

1. Build community awareness and understanding of the importance of the early childhood years for future success.
2. Improve community access to parent and family education that will assist them in preparing their children for kindergarten.
3. Advocate and focus public policy on children's issues that promote positive early childhood development within the public, private, and governmental institutions.
4. Expand Success by Six by strengthening and sustaining existing partnerships, forming new partnerships, and building broad-based commitment to the Success by Six principles and strategies.

Interested in Getting Involved? 
The Dickinson area United Way Success By 6 coalition meets at 3:30 pm on the third Wednesday of each month at the Dickinson Head Start/Early Childhood Center. If you care about young children and the future of our community, please feel welcome to join us. We welcome anyone with the energy and drive to support the future of our young citizens. Current members include representatives from early education, businesses, public schools, early intervention, parent education, child care, and private citizens. For more information, please contact us at ndsb6@hotmail.com.

September Meeting Minutes
October Meeting Agenda (October 15, 2008)
October Minutes
November Agenda (November 19, 2008)
November 2008 Minutes
December Agenda (December 17, 2008)
December 2008 Minutes
January 2009 Minutes
March 2009 Agenda (March 18, 2009)

Here is a look at our work: