Ready to Read, Healthy to Learn

From 1 ELP

The Early Learning Partnership, getting preschool children ready to read and keeping them healthy and ready to learn.

History of the Early Learning Partnership

The mission of ELP is to conceive, implement and oversee efforts designed to get children in York County ready for school.  ELP traces its roots to Success by Six, an early childhood initiative launched by the United Way.  In 1995, a task force was created in York County to bring a Success by Six chapter to this area.  By 2005, the operations of this Success by Six chapter had grown to such an extent that the Board of Directors of United Way and the Success By Six advisory board thought it appropriate to "spin off" Success by Six as an independent corporation.  ELP received its charter from the South Carolina Secretary of State in July 2005.  Shortly thereafter, it was certified as a charitable organization by the Internal Revenue Service.

As its name suggests, ELP is a partner with each of the four school districts in York County, Winthrop University, First Steps, and a variety of other patrons and supporters.  ELP's efforts are generally organized around four "Family Resource Centers" in the County--one in each school district--which provide a range of early childhood and family support services.  Although these Centers are owned and operated by the School Districts, ELP provides extensive program support.  In particular, a Community Liaison employed by ELP dedicates her work to coordinating the efforts of the Resource Centers and synergizing the strategies of the Center's directors.  

ELP's financial resources are dedicated to the following programs:

1.    Medical Clinics

ELP provides financial support to four medical clinics for children--one in each of the Family Resource Centers throughout the county.  The physicians who work in these clinics are volunteers, but the clinics employ an administrator and a nurse.  

2.    The Dolly Parton Imagination Library

DPIL is a program conceived by Dolly Parton and inaugurated in her home county in Tennessee.  The program provides one hardcover, age-appropriate book to a child each month from birth to five years.  Although the Dolly Parton Foundation coordinates and promotes the program, it does not fund it.  ELP is responsible for raising all of the funds necessary to support the program in York County.  It costs approximately $30 to support one child for a year.

ELP has administered the DPIL program in York County for 2 years.  We estimate that it will cost us about $100,000 to administer the program this year.  Support for the program comes from:  (i) an annual Bowl-a-Thon in which all elementary schools in the county participate,(ii) major support from Rock Hill Coca-Cola Bottling Company,(iii) a collective contribution from the county's four school districts; (iv) the York County United Way; and (v) a variety of contributions from individuals and civic groups.  

3.    Reach Out and Read and Born To Read

These are two literacy programs that ELP has operated for years.  Reach Out and Read serves children in local doctor's offices, while Born To Read reaches newborns and their families at Piedmont Medical Center.  The Springs/Close Foundation has been a major supporter of this effort.

4.    General Expenses

ELP has three employees:  (i) Executive Director; (ii) Community Liaison, who works part-time; and (iii) a part-time clerical assistant and Literacy Program Coordinator.

ELP Strategic Plan For York County

2009 ELP Annual Report