Our Southwest Early Learning Communities (ELC) program is located at six different sites in Detroit, including four new sites that began operating on March 15, 2010. All sites provide an ongoing quality improvement program for early care and education providers. Parents, kinship caregivers, care providers and early childhood professionals can attend trainings and use the lending library on site. Consultants are available to help licensed centers, family homes and kinship care homes through assessment of the childcare environment and support with licensing requirements.

Southwest Early Learning Communities (ELC) provide free training and resources to parents and caregivers so that they can prepare children to be “ready to learn” when the children enter school. The ELC center:

• Promotes child development and early literacy
• Provides a safe, inviting space to learn new techniques and network with peers
• Mentors and supports parents, family members, friends and neighbors who care for young children
• Gives lessons in health, safety, nutrition, conflict resolution, child development, and learning through play
• Includes a lending library that offers educational materials that can be taken home
• Provides incentives and free childcare for those attending the training sessions

The sessions are conducted in both English and Spanish. Free trainings are available during the day or the evening, allowing participants to find a time that suits their schedule. The ELC Incentive Program allows caregivers to earn points for participating in ELC events. The points earned can be redeemed for gift cards or professional development op­portunities to help participants advance their childcare skills. Caregivers can start redeeming points after attending just one or two trainings.

The McGraw ELC is located at 7060 McGraw St., Detroit, MI 48210 (in the former rectory of St. Andrew Church). See the McGraw ELC class schedule.

The Southwestern ELC is located in Southwestern High School at 6921 W. Fort St Detroit, MI 48209. See the Southwestern ELC class schedule.

To learn more about the Southwest ELC program, contact Lynn McGregor at 313.515.8570 or email her.  Interested caregivers may arrange to visit our centers.

Our Early Childhood & Family Literacy main office is located at 7060 McGraw St., Detroit, MI 48210 (in the former rectory of St. Andrew Church). For more information about any of our programs and how to enroll, please contact us at 313.896.2800 or email us.

   Results

We know that the majority of development occurs before a child enters school, which means he or she must be exposed to educational opportunities from birth. In fact, studies have shown that children who can’t read by the first grade will spend their lifetimes catching up. Our ELC program supports parental and caregiver efforts to help their children gain the right skills for school. Whether the caregiver is a parent, grandmother, aunt, neighbor or professional childcare provider, our ELC provides additional resources for free to ensure that children start school prepared and ready to learn.

The Southwest ELC program is a result of a collaboration among the United Way of Southeastern Michigan, the NCCA, the 2009 NCAA Men’s Final Four Legacy Program, Early Childhood Investment Corporation (ECIC), the Detroit Local Organizing Committee, Southwest Counseling Solutions, and Detroit Public Schools.