Accreditation Facilitation

The Accreditation Facilitation funding administered by First Chance for Children focuses on and supports programs that are either early in the accreditation processes or preparing for reaccreditation. The intent is to increase the number of child care programs that demonstrate a commitment to reach beyond the minimum requirements defined by licensing and achieve recognized professional standards of excellence. Support is provided through quality improvement grants, educational assistance, peer modeling experiences, and professional/program development planning. Programs that are accredited receive a higher reimbursement rate from DSS, have less staff turnover, and are more financially stable. This program is made possible by funding from the Missouri Department of Social Services through a partnership with the Boone County Community Partnership.

Currently, First Chance for Children serves 15 programs including:

• Community Nursery School infant toddler program, the oldest child care program in Columbia and a United Way member agency that serves mainly low-income children in the Benton Elementary School area;
• Turn the Page, an accredited child care center in the First Ward serving a large percentage of DSS subsidized children.
• Nora Stewart Preschool, a child care center in the early accreditation phase serving a large number of low-income Hispanic families.
• Teri Gini, owner of Play “n” Learn, an accredited program serving low-income families in rural Hallsville..