COLLECTIVELY IMPACTING THE WELLBEING OF CHILDREN BEGINNING AT BIRTH
THRIVE Santa Barbara County (THRIVE SBC) was established in 2008 through a collaboration of private foundations. First 5 Santa Barbara County, school districts, community and public agencies, and community members to look at the complex issues impacting school readiness. Work has centered on identifying a common agenda, shared measurement systems, mutually reinforcing activities, and ongoing communication to affect the wellbeing of children significantly.
Utilizing the Collective Impact framework, and following a “hub and spokes” structure. THRIVE SBC has supported the development of five THRIVE Community Collaborative sites in Santa Barbara County. Each community: Carpinteria, the Westside Neighborhood in Santa Barbara, Isla Vista, Guadalupe, and a neighborhood comprised by the boundaries of Fairlawn and Robert Bruce Elementary School in Santa Maria, has brought leadership teams of parents, educators, business and faith communities, community agencies and others committed to collaboration together. This engagement process has included extensive asset mapping, needs assessment, community focus groups, and strategic planning lin each of these communities.
First 5 of Santa Barbara County is a major funder and also oversees the technical assistance, contracting, and coordination of evaluation prenatally to Kindergarten entry. The University of California Santa Barbara, Gevirtz Graduate School of Education provide the independent evaluation, which includes longitudinal research as well as, the Thriving Children Report Card; an evaluation report that identifies key results and subsequent indicators that are consistently monitored for continuous program improvement and accountability. This report card is focused on birth to grade 3 and focuses on school readiness, health and family strengthening.
We envision the Community Collaborative model as being able to bridge the achievement gap. If children thrive, we’ll have a more educated workforce, increased personal gain, and be a country fully able to compete in a global economy that requires higher skills and levels of education. First 5 Santa Barbara County is proud to be a leader in this exciting process.
Publications on THRIVE Community Collaborative Model
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To stay involved with THRIVE, visit www.THRIVEsbc.org
To learn more about the national movement and parterns visit www.strivenetwork.org
For more information about THRIVE Community Collaboratives, email Carmen Lozano