Mid-Columbia Programs

READY! for Kindergarten

READY! for Kindergarten provides quarterly parent education on developmental stages and Kindergarten readiness targets.  Each parent received a toolkit (toys) that is uniquely designed to help their child progress in 25 developmental targets.  READY! for Kindergarten is currently offered to all parents in the Kennewick School District and additional community locations.

Team Read Tutoring

Team Read is a volunteer tutoring program that takes place in the Kennewick School District.  Team Read provied one on one reading tutoring to students in first through third grade who are at risk of not reading at grade level.  Over 150 tutors are committed to working with more than 240 students.

Our Babies Can't Wait

Our Babies Can't Wait (OBCW) is a series of workshops for first-time parents with new-born children (under 12 months).  The workshops provide information and research-proven techniques dealing with congitive development, social/emotional development, safe baby practices, safe family proctices, nutrition and well baby care, and positive parenting.

OBCW workshops are presented under the auspices of the Community Solutions Initiative of the United Way of Benton and Franklin Counties, and were developed in partnership with the Benton-Franklin Health Department, Washington Department of Early Learning, Washington Department of Social and Health Services, Catholic Child and Family Services, Lutheran Community Services, Washington State University Tri-Cities Cooperative Extention Services and numerous volunteers.

For informaiton of workshop dates and locations contact program coordinator Kristy Wolters at 509.987.BABY (2229).

McDonald's Summer Reading Program

Beginning the week after school ends in June, and continuing for 9 weeks, four local McDonald's restaurants host children's story time once a week. Story times begin at 1 p.m. (except in Prosser, which starts at 10 a.m.) and feature different themes and guest readers each week. Ronald McDonald will read with children during the first week and last week . Children who document reading ten books during the previous week can earn a free McDonald's Happy Meal. Schedule:

Tuesday - Kennewick McDonalds, Kennewick Avenue & Hwy 395 - 1:00 PM

Wednesday - Pasco McDonalds, Road 68 - 1:00 PM

Thursday - Prosser McDonald's - 10:00 AM

Thursday - Pasco McDonald's, Court St. - 1:00 PM

SunMart Reading Van

A program partnership between Sun Pacific Energy and the Children's Reading Foundation.  Sun Pacific Energy coordinates volunteers to engage childcare centers in group storytimes in the SunMart Reading Van.  Books and reading information is provided by the Children's Reading Foundation.  This program provides print resources for children and education for childcare providers.

BOOKS FOR BABIES

Books for Babies provides a new board book and early reading information to each new mother after the birth of a child at local hospitals. Mission Support Alliance is the proud sponsor of this program. Participating hospitals are Kennewick General Hospital in Kennewick, Kadlec Regional Medical Center in Richland, and Lourdes Medical Center in Pasco.

First Teacher Libraries

First time classroom teacher in grades K-3 working in local schools receive a free classroom library of 100 books. This program is supported by QWest Communications in Franklin and Walla Walla Counties, but Bookwlater Winery,  and by local Rotary clubs.