What is Collaborative for Children?
Why Did the Organizations Merge?
Who Do We Impact?
Why Are the Early Years So Important?
What are the Facts?
What Does Collaborative for Children Do?
What Does Collaboration Mean?
How Is the Organization Structured?

What is the Collaborative for Children?
Collaborative for Children (CC) was created to dynamically impact the lives of young children and their families to better prepare them for their future. Collaborative for Children was formed from the merger of the Greater Houston Collaborative for Children (GHCC) and Initiatives for Children (IFC), two non-profit organizations with more than 27 years of combined experience in serving the community. This is an exciting new partnership, and our name and logo attest to this, with the name formerly part of GHCC, the logo design formerly part of IFC, and “for children” in both names.

Our goal is to be the first point of contact for families seeking information about child development and early care and education for children. Collaborative for Children improves the quality of care and education through public awareness campaigns, educational programs for parents and early education professionals, and efforts to strengthen the overall early care and education system. An investment in these important developmental years pays significant dividends as children grow and mature and eventually take their place as productive adults in society.

Our mission: Building a strong educational foundation for young children to succeed in school and life.

Why Did the Organizations Merge?
Two organizations, GHCC and IFC, identified a need to strengthen the early care and education system in our community and merged to form Collaborative for Children to more effectively meet that need.

This is a remarkable effort to bring together two strong non-profit organizations in order to better serve the young children and families in the Houston area.

Both organizations have a long history of working together.

IFC and GHCC have worked together in the following areas: providing up-to-date information to working parents on the available resources for their children, providing educational development opportunities for child care professionals,  educating the community on the importance of quality early care and education, and identifying opportunities for the various systems of early care and education (licensed child care, Head Start and Prekindergarten) to work together to better utilize limited resources.

A premier early care and education resource for the Houston area will create greater impact in the community.

Both organizations have different, but complementary programming, which will continue to strengthen the system of early care and education.

Merging administrative and program infrastructures will maximize funding available for services to children and families.

A single organization effectively communicates with parents, caregivers and stakeholders the resources available for young children in our community.

Collaborative for Children is better able to address the challenges that lie ahead in strengthening the quality and expanding access to early care and education services.

GHCC and IFC are very excited about this new shared opportunity and the positive impact it wilhave on young children, their caregivers, their families and our community.

Who Do We Impact?
Young children from birth to age six and their families are the primary focus of the organization. Collaborative for Children also offers programs and support for parents with children of all ages, information on school age care and resources for children with special needs. Children who have inadequate economic, medical and educational resources and those that face additional challenges due to language, cultural and physical barriers can particularly benefit from our programs.

Why Are the Early Years So Important?
Studies document how a quality early learning environment positively contributes to a child’s later academic performance in school and in achieving success in life. The studies conclude that the early years of life matter because early experiences affect the architecture of the maturing brain. Ninety percent of a child’s core brain structure is formed by age five.

Collaborative for Children focuses on improving the circumstances for young children in order to take advantage of the tremendous “window of opportunity” during the first few years of life.

Research suggests there is a growing awareness of the importance of the first six years of a child’s life. However, the actions, policies and services that impact young children do not always reflect this knowledge. Numerous studies show that a child’s healthy development is dependent upon adequate prenatal care, early intellectual stimulation, proper nutrition and health care, as well as a nurturing and supportive environment.

An investment in early education can have a significant impact on our future workforce and leaders of tomorrow. Children in child care today are the workforce of tomorrow. To be productive members of the workforce of today, parents need to know that their children are safe, well cared for and in a learning environment.

What are the Facts?
The facts are clear: each year more children age six and under are cared for, at least some portion of the day, by someone other than their parent. Early childhood educators play a pivotal role in shaping a child, preparing them for life and giving them a foundation for a promising future.
Parents place a great deal of trust in these child care professionals for the safety, care and development of their children. Research indicates that a child’s healthy brain development and the ability to learn are inextricably linked to a nurturing, stimulating environment during the earliest years. Parental involvement in a child care setting is also important in producing positive long-term outcomes for children.

What Does the Collaborative for Children Do?
The Collaborative for Children offers programs and services related to early care and education.

• Educating parents of young children and helping them locate child care
• Offering services, resources and training for child care professionals
• Providing community education about the importance of child development from the earliest years
• Partnering with others in the community to connect/coordinate resources and services on early care and education
• Working to strengthen the overall system of early care and education
• Improving the quality of child care through public policy research and activities

What Does Collaboration Mean?
Webster’s Dictionary defines collaboration as “to work together.” Collaborative for Children works with leaders, organizations and community partners in Houston and across the state to give Houston’s youngest children a chance to reach their full potential.

Our success is possible because of the support of many organizations, funders and hundreds of dedicated volunteers and staff. They enable us to positively impact the lives of Houston’s children and their families.

How Is the Organization Structured?
The Collaborative for Children is governed by a Board of Directors comprised of leaders and concerned citizens from various sectors of the community who share a common desire to create an environment where our children will be able to reach their full potential. As it works to bring together individuals from various sectors of the community to collectively improve the quality of life for children ages zero to six, two other groups provide counsel and leadership. The Partner’s Council and community volunteers include representatives from foundations, businesses, educational institutions, government, and organizations such as the United Way and the Junior League of Houston, along with children’s service providers.

Over 250 leaders and experts are actively involved in leading, guiding and advising the Collaborative for Children to reach its new goals for the future. We will also continue and expand our role in providing a community table around which leaders and stakeholders in early care and education come together and define ways to improve the early care and education system for all children and families.

Carol S. Shattuck is President of Collaborative for Children, Pat Calelly is V.P. of Administration & CFO, Sul Ross is V.P. of Programs & Collaborative Development, and Erin Charlton is V.P. of Resource Development & Public Relations

The Collaborative for Children is a 501(c)(3) organization with funding from foundations, corporations, the government, and individual supporters.