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Making Connections San Antonio – CHAPSS: Children are
Healthy and Prepared to Succeed in School Started
in 1999, Making Connections is a ten-year investment by
the Annie E. Casey Foundation to improve the outcomes
for families and children in tough or isolated
neighborhoods. The Casey Foundation’s research has shown
that children do better when their families are strong,
and families do better when they live in communities
that help them to succeed.
Since 2001, Making Connections in San Antonio (MCSA),
has worked to increase access to community supports and
economic opportunities for low-income families in a
large section of San Antonio's West Side. MCSA wants to
improve the outcomes of disadvantaged children and their
families by documenting poor conditions, raising
awareness about core issues, implementing strategies
that will improve the life opportunities of families and
children in the West Side. They engage ‘anchor partners’
who convene ‘stakeholder tables’ to address areas of
focus.
Voices for Children of San Antonio convenes
Table 6 (CHAPSS), working to ensure that children in the
target area are healthy and prepared to succeed in
school.
Related Links
Annie E. Casey Foundation Making Connections
http://www.aecf.org/initiatives/mc/
Making Connections San Antonio
http://makingconnections.utsa.edu/mcsa/home.htm
Healthcare for Every Child
http://www.unitedwaysatx.org/dwm/tours/chip/index.cfm
Related Reports and Articles
Consequences for School Readiness and Beyond
Parents, policymakers, business leaders, and the general
public increasingly recognize the importance of the
first few years in the life of a child for promoting
healthy physical, emotional, social, and intellectual
development. Yet many children face deficiencies in the
years leading up to school entry in terms of emotional
support, intellectual stimulation, or access to
resources—due to low income or other factors—that can
impede their ability to develop to their fullest
potential.
http://www.rand.org/pubs/research_briefs/2005/RAND_RB9144.pdf
Proven Benefits of Early Childhood Interventions
There is increasing recognition that the first few years
of a child’s life are a particularly sensitive period in
the process of development, laying a foundation in
childhood and beyond for cognitive functioning;
behavioral, social, and self-regulatory capacities; and
physical health. Yet many children face various
stressors during these years that can impair their
healthy development. Early childhood intervention
programs are designed to mitigate the factors that place
children at risk of poor outcomes.
http://www.rand.org/pubs/research_briefs/2005/RAND_RB9145.pdf
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