The Community Partnership was formed in 1990 as a result of a decision by the United Way of St. Paul, Minnesota, to devote funds to improving the level of affordable and available, quality child care within the community. Over 140 educational, human service, health, local governmental, community and private sector organizations have been involved in one way or another in the Community Partnership's efforts. The main thrust of the Partnership has been to develop a community vision and plan for providing those in need with better and more affordable child care. In October of 1992, the Partnership through its lead agency, Resources for Child Caring, developed a plan resulting from collaborative planning efforts over the past two to three years.
In December 1992, Minnesota received a grant from the Pew Charitable Trust to establish a community planning processes to improve the lives of children and families. St. Paul was selected as one of three localities to participate in this grant. As a result, St. Paul agencies, schools and community organizations established The Children's Initiative to conduct a planning process that may result in further award from Pew for implementation of the plan. Since the Community Partnership has focused primarily on child care issues, the Children's Initiative has a broader focus and is taking up issues related to children's health, children's development, barriers to the success of children in school, and the healthy functioning of families. Consequently, the membership of the Community Partnership, some of whom are also members of the Children's Initiative, are working toward integrating their plan with that of the Children's Initative. The Community Partnership will continue meeting as an interest and advocacy group which will collaborate with the Children's Initiative on issues related to ensuring that quality child care is affordable and available to all St. Paul residents.
Posted on March 23, 1995
URL: http://www.ncrel.org/sdrs/areas/issues/envrnmnt/go/93-3comm.htm