Through a partnership with Southwest Human Development, which will contribute the majority of operational funds, Educare will serve up to 191 low-income children ages birth to five and their families. Parents are expected to play an active part in the life and governance of Educare, even as they learn to balance the demands of school or work with those of parenting. One third of the space in each center – and one third of the operating budget – is devoted exclusively to the needs of adults. Services range from parenting activities in the training center or the classroom to family support and referral.
There will also be an on-site integrative health clinic to address the physical, dental and social-emotional health needs of families in Educare and throughout the school district. Most families in the Balsz school district lack a medical home and therefore receive only limited medical care at local emergency rooms or from the district’s school nurses who are stretched far beyond their capacity. The Integrative Health Center will be led by Scottsdale Healthcare, which has a long track record of running school-based health centers and experience offering high-quality medical care to children and adults, as well as pediatric dentistry. In addition to providing comprehensive, integrative health care, the Educare Arizona Integrative Health Center will also serve as clinical practicum site for student nurses, student nurse practitioners, dental students, dental hygienist students, and both allopathic and naturopathic medical students.
Educare will also partner with ASU’s College of Teacher Education and Leadership to co-sponsor a new early childhood education program. Students will work in Educare’s classrooms and take classes on site. Educare will also be a statewide hub for professional development, providing a training resource for early care and education practitioners already working in the field allowing them to take the Educare knowledge statewide to impact Arizona’s youngest residents. In these ways, Educare will radiate quality statewide, benefiting children, families, and emerging leaders in the health and education fields all across Arizona.
There will also be an on-site integrative health clinic to address the physical, dental and social-emotional health needs of families in Educare and throughout the school district. Most families in the Balsz school district lack a medical home and therefore receive only limited medical care at local emergency rooms or from the district’s school nurses who are stretched far beyond their capacity. The Integrative Health Center will be led by Scottsdale Healthcare, which has a long track record of running school-based health centers and experience offering high-quality medical care to children and adults, as well as pediatric dentistry. In addition to providing comprehensive, integrative health care, the Educare Arizona Integrative Health Center will also serve as clinical practicum site for student nurses, student nurse practitioners, dental students, dental hygienist students, and both allopathic and naturopathic medical students.
Educare will also partner with ASU’s College of Teacher Education and Leadership to co-sponsor a new early childhood education program. Students will work in Educare’s classrooms and take classes on site. Educare will also be a statewide hub for professional development, providing a training resource for early care and education practitioners already working in the field allowing them to take the Educare knowledge statewide to impact Arizona’s youngest residents. In these ways, Educare will radiate quality statewide, benefiting children, families, and emerging leaders in the health and education fields all across Arizona.
