How we began and where we are now:
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Fall 1992:
Apple Task Force formed. Fall 1994: Mt. Carmel (now Via Christi), Pittsburg State University, and Pittsburg School District (USD 250) jointly applied for and received the first Pritchett Trust Grant awarded. Spring through Summer 1995 Incorporated as a not-for-profit, received additional funding from a variety of sources, hired a coordinator, completed a feasibility study, explored potential sites, signed a memoranda of agreement with 14 agencies, and was chosen as one of five pilot sites in the state for a Family Support Grant. Spring 1997 Leased Lincoln School from Pittsburg School District (USD 250) and received a Child Care Development Block Grant. Summer and Fall 1997 Renovated and refurbished Lincoln School and was licensed for child care and preschool for 142 children by the Kansas Department of Health and Environment. August 25, 1997: First day of services. Oct. 5, 1997: Grand opening and dedication. March 1998 Expanded and renovated the custodial closet and lounge area to create the Bumblebees and Turtles rooms. August 1998 Added Migrant Even Start. January 2000 Added Smart Start Crawford County February 2000 Opened Infant Center with Smart Start funds at Grace United Methodist Church August 2002 - November 2002 Began first Babies to Kindergarten program, funded Community Health. October 2003 Added Resource and Referral May 2003 Mt. Carmel transferred ownership of Community Health to CHCSEK, Inc. October 2003 Opened Frontenac clinic. January 2005 Added Smart Start Southeast Kansas (Bourbon and Cherokee counties) July 2005 Opened Dental Clinic. January 2007 Added Early Intervention Services Birth to 3. April 2007 The CHC moved to a new building at 3011 N. Michigan. August 2007 Added a pilot pre-K in Pittsburg, Arma and Frontenac. August 2008 Added a pilot pre-K in Girard and ended the Migrant Event Start/Migrant Family Literacy Program. August 2009 Raised more than $2 million to renovate 1600 N. Walnut, and moved to the new location with more than 200 volunteers. The Center didn't close for one day for services to families. December 2009 Transferred ownership of 1600 N. Walnut to USD 250, and leased the building back from the district. May 2010 Transferred ownership of 1700 N. Locust to the City of Pittsburg. |
Milestones:
By October 1997, we had surpassed an enrollment of 200 and had a waiting list of 50. Our staff numbered 26 and we had numerous collaborating partners, as well as a 12-member board. Our funding was 75 percent user fees, 25 percent grants, donations and gifts in-kind. By December 2003, our enrollment had grown to 425 and our waiting list to 90. Our staff numbered 96. Our funding was 40 percent user fees, 60 percent grants, donations and gifts in-kind. By August 2005, our enrollment reached 500 and still our waiting list hovered just under 100. Our funding was at 30 percent user fees, 70 percent grants, donations and gifts in-kind. |