Families First in Franklin Park

Families First in Franklin Park is a new collaborative committed to creating an equitable early learning environment for young children in Allentown and particularly in the Franklin Park neighborhood.

An effort to improve children’s education started with a survey of Allentown neighborhood’s parents. Here’s what it learned.

ALLENTOWN, PA (April 2024) Despite many parents in Allentown’s Franklin Park neighborhood facing financial, food and housing challenges, an overwhelming majority feels children receive good child care within the community.

WHAT’S HAPPENING IN FRANKLIN PARK:

Initial partners working together in the collaborative represent Allentown Health Bureau, Community Services for Children (CSC), Lehigh Valley Health Network, Lehigh Valley Reilly Children’s Hospital, and Valley Health Partners (VHP). 

Belief statements from Parent Engagement Committee

• Families First in Franklin Park is dedicated to supporting families with resources.
• We believe that all families in Franklin Park can thrive and succeed.
• Families are the first teachers and the foundation of the community.
• We believe all families deserve equal access to equitable health care and educational opportunities.
• Improving health and safety by providing sensitive whole person care where you live, work, and play.
• We believe together we can have a healthy and strong neighborhood.

Childcare Survey Results, 2023

Data was obtained from 233 people who were surveyed at clinics, beauty and barber shops, and schools and libraries.

Ninety-six percent of respondents knew of the importance of talking, reading, and singing with/to their child. 

• 84% of them heard about the importance from medical professionals at wellness checks.
• 54% heard about it from social media.

Resultados de la Encuesta Sobre Guarderías, 2023

Se obtuvieron datos de 233 personas que fueron encuestadas en clínicas, salones de belleza y peluquerías, y escuelas y bibliotecas.

Noventa y seis por ciento de los encuestados conocía la importancia de hablar, leer y cantar con su hijo. 

• El 84% dee llos habia oido a los profesionales de la salud hablar de la importancia en las revisiones  de salud.
• El 54% se enteró por las redes sociales.)