FAIRFAX FUTURES ANNOUNCES NEW GRANT FROM THE JOHN AND JANICE WYATT FOUNDATION (J2W)
July 23, 2024
Fairfax Futures, grant recipient of the John & Janice Wyatt Foundation (J2W), announces its most recent award, a $270,000 three-year grant, which will work towards improving the quality of early childhood education in Fairfax County. This initiative ties directly to VQB5’s (Virginia Quality Birth to Five) quality indicator – Curriculum. VQB5 is the unified measurement and improvement system administered by the Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) and coordinated locally by Ready Regions. The Virginia Department of Education believes that quality teaching and learning is supported by promoting curriculum use in all settings. Fairfax Futures will partner with Fairfax County’s Institute for Early Learning (IFEL) in the implementation of this initiative.
“The J2W Foundation is thrilled to once again be partnering with Fairfax Futures on early childhood education work in Fairfax County,” said Matt Peterson, executive director for J2W. “We are very confident this curriculum implementation strategy addresses another significant gap within the early childhood system and we look forward to assessing progress side by side with our partners. Our hope is that more educators are equipped to implement an evidence-based curriculum, further expanding quality opportunities for families resulting in improved teacher performance and student outcomes.”
This latest collaboration with J2W — Early Childhood Curriculum Initiative-Inspiring and Shaping Young Minds — will effectively support the county’s most vulnerable children and families by recruiting family child care and community-based child care programs located in Opportunity Neighborhood zip codes. “On behalf of Fairfax Futures, we are grateful to J2W for its continued, generous support of high quality early childhood education in our community,” says Fairfax Futures Executive Director Sallyann Rodriguez-Sawao. “Curriculum implementation can be complex, especially for those without formal training. This programmatic investment will help to offset costs and provide a supportive environment for educators to learn and apply the tools.” J2W funds will support the purchase of The Creative Curriculum for Infants, Toddlers & Twos, a comprehensive, research-based early childhood curriculum created by Teaching Strategies, LLC. The Creative Curriculum serves as a key ingredient in helping teachers to improve the interactions with the young children in their care, while also attracting families who are seeking high quality programs for their children.
“Fairfax Futures extends its deepest gratitude to the John and Janice Wyatt Foundation for their generous grant,” states Fairfax Futures Board Chairman Jeffrey Webster of PNC Bank. “Through J2W’s financial investment, Fairfax Futures will launch this new initiative, thereby strengthening and empowering early childhood education programs throughout Fairfax County. “
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Fairfax Futures launched as a nonprofit organization in 2004. Through the power of partnerships, Fairfax Futures catalyzes community-wide action and change so all children and youth achieve their full potential.
The John & Janice Wyatt Foundation was founded in July 2018 by John and his wife, Jan, after a successful career in designing, building, and scaling technology companies. Having raised a family and witnessed the educational disparities among youth in the public school system, John and Jan established this philanthropic initiative with the goal of leveling the playing field – through education – for disadvantaged children. The Wyatt family believe that, by creating equity for the whole child, these kids ultimately will have the best chance to succeed in school and thus become strong, contributing citizens in our communities.
Fairfax Futures thanks the John and Janice Wyatt Foundation for its generous support of early childhood education in Fairfax County, Virginia