TRI Child Development Center (TRI-CDC) was awarded a $50,000 grant by the Ford Family Foundation to assist in creating an infant/toddler child development center in collaboration with the Central School District (CSD), Polk County Family & Community Outreach, and Mid-Willamette Valley Community Action Agency Early Head Start (EHS). The grant award will support the renovation of a building owned by the Central School District to create a model early learning center primarily for teen parents and their children ages 6 weeks to three years. TRI-CDC will provide expert early childhood professionals to ensure the development of an inclusive, high quality, nurturing environment for young children.

The center will be operated by TRI-CDC as a placement site for Central and WOU teen parents, children enrolled in Early Head Start, and families from the surrounding community. The site will be designed as a model demonstration site and serve as a practicum placement for CSD and WOU students to receive practicum hours and course credits. Students from CSD and WOU as well as teen parents will be able to use the proposed observation room to observe and practice appropriate guidance techniques, plan and implement curriculum and observe and assess children’s development.