Jim Johnson originally planned on the Invest in Kids Membership drive being completed at the end of July. But because the fundraiser is still about $8,500 shy of its goal and more federal funds were cut recently, it will continue through the end of this month.
Johnson is executive director of Sunflower Diversified Services, a non-profit agency that owns and operates the Early Education Center and Incredible Years Preschool. Invest in Kids’ proceeds will go to both entities.
Of the $50,000 goal, $41,576.44 has been raised. The goal amount includes $30,000 to cover reductions in federal funding, a children’s service grant and Barton County funding for infant/toddler programs; and $20,000 for additional therapy and other specialized services for preschool children with diagnosed developmental delays.
“As of July 1 this year, there was another reduction in federal funds of about $14,000, so we decided to continue the drive,” Johnson said. “We sincerely thank all those who have donated. They can be assured their support is having a direct impact on children and their families.
“We understand there are many local needs,” Johnson added. “But we hope people realize that early intervention makes a significant difference in alleviating or eliminating diagnosed delays, which means saving tax dollars in the future.”
For example, last year one in four children transitioning out of Sunflower’s birth-to-3 program met developmental milestones with no further need for services. In the first six months of this year, that figure improved to one out of three.
“We encourage taxpayers to take note of this success,” Johnson said. “When delays are overcome, children will not need special education during their school years. Nor will they need our services when they are adults.
“We recognize that traditional funding can’t keep pace with the growing requests for our services,” Johnson noted. “Invest in Kids is one way to combine tax dollars with local donations and grants to insure our doors will always be open wide.”
The executive director added that Sunflower is committed to continuing the children’s services that started in 1966 through the efforts of families and the local Association for Retarded Citizens.
Sunflower serves infants, toddlers and adults in Barton, Pawnee, Rice, Rush and Stafford counties.
For more information or to donate, call 620-792-1325.