Raising KC: Family Perspectives on Early Care and Education
This unique, intimate gallery-style evening showcased the voices and visions of twelve parent leaders. Through photography and narrative, parents shared their personal experiences navigating early childhood care and education. These powerful stories revealed the challenges families face and the hopes they hold for a more promising future for children in Kansas City. Thank you to the elected officials who attended and signed our Raising KC Pledge for families.
Raising KC Final Report
This report represents the collective wisdom and priorities of participating families. It is designed to inform organizational leaders, elected officials, and community members about what families are experiencing in Kansas City’s early childhood landscape. The findings highlight both the resilience of families and the urgency of systemic change.
This report brings together three sources of insight:
The parent narratives themselves.
Pre and post-survey data on parent leaders’ growth in confidence, skills, and understanding of civic engagement.
Storycatcher notes from the showcase that document what audience members noticed, questioned, and committed to do.
Together, these data points offer a powerful portrait of family experiences with early care and education in Kansas City and point to clear actions for systems change.
PLTI-KC would like to thank the Hall Family Foundation, United Parent Leaders Action Network - UPLAN, Mid-America Regional Council, and Kids Win Missouri for making this event possible.