Fact Sheet 
The Vision: All children will be ready for kindergarten.
Background
Too many children arrive at kindergarten unprepared, which can result in a lifetime of challenges. While all familieswant the best for their children, many are unable to realize that dream.
Mission
500 under 5 will find 500 children under age five in two north Minneapolis communities, learn about their lives andconnect them with needed resources so they arrive at kindergarten ready to succeed. The ultimate goal is to find
cost-effective and family-friendly solutions to ensure children enter kindergarten ready to learn.
Key components central to 500 under 5
• Family-centered, not systems-driven• Geographic focus and intensity – “mile deep and inch wide”
• Relationship-based ongoing commitment
• Leverage, modify and add to existing systems to meet family’s needs
• Built-in evaluation and feedback loop for families
• Four-year commitment, through 2011
Family-centered approach
Engage parents early and often to build trusting relationships and provide parent education:• Family Support Advocates recruit families and connect them with services and supports.
• Family Academy classes introduce families to 500 under 5, to each other and to parenting help.
Connect families to high-quality early childhood settings and resources to support their child’s school readiness:
• Parent Aware child care ratings help families identify quality settings.
• Pre-K allowances provide financial assistance for quality early childhood opportunities.
Gather and share information to help families and improve their access to choices:
• Information about children’s language, literacy and health development help parents understand and support their child’s
progress toward being school-ready.
• Information about family needs and service gaps help drive community-based service changes and ensure services are as
good as possible for kids and families.
Geographic focus
Work is focused in two north Minneapolis communities:• Farview community: I-94 to Emerson Avenue North and 23rd to 35th Avenues North (parts of McKinley and
Hawthorne neighborhoods; includes Cityview and Nellie Stone Johnson schools)
• Bethune community: I-94 to James Avenue North and Olson Memorial Highway to Plymouth Avenue North
(parts of Sumner/Glenwood and Near North neighborhoods; includes Bethune school)
Leadership team and primary funders: Blue Cross/Blue Shield of Minnesota Foundation; Hennepin County: Research, Planning and Development;
Minneapolis Public Schools; Minnesota Early Learning Foundation; Minneapolis Youth Coordinating Board; University of Minnesota: Center for Early
Education and Development; Way to Grow.
Questions? Contact Kristina Lemmer, 500 Under 5 Project Administrator, 612.673.2131, kristina.lemmer@ci.minneapolis.mn.us
