Twins: they’re two peas in a pod. They’re twice as nice and make a dynamic duo and no one knows that better than Rosalia*, mom to Natalia and Federico. Like all loving parents, she wants what’s best for her children. However, Rosalia recognized the need for extra help to prepare the twins for school.
A few years ago, when Rosalia’s eldest son started kindergarten, she watched helplessly as he struggled to adapt. Having never attended preschool or an early learning program, a school evaluation uncovered a speech delay that required therapy.
Determined to give her children a head start, Rosalia sought additional educational resources for Natalia and Federico. With her oldest child's struggles in mind, she contacted Children's Home Society of Washington (CHSW) and applied for the twins to participate in the Early Learning Home Visiting Program. Having learned about the program through her work, she recognized the potential benefits it could bring to the twins’ futures.
CHSW’s early learning programs provides thousands of children (from birth to age five) and their families with essential support to prepare them for school success. Kids receiving early learning support are more likely to meet and even excel in social-emotional health, language, cognition, literacy, and mathematics.
In Rosalia’s case, we provided a dedicated Home Visitor who met with the twins weekly to prepare them for their first day of preschool. During the initial assessment, it was discovered that Natalia and Federico, like their older brother, had speech delays. In response, Rosalia was given information about a specialized birth-to-three-year program to equip the twins with the tools necessary for success.
Deeply committed to helping her children thrive, Rosalia set a goal to have the twins well-prepared to attend preschool. When their first day finally arrived, the Home Visitor went with Rosalia to lend support. Though initially feeling a little shy, the twins warmed up and were a hit with teachers and the other kids by the end of the day.
Today, Rosalia champions the mission of Children's Home Society of Washington, advocating for other families to benefit from the organization's vital resources. Her passion and dedication have earned her a seat on our prestigious Policy Council, an esteemed group comprising other parents involved in our early learning programs. And now, just like her children, Rosalia has found her voice too.
CHSW is embedded in our communities as that first line of support. Our upfront approach welcomes all families, so they are not alone, while offering the tools they need to achieve their goals. With your support, we can give children a strong start in life and help parents like Rosalia advocate for their children's future. Give now and be a part of building a brighter future for Washington's families.
*All names have been changed to protect anonymity.
Karlee Calvin is the director of Early Learning for CHSW.