The vision of Kids Count in Alachua County, Inc. is that all elementary children in the community who need extra support to succeed in school and life will have that opportunity. To work towards this vision, Kids Count partners with schools, churches and other organizations to offer highly effective programs that inspire hope, enhance learning, improve confidence and build life skills. Kids Count provides qualified staff, volunteers and expertise for the programs it supports.

Now in its fourth year, Kids Count rolled out its newly-designed after school program in the fall of 2010. Developed with expertise from the University of Florida College of Education, the Kids Count at Faith United Methodist Church after-school program combines  research-based, effective literacy tutoring, social skill building through character development and hands-on, engaging and fun enrichment activities. The result fulfills the Kids Count mission of meeting the needs of the whole child.

· Literacy Tutoring - Children receive one-on-one tutoring that is personalized to meet each student's needs. Children receive one-on-one tutoring from UF College of education students two days a week. Key features of the tutoring component include personalized lessons designed to meet each student's needs, ongoing monitoring of student's progress and hand-on developmentally appropriate activities. Each tutor is trained and supported by the Executive Director.

· Character Development - Children participate in activities designed to develop positive character traits and social skills. The Executive Director and volunteers facilitate this learning through engaging activities that encourage student participation and generalization of key character traits. The focus will be on one trait per month that will be continually reviewed and include activities and enrichment to enhance the traits of the month.

· Enrichment - Children are exposed to learning that is exciting and fun and includes art projects, science experiments and investigations, historical explorations, home economics, nature/animals, the environment, health/hygiene/fitness and technology-focused projects. Community speakers are invited and students go on field trips.

Click the buttons to the left to learn more about how Kids Count in Alachua County and how you can be involved in this exciting initiative.