Sesame Workshop, the non-profit educational organization behind Sesame Street, has announced that Transylvania County is the next community selected for Sesame Street in Communities (SSIC), a nationwide initiative to support parents, caregivers, and community providers in their efforts to give all children, especially the most vulnerable, a strong and healthy start.
Sesame Street’s Count von Count and Abby Cadabby Walkarounds will celebrate the announcement at HalloweenFest in downtown Brevard on Saturday, October 27.
Funded by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF), the nation’s largest philanthropy dedicated solely to health, and the Joan Ganz Cooney Fund for Vulnerable Children, Sesame Street in Communities is partnering with the Transylvania County Early Childhood Initiative (ECI) to support local families with young children under age 5. Sesame Street in Communities will train parents and providers participating in the Early Childhood Initiative on topics including school readiness and traumatic experiences. Resources will be available through participating Transylvania County Early Childhood Initiative partners as part of the upcoming partnership. These resources will also be integrated into the ECI providers’ services, including those that seek to reach underserved populations of family and children throughout the county.
Established in 2015, the ECI includes local officials and community leaders who focus and align efforts surrounding the wellbeing of its youngest citizens. Through this cohesive effort, the ECI is enhancing the capabilities of caregivers and strengthening the relationships among Transylvania County organizations and programs essential to children’s lifelong learning, health and behavior.
“Transylvania County is a unique and special place. We’re immensely proud that Sesame Street in Communities has chosen us as its next community,” said Jaime Laughter, Transylvania County Manager. “There is no better investment than the health and well-being of our children. This partnership recognizes the incredible work of our ECI and the commitment of our entire community to make Transylvania County a stronger, healthier place to live for everyone.”
Program participants will be able to utilize the Sesame Street in Communities resources through in-person events and training, virtual courses, webinars, and videos to help children and families navigate challenges large and small. Using the power of the beloved Muppets of Sesame Street, the resources are designed to build coping skills and foster nurturing connections between children and the caring adults in their lives. All of these resources are available for free in English and Spanish at sesamestreetincommunities.org and through ECI website that will be launching on October 27.
“We are thrilled to launch Sesame Street in Communities in Transylvania County, a community dedicated to improving the lives of all children, particularly those most vulnerable,” said Dr. Jeanette Betancourt, Senior Vice President of U.S. Social Impact, Sesame Workshop. “By working hand in hand with local partners across Transylvania County, together we can help build the circle of care that every child needs to thrive.”
“Transylvania County’s commitment to young children and their families is setting an example for other communities in North Carolina and across the country,” said Page Lemel, Vice Chair, Transylvania County Board of Commissioners. “As only the fourth community nationwide selected by Sesame Street in Communities, we hope to inspire other rural communities to create similar programs that help all children have the healthy start they deserve.”