Focused on the Future

Our very own Elizabeth Stanek has been with Linking Families and Communities for 26 years, teaching and coaching prior to that. 

What is Linking Children and Communities?

  • Vision: “Happy, Healthy Children”
  • Mission: Our mission is to empower parents in raising happy, healthy children by providing families with educational, economic and health support by coordinating services with community resources.
  • Focus: Prevention/early intervention with children age 0-5 and their families.
  • It has helped with these programs: Halo Sleep Sack Project; preschool tuition assistance; an in-home visitation program providing parenting and child development support; literacy programming; transportation to/from Head Start; and quality improvement supports to childcare providers. By the way, according to the 2025-2026 Fall Early Literacy Screening, 47% of Fort Dodge Community School District kids in kindergarten are below literacy levels.

There is a huge need for childcare in Webster County:

  • There are 1.63 school-aged children who need childcare, for every one slot.
  • There are 2.29 children ages five and below who need childcare, for every one slot.
  • There are 3.47 infants who need childcare, for every one slot. 

Linking Families and Communities is moving the needle through the Sprouts Early Education and Development School: 

  • This is currently under construction in the former Becker’s Florist building.
  • This will open at the end of June, employing 10-15 staff
  • Children will range from six weeks of age to school age.
  • It is funded with a grant ($746,292) and private funds for a total project cost of $1.8M. (with Elizabeth and her Board doing all the fundraising themselves, so please send help and money!!)

There is legislation this year that could take away funding for Linking Families and Communities. HF 2712/ SF2462 is an act “relating to early childhood and family services, including the creation of an early childhood and family services system, state childcare assistance for the childcare workforce, making appropriations, and including effective date provisions.” Since this is an appropriations bill, it is funnel-proof and is of concern until the legislature ends its session.