A $20,539 grant will support early learning initiatives at a preschool operated by archdiocesan Catholic Social Services (CSS). The funds will be used to purchase new classroom materials and expand LENA Start, a parent-group program designed to boost early talk.

“We had families record one entire day of talk, and we gave them books to read to their children, along with simple activities to keep the conversation going throughout the day,” a program representative explained.

The data enabled the parents to identify specific ways to strengthen their children’s verbal development.