CFNC was born when a group of mothers in public housing watched 17 of their children fail kindergarten and decided to do something about it. Annually, it serves 139 children and their families, most of whom live just slightly above the poverty line (average income for a family of four is $27,000). With an eighth grade education (at most) and English as a second language, the majority of parents face both economic and linguistic challenges. CFNC provides, at no cost, high-quality preschool education for their children, health services, and family support, right onsite in Alexandria. Workshops help parents advocate for their children in school, support education at home, and help the littlest ones transition to kindergarten ready to learn and grow. This is comprehensive care that children and families need to prepare for success, in school and in life.
Headquarters: VA-City of Alexandria
Where They Operate: VA-City of Alexandria; City of Alexandria; Arlandria; Lynnhaven; Charles Houston; West End
Age Groups Served: Pre-K (3-4); Adult (25-49)
Population(s) Served: Low- to Moderate-Income Community Members
Schools They Work In: CFNC has classrooms in the Alexandria City Public Schools
- Number of children served living at or below 250% of poverty :
136 - Number of classrooms that maintained full 2-year state licensure:
8 - Number of children who demonstrated an average developmental gain of three times the national average in FY2016:
155 - Number of children that received hearing, vision, and dental screenings in FY2016:
175 - Number of parents who achieved two or more goals - such as English acquisition or job stability - in FY2016:
131
Awards & Recognition
• In collaboration with Northern Virginia Families Services, CFNC began the first Spanish-speaking perinatal support group for Latino women in Spring 2012. The biweekly meetings have averaged three to six participants per class, and attendance is growing by word of mouth.
• CFNC became one of the first programs in the country to receive accreditation through the National Association for the Education of Young Children. To achieve NAEYC accreditation, early childhood education programs are measured against the most robust and rigorous national standards on education, health, and safety.
• The Child and Family Network Centers is among the first preschool programs in the Commonwealth of Virginia to receive a 4-star rating as part of the Virginia Star Quality Initiative, a quality rating and improvement system for early learning programs.
• The Catalogue for Philanthropy: Greater Washington selected The Child & Family Network Centers to be featured in the 2010-2011 and 2014-2015 Catalogue. CFNC was one of 70 outstanding nonprofits to be featured that year. “Charities were selected for excellence, cost-effectiveness, and impact,” said Barbara Harman, President and Editor. “These are certainly among the best community-based nonprofits in the Washington region.”
CFNC was selected as one of Northern Virginia’s top preschools by Northern Virginia Magazine.
CFNC is part of GuideStar, a “one stop online shop” for donors, funders, researchers, educators, governing agencies, and the media who want to gain quality information on non-profit organizations.
CFNC is among the first preschool programs in Virginia to receive a star rating as part of the Virginia Star Quality Initiative, a quality rating and improvement system for early learning programs. CFNC’s classrooms obtained three and four star ratings (out of five stars).
CFNC received a three star rating on charity navigator in 2013.
Press
- Don Beyer Visits Hispanic Businesses In Arlandria
Tue Oct 28 2014, Alexandria News
Don Beyer joined state Senator Adam P. Ebbin in the Arlandria neighborhood of Alexandria to visit Latino business owners and CFNC.
- U.S. Secretaries Duncan And Sebelius Hold Press Conference At The Child & Family Network Centers In Alexandria
Fri Mar 7 2014, Alexandria News
A press conference was held to discuss President Obama's 2015 budget proposal to invest in high quality early education for all children.
- Local Companies Perform $1 Million Renovation As Pro Bono Effort For Child And Family Network Centers' Newest Location In Alexandria's West End Alexandria
Tue Feb 4 2014, Alexandria News
The Child and Family Network Centers' newest location at 3700 Wheeler Avenue opened its classrooms to children and families on January 27.
- Ready for Winter
Thu Nov 7 2013, Alexandria Gazette Packet
The American Hospital Association and the Del Ray Business Association provided new winter coats to 175 preschool students at CFNC. (pg. 29)
- Helping Hands
Thu Oct 24 2013, The Alexandria Times
On October 21, 2013, The Child & Family Network Centers worked with Integrity Management Consulting to conduct our first shoe drive.
Budget (FY2022)
- $3 million or higher
- The current budget for Child and Family Network Centers is: $1 million to $3 million
- $500k to $1 million
- Less than $500k
Catalogue charities range in size from $100,000 to
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