2020

Annual Report 1 Contents

4-5 Letters from KConnect Leadership 6 Accountability Partners Council KConnect Structure 7 Frequently Asked Questions What Does KConnect do? 8 - 9 The KConnect Workplan Our Success Measures 10 - 11 Report Card 2020 Data 12 - 15 Equity in COVID-19 A Discussion with a Panel of Experts 16 - 19 Housing The Housing Stability Alliance 20 - 21 Doulas Day One Doula Collective 22 - 27 Network Member Listing

2 3 Letter From The President BOARD OF work that has been established. My TRUSTEES purpose or ‘my why’ behind this work is closely tied to my upbringing. I am the Andrew Brower son of Mexican immigrants and grew up W.K. Kellogg Foundation in low-income housing and a struggling school system in California. My parents Lynne Ferrell moved to Grand Rapids when I was in Frey Foundation my first year of high school. We were Krista Flynn fortunate enough to purchase a home TCF Bank near Northview High School, where Cle Jackson I learned quickly that not all school districts are created equal. My change in Blue Cross Blue Shield Michigan education, neighborhood, and community Dr. Juan Olivarez networks helped me learn first-hand how Andrew Brower, Teresa Weatherall Neal, Dorothy A. Johnson Center important it is to invest in ALL students KConnect Board of Trustees Co-Chair KConnect Board of Trustees Co-Chair Salvador Lopez, President for Philanthropy and work collectively to create a system Photo by Isabel Garcia Kevin Polston that provides students with a high quality Letter From the Co-Chairs Godfrey-Lee Public Schools Hello! For those of you who have not met education and experience, no matter their race, gender, or socio-economic status. Amidst pain and challenges, we value from the Prenatal to Third Grade workgroup to address inequitable birth outcomes, has Julie Ridenour me yet, my name is Salvador Lopez, and I’m excited to be the new KConnect President. I I believe that exposure can change a you and honor your work. The COVID-19 hired its first staff member and launches its first cohort of doulas of color in early 2021. Steelcase Foundation started in late September and have enjoyed life. Through the prenatal to career work crisis of 2020 has made more visible KConnect continues to convene community partners to address the vast disparity Diana Sieger my time meeting network partners, learning at KConnect, we can help dismantle inequities that have been prevalent for between White children and children of color across the prenatal to career continuum. Grand Rapids Community about the work that has been done, and systems of oppression and help all decades. The murders of George Floyd, We know this work will help make a difference so that every child may thrive. Foundation imagining what the future of KConnect children be successful. Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery, and Stacy Stout will look like. countless more Black men and women KConnect went through some significant changes this year. Our inaugural President, It’s time that we start pushing the in our country have led to the highest Pamela Parriott, moved to another position outside of the organization. Anissa Eddie, City of Grand Rapids As I familiarize myself with KConnect’s envelope. We need to acknowledge racial tensions we’ve seen since the Civil KConnect’s Associate Director and a Pritzker Fellow, completed her fellowship and left Michelle Van Dyke current work, I find myself continually the data, and work towards eliminating Rights movement. The year 2020 has to pursue her doctoral degree and launch Liminality Consulting. After a robust search Heart of West Michigan referring back to our Common Agenda and disparities that affect our children; more been challenging, even more so for Black process, we have brought on a President that we know will invigorate KConnect and United Way Roadmap that launched the organization specifically children from historically and Brown communities throughout our further strengthen our core values of racial equity, trust, and community engagement. Teresa Weatherall Neal and, ultimately, the creation of our ever- marginalized and underrepresented country and here in Kent County. Salvador Lopez, our new President, began in late September and is already Retired, Grand Rapids growing network. One section particularly communities. COVID-19 has demonstrating fantastic leadership. Public Schools struck me: “No single organization is compounded and brought to light Yet, communities have rallied to support long-standing inequities that children, families and small businesses affected by Although we too are uncertain what 2021 will bring, we know that this organization will Olivia Williams responsible for any major social problem, nor can any single organization solve it.” To me, not unlike myself, have experienced for COVID-19. Peaceful protests have led to work in partnership with you to affect meaningful change for children and families in Grand Valley State University what that sentence means is that it will take decades. My hope is that I can build some practice and policy change. Voter Kent County. We are here to support your work in closing racial disparities in all areas a collection of people to obtain a community on the strong foundation that is here, turnout is some of the highest we’ve ever of our community and connect all the many talents and assets to opportunities to live impact that will improve the lives of all reinvigorate our focus on community seen. Cross-race advocates are working fully and thrive. BACKBONE children and families. We must continue to engagement and equity and inclusion, for systemic change. and continue to develop strategies that TEAM work together to eliminate disparities in the Thank you for your work and support now and in the past, and we look forward data showing that, across the board, African change outcomes for children across the KConnect was built to uncover and to our continued partnership. American and Latinx children are positioned prenatal to career continuum. address racial disparities. With your Salvador Lopez to fail when compared to their White peers. guidance, we have continued to develop President We must acknowledge disparities and Thank you for being with KConnect strategies that work toward improving over the past six years. I look forward Mark Woltman work towards equitable and measurable outcomes for children and families. Our to working with you as we continue to recent facilitation and convening work to Associate Director outcomes that challenge the status quo. I believe that the Board of Trustees hired me move forward and I’m excited for what address housing insecurity has resulted in Katie Hop the future holds. a comprehensive community plan aimed because they believe in KConnect’s vision to Andrew Brower Teresa Weatherall Neal Communications Manager at moving families who have no housing do just that. Co-Chair, KConnect Co-Chair, KConnect toward being able to choose the housing The KConnect foundation is strong and I Salvador Lopez that’s best for their families. The Day One believe that I can help build upon the great President, KConnect Doula Collective, launched as a strategy 4 5 4 5 Frequently Asked Questions P bility artner ta s C un SUPPORTERS o o un c c WHAT DOES KCONNECT DO? c i A l KConnect is a Collective Impact organization. Collective Impact brings people together from all sectors, in a strategic way, to achieve social change. There are five aspects to Collective Impact: Prenatal to FOUNDATIONAL 3rd Grade WORKGROUP Common Agenda: Coming together to define the problem and create a shared vision to solve it Home & Family 4th Grade to CORE Stability 12th Grade WORKGROUPS Shared Measurement: Agreeing to track progress in the same way, which allows for continuous improvement.

Mutually-Reinforcing Activities: Coordinating collective efforts to maximize results.

Equitable Continuous Communication: Building trust and relationships with partners and the community. Outcomes for Children & Policy & High School Strong Backbone: A dedicated team orchestrating the work of the collective. Advocacy Families to Career

HOW DOES KCONNECT WORK? Community Equity & Engagement Inclusion BACKBONE KConnect is made up of a network of individuals and We also have four Cross-Cutting Workgroups SUPPORT Data & organizations that continue to move forward, challenge that are comprised of experts in their Capacity the status quo, and prioritize the interest of children respective field. These Workgroups serve as and families above independent agendas. resources for the Domain Workgroups as well BOARD OF as the community: There are three Core Workgroups comprised of TRUSTEES cross-sector partners that work together to develop CROSS-CUTTING • Community Engagement strategies that will most effectively improve outcomes WORKGROUPS • Data and Capacity for children and families in Kent County. These include: • Equity and Inclusion • Prenatal to 3rd Grade • Policy and Advocacy • 4th-12th Grade • High School to Career KConnect Structure

KConnect is made up of individuals happen in our communities. This is As one of our community partners, and organizations that work to done through exploring and sharing you are a vital part of moving this WHAT ARE KCONNECT’S FOCUS AREAS? improve outcomes - at a systemic data, defining and cultivating critical work forward and we value your KConnect focuses on children and families from prenatal to career. We have eight Success Measures that act as level - for children across the prenatal partnerships, and facilitating difficult, time and energy. Please continue focal points for the strategies that are created by the workgroups. These Success Measures are: to career continuum. This network but necessary, conversations with to be an advocate for the children includes Workgroup members, a focus on elevating equity to the and adults who are experiencing • Kindergarten Readiness • Career Readiness • Thriving Family Income supporters, funders, partners, forefront. KConnect as an organization the ramifications of generations • 3rd Grade Reading • Post-Secondary Readiness • Basic Family Income the Board of Trustees, and the is not at the center of this work - the of systemic racism and who have • High School Graduation • Post-Secondary Success Accountability Partners Council (APC). focus is on the network of partners to fight every day to have their (see our Partners page) who are voices heard. Let’s continue to KConnect is more than a backbone working together to ensure that all work together to address the root staff that convenes and supports children in Kent County have a clear causes of their inequities and aim various Workgroups. It’s a collective path to economic prosperity through to improve outcomes across the HOW IS KCONNECT FUNDED? of people who work in tandem to quality education, family, and continuum. Thank you! KConnect is funded thanks to the generosity of local foundations. make lasting and sustainable change community support.

6 Want more information? Contact Katie Hop, Communications Manager at [email protected] 7 The KConnect Workplan

Our Success Measures members worked hard to identify. We also have 27 of you, our extremely talented and dedicated network Workplan visualizes the 27 Indicator “swim lanes” under Indicators (levers of change) that we believe will change that continues to move forward. You challenge the status each Success Measure. Everyone in our network can utilize We have eight Success Measures spanning the prenatal to our outcomes in a significant way. All of this is happening, quo and prioritize the interests of children and families their unique talents within one of these “lanes” in order to career continuum, which the original Steering Committee not because of KConnect as an organization, but because above our own agendas. This updated version of the advance the work.

FOCUS AREA Early K-12 Academic Post-Secondary Career Home Childhood Success Completion Success & Family Stability KINDERGARTEN 3RD GRADE HIGH SCHOOL CAREER POST-SECONDARY POST-SECONDARY THRIVING FAMILY BASIC FAMILY READINESS READING GRADUATION READINESS PREPARATION SUCCESS INCOME INCOME SUCCESS SUCCESS MEASURES Attendance Attendance Born Healthy Employment Early Literacy INDICATORS Career Planning Career Critical Thinking Problem Solving Problem Financial Literacy Student Wellbeing Effective Teachers Effective Sustaining Wages Family Engagement College Enrollment College Completion College Persistence Preschool Readiness Preschool Business Ownership Basic Family Income Career Advancement Career Certificate Completion Reading Comprehension Developmentally on Track Early High School Success Student Enrollment Stability Student Enrollment Equitable Disciplinary Practice Culturally Responsive Instruction

Establishing Local College Access Business Ownership housing Integrated Early Childhood Data Systems Network Planning Data Exploration backbone

SHORT-TERM organization

Early Childhood Policy Agenda Community-Based Doula Program Preconception Health Campaign Diverse Teachers Attendance: Kent College and Career Kent College and Career Housing Literary • Common Messaging Campaign Access Network Access Network Stability Landscape • Shared Data Protocol (In Progress) (In Progress) Attendance: Alliance LONG-TERM • Common Messaging Campaign • Shared Data Protocol

8 9 Report Card Data and COVID-19

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, this year has been an unusual year for data collection and reporting. Many of the 2019-2020 school year educational KConnect is data-informed, which means we use disaggregated assessments were canceled or not released due to school closures, resulting in no updated data data to track and evaluate trends and develop strategies that for KConnect’s Data Dashboard. Once testing address the disparities we see in our community. Across all eight resumes during the upcoming school year, data will be updated accordingly. The Data success measures we see a significant gap between White students and Capacity Workgroup is currently working and Black and Brown residents. KConnect works to eliminate these to identify proxy measures that may be able to provide some information during this time. disparities and improve outcomes for all.

For more information on the data listed on this page, please visit the KConnect Data Dashboard at www.k-connect.org/data

Basic Family Income Kindergarten Readiness Third Grade Reading Career Readiness

The percentage of families at or above 200% of poverty has This data was collected in Fall of 2019 as part of a pilot of the Overall, only half of students in Kent County are considered There’s been an overall increase in employment in grown slightly since 2013. There remains, however, a 30 assessment; not all kindergartners were assessed, and data proficient in reading upon leaving third grade, which has Kent County over the last 7 years. However, young Black percentage point gap between the percent of White families is only available for the entire ISD. Additionally, traditional decreased slightly over the past five years. youth and adults are more than three times more likely above 200% of poverty (~75%) and the percentage of Black districts were included in the assessment. Fifty percent of to be unemployed than their White & Latinx peers. By third grade, White students are nearly three times more (~44%) and Latinx (~42%) families above 200% of poverty. White students were ready for Kindergarten compared to 23% Black and 25% Latinx in 2019. This reflects the need likely to be reading at grade level than Black students and for high-quality, affordable preschool for students as they twice as likely as Latinx students. prepare to enter kindergarten.

2016 2019 2018 2019 2016 2019 2016 2019 69.9% 72.3% 43% 43% 50.2% 50.5% 89.7% 91.8%

Postsecondary Readiness High School Graduation Postsecondary Success Thriving Family Income

Postsecondary Readiness is the largest gap across our High School Graduation rates have generally increased Postsecondary Success has decreased slightly over the last Thriving Family Income is currently measured by the racial/ continuum with a 40.8% difference. Nearly 1 out of 2 in the past 7 years. However, the gap between White 4 years to about half of all adults in Kent County ages 25 ethnic gap in income that exists within Kent County. Currently, White students are ready for postsecondary education students and African American/Latinx students to 34 have an associate degree or higher. Only about 1 in White families have the highest median household income at compared to nearly 1 in 14 Black students. continues to be prevalent. 5 Latinx young adults have a degree while over 1 in every 2 about $87,000 annually while families with two or more races White young adults have one. have the lowest median income at under $40,000. The current gap is just over $47,000 per year. The gap started to close between 2013 & 2015 but has since grown.

2016 2019 2016 2019 2016 2019 2016 2019 39.9% 38.1% 79% 82.8% 49.8% 48.3% $41,073 $47,459

10 11 Equity in COVID-19 In the time of COVID-19, how are we seeing structural racism show up in healthcare, education, jobs, and income levels?

KConnect is emphasizing the role that equity – or the historical We saw early-on just how reliant some folks are on schools Healthcare for things like food and the social/emotional support. We’re absence of equity – is playing in the crisis that is currently seeing a greater divide of those who are dependent on underway, and to compel all of us – individuals, organizations, and Micah The consequences of racism show up on an public services, which, to me, is a window into the inequity individual level with our patients in healthcare. However, of wages, who has access to quality healthcare, who has systems – to recognize that with the present pain also comes an when we think about public health and the health of social access to mental health services, etc. opportunity to reset structures and systems with authenticity and groups, they are strongly affected by structural instead of individual accounts of racism. One underlying problem Illuminated in structural racism is how certain schools have intentional design that rejects a blanket universal approach and is that structural forms of racism and its relationship access to resources or funding; those who were able to rather takes into consideration the unique needs of populations. with health inequities is really an understudied topic. The pass out devices and hot spots, how some were able to COVID-19 pandemic really highlights several forms of right away just continue learning because of how they’re structural racism; For example, we see social segregation set up, and those who had staff that were even equipped to pivot like that. The level of trauma to the adults in the To gain a deeper understanding of the impact of COVID-19, we and we know that it’s caused by redlining, which is a structural form of racism for decades, such as redlining. building was magnified in some areas as opposed to others. convened a panel of experts in a variety of roles in our community. I like to think historical trauma is particularly important Juan I’m really concerned about what we’re going to see because the individual acts of racism and inequities on next – this deficit that we’ve always known about of the one generation are often felt by the next, the result being educational gap often gets pushed under the rug, but now a distrust and an underutilization of healthcare services. we see that it is a big deal. To lose time in this educational We see this play out with many other disease states, process will affect our black and brown students the most. and I think we need much more data sharing by our This is going to be devastating, and we haven’t seen system partners to assess whether this is a factor in the anything yet in terms of the ramifications for our K-12 kids. COVID-19 pandemic as well. When we look at systemic The harm is going to be everywhere, but it’s going to be Meet the Panel recommendations like stay at home or when you go in toughest on the youngest kids because they are losing public wear a face mask, there are some unintended out on the most. consequences that need to be addressed with that. For many of our (higher ed) students, the dilemma is If you are an African American male walking around that they may not have anywhere to go and that’s been with a face mask, that could be perceived as a struggle for colleges to maintain some semblance of threatening in some communities. dormitory life. Students are needing to go home, but home isn’t necessarily conducive to a learning environment perhaps due to lack of space, technology, etc. The stress Education on the college kids is enormous. Graduates are missing out on career fairs – our students of color rely on those because Brandy What is so abundantly clear is that COVID-19 has they don’t have the networks that other students have intensified some of the inequities we knew already existed through family, acquaintances, parents’ jobs, and so forth. in education. It’s the glaring understanding of the haves and have nots. We’re talking about digital devices so that If anything, this pandemic has really illuminated the issue of families can engage in the continuity of learning which structural racism and societal racism. 80% of our citizens go also takes us to connectivity who has those resources from check to check; they have nothing to fall back on, no Micah Foster, PA-C, Dr. Juan R. Olivarez, Dr. Brandy Lovelady Mitchell, Paul Doyle, in the home to really access ongoing learning and to safety net. A large portion of that 80% are African American, Executive Director Grand Distinguished Scholar in Inaugural Director of Diversity, Founder & CEO Inclusive access support. Beyond that, who has adults in the home Latinx, Native Americans, and so on, that are struggling Rapids African American Residence for Diversity, Equity, Equity & Inclusion Kent Performance Strategies with school-aged kids based on being deemed essential every single day. They didn’t need a pandemic to realize the Health Institute and Inclusion Johnson Center Intermediate School District workers. The overabundance of black and brown folks in problems of accessing jobs and earning livable wages or the for Philanthropy those essential positions have implications on learning as difficulty of actualizing prosperity. well as just the exposure to COVID-19.

12 13 Jobs and Income

Paul There are going to be businesses who will be totally wiped out by this crisis and people who will not be able to get their jobs back if we are not able to soften the impact. We’ve had an uptick in lifestyle business ownership within the African American and Latinx community over the last year – those businesses could be wiped out.

The tension that arises when we discuss structural racism is that there are some people who believe we have existing systems that are equitable and you just need to “pull yourself up by your bootstraps.” This crisis has exposed the inequities within our systems. The question is going to be who really cares? Unless it’s totally hitting their pocketbooks or their financial base, they’ll care at that level, but from an empathetic Ask the Panel standpoint, that’s going to be a question and a reality for us to face. I heard that we are living a tragedy where perception and opinions are overriding facts – if we continue EQUITY IN COVID 19 CONTINUED to let that happen, and that’s the behavior we embrace, then what are we to expect in regards to change? How are these inequities negatively impacting children and families in our community? Juan We can illuminate this and maybe our conversations will shift to a much higher level in what it means to have an inclusive Paul You have some parents who are living in privilege that growth community – it’s all about access and opportunity. are communicating the stresses of having their kids around all I think moving forward, challenging our policies, regulations, of the time and trying to keep them healthy. Then you have neighborhood access to health, food, jobs, etc., can and should those parents who don’t have the resources and on top of that take a different light. It can’t just be about a pandemic, it really are trying to survive without essential needs. What impact is this should be about anything that happens in our society that is a going to have mentally on those families and their kids? crisis, and there will be more.

Brandy They’ve been talking about flattening the curve and In each of the areas that we’ve talked about – healthcare, trajectory of how the numbers will go up around this time frame education, and jobs/income – what do you think are 2 or 3 where we will see more loss of life while we rapidly see more actionable priorities that we should begin working on now loss of jobs, which is increasing the depression, frustration, to enhance inclusive growth across Kent County? anger, and anxiety. Micah In the healthcare sector, we need to continue to focus Juan Our kids are going to feel this as a trauma; there will and increase our diversification of the healthcare workforce. be PTSD. That’s my biggest concern; the stress caused by We also need to adapt our education system to more flexible fear, lack of structure, tension at home, etc. What that stress is models – education as a whole is still designed for a population causing will be very devastating to children. that existed 50 years ago.

Micah Clinically, both anecdotally in my own practice and Brandy Our history and lived experiences have been asking globally as measured by the metrics, the level of anxiety and to redesign preschool-12 spaces for a long time. If we told depression is increasing. the truth, our school system was never designed for all people anyway. We must ask to redesign with end-users in the Looking forward, what should we think about now co-designer seat at the table with us. in order to radically change the system and create sustainable change through an inclusive growth lens? Juan I think we can immediately start making sure that we address the digital divide – we need laptops in every child’s Paul We know that if we have inclusive growth we’re able hand and wifi for the city. to enhance the capacity of all community groups to be empowered and have some level of control and influence on Paul We have to enhance our practice of looking at structural their quality of life. When that happens, we all benefit. That’s racism and identify those things that are contrary to inclusive going to take some commitment to be uncomfortable with growth and address them. the changing structures that limit inclusive growth. I think that if we just focus on how we react to COVID-19 we can miss the opportunity to address system inequities that have caused disparities for a long time. 14 15 14 15 Housing Setting the Foundation

Based on the data, findings, and its vision and mission, the Alliance developed a Roadmap of strategies and actions that will be operationalized in the next phase of work to promote housing stability in Kent County. The Housing instability is a long-standing problem in Kent County. Roadmap includes plans around Equity and Community To combat this issue, numerous cross-sector stakeholders in the Engagement, High-Leverage Activities, a Shared Measurement System, Continuous Communication, community, with KConnect as a facilitator and project manager, and a Backbone entity. This structure follows a proven came together for nearly two years to create a Common Agenda Collective Impact model that is designed to solve complex social problems. The Common Agenda and and Roadmap for housing stability. Roadmap was finalized and released in August 2020.

The Action Team that was focused on developing the plan for the Backbone Entity requested additional time to determine which, if any, organization would be equipped to become the backbone for this endeavor. The team created a Steering Committee to take over The Housing The Alliance has become a network the work of finding or creating an organization. The Stability Alliance Committee developed a process by which interested that has a clear commitment to organizations could submit applications to be the The beginning of the Housing Stability Alliance was the addressing systemic issues in housing backbone; in total, nine organizations applied. Three ending of a two-year engagement from KConnect that stability, racial and ethnic disparities, were selected for final interviews: The Urban League of West Michigan, Urban Core Collective, and West started when a group of concerned community leaders and barriers to cohesive collaboration. wrote to say that there was a crisis in the community Michigan Partnership for Children. After internal conversations, Urban Core Collective, as a member- related to increasing family homelessness, that it was exponential rise in housing prices over recent years Redefining the Path Home Cover, based organization, chose to walk alongside and adversely affecting black and brown families, and that and the understanding that the current system in Kent August 2020 Full Document at support the Urban League and the two organizations current systems were not geared towards County is built upon a history of systemic racism and www.k-connect.org/housing delivered a unified presentation to the Steering adequately addressing it. lack of input from those with lived experience. The lack Committee and Alliance of a common language to describe the many elements The energy and momentum behind this process has of the community’s housing system was also was a turned it into a genuine movement toward equitable The Urban League of West Michigan, along with key discovery. In order to have a common foundation housing stability in our community. Urban Core Collective, presented a strong history of from which housing stakeholders can work, the Alliance equity and inclusion, community trust, and experience Major findings of the Alliance include identifying created the Housing Stability Spectrum, which identifies in housing stability. West Michigan Partnership for the alarming disparities related to housing stability, each possible housing situation in Kent County and Children presented strong capacity for data, project especially in regard to the disproportional rates of provides shared language for the network to use in management, and system-level convening. These homelessness for African Americans. It targeted the relation to these situations. organizations are both widely respected in their fields and strive to achieve equitable outcomes.

Housing Stability Spectrum Both the Steering Committee and the Housing Stability - OPTIONS + Alliance gave quantitative and qualitative feedback during and after the presentations. This feedback was synthesized and presented to the Steering Committee in order to inform their final decision on who will be No Temporarily Soon to Lose At Risk of Stably Housed By serving as the backbone organization for the Housing Housing Housed Housing Losing Housing Housed Choice Stability Alliance.

- CONTROL +

16 17 This work is long-term. It needs the data, reflecting on the presentations, and multiple conversations, the Steering Committee decided to form Family Homelessness in Kent County thoughtful deliberation, process, a new backbone organization to lead this work. The and planning. It needs an new backbone will support a system-wide response to In 2019, 5,084 African American children and adults in If that were the case, the overall number of children and address housing inequities across the entire housing families accessed the homeless system in Kent County. If families accessing the system would be cut by over two- organization that is built spectrum. The details of this new venture are being there was an equitable housing system in the county and thirds. Kent County’s family homeless system is over- specifically for addressing the developed and will be announced to the community once the homeless system demographics mirrored the county’s, represented by 4,813 African American Children and disparate outcomes we see it is completed. The Common Agenda and Roadmap will there would be only 271. adults in families. be updated to reflect this new development. in our system. This work is long-term. It needs thoughtful deliberation, The Steering Committee spent a considerable amount process, and planning. It needs an organization that is of time reflecting on the breadth and depth of this built specifically for addressing the disparate outcomes work and how a backbone organization should meet we see in our system. By working together, we can the specific needs of the community. After reviewing create something extraordinary in our community. African American children in Kent County were in the homeless system in 2019, compared to 1 in 130 white children.

EQUITY/COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT Location of Children Coming Into the Homeless System, 2019 37% Increase in people in the homeless system since 2017

SHARED HIGH-LEVERAGE MEASUREMENT ACTIVITIES Nearly 2/3 of that increase are children and adults in families

Baseline 2017 Current 2019 600 200 4,898 7,055 881

CONTINUOUS BACKBONE COMMUNICATION ENTITY Nearly 1/2 400 of the overall increase are African American children and adults in families

COMMON AGENDA Baseline 2017 Current 2019 3,536 5,084 For more information on the data methodology, please visit bit.ly/HousingDataKConnect

18 1919 Day One Doulas Doula Collective

Day One Doula Collective is a system-level response Day One Doula Collective is funded separately from to the inequities around low birth weight and the need KConnect. Heart of West Michigan United Way acts as the to diversify the healthcare system. Low birth weight fiduciary for the program. Day One is funded by the W.K. is considered an Indicator of success under the Kellogg Foundation, the Steelcase Foundation, Center In 2018, the Prenatal to 3rd Grade Workgroup developed a two-part Kindergarten Readiness Success Measure on KConnect’s for the Study of Social Policy, and the Michigan Health strategy that positively affects both the prenatal and career Workplan. Looking at local data, in 2018, Black babies Endowment Fund. were more than twice as likely to be born at a low birth areas of KConnect’s continuum. weight than White babies. In other words, 1 in 7 African American babies were born with a low birth weight. If low Our goal is to increase the likelihood birth weight is directly related to Kindergarten Readiness, of women of color to have a baby then we know that it’s imperative for these babies to start their life healthy. This pilot program also addresses the that is over 5.5 pounds, helping to disparity around thriving family income. In 2019, a Black improve one of the conditions that family made over $47,000 less than a White family. By put a child on the path to economic training women of color to become doulas and earn a sustainable living wage, we can close the disparity gap prosperity from day one. The goal is to increase the likelihood of women of color to and create a more equitable economy in Kent County. have a baby that is over 5.5 pounds. Research shows that STRATEGY 1 To stay up to date on this pilot, follow Day One Doula receiving doula services is directly related to improved birth Day One Doula Collective is conducting a training Connect expectant women of color in Kent County with Collective on Facebook and check KConnect’s page for outcomes. Improving these outcomes overall and closing session to “train the trainers” in order to prepare for the doula services - specifically prioritizing women who may updates. You can also reach out to Kiara Baskin at the disparity gap helps put a child on the path to economic upcoming doula cohort. This training is in partnership be at risk of having a low birth weight baby. [email protected]. prosperity from day one. with HealthConnect One, which is the national leader in advancing equitable, community-based, peer-to-peer Since 2018, the PN3 Workgroup and Birth Equity Align and support for pregnancy, birth, breastfeeding, and early Design Team have been working to develop the strategy parenting. At the time of this publication, nearly 100 STRATEGY 2 and launch the pilot. In mid-2020, the Day One Doula women of color have expressed interest in becoming a Equip a cohort of women of color in Kent County with Collective hired its first Program Manager, Kiara Baskin. doula with this program. Day One has also partnered the skills and certifications needed to achieve a career as The pilot is being incubated at Baxter Community Center with the Center for the Study of Social a doula that allows them to earn a sustaining wage. and launches its first cohort in early 2021. Policy to integrate Developmental Understanding and Legal Collaboration for Everyone (DULCE). This partnership will provide additional training for the doulas on topics related to the social determinants of health, health equity, home visiting safety, and motivational interviewing. Through collaborations like these, and other local, state, and national partnerships, Day One is bringing diversity to the healthcare community while improving outcomes for Kiara Baskin, Day One Doula Collective Program Manager, In 2018, 1 in 7 African American babies were born at a low birth weight. babies of color. assists her client with their child’s birth

20 21 Network Member Listing Network Member Listing

PRENATAL - 3RD GRADE DeDe Esque Wendy Miller Tawana Brown Rachel McKay Guiliana Estrada Inclusive Performance Strategies GVSU West Michigan Works! Grand Rapids Children’s Museum Grand Rapids Community Foundation Tequia Adams Nkechy Ezeh Yazeed A Moore Ron Caniff Matt Milanowski Chad Patton Spectrum Health Baby Scholars Early Learning Neighborhood W.K. Kellogg Foundation Kent Intermediate School District Lighthouse Academies Literacy Center West Michigan Tyler Aman Collaborative Starr Morgan Heidi Cate Julie Mushing Leanne Rhodes First Steps Kent Wendy Falb Grand Rapids Early Discovery Center Integrity Educational Services Kent Intermediate School District West Michigan Center for JaneAnn Benson Literacy Center of West Michigan Mike Nassar Daphne Catterhead Erica Touhy Arts + Technology Matthew Beresford Tracey Fountain Literacy Center of West Michigan Mandy DeWilde Mel Trombley Cary Stamas Grand Rapids Public Schools Michigan Dept of Health & MaDonna Princer Heart of West Michigan United Way Grand Rapids Area Chamber Kent Intermediate School District Human Services Heather Boswell Head Start for Kent County Shavon Doyle-Holton of Commerce Kevin Stotts First Steps Kent Enid Gaddis Christopher Roe Inclusive Performance Strategies Amirah Vosburgh Talent 2025 Arbor Circle Paula Brown Fountain Street Church Ronda Dyer GVSU Charter Schools Office John VanElst Great Start Coalition Kathy Glynn Leslee A. Rohs Lighthouse Academies Laura Ward Grand Rapids Community College Blue Sky Thinking Ashanti Bryant W.K. Kellogg Foundation K’Sandra Earle Affinity Mentoring Danielle Veldman IFF Marueen Hale Megan Rozalez Early Learning Neighborhood Daniel Williams Inclusive Performance Strategies Kelli Campbell PNC Bank Kent ISD Collaborative West Michigan Center for Denise Washington Kent ISD Barbara Hawkins Palmer Kristen Sobolewski Amber Fox Arts + Technology Kent Intermediate School District Kayla M Carr Kent County First Steps Kent Kent School Services Network Sulari White HIGH SCHOOL TO CAREER Mercy Health Craig Hoekstra Megan Streng Enid Gaddis Grand Valley State University Barbara Corbin Wyoming Public Schools First Steps Kent Arbor Circle Angie Barksdale Dr. Shayla Young Kent ISD Ashley Karsten Annemarie Valdez Susan Gunn West Michigan Works! T2C Studio Michelle Cossar Kent ISD First Steps Kent Davenport University Mercedes Barragan United Methodist Joanne Kelty Erika VanDyke Lynn Heemstra Spectrum Health HOUSING STABILITY ALLIANCE Community House Early Childhood Advocate Grand Rapids Community Foundation Our Community’s Children Shawn Bultsma Candace Cowling Maureen Kirkwood Jayme Vosovic Sonya Hernandez Grand Valley State University Dorothy Anne Family Futures Heath Net of West Michigan Michigan League for Public Policy YMCA of Greater Grand Rapids Suzanne Callahan Community Advocate Jeran Culina Susan Kragt Bethany Laura Workman Sommer Jabbar Davenport University Erin Banchoff Talent 20205 Christian Services Early Learning Neighborhood Tracie Coffman City of Grand Rapids Diedre Deering Collaborative W.K. Kellogg Foundation Laurie Beard Sarah Lane 4TH-12TH GRADE Literacy Center of West Michigan Retired, Old National Bank Kate Lara Noah Kruis Jeran Culina Kristina Donaldson Vera Beech Grand Rapids Public Schools Paul Adams Cris Kutzli Talent 2025 Kristina Donaldson Consulting William C. Abney School Grand Rapids Community Foundation Paul Doyle Community Rebuilders Joshlyn Litzenberger Chana Edmond-Verley Jamon Alexander Kyle Lim Inclusive Performance Strategies Tasha Blackmon Camp Fire West Michigan 4C Cherry Health West Michigan Center for Lim Consulting, Inc. Jonathon Klooster Cherry Health Arts + Technology Trudy Ender John McNaughton Luis Lugo City of Grand Rapids Refugee Education Center Grand Rapids Public Library DeVos Family Foundations

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Rosalynn Bliss Angela Gillisse Laura Luchies Wendie Preiss Amy Turner-Thole Nathan Roggenbaum City of Grand Rapids Community Rebuilders Calvin University Center Flat River Outreach Ministries Turner-Thole Consulting West Michigan Partnership for Children Connie Bohatch Casey Gordon for Social Research Wende Randall Michelle Van Dyke Emily Madsen City of Grand Rapids Kent Intermediate School District Joshua Lunger Essential Needs Task Force Heart of West Michigan United Way Essential Needs Task Force Michael Bohnsack Jack Greenfield Grand Rapids Area Lyn Raymond Dennis Van Kampen Rafael Martinez Bohnsack and Associates Retired, Arbor Circle Chamber of Commerce Greater Ottawa County United Way Mel Trotter Ministries The Right Place John McNaughton Mandy Bolter Taylor Hartson Julie Ridenour Lauren VanKeulen Alan Henry Kent County Commission Calvin University Center for Social Grand Rapids Public Library Steelcase Foundation 3:11 Youth Housing PNC Bank harisse Mitchell Neil Carlson Research C Deanna Rolffs Nancy Veldkamp-Brubak Becky Jo Glover Calvin University Center for Social Nancy Haynes YWCA West Central Michigan Design Group International Access of West Michigan City of Grand Rapids Jeremy Moore Research Fair Housing Center of West Michigan Rebecca Rynbrandt Ryan VerWys Keli Christopher Sergio Cira-Reyes Jack Hess Spectrum Health City of Wyoming Inner City Christian Federation STEM Greenhouse Ja-Quari Moore-Bass Urban Core Collective CivicLab Nicole Schalow Jayme Vosovic Mark Bauby Amy Clark Win Irwin Community Advocate Michigan Department of Civil Rights Michigan League for Public Policy West Michigan Works! Eleanor Moreno Creative Reach, LLC Irwin Seating Cheryl Schuch Teresa Weatherall Neal Tyler Aman Felicia Clay Joe Jones Grandville Avenue Arts & Humanities Family Promise of Grand Rapids Grand Rapids Public Schools First Steps Kent Grand Rapids Housing Commission Grand Rapids Urban League Kayla Morgan Rachel Scott Eric Williams Tom Cottrell Christina Keller Resilient Roots Yoga LLC Rockford Construction United Methodist Community House EQUITY & INCLUSION YWCA West Central Michigan Cascade Engineering Roger Morgan Susan Sheppard Tequia Adams Laurie Craft Ryan Kilpatrick Kent County Arbor Circle DATA & CAPACITY Spectrum Health: Strong Beginnings Grand Rapids Community Foundation Housing Next Courtney Myers-Keaton Diana Sieger Mel Atkins Jamon Alexander Jim Davis Leslie King Grand Rapids Area Coalition Grand Rapids Community Foundation Grand Rapids Public Schools West Michigan Center for Community Advocate Sacred Beginnings to End Homelessness Kip Snyder Arts + Technology Lee Nelson Weber Erika Bolig Amber Erickson Lisa Knight Wyoming Department of Public Safety Grand Rapids Community College Jesse Bernal Kennari Consulting Grand Rapids Urban League Dyer-Ives Foundation Andy Soper Grand Valley State University Laudo Ogura Neil Carlson Steve Faber Cathy LaPorte Measurable Change Calvin University Center for Laurie Blanchard Byrum & Fisk The Salvation Army Grand Valley State University Dennis Sturtevant Social Research Pine Rest Christian Mental Lynne Ferrell Ashley Lee Juan Olivarez Dwelling Place of Grand Rapids Amber Erickson Health Services Frey Foundation Grand Rapids Community Foundation Grand Valley State University Jim Talen Kennari Consulting Teresa Branson Amber Fischvogt Scott Lewis Laura Olson Kent County Commission Paul Isely Kent County Health Department CivicLab YMCA of Greater Grand Rapids City of Grand Rapids Bev Thiel Grand Valley State University Tamber Bustance Sandra Ghoston Jones Monica Light Marge Palmerlee Habitat for Humanity of Kent County Mark Maynard Grand Rapids Community College Kent County Flat River Outreach Ministries Degage Ministries Adnoris Torres Kent Intermediate School District Kristin Gietzen Brandy Lovelady Mitchell Eureka People Community Advocate Dave Riley Arbor Circle Kent Intermediate School District The Eureka Group Andrea Troupe The Right Place Michigan Department of Civil Rights

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Paul Doyle HOME AND FAMILY STABILITY KENT COUNTY LITERACY Julie Ridenour Fusion Financial Group LEAD CONVENING PARTNERS Inclusive Performance Strategies LANDSCAPE ALIGN & DESIGN Steelcase Foundation Inclusive Performance Strategies Dave Bulkowski LEADERSHIP TEAM Essential Needs Taskforce Shavon Doyle-Holton Bob Tobin Kennari Conslting Kent County Commission Inclusive Performance Strategies Williams Group First Steps Kent Jeran Culina Palladian West DeDe Esque Susan Cervantes Kent Intermediate School District Community Action Agency Talent 2025 Search Firm Inclusive Performance Strategies FACILITATORS Chana Edmond Verley Talent 2025 Casey Gordon Well Design Studio Andre Fields To College Through College Kent ISD Camp Fire West Michigan 4C Paul Doyle Grand Rapids Community College Inclusive Performance Strategies Chad Patton Wend Falb FUNDING PARTNERS Enid Gaddis STATE AND NATIONAL PARTNERS Literacy Center of West Michigan Literacy Center of West Michigan Shavon Doyle Arbor Circle Mike Nassar Inclusive Performance Strategies Peter and Emajean Cook Foundation Vanessa Jimenez Sue Sefton The Center for the Study of Kent County Literacy Center West Michigan DeDe Esque Doug and Maria DeVos Foundation Social Policy HealthNet of West Michigan Joann Riemersma Inclusive Performance Strategies Frey Foundation Joe Jones Kamara Sudberry FSG Spectrum Health Ed Trust Midwest Kathy Glynn Irwin Seating Grand Rapids Urban League Michigan College Access Network Amy Routhier Blue Sky Thinking Maureen Kirkwood Jandernoa Foundation Michigan League for Public Policy BIRTH EQUITY ALIGN & Western Michigan University Jack Hess HealthNet of West Michigan Grand Rapids Community DESIGN TEAM Katie Momber CivicLab National Collaborative for Infants Susan Kragt Foundation and Toddlers Kent Intermediate School District Candy Isabel The Refugee Education Center Kiara Baskin Heart of West Michigan United Way Hennie Vaandrager Khamai Strategies The Prtizker Foundation Julie Mushing Day One Doula Collective Kent District Library Eureka People Kate and Richard Wolters Strive Together Kent Intermediate School District Heather Boswell Foundation Amy Walker The Eureka Group Tableau Foundation Ben Oliver First Steps Kent SLD Read Danielle Veldman Keller Family Foundation Grand Rapids Community Foundation Kristina Donaldson Rebecca Walsh Inclusive Performance Strategies Richard and Helen DeVos Darel Ross KD Coaching & Consulting ReadGR Foundation Kendra Ippell Start Garden CONSULTANTS Spectrum Healthier Communities Misti Stanton Commonserve Childbirth COMMUNICATIONS COMMITTEE Steelcase Foundation Mercantile Bank Elana Mazura Blue Sky Thinking The Tableau Foundation Danielle Veldman Local Doula Raul Alvarez, Jr. Byrum & Fisk Wege Foundation Inclusive Performance Strategies Wende Randall Well Design Studio Center for Social Research Denise Washington Essential Needs Task Force Maria Filice at Calvin University W.K. Kellogg Foundation Kent Intermediate School District Sonja Forte Williams Group Community Data and Research Lab Mary Reagan Kelly Baxter Community Center Design Group Intl. Annemarie Valdez Reagan Consulting The Eureka Group First Steps Kent Mary Reed Kelly Extend Your Reach Peggy VanderMeulen Consultant Spectrum Health Strong Begininings

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