Mayor Lovely Warren announced the city of Rochester’s new plan to fund summer programs for young children, support widespread early screening for developmental disabilities and make it easier for parents to register their 4-and 5-year-olds for school.

Mayor Warren’s plan, the 3-to-3 Initiative is aimed to help children from age 3 to third grade, the time research shows it’s vital for children to stay on top of reading and mathematics skills. This is based on recommendations from the Early Learning Council she organized earlier this year.

The council learned that while there are effective pre-K programs for city families, but prior to prekindergarten and after they leave, especially in the summer months, programming is inadequate.

“We have children growing up in our city every day,” Warren said. “We can’t wait to build a better future for them.”

Warren’s plan promises city funding for programs that stem learning loss in the summer and boost literacy throughout the school year. The cost is about $1,100 per child for the summer programming. Warren stated that this can be done without any additional public money; instead, existing funds will just need reallocated.

The city will also support a subgroup of ROC The Future to screen 3-year-olds for developmental delays and provide help as needed.

Parents will have the ability to register for pre-K and kindergarten at city recreation centers and libraries. An online school selection tool will include public, charter, private and parochial schools.

I am happy with Warren’s education plan and excited to see what it can do in the Rochester community. Early education is key, and that she has found ways to make summer programs available to children and support early developmental disability screenings is something remarkable. I hope other Mayors follow suit and that similar education plans sweep the nation.