Help Me Grow WNY

05/28/2026

If you weren't able to make our pop-up screening this past April, now is your chance to stop by Explore & More - The Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Children's Museum with your little one for a free developmental screening facilitated by Help Me Grow WNY!

Next Friday, May 29th, register your child for a quick questionnaire that will help you gauge how your little is developing AND will allow you free admission to the museum. This is a great opportunity to have fun with the family while also accessing important resources that directly benefit your child's growth.

This event will be taking place from 11am to 2pm, so make sure you register or share this opportunity within your networks or with any family who may benefit.

We hope to see you there!

05/15/2026

You make a referral to help a family. Then... crickets. Did they connect? You’ll probably never know.

FindHelp is solving that problem. It’s a closed-loop referral system where families can find services by zip code, and providers can actually track whether referrals land.

Here’s the catch: your organization needs to be claimed in the system, or you’re invisible to families searching for help.

Join us this Thursday afternoon for free office hours with FindHelp. Learn how to claim your org, list your programs correctly, and start receiving referrals that don’t fall through the cracks.

Link to the meeting is in our bio!🔗

04/24/2026

Serious about children. Serious about learning. Less serious about our outfits! NY Association for the Education of Young Children - 2026 Annual Conference.

04/16/2026

04/14/2026

Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz reminds us why the earliest years matter most. The literacy stats are sobering, but the opportunity is powerful: what happens between 0 and 3 shapes everything that follows.

This week, Erie County is making it official with a proclamation supporting our youngest learners and the caregivers who show up for them every single day. Because early childhood isn’t just a phase to get through. It’s where we build the foundation for thriving communities.

Ready to be part of the momentum? Join us for Week of the Young Child events happening across Western New York. From family activities to professional learning opportunities, there’s something for everyone committed to early childhood.

Check out the full lineup using the link in our bio 🔗

04/13/2026

Free museum day AND peace of mind? Yes, please!

This Thursday, April 16th, we’re teaming up with for something pretty great: free developmental screenings that get your family free admission to the museum. Your kids get to play, explore, and learn while you get answers about their development.

Week of the Young Child is all about celebrating our youngest learners and making sure they have what they need to succeed.

Register your family, get screened, play all afternoon. It’s that simple. Can’t make this one? We’re doing it again on Friday, May 29th!

See you at Explore & More, 2-4pm on Thursday☀️

Register now using the link in our bio!!

04/11/2026

04/11/2026

This week is one to celebrate our youngest neighbors because Erie County's Live Well Erie initiative and I join many community partners to celebrate the "Week of the Young Child."

This a time to support our youngest learners while helping families access tools, resources, and support that encourage healthy development and school readiness.

For the full list of the community events, visit: https://loom.ly/cgLTxRk

04/10/2026

Check out the calendar of events for what’s going on during Week of the Young Child in Erie County, alongside our partners at Live Well Erie

Week of the Young Child 2026 Saturday April 11 - Friday April 17, 2026 Check back as this document will be updated with details and events. Every April, the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) invites educators, families, and communities to come together for the...

04/09/2026

Week of the Young Child is HERE, and Erie County is lighting up with events for our littlest learners!

Ann Kinney joined News 4 WIVB Buffalo and Live Well Erie yesterday to talk about why this week matters so much. Here's the thing: the experiences children have before age 5 shapes their brains and sets the trajectory for everything that comes next.

Developmental screenings, early literacy, play-based learning? They're not optional. They're actually foundational.

Starting Saturday, April 11th and through next week, we're hosting pop-up screenings across the county including story times, music classes, art workshops, science shows and family festivals. These aren't just fun activities (though they definitely are!). They're also opportunities for children to learn, grow, and connect. Families will also have the opportunity to access the screenings and resources they need, right in their neighborhoods.

Don't let your family miss out! Check the full event list, find something near you, and show up. Let's celebrate our youngest community members the way they deserve.

Watch our interview here:

Interview: Week of the Young Child in Erie County