Futures First

10/15/2026

One more day until A Night to Nurture Young Lives! 💙

Tomorrow evening, we'll come together with friends, partners and supporters from across Kansas City for a night dedicated to giving Kansas City children the strongest possible start.

From inspiring stories and meaningful connections to celebrating the people and organizations making a difference in our community, there's so much to look forward to at this year's Futures First Gala.

We've been hard at work behind the scenes, and we can't wait to see it all come together!

To everyone joining us tomorrow, we'll see you there!

Don’t have your tickets yet?

🎟️ Buy tickets here: https://bit.ly/44F3XRH

10/14/2026

Looking for child care in Kansas? Contact Child Care Aware of Kansas to find a list of licensed providers in your area!

10/08/2026

A legacy worth celebrating.

We're proud to recognize United WE as the recipient of the 2026 Betsy Vander Velde Award at this year's Futures First Gala!

Named in honor of Betsy Vander Velde and her 30 years of dedication to Kansas City's children and families, the award celebrates a commitment to breaking down barriers and creating opportunities for people to thrive.

For more than three decades, United WE has carried that same spirit forward, working to strengthen the economic security of women and families throughout our community.

We're excited to celebrate their impact and honor Betsy's lasting legacy at A Night to Nurture Young Lives on Oct. 16.

Join us in congratulating United WE!

10/05/2026

For many families, child care is what makes going to work possible.

A proposed federal rule would lower Head Start's minimum service day to just 3 hours — replacing the full-day care many working families rely on today.

We've heard from parents facing an impossible choice: miss work and lose needed income, or go to work without child care.

As Head Start standards are reconsidered, we believe the realities of working families belong at the center of that conversation.

For a parent working a full day, three hours and eight hours mean very different things.

Ready to Share Your Perspective? Public comments are open through Tomorrow, Oct. 6. Follow our guide to submit yours.

Get Started: https://bit.ly/4rH0KM8

10/01/2026

Head Start Is More Than a Classroom.

For thousands of Kansas City families, Head Start means more than early education.

It can mean developmental screenings. Health and dental support. Mental health services. Family resources. And trusted educators who know their children and communities.

Proposed federal changes could alter some of the specific standards that help shape those comprehensive services.

For families already navigating limited child care options, what happens outside the classroom can matter just as much as what happens inside it.

We spoke with a local Head Start provider about what that support looks like firsthand, and what Head Start can mean for the children and families they serve.

Ready to Share Your Perspective? Public comments are open through Oct. 6. Follow our guide to submit yours.

Get Started: https://bit.ly/4rH0KM8

09/30/2026

Thousands of Kansas City Children Could Feel Changes.

Across the Kansas City metro, approximately 3,750 children and families are served by Head Start and Early Head Start.

Including:
1,804 dual-language learners.
630 children experiencing homelessness.
84 children in foster care.

Proposed federal changes could reshape standards around language instruction, eligibility, health and developmental services, and much more.

These aren’t just numbers. They’re our neighbors.

Families across Kansas City who may have nowhere else to turn for the care and support they rely on.

Ready to Share Your Perspective? Public comments are open through Oct. 6.

Follow our guide to submit yours.
Get Started: https://bit.ly/4rH0KM8

09/28/2026

For Some Families, There Isn’t Another Option.

Across Kansas City, we hear from child care providers who see the reality firsthand: for some families, the care they rely on isn’t simply their first choice. It may be their only choice.

That’s why proposed federal changes to Head Start matter.

Head Start connects children and families with early learning, health and developmental support, family resources and trusted relationships. Proposed changes could reshape some of the federal standards behind those services.

Now is the time to understand what’s being proposed, what it could mean for Kansas City families and how our community can make its voice heard.

Because our community deserves to understand what these changes could mean for our youngest children.

Ready to Share Your Perspective? Public comments are open through Oct. 6. Follow our guide to submit yours.

Get Started: https://bit.ly/4rH0KM8

09/25/2026

When we support the people who nurture young lives, the impact reaches further.

Two years ago, we shared Rose’s family’s journey with early education support.

Today, we’re revisiting her story because it reflects something at the heart of Futures First: children flourish when the people around them have support, too.

Parents and caregivers need people in their corner. Early educators need tools and encouragement. And when a community surrounds them with support, we help create stronger foundations for children.

Rose’s story is one example of what that can look like.

https://youtu.be/goUmxqFGlyo?si=j4_8IJNWz5L45tC4

Then, join us Oct. 16 as our community comes together for the Futures First Gala: a night to nurture young lives.

🎟️: https://futuresfirstkc.org/futures-first-gala/

Like so many parents, Rose faced barriers that felt insurmountable,...

09/21/2026

For Tony Jackson, supporting Futures First means supporting not only the Kansas City community, but the families who call it home.

It’s a simple belief: what happens early matters, and investing in those who nurture young lives helps shape what comes next.

On Oct. 16, Tony will join us at the Futures First Gala for a night to nurture young lives.

We hope you’ll join him.

🎟️: https://futuresfirstkc.org/futures-first-gala/

09/21/2026