Where We Started - What We Do

Raising Riley originated in 1999 from the vision of two great friends of children and supporters of this community: Dr. Russ Frey, a KSU professor, veterinarian, and Riley County Commissioner; and Senator Roger Reitz, a physician and Manhattan City Commissioner. Were it not for their efforts and persistence, Raising Riley would not have come to fruition. Accomplishments are highlighted below. 

 

Raising Riley is funded with Tobacco Settlement Dollars from an Early Childhood Block Grant through the Kansas Children’s Cabinet and Trust Fund.  Our local program goal aligns with the Cabinet’s Blueprint for Early Education to build a strong foundation for children and families in Riley County through shared vision, community collaboration and public-private partnerships 

 

Raising Riley Program components include:

• Professional Development classes and workshops for Child Care Providers

• Child and Program Assessments 

• Child care scholarships for qualified families

• Early Literacy Education through facility based story time visits

• Family Engagement Activities

• Parent Education classes

• Collaboration with USD383 Early Learning Programs

• Raising Riley Toy & Book Lending Library for Providers

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Family & Child Resource Center components include:​​

• Child Care Licensing

• Maternal and Child Health

• ​Raising Riley 

• WIC