5/1/2013 - St. Helena, CA--The Napa Valley Vintners (NVV), a nonprofit trade association with 450 member wineries, today announced it is investing $1 million per year for at least three years in an initiative aimed at closing the academic achievement gap between English-learning and English-fluent children and those of differing socioeconomic status in Napa County.
This new initiative tackles the academic achievement gap—a national priority noted by U.S. leadership—in Napa County by organizing existing local community organizations to fund programs which create high-quality preschools and parental support services in school neighborhoods with the highest need.
According to Arne Duncan, the U.S. Secretary of Education, research proves the importance of quality preschool. Children who attended one year of high-quality public preschool were less likely to be held back or placed in special education, and in the longer term, had higher graduation rates, and lower arrest rates and reliance on food stamps and cash assistance. They also have greater lifetime earnings, thereby generating more tax revenue. Although the amount of savings varied, the studies consistently found that this early intervention resulted in significant returns to taxpayers.
Funding for this initiative will come from proceeds from Auction Napa Valley, an annual fundraiser hosted by the Napa Valley Vintners since 1981 to raise funds for local charitable causes. To date, it has invested more than $110 million in local health, education and affordable housing nonprofit programs.
"The good news is that there are existing community programs with proven success in helping children prepare for kindergarten. This commitment of funding from Auction proceeds will allow us to bring these organizations together and concentrate the services in the areas with the greatest need," said Ed Matovcik, Chairman NVV Grants Review Committee.
The Local Challenge
In Napa County, nearly half of all kindergartners are English-language learners, and by third grade, there is a 34-percentage point difference on Standardized Testing and Reporting test scores between English learners and those fluent in English. In addition, nearly 10 percent of Napa County residents live in poverty, which also directly affects children's development and educational outcomes.
The Plan
The NVV will bring together a coalition of community organizations and educators to implement the initiative's elements:
Read "Stories of Impact" from Auction Napa Valley 2012 Giving
Contact: Cate Conniff Communications Manager 707.968.4229 cconniff@napavintners.com Tia Butts,Tia Butts PR 707.260.5620 tia@tiabuttspr.com