Programs

Adult Education

Early Childhood Education

Parent and Family Support Services

Why Do We Offer These Programs?

The critical needs of Focus Points’  target population have shaped the programs available at Focus Points.  Often, the people Focus Points serves are uneducated. In Denver County, 13,716 adults do not have a GED or high school diploma and face enormous difficulty finding employment because of the limited number of jobs that are available to unskilled workers. Low-skilled workers face additional challenges to self-sufficiency if they do not speak English. They have difficulty communicating with critical agencies, such as potential employers, schools and medical providers. Between 2000 and 2005, the number of English-language learners in Colorado’s school systems grew by almost 51 percent, according to the Migration Policy Institute. However, in Denver, because of the demand for ESL classes, the wait to gain a seat is typically two months.

The need for Early Childhood Education and parenting programming within Focus Points’ target community is critical because research shows that young children’s educational development determines whether they will be ready for school. Once a child falls behind, he or she will have a very difficult time catching up without extensive intervention—intervention that is, in many cases, beyond the capacity of local schools. The most effective way to ensure children’s development is by helping parents learn to be supportive and nurturing during and beyond the early, formative years.

Our Results For 2007
Last year more than 1,200 students enrolled in Focus Points' English as a Second Language (ESL) program. Of that group, 460 (70%) were post-tested. 285 students, or 43% of the total, were able to move to a higher Educational Functioning Level. This exceeded the federal goal of 40%.

Last year 123 families were enrolled in Focus Points' PAT or HIPPY Early Childhood Education program: Children in these programs are tested every six months to make sure they are meeting developmental milestones. 98% of the children in theses two programs either met or exceeded the milestones for their age group. Parents in the HIPPY program read over 10,000 books to their children, while parents in the PAT program read over 5,000 books to their children.