Throughout Lackawanna County, our children are engaged in some of the most important work of their young lives—learning, growing and preparing for success in school and beyond. The United Way is privileged to support them and their families on this exciting journey.

Some four years ago, the United Way of Lackawanna County’s Success By 6 program brought together caregivers, educators, business and governmental leaders and community agencies to promote positive outcomes for young children.

Success By 6 has worked tirelessly to improve the quality, affordability and accessibility of early care and education programs for children so that they enter school ready to learn and with the essential "building blocks" for success throughout their lives.

Join us April 30 for "Up, Down and Around" -- a PA One Book event co-sponsored by Success By 6 for preschool age children centered on the children's book by the same name.  Click here for more info!

Among the accomplishments of Success By 6 during the past year are:

• Co-sponsor of the PA One Book project featuring Up, Down and Around written by Katherine Ayres and illustrated by Nadine Bernard Westcott. Success By 6 was pleased to secure funding to purchase and distribute soft cover copies of the book—enough for every preschooler in Lackawanna and Wayne Counties.

• Increased enrollment of child care centers in Keystone Stars, a voluntary initiative of the Department of Public Welfare to ensure continuous quality improvement. In Lackawanna County, 82% of child care centers are enrolled in Keystone Stars, including ten "Star 4" sites—the highest rating possible.

• Success By 6 is an active partner in Pre-K Counts—which is working to strengthen Pennsylvania’s families and communities through quality pre-kindergarten partnerships. Success By 6 is working with the Scranton School District to administer Pre-K Counts to more than 500 local children.