The Brothers and Sisters Project is a collaboration between the Community Schools Collaboration, Child Care Resources, the American Red Cross and Highline Community College.

Why Is This Project Necessary?

The primary care arrangement for 21% of children ages 0-5 in Washington State is through grandparents, aunts, uncles, older siblings, friends and other unregulated caregivers. Families most likely to have this kind of child care arrangement include those with characteristics of low-to moderate income, Latino and African-American, and refugees and immigrants. Surveys and research from around the country show that family, friend and neighbor caregivers are less likely to have safety equipment in their homes, know what activities encourage secure attachment and brain development, and provide a variety of books and educational materials. This contributes to the inability of many communities to have all children ready to succeed in school and to close achievement gaps for the most vulnerable children.