Hermanowski Family Foundation Initial Request Form

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Organization Name: BRIGHT BEGINNINGS INC
Legal Name (if Different):
Also Known As: BBI
Mailing Address: 3418 4th St SE
City: Washington
State: DC
Postal Code: 20032
Main Phone: (202) 842-9090
Main Fax:
Organization Website: https://www.bbidc.org/
Employer ID Number: 52-1697917
Organization Tax Status: 501( c) 3

Proposal Information

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Today’s Date: 03/22/2024
Requested Amount: 10000

Project Title: Health & Therapeutic Services for Children in Wards 7 & 8
Project Description:

Bright Beginnings respectfully requests a grant of 10,000 from The Charles and Joan Hermanowski Family Foundation to support our Health and Therapeutic Services Program, which serves up to 308 children and their parents who are experiencing housing instability and financial hardship. Under this program, all children receive free in-house developmental screening within 45 days of enrollment and vision, dental, and hearing screenings throughout the school year. Following health screenings, each family is assigned a CARE Team – a multi-disciplinary cohort providing coordinated services and resources tailored to their needs. Our CARE Teams encompass all aspects of a family’s well-being.  

In addition to routine center-based and home-based health and therapeutic services, we now incorporate behavioral health interventions. In FY23, we launched a new screening period to track progress and identify students needing additional services. The ASQ, ASQ-SE and Brigance screening results, combined with teacher consultation and classroom observation, have helped us identify students with additional need for services and inform strategies to support them. Our Child and Family Support Specialist conducts classroom observations, providing tools and strategies to support overall behavior, enhance trauma-informed care practices, and build social-emotional wellness skills. We create psychological safety through consistent routines, calm transitions, clearly posted expectations, and positive discipline. We teach children to express emotions healthily through techniques like deep breathing.

In FY24, our goal is to continue investing in early screening, therapy, and family empowerment strategies to help break cycles of trauma and build a strong foundation for lifelong achievement. Our dedicated staff will collaborate with teachers to develop individualized plans and implement evidence-based techniques, ensuring every child receives the necessary guidance and support to thrive academically and personally.

Total Project Budget: $970,744

Other Funding
Sources For The Project (Committed & Potential): Committed: Autism Speaks $5000, Alexander and Margaret Stewart Trust $125,000, David and Leighan Rinker Foundation $20,000 / Potential: Lichtenberg Family Foundation $50,000, Qlarant Foundation $25,000, Ginn Foundation $7500

Project Duration: Ongoing
Geographical Area Served: Washington DC
Age Group To Be Served: 0-5 Ages

Contact Information

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Contact Prefix (Mr,Mrs etc.): Ms.
Contact First Name: Rebecca
Contact Last Name: Rorke
Contact Title: Director of Development
Contact Phone: 2028682495
Contact Email: hyamir@bbidc.org