Mission: All Our Kin, Inc. , is a nationally-recognized, New Haven-based nonprofit organization that trains, supports, and sustains community child care providers in order to ensure that children and families have the foundation they need to succeed in school and in life. Our vision: all children, regardless of where they live, their racial or ethnic background, or how much money their parents earn, will begin their lives with all the advantages, all the tools, and all the experiences that we, as a society, are capable of giving them. And All Our Kin works to achieve that vision on many different levels at the same time. We make it possible for children to receive the excellent foundational early learning experiences they need and deserve. We furnish working parents with the resources to find and keep high-quality child care. We equip caregivers with the skills and resources to move out of poverty and open child care businesses in their communities. And we invest in neighborhoods, by building the capacity, quality, and viability of local child care businesses.

Geographic areas served: Connecticut

Programs: Family, friend and neighbor caregivers provide much of the daily child care to families in low-income neighborhoods. Through the Toolkit project, All Our Kin provides materials, mentorship and support to help these unlicensed caregivers meet health and safety standards, fulfill state licensing requirements, and become part of a professional community of child care providers. In this incentive-based project, caregivers receive boxes of useful resources and goodies, which gradually increase in value, as they move through the licensing process. Each box contains the necessary paperwork for each step towards licensure, as well as health and safety supplies; educational supplies such as quality children’s books, blocks, and art materials; and vouchers for training.