OUR HISTORY
United 4 Children was founded in 2012 and is stemmed from St. Louis for Kids and the Child Day Care Association. When combining the two organizations, United 4 Children was able to provide high-quality support to not only afterschool programs but childcare programs as well.
St. Louis for Kids grew out of community efforts to address the problems of youth violence and delinquency. Founded originally in 1996 as the Regional Violence Initiative, Inc., the St. Louis for Kids name and mission were adopted in 2000. In 2004, St. Louis for Kids continued its efforts after citizen forums identified afterschool programs were critical and needed to be changed when addressing the issue of youth violence. St. Louis for Kids was charged with meeting a pressing need for a central afterschool resource to provide information, technical assistance and advocacy.
Child Day Care Association (CDCA) was founded in 1969 as a result of the deep interest of a number of child care center directors in establishing a central organization for child care. At the same time, the United Way of St. Louis was interested in assuring that high-quality standards were in place in childcare centers receiving United Way support.
The United Way agreed to fund the CDCA charge; that it would, within two years, develop a system of performance standards which all United Way child care centers would be required to meet. Thus CDCA became the only social service agency created by the United Way.
OUR HISTORY TIMELINE
CDCA was founded
CDCA was founded in 1969 as a result of the deep interest of a number of childcare center directors in establishing a central organization for child care support. United Way agreed to fund the CDCA charge (within 2 years, we would develop a system of performance standards which all United Way childcare centers would be required to meet.) The CDCA became the only social service agency created by United Way.
Within the two year period, the quality standard criteria became the foundation for Missouri Accreditation standards, Missouri’s first accreditation model.
1969
1970
Division of Family Services
CDCA developed the Division of Family Services Title XX contract.
CDCA Sponsors for Food Program
In 1980, representatives of the United States Department of Agriculture approached CDCA to assume the role of being a sponsoring agency for Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP). We continue to serve programs in Missouri and Illinois.
1980
1985
Enhansed Referral Services
In the mid 1980’s, CDCA began to offer enhanced referral services to families with children with special needs who needed child care.
Model of Inclusion
In 1995, CDCA developed a model of inclusion service that combined family referrals and support with training on-site, child-specific support for childcare centers and homes that were including children with special needs.
1995
2000
St. Louis for Kids
In 2000, St. Louis for Kids was created due to the growth of community efforts to address the problems with youth violence.
Afterschool Resources
In early 2000’s, St. Louis for Kids implemented afterschool resources to provide information, technical assistance and advocacy for children who needed a place to go afterschool.
2001
2012
United 4 Children
In 2012, United 4 Children was founded from a merger of St. Louis for Kids and CDCA.
Childcare Programs
From 2012 to present, United 4 Children provides high-quality support afterschool programs and childcare programs. This includes providing safe places afterschool while families are working, healthy meals, social-emotional coaching for challenging behaviors, quality training for providers and teachers and inclusion services for special needs or challenging behaviors.
2012
OUR HISTORY TIMELINE
1969
CDCA was founded
CDCA was founded in 1969 as a result of the deep interest of a number of childcare center directors in establishing a central organization for child care support. United Way agreed to fund the CDCA charge (within 2 years, we would develop a system of performance standards which all United Way childcare centers would be required to meet.) The CDCA became the only social service agency created by United Way.
Within the two year period, the quality standard criteria became the foundation for Missouri Accreditation standards, Missouri’s first accreditation model.
1970
Division of Family Services
CDCA developed the Division of Family Services Title XX contract.
1980
CDCA Sponsors for Food Program
In 1980, representatives of the United States Department of Agriculture approached CDCA to assume the role of being a sponsoring agency for Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP). We continue to serve programs in Missouri and Illinois.
1985
Enhansed Referral Services
In the mid 1980’s, CDCA began to offer enhanced referral services to families with children with special needs who needed child care.
1995
Model of Inclusion
In 1995, CDCA developed a model of inclusion service that combined family referrals and support with training on-site, child-specific support for childcare centers and homes that were including children with special needs.
2000
St. Louis for Kids
In 2000, St. Louis for Kids was created due to the growth of community efforts to address the problems with youth violence.
2001
Afterschool Resources
In early 2000’s, St. Louis for Kids implemented afterschool resources to provide information, technical assistance and advocacy for children who needed a place to go afterschool.
2012
United 4 Children
In 2012, United 4 Children was founded from a merger of St. Louis for Kids and CDCA.
2012
Childcare Programs
From 2012 to present, United 4 Children provides high-quality support afterschool programs and childcare programs. This includes providing safe places afterschool while families are working, healthy meals, social-emotional coaching for challenging behaviors, quality training for providers and teachers and inclusion services for special needs or challenging behaviors.
U4C's Main Line:
(314) 531-1412
Inclusion Services:
(800) 467-2322
Missouri's Early Care and Resource and Referral Line:
1-866-583-2392
U4C's Fax: (314) 531-4184
5501 Delmar Blvd.
Suite B520
Saint Louis, MO 63112