SPARK Ohio Information

SPARK was managed by the Sisters of Charity Foundation of Canton from 2003 through mid-2013 and is now managed by the Early Childhood Resource Center. SPARK has helped more than 5,300 Ohio families prepare their preschool-aged children for school. Although the initial investment in SPARK was made by the W. K. Kellogg Foundation in partnership with the Sisters of Charity Foundation of Canton, multiple funders now support SPARK sites in eight Ohio counties. Working with numerous funders, community organizations, and school districts throughout Ohio, the program continues to expand. SPARK parent partners conduct monthly lessons and activities with families of preschool-aged children. The structured lesson plans and activities SPARK offers are aligned with the Ohio Department of Education's Early Learning and Development Standards. In partnership with community agencies and schools, SPARK ensures that barriers to school readiness are removed. Children with developmental, social, emotional, or mental health issues are referred to community resources to address issues before they prevent school readiness. Year after year, SPARK children have been found to be better prepared for kindergarten, and they retain that advantage through at least the fifth grade.