The Child Development Resource Center Receives $1,500 Grant from United Way of SLO County Youth Board

The Child Development Resource Center (CDRC) has been awarded a $1,500 grant from the United Way of SLO County Youth Board to help expand classroom support for at-risk children.

The grant will help fund critical early intervention services for young children ages 2–5 who have experienced significant challenges, including abuse, homelessness, family instability, and exposure to violence. These experiences can affect a child’s ability to regulate emotions, build relationships, and succeed in a classroom environment.

The Child Development Resource Center’s mission is to provide educational and therapeutic programs that protect children by healing, supporting, and strengthening families in need throughout San Luis Obispo County.

Through this project, funding will support approximately 60 hours of in-class rehabilitation services delivered by a trained Child Development Rehabilitation Specialist (CDRS). Working directly in the classroom, the specialist provides one-on-one support to children during everyday activities, including play, learning, and social interactions. This approach allows children to develop essential skills such as emotional regulation, communication, coping strategies, and healthy relationship-building within a familiar and supportive environment.

By offering individualized support in real time, the program not only benefits the children receiving services but also creates a more positive and productive classroom experience for their peers through positive behavior modeling and increased classroom stability.

Early intervention plays a critical role in helping children build the confidence, resilience, and emotional foundation needed for long-term success. With support from the UWSLOC Youth Board, the CDRC will be able to provide consistent, caring guidance to children during some of their most challenging moments, helping them enter kindergarten better prepared to thrive in school and beyond.

Congratulations to The Child Development Resource Center on this well-deserved grant award and for its ongoing commitment to supporting vulnerable children and families throughout San Luis Obispo County.