AVANCE is derived from the Spanish word meaning “to advance,” is one of the oldest, largest and most distinguished parenting, early childhood education programs in the country. Since 1973, AVANCE has continued to provide innovative education and family support services to predominantly Hispanic families in low-income, at-risk communities. AVANCE proudly serves as a national model and best practice of early childhood education for parents, teachers, the scientific community and general public.
First 5 Santa Barbara County and the James S. Bower Foundation have partnered to bring the AVANCE Parent Child Education Program to Santa Barbara County. The AVANCE Program concentrates on parenting education, family support, early childhood development, brain development, literacy, and school readiness. This evidence-based program model is preventative, community-based and two-generation focused.
AVANCE has been identified as a key strategy in engaging and supporting parents to enhance the school readiness of their children, and is being offered as a parent support strategy which may be adopted by Community Collaboratives.
The first sites utilizing the AVANCE strategy are:
The 4 sites are dedicated to meet AVANCE’s mission, which is to unlock the potential of the families they serve through effective parent education, as parents are the first teachers and the home is the first classroom.
For more information, please contact First 5 Santa Barbara County, AVANCE Coordinator—Mari Ortega-Garcia (805) 739-8744.
Additional Information:
AVANCE Model Components
AVANCE Presentation to Commission
For AVANCE tools, please click here.