2018
PAASSS held its first meeting in February, 2018 and has met quarterly thereafter. The collaboration was formed to bring together early childhood stakeholders in the Plano area to network, find and share resources for families/children, and provide services to families and children prenatal to 3rd grade. Because the Plano area is located at the crossroads of 4 counties, resources are often located outside of the area. As with many communities, more resources, historically, have been focused on older children.
In December, 2018 PAASSS formed a Leadership Team and applied to become part of the Partner Plan Act I Collaboration Institute (PPACI). Accepted into the Inaugural Cohort, PAASSS received monthly coaching and other targeted support throughout 2019.
2019
Opened the Plano Family Resource Center located at the United Methodist Church in Plano.
2020
Charter agreement is complete. The leadership team completes strategic planning and finalizes the first strategic plan. The current strategic plan is based on the original strategic plan and is reviewed/updated annually by the leadership team.
2021
PAASSS partnered with the Plano Area Chamber of Commerce to offer a community wide screening of No Small Matter followed by a panel discussion. Viewing was offered in person and virtually. Panelists were Sheila Bauer – Pyramid Consortium, Kristy Doan – Illinois State Board of Education, Dana Lowe – Fox Valley Family YMCA, Dr. Antoinette Taylor, Dr. Sylvia Trevino – Healthy Beginnings Pediatrics, Eric Weis – Kendall County States Attorney.
2022
Informational posters in Spanish and English are posted on examination room doors at Healthy Beginnings Pediatrics. Parents/families can scan QR codes to request information, schedule a developmental screening, sign up for play groups, and more.
Collaboration leaders from Plano CUSD 88 and Fox Valley Family YMCA work together to open three school district preschool classrooms on site at the YMCA in August 2022. The school district provided funding to renovate the spaces.
The PPACI Targeted Supports application provides information about early victories of PAASSS and its participating organizations. These include: receiving a Pre-K Expansion grant, program partnerships between PH Miller and the YMCA, the establishment of a Family Resource Center.
The Kendall County Community Food Pantry satellite site was relocated to the First Lutheran Church, Plano whose mission is feeding the hungry. The new location is more centrally located and allows families and/or community members struggling with food insecurity to have access to the resources they need throughout the month.
2023
Grand re-opening of the expanded Plano Family Resource Center. Two additional rooms were added and partners are able to co-locate at the resource center to bring services to our community.