Partnership Programs

A Commitment to Excellence

Buddy Bison Program

The Buddy Bison Program engages kids with outdoor experiences that are parallel without classroom curriculum. The Buddy Bison Program encourages health and wellness through outdoor education. This program currently serves 77 Title 1 public, public charter, and private elementary and middle schools in 18 states and Washington D.C.

Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP)

Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) is a federal program that provides reimbursements for healthy meals to eligible children and adults who are enrolled for care at participating child care centers, daycare centers, daycare homes, and adult day care centers. CACFP also provides reimbursements for meals served to children and youth participating in after school care programs and children residing in emergency shelters.

Capital Quality

Capital Quality is a quality rating system that focuses on continuous educational quality and growth. Capital Quality now offers public-facing, which allows parents to compare the program quality of various child care centers.

Early Stages

Early Stages is an evaluation center for children between the ages of 2 years 8 months and 5 years 10 months. Early Stages can serve any child who goes to a DC Public School, is home-schooled, or has not yet entered the school system. All of the services are free.

Healthy Futures

Healthy Futures is a program that locates early childhood mental health clinicians in child development and a head start centers across Washington, D.C. Healthy Futures screens for early identification of emotional concerns so children and families can get the help they need. Healthy Futures initiative is to help children up to 5 years of age build positive social and emotional development. This program aims to help young children develop appropriate skills to enter kindergarten ready to learn.

Office of the State Superintendent of Education (OSSE)

Office of the State Superintendent of Education (OSSE) is the state education agency for Washington D.C., with the purpose of raising the quality of education with all D.C. residents. OSSE's vision is to close the achievement gap and ensure people of all ages and backgrounds are prepared to succeed in school and in life. The mission for OSSE is to work urgently and purposefully, in partnership with educated and related systems to sustain, accelerate, and deepen progress for D.C. students.

United Planning Organization (UPO)

United Planning Organization (UPO) is a community action agency that is focused on minimizing the problems of poverty in the Washington, DC area. They offer many services such as childhood educational services, youth services, housing counseling, community health, etc.