BROOKINGS — Recently, Brookings Area United Way, the city of Brookings, Brookings School District, Brookings Economic Development Corp. and G3 Counseling signed an MOU to officially become an Early Learner South Dakota community.

To start the community engagement process and conversations, this core group hosted a free Early Learner Kick-Off event on April 9 at the Children’s Museum of South Dakota from 4 to 6 p.m. Twenty booths presented applicable information to the families, and over 200 people attended the event.

Mayor Ope Niemeyer was in attendance to read the mayoral proclamation that April 9, 2024, was Early Learner Day in Brookings.

The Early Learner South Dakota initiative follows the National League of Cities framework through four building blocks that make up an Early Learning Community:

• Community leadership, commitment, and public will to make early childhood a priority
• Quality services that work for all young children and their families
• Neighborhoods where families can thrive
• Policies that support and are responsive to families.

For more information, contact Heidi Gullickson, executive director of the Brookings Area United Way, at 605-692-4979 or heidi@brookingsunitedway.org.