The Blue Springs Parents as Teachers Program, the district’s early childhood parent education program, was established in 1985 under the guidelines of the Early Childhood Development Act.  The Blue Springs program opened at that time with thirteen families enrolled. During the school year over 3,496 children received services through the Parents as Teachers program.  In the birth to three program, 1,202 families with 1,485 children received monthly services through home visits, group meetings, parent workshops, and developmental screenings.  In the three to five-year-old program, another 2,011 families received either home visits or group meetings and school readiness activities and materials.  Many families participated with children in both programs.  Under the guidelines of The Early Childhood Development Act, over 2,131 children in the Blue Springs School District received developmental screenings free of charge. The Blue Springs Parents as Teachers Program, which is available to the entire early childhood population, is one of the school district’s most popular programs in which parents voluntarily participate and acknowledge the importance of early development.  The program serves as a resource to the Blue Springs early childhood community; works in partnership with elementary schools to provide a smooth transition from home to school, and serves as the center for information, referral, and services relating to the needs of the birth to five population.  The program continues to grow and has received distinction from the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education as an “Exemplary Program” in the State of Missouri. For more information about the Parents As Teachers program, contact Program Director Patty Mohn at 224-1363.