YWCA of Greater Cleveland

YWCA’s Five-Star Trauma-Informed Early Learning Center for Families in Homelessness is the only center in Cuyahoga County for families who have experienced homelessness or other significant trauma. Informed by a community need for a center specifically for families and children under five who were disproportionately impacted by homelessness, YWCA’s goal is to address poverty at the root.

YWCA’s Early Learning Center Program incorporates a therapeutic approach and two-generational model to best serve children aged 3 to 5. This innovative trauma-informed model will assess and identify the social-emotional needs of the children, work with families to create case plans, achieve goals, prevent re-occurrence of homelessness, and empower families to achieve and maintain the highest level of self-sufficiency. All staff have regular training in trauma-informed care.

The Early Learning Center is a Step Up to Quality Five-Star rated early learning center and emphasizes self-determination and a no expulsion policy. Experienced educators teach a child-centered curriculum, and children learn to celebrate differences from a young age.