Presented by Kiwanis Clubs, University of Florida/Miami-Dade County Extension and United Way of Miami-Dade

United Way Center for Excellence in Early Education is partnering with Kiwanis Clubs, University of Florida/Miami-Dade County Extension, and the city of Miami Gardens to host the first-ever Better Beginnings Baby Fair on February 20 at the Betty T. Ferguson Recreation Center in Miami Gardens from 9 am – 1 pm.

Families with children within the ages 0 – 3 will have an opportunity to learn about child safety, early learning, positive parenting and healthy lifestyles. This event will also include more than 20, 30-minute workshops, a children’s play area and informational booths staffed by representatives of local agencies and non-profit organizations. Through a partnership with the Healthy Start Coalition, 50 families will also be able to take part of a car seat safety workshop and be provided with a brand new car seat at no cost.

A child’s brain begins to develop long before he or she is born. The care provided before birth and for the first few years of life, when much of the structure of that brain is being completed, can help assure future success in school and in life. To thrive and become productive adults, all children need strong families, good health, quality learning opportunities and supportive communities.
“We want all mothers, fathers and caregivers that are involved in a child’s life to be aware of how important the first years are to a child’s development and how to take advantage of the services that are available to them,” said Dr. Wil Blechman, co-founder of the Bright Beginnings Baby Fair.

About University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Science/ Miami-Dade County Extension

The University of Florida Institute of Food and Agriculture Sciences Extension; is a federal, state and county partnership, dedicated to developing knowledge in agriculture, human and natural resources and life sciences, and to making that knowledge accessible to sustain and enhance the quality of human life. The agency is also located in every state, including the US Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico. In 2014, the agency celebrated 100 years of excellent educational and research service. For more information and contacting any country throughout the state, visit solutionsforyourlife.com

About Kiwanis

Celebrating 100 years of service, Kiwanis is a global organization of men and women in thousands of clubs dedicated to improving the world one child and one community at a time. Local Kiwanis clubs improve the lives of children through programs, field trips, and hands on service projects and foster youth leadership by supporting clubs for students at every level of education. Each all-volunteer Kiwanis club is member lead, but they also collaborate to provide special events and broader – even global – community service. There are more than 60 Kiwanis clubs in South Florida. For more information, visit www.kiwanis.org or floridakiwanis.com.

About the United Way Center for Excellence in Early Education

The United Way Center for Excellence in Early Education is an innovative learning, teaching, and training initiative dedicated to elevating the quality of early care and education in Miami-Dade County and beyond. The Center models proven best practices, and shares those practices with adult learners including parents, educators, and child care providers. The Center also works with business leaders and lawmakers to raise the standards of early childhood education, and support sustainable and lasting change. For more information, visit unitedwaycfe.org.