National child well-being trends give baseline for telling the story of Missouri children

The Annie E. Casey Foundation has released its annual KIDS COUNT Data Book detailing the latest national rankings of states across 16 key measures within four domains including economic well-being, education, health, and family and community.

The Missouri report is available at mokidscount.org

Musical Chairs: A local study of student mobility

KCUR's multi-part series "Musical Chairs" investigates a significant but under-the-radar aspect of education -- the frequency with which students change schools during the academic year, and the challenges that arise from all that moving around.

Governor appoints new Dept. of Social Services Director

Steve Corsi, current Director of the Wyoming Department of Family Services, has been selected as Missouri’s new Director of Social Services (DSS) by Gov. Eric Greitens.

Corsi has a doctoral degree in clinical psychology and worked in the private sector as CEO of High Country Behavioral Health and worked as a Clinical Director in many other roles. He is an officer in the Army National Guard and spent nearly a decade in active Air Force service.

LINC supports 21st Century Community Learning Centers

LINC has a long history of partnership with 21st Century Community Learning Centers at its Caring Communities Sites. LINC has 17 sites in three different school districts with nearly 2,400 students attending.

LINC chess tournament completes the year

Over 185 students participated in the LINC 2017 end-of-the-year chess tournament on Saturday, May 13, at Center High School.

There were 36 teams represented.

Individual and team results are available here.

This was the fourth chess tournament LINC held this school year.

LINC summer programs for 2017

This summer LINC will offer fun, educational programs for students in several area school districts.

LINC will not be offering a program in Kansas City Public Schools, but several other options will be available in KCPS.

LINC Commission Meeting Monday, May 15th

The LINC Commission will hold its regular monthly meeting Monday, May 15th from 4-6 pm at the Kauffman Foundation.

The public is invited to attend.

Free fitness activities for KCPS south schools families at Field Day, May 13

Students and families from KCPS south schools are invited to Field Day at the Southwest Campus on Saturday, May 13, 9 a.m.-12 p.m.

The event features free fitness classes for kids and adults, as well as other activities provided by RBI Baseball, Brookside Soccer Club, YMCA, and many other organizations.

LINC founder to receive Community Guardian award

LINC founder Bert Berkley will be honored at the Ad Hoc Group Against Crime's eighth annual Community Guardian Awards banquet on May 3, 2017. The Berkley family and Tension Envelope Corp., which is led by the Berkley family, will receive the Community Guardian Business Award, which honors "a company that values family and understand that giving back to our city is both a privilege and a responsibility."

Hickman Mills honors Dr. Carpenter's service

The Hickman Mills C-1 School District is honoring its outgoing Superintendent Dr. Dennis L. Carpenter. A farewell reception will be held on Thursday, May 25 from 3:00 - 5:00 p.m. at Concord Cultural Center, 11050 W Longview Parkway, Kansas City, MO 64134.

Community organizes Day of the Child event

Independence will honor children and the community's rich heritage with an International Day of the Child celebration on Saturday, May 6, 11 am to 4 pm, at Hill Park, 2201 S. Maywood. The community celebration is free and open to the public.

Library plans symposium on music and early learning and literacy

Mid-Continent Public Library will hold its first annual symposium on Sat., May 6th focusing on the role music can play in early learning and literacy.

The free event will be held at the North Independence branch (317 W. 24 Highway, Independence, MO.) from 9 am to 12:30 pm. Download flyer.

Independence neighborhood celebrates with spring block party

Over 120 community members participated, with nearly 25 volunteers from the site council, neighborhood and area churches helping to setup and clean up the event.

Learn to Play or Teach Chess this Summer

Kansas City area students and adults have the opportunity to stay improve their chess skills and become a certified chess instructor this summer with LINC Chess. Registration is now open.

Volunteers to spruce up Independence schools for Project Shine on June 24

The Independence School District will celebrate its 10th annual Project Shine volunteer event on Saturday, June 24, from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m.

This year, volunteers from Independence businesses, churches and civic organizations will clean, paint and beautify five ISD schools: Benton Elementary, Santa Fe Trail Elementary, Spring Branch Elementary, Sycamore Hills Elementary and Nowlin Middle School.

LINC Chess Tournament on April 8

Learn more and pre-register now for the next LINC Chess Tournament on April 8.

Jenny Mendez announced the 2017 Gladstone Hero

Gladstone Elementary students recognize Jenny Mendez as their "hero" in a special school project.The students each year pick an individual or community leader whose life the students will study. The students interview the individual, make posters and then produce an original video about the selected individual.

Video: LINC Staff ride the MCPL Reading Rocket

The Reading Rocket is an early literacy mobile unit that serves children within the Mid-Continent Public Library district that have limited access to early literacy resources due to transportation or economic challenges.

FACT announces No Kids Hungry Summer Food Conference

The Missouri Family and Community Trust (FACT) as part of its No Kid Hungry initiative, is hosting two No Kid Hungry Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) Sponsor Conferences this year. One will be in Kansas City and one in St. Louis.

Live, Work, Play: Social Determinants of Health

Conditions in places where people live, work and play affect a wide range of health risks and outcomes. The Health Care Foundation of Greater Kansas City invites Dr. Camara Jones and other distinguished guests to discuss policies and programs and the impact on communities.