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Building Brains Anywhere
Gwinnett Parks & Recreation is proud to have earned this elite national ranking!
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Finding a G.R.E.A.T. Little Minds Book Exchange is just a click away!
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Have a passion for reading? Volunteer to steward a G.R.E.A.T. Little Minds Book Exchange.
Learn moreIn accordance with federal statute, the Gwinnett County Department of Community Services is required to inform our community and our stakeholders regarding our intent to apply to the Nita M. Lowey 21st Century Community Learning Grant (CCLC). We are applying for funding to support afterschool enrichment programming at the following locations: Meadowcreek Elementary School, Rockbridge Elementary School, Jenkins Elementary School, Anderson-Livsey Elementary School, and Dacula Middle School.
The 21st CCLC is a federal program intended to support the creation of community learning centers that provide academic enrichment opportunities during non-school hours for children, particularly students who attend schools with significant social and academic needs. The program helps students meet state and local academic standards in core academic subjects, offers students a broad array of enrichment activities that can complement their regular academic programs, and offers literacy and other educational services to families of participating children.
For information about 21st Century Learning Centers and the grant process, visit:
Nita M. Lowey 21st Century Community Learning Centers (gadoe.org)
For more information about this grant application process, please email B2Anywhere@GwinnettCounty.com.
Interested in participating in the grant process? Take this brief survey to participate today!
Brainchild of Gwinnett
Building Brains (B2) Anywhere: A Shirley Carver Miller Learning Initiative is a countywide, early learning brainchild of Gwinnett County. The initiative aims to serve children, parents, and care givers by providing safe, fun, and engaging early learning opportunities for children.
B2 Anywhere emphasizes literacy and early learning in both new and existing programs. We’re collaborating with various partners such as Gwinnett County Public Schools and the Building Babies’ Brains Initiative. An early learning strategy is critical as statistics show that only 49 percent of Gwinnett students enter kindergarten ready to learn. This issue is a matter that impacts all regions of Gwinnett as 100 percent of the county’s public elementary schools have students enrolling without the skills needed for kindergarten.
B2 Anywhere is closing the literacy and academic preparation gaps in our community. We are committed to serving and growing with Gwinnett’s residents. We believe there is opportunity to educate in any and every environment, so we’re committed to building brains anywhere! Please feel free to email us at B2Anywhere@GwinnettCounty.com.
CAPS – Boosting Kids, Helping Families
The Childcare and Parent Services (CAPS) program supports early education by assisting low-income families with childcare costs while they work, go to school or training, or participate in other work-related activities.
CAPS is funded by the Child Care and Development Fund and administered in Georgia by the Department of Early Care and Learning.
The purpose of CAPS:
• To provide access to high-quality, affordable early learning environments for low-income families
• To support efforts to increase positive school readiness outcomes
• To help families become self-sufficient by assisting with childcare costs
Gwinnett offers several programs that are CAPS-eligible, including:
• Summer Camp: Weekly Adventure Camps held at multiple locations around Gwinnett, and weekly Discovery Camps at Gwinnett Environmental & Heritage Center in Buford
• Out-of-School Time: Camps held at multiple Gwinnett locations during breaks in the academic year; camps must be a minimum of three consecutive days
• Afterschool Program: Offered at select elementary schools in Gwinnett
Find more information about CAPS or to apply, visit CAPS.DECAL.GA.gov
B2 Anywhere
Being playful is critical to engaging young minds and meeting them where they are. B2 Anywhere is unleashing knowledge through exciting early learning programs throughout Gwinnett. These mobile units travel to parks, childcare facilities, community centers, apartment complexes, places of worship, libraries, and other community locations.
The mobile units provide literacy programs and fun, STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math) enrichment for children starting at birth through age eight. Programs highlight play, nature, and hands-on learning for Gwinnett’s youngest residents. Plus, they demonstrate learning concepts for parents and caregivers to help their little learners prepare to thrive in kindergarten and beyond.
If you are interested in current program offerings or in having B2 Anywhere visit your location, please call 770.822.7371.
B2 Afterschool
Children are naturally inquisitive, so learning doesn’t stop when they are out of school. The B2 Afterschool program is held at select schools throughout the county. The program is a value to families by providing a safe and fun environment where children can participate in recreational, educational, social, cultural, and physical afterschool enrichment activities - all at their own school!
Depending on the school location, some sites are funded through a BOOST grant from the Georgia Recreation and Park Association (GRPA) and require no student fees. Other sites are Child and Parent Service (CAPS) eligible so qualified families may be able to attend at little to no cost. For information about the specific site your child may attend, please email B2anywhere@GwinnettCounty.com or call 770.904.3500.
School administrators interested in having a Building Brains Anywhere afterschool program at their location should call 678.765.4662.
Enroll today!* It’s easy, just select your school below and login or create an account (be sure to include the school age children you’re enrolling in your profile).
*While slots last, 25 available openings, registration is first come, first serve.
Anderson-Livsey Elementary (3rd, 4th, & 5th grades)
Britt Elementary
Freeman’s Mill Elementary
Jenkins Elementary
Meadowcreek Elementary
Peachtree Elementary
Rockbridge Elementary
Rock Springs Elementary
Taylor Elementary
Head Start – One Stop Norcross (ages 3 to 5)
G.R.E.A.T. Little Minds Book Exchanges
Initiated by the Gwinnett Coalition for Health and Human Services, the G.R.E.A.T (Gwinnett Reading Exchange & Art Transforms) Little Minds is a selection of small book exchanges located throughout Gwinnett.
Members of the community can help steward a child’s love of reading in a fun and interactive way! Simply drop off books, suitable for children ages birth through 8 at a book exchange near you.
Not only are the G.R.E.A.T. Little Minds book exchanges a fun find for inquisitive children, they also encourage an appreciation for public art for everyone!
If you are interested in more information on providing books, becoming a book exchange steward, or requesting a book exchange to be installed at your location, please email B2Anywhere@GwinnettCounty.com.
Annual Reports
