IN THE COUNTY LEGISLATURE OF JACKSON COUNTY, MISSOURI
Title
A RESOLUTION recognizing Deborah Mann and her life-long contributions to the Southeast Kansas City community and dedication to meeting the needs of children and families.
Intro
RESOLUTION NO. 21224, April 3, 2023
INTRODUCED BY DaRon McGee, County Legislator
Body
WHEREAS, Deborah Mann grew up in the Prospect Corridor of Southeast Kansas City and watched the impact her mother had on the lives of infants and toddlers by operating an in-home daycare; and,
WHEREAS, in her early twenties, Deborah founded the Christian Community Preschool with a handful of children and now serves over 400 children each year through the Emanuel Family and Child Development Center; and,
WHEREAS, Deborah’s perseverance, leadership, and vision cumulated in a multimillion dollar campaign to build a new, 28,000 square-foot early education facility that opened in 2020 and is located at 2416 Swope Parkway, Kansas City; and,
WHEREAS, Deborah has committed her life to cultivating a quality early learning environment which stimulates the physical, social, emotional, and intellectual development of children ensuring that they are ready for kindergarten and school; and,
WHEREAS, Deborah Mann prepared herself educationally by earning an Associate’s degree in Early Childhood Development, a Bachelor’s degree in Child and Family Studies, and a Master’s degree in Counseling and Psychology, while also directing and growing the Center; and,
WHEREAS, Deborah and her husband Norris have been foster parents for eighteen
years and Deborah desires to one day also counsel low-income children and families who
have experienced trauma; and,
WHEREAS, the Emmanuel Family and Child Development Center provides quality care to infants and toddlers as young as six-weeks-old, and preschool and school-age programming for children up to thirteen years old, from 6 a.m. to midnight, Monday through Friday; and,
WHEREAS, almost 98% of the Center’s children come from low-income families and qualify for free and reduced lunch as well as subsidized childcare; and,
WHEREAS, the Center facilitates wraparound services that include on-site medical and
dental care through a Swope Health Kids Clinic, and provides free mental health services
for students and caregivers, speech therapy, WIC voucher pick-up, and emergency
food/housing, taking a comprehensive approach to caring for children and their families;
and,
WHEREAS, the Center is an accredited Head Start and Pre-K Co-operative site with
funding from the State of Missouri; and,
WHEREAS, Deborah is currently raising funds to complete the Center’s
campus by adding a parking lot and a Youth Science and Technology Center; now
therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED by the County Legislature of Jackson County, Missouri, that the Legislature hereby honors Deborah Mann for her contributions to the community and celebrates the Emmanuel Family and Child Development Center, its teachers, and staff for their care and education of children in Kansas City’s urban core.-
Enacted and Approved
Effective Date: This Resolution shall be effective immediately upon its passage by a majority of the Legislature.
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
____________________________ ______________________________
Chief Deputy County Counselor County Counselor
Certificate of Passage
I hereby certify that the attached resolution, Resolution No. 21224 of April 3, 2023, was duly passed on April 3, 2023 by the Jackson County Legislature. The votes thereon were as follows:
Yeas _______9________ Nays _____0_________
Abstaining ____0_____ Absent ____0________
________________________ ____________________________
Date Mary Jo Spino, Clerk of Legislature