Overview
The Francis Institute (FI) at MCC-Penn Valley represents an evolution in the preparation and ongoing technical support for early childhood and school-age care and education professionals in the Kansas City community.
Its origins date back to the creation of the Penn Valley Campus and nursery school program. With a lead gift from the Francis Family Foundation in 1990, the College embarked on a journey to increase the quality of care for children by providing accessible education and professional development opportunities to adults working in the fields of child and youth development.
Literally hundreds of providers and students have taken advantage of our programs, and countless numbers of children have benefited from the work of the Institute. The Institute has sharpened its focus on creating a professional workforce. By setting higher standards in education, training and consultation, the Francis Institute staff hope to advance adults' knowledge for the children's success.
Highlights
Today the hallmark of the Institute is its ability to bring comprehensive and affordable professional development services directly to the point of need. These services include:
- College credit coursework
- Nationally recognized continuing education units for training
- Consultation and technical assistance
