Among his responsibilities, Mr. Henley will guide the program in its goal to address vocabulary development among children ages 0 to 5, specifically in Dallas’ Bachman Lake neighborhood. The Collaborative focuses on vocabulary, because research has shown that a child’s vocabulary level when beginning school is a key predictor of future academic success. Agencies receiving grants from the Collaborative work alongside parents and children in the Bachman Lake area to educate families on the importance of early language development and to equip them with tools and strategies for success.

“We are thrilled to have Mr. Henley join the Collaborative team,” said Regen Fearon, chair of the Zero to Five Funders’ Collaborative and The Dallas Foundation board member. “His broad experiences in education and nonprofits will help us fulfill our mission of equipping, encouraging and supporting parents and caregivers to prepare children for success in school.”

Mr. Henley received a Bachelor of Arts in political science from Brown University and has extensive nonprofit management experience in public broadcasting and education. Most recently he has worked as the director of education for KERA and, before that, center director of Sylvan Learning Center. During Mr. Henley’s time at KERA, he received numerous awards including a Texas Associated Press Broadcast Award, the Texas Association of Parent Educators Best Practices Award, Workforce Solutions of Tarrant County awards and the Dallas Association for the Education of Young Children 2010 Advocate of the Year Award.

"I am honored and excited to serve as the new project manager for the Collaborative," Mr. Henley said. "I’ve witnessed the power of early childhood education to transform the lives of children and families, and I’m dedicated to the Collaborative’s mission and to helping families realize the full promise and potential of Bachman’s youngest children."

The Collaborative focuses on a critical need in the Bachman Lake neighborhood, where young children are among the most educationally underprepared and at risk. The neighborhood is also the most toddler-rich ZIP code in Dallas, with nearly one in 10 residents under age 3.

The Collaborative funders include The Dallas Foundation, The Meadows Foundation, The M.R. and Evelyn Hudson Foundation, Carl B. and Florence E. King Foundation, The Rees-Jones Foundation, Communities Foundation of Texas, M.B. and Edna Zale Foundation, Harold Simmons Foundation, Dallas Women’s Foundation, The Catholic Foundation, Dallas Social Venture Partners, The Boone Family Foundation, The Mike & Mary Terry Family Foundation, Thomson Family Foundation, Margot and Ross Perot, Esping Family Foundation, Rainwater Charitable Foundation, and two anonymous foundations. Additional members of the Collaborative include the Dallas Regional Chamber and the Hoblitzelle Foundation.

The Zero to Five Funders’ Collaborative welcomes additional funders. For more information, contact Danny Henley at dannyhenley@gmail.com.

About the Zero to Five Funders’ Collaborative

The Zero to Five Funders’ Collaborative mission is to equip, encourage and support Dallas parents and caregivers to prepare children for success in school. Established to address vocabulary development among children ages 0 to 5, the Collaborative has identified Dallas’ Bachman Lake neighborhood as the pilot for a
five-year program. Agencies receiving grants from the Collaborative work alongside parents and children to educate families on the importance of early language development and provide them with tools and strategies for success.

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