OTERO JUNIOR COLLEGE CHILD DEVELOPMENT SERVICES

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1 OTERO JUNIOR COLLEGE CHILD DEVELOPMENT SERVICES Providing the opportunity for a positive early childhood experience to all children and families is an investment in the future and our community. Information and accomplishments from the Program year

2 Making a difference - one family at a time. Our Mission is to provide high quality, comprehensive early childhood education programs for children from birth through school age; to provide parent education programs that strengthen the family, develop basic literacy, encourage job training and personal development; and to develop community partnerships and coordination of community-based services. Program Options CDS provides several program options to meet the needs of families: School year preschool program in La Junta, Lamar, Las Animas, Rocky Ford, Manzanola and Olney Springs Year round program for pregnant women, infants and toddlers with Center Based option in Boone, Home Visiting option in Pueblo, Otero, Crowley and Bent Counties, and Family Child Care option in La Junta and Pueblo. Seasonal programs (June through October ) for children of migrant farm workers serving infants, toddlers, and preschoolers in Alamosa, Center, Manzanola, Granada and Boone.

3 PROGRAMS OPERATED Migrant and Seasonal Head Start Committed to preparing children of migrant and seasonal farm worker families for educational success. This program serves migrant and seasonal farm worker children from six weeks old until they enter kindergarten. This program operates from May through October during the agricultural season of the communities it serves. There is no charge to families for the services.. CDS serves families in the counties of Alamosa, Conejos, Rio Grande, Saguache, Costilla, Otero, Crowley, Prowers and Pueblo in Southern Colorado. Centers are located in Alamosa, Center, Boone, Manzanola, and Granada. Colorado Preschool Program Otero Junior College Child Development Services partners with La Junta School District to provide comprehensive and full day early education services to children who are identified as at risk. Head Start is the most successful, longest-running, national school readiness program in the United States. It provides comprehensive education, health, nutrition, and parent involvement services to low-income children and their families. This program operates on a school year calendar. There is no charge to families for the services. This preschool program serves children from age three until they enter kindergarten. CDS serves families in the counties of Otero, Crowley, Bent and Prowers in Southeast Colorado. Centers are located in Olney Springs, Manzanola, Rocky Ford, La Junta, Las Animas and Lamar. EHS promotes healthy prenatal outcomes for pregnant women, enhances the development of very young children, and promotes healthy family functioning. Offers home visitation program, center based and family child care home for children and families from prenatal to three years of age. This program operates year round. There is no charge to families for the services. The program serves families in the counties of Crowley, Bent, Pueblo and Otero in Southeast Colorado. Early Head Start Head Start

4 Number of children served in Child Development Services provides comprehensive services to over 900 infants, toddlers and preschool age children in twelve counties in Southern Colorado. Program (Funded enrollment 114) Otero County Crowley County Early Head Start Bent County 20 Pueblo County 46 Program (Funded enrollment 380*) Otero County Bent County Prowers County Crowley County Head Start Colorado Preschool Program Program (Funded enrollment 425**) Manzanola Center Boone Center Granada Center Alamosa Center Center Center Migrant and Seasonal Head Start *Funded enrollment is maintained monthly. **Enrollment is on-going throughout the season.

5 What s New! In June 2009, OJC CDS applied for American Recovery and Reinvestment Act monies to expand the Early Head Start Program. The application for grant monies was to expand infant and toddler services in two rural counties (Otero and Crowley) where CDS already provides Early Head Start services and to begin providing services to rural and urban families in Bent and Pueblo counties. The communities targeted for services are predominately rural, and have few options for quality early education services. These areas have a high rate of poverty, low paying jobs, limited access to healthcare, and limited or no access to transportation. All targeted areas have a higher percentage of children living in poverty, a higher percentage of children who receive free and reduced lunches and lower median incomes than the Colorado statewide averages. Providing early education that supports families as they pursue or maintain jobs is critical because the target counties have a much higher unemployment rate than the statewide average. In November 2009 CDS received the monies from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act to expand Early Head Start Services. Early Head Start Expanding Services February 2010 CDS began providing Early Head Start Home Visiting services to 20 new families in Bent County. March 2010 CDS began providing Early Head Start Home Visiting services to 30 new families in Pueblo County. April 2010 CDS began providing Early Head Start Center Based services to 8 toddlers at the Boone Center. August 2010 CDS began providing Early Head Start services in Family Child Care homes in Pueblo and La Junta for 16 new children.

6 Services Provided Child Development Services is committed to providing quality services. This encompasses: Preparing children for school through individualized and appropriate language, literacy, numeracy and socialization activities. Promoting optimal health and wellness of each child and family through nutrition, physical and mental health services. Supporting families in developing, achieving and maintaining personal goals as a foundation for self-sufficiency. Parent education programs. Child Health and Nutrition Services Children who are healthy are more likely to succeed in school. OJC CDS is committed to a comprehensive health plan for each child, including regular health examinations, dental exams and vision and hearing screenings. From the time of enrollment, preventative health practices are a priority. New students are screened and their basic health needs are identified. To assure that problems are quickly addressed, staff work closely with parents and providers to schedule well-child visits, prenatal care, immunizations, general health care and dental visits for each child or pregnant women enrolled. Center based programs have on-site health staff who consult with parents and make referrals to health and dental services and community agencies. Steps are taken every day to promote good eating habits. Family style meals are served with a wide variety of healthy options in center based programs. Classroom nutrition activities along with workshops for parents promote life long healthy eating habits. Up to Date (EPSDT Schedule) According to Recommendations for Preventive Pediatric Health Care Medical Services Data Dental Services Data MSHS HS EHS Children with Health Insurance Up to Date Immunizations Diagnosed as needing medical treatment Received Medical Treatment INFANTS AND TODDLERS MSHS EHS Children up to date on age appropriate preventive and primary oral health care PRESCHOOL CHILDREN MSHS HS Children who received preventive care Children diagnosed as needing treatment Children who received treatment Diagnosed as needing medical treatment Children with a dental home

7 Approaches to Learning Language Development and Communication Education and Early Childhood Development Services Science Mathematics Literacy Child Development Services promotes school readiness for infants, toddlers and preschool aged children by working closely with parents, offering a wide spectrum of services, and providing core education instruction. Staff members work hand-inhand with parents to support the goals of the curriculum at home. Offering children a safe, nurturing, and engaging learning environment helps them gain the awareness, skills, and confidence necessary to succeed. Child Development Services promotes an inclusive environment that values and respects diversity. The varied experiences used in the program support the child s ever changing development, including the physical, social, emotional, and cognitive growth of each child. Creativity Physical Health and Development

8 Education and Early Childhood Development Services Language Social Emotional Science Mathematics Physical Health Child Outcomes Child Progress Report Child gains made from Fall to Spring Number of Children at Highest Level of Skill Development at each Checkpoint Spring Winter Fall HEAD START The Creative Curriculum Developmental Continuum Assessment is used to measure children s progress in Head Start s Mandated Child Outcomes. Teachers assess children s progress at three different checkpoints throughout the year. Through use of Authentic Assessment including observations, work samples, and parent input, teachers evaluate children s progress by identifying and placing them at different steps along the developmental continuum. The steps include Forerunner, Step 1, Step 2, and Step 3. Teachers utilize ongoing assessment data to guide planning and curriculum development and to individualize planning for individuals and small groups of children. The Oral Language Matrix is used to assess English Language Learners in their acquisition of English in both Receptive and Expressive Language skills. The program utilizes assessment data for quality improvement planning and ongoing professional development training. MIGRANT & SEASONAL HEAD Outcomes Express is used to monitor children s progress. A combination of computer based activities and teacher rating checklists are utilized to evaluate a child s development, knowledge, and progress in the 13 mandated domains/elements/ Indicators. The mandated markers are grouped into the categories of Language Development, Literacy, Mathematics, and Social Emotional Development. Teachers also measure ongoing progress in receptive and communicative skills in the English language using the Oral Language Matrix. The Work Sampling System is used to gather observations and work samples of children s development in the areas that were chosen by the teachers and parents. The samplings are put on collection forms by the teachers and are discussed and then given to the parents. The goal areas are based on the Creative Curriculum Continuum, Developmental Profiles, and Screenings done by the parent and teachers Season Outcome Results: Social Emotional skills exhibited the highest gain with 25% growth in the developed category. Language and Literacy areas reflected similar growth patterns. Language increased 20% and Literacy increased 18% in the developed category. Math showed a growth of 17% in the developed category.

9 Education and Early Childhood Development Services Oral language Proficiency Rubric/Matrix Receptive Comprehensive Non-English speaking children, progresses in listening to and understanding English Step 1 Step 2 Step 3 Step 4 Step 5 Step 6 Fall Winte r Spring Step 1 Step 2 Step 3 Step 4 Step 5 Step 6 18 Fall Winter Spring Oral language Proficiency Rubric/Matrix Expressive Communication Non-English speaking children, progresses in speaking English Step 1 Step 2 Step 3 Step 4 Step 5 Step 6 Fall Winter Spring Step 1 Step 2 Step 3 Step 4 Step 5 Step 6 Fall Winter Spring

10 Disability Services Child Development Services supports the need for early identification and intervention and ensuring that children receive appropriate services as soon as necessary to support their continued development. Special needs children receive the full range of services received by all Head Start participants. Children suspected of having a disabling condition and/or children with a disability are provided services to include outreach recruitment/enrollment, screening for possible intervention, development and implementation of the Individual Education Plan (Individualized Education Plan or Individual Family Service Program). 10% of enrollment is reserved for children with special needs. Types of Disabilities and Numbers Served in Speech/Language Developmental Delays Part C (Infants & Toddlers) Mental Health Services Child Development Services believes that promoting mental health is a vital component of the work we do every day to enrich the lives of children, families and staff. We implement resources from the Center on the Social and Emotional Foundations for Early Learning (CSEFEL) and Devereux Early Childhood Foundations (DECA) that promotes social and emotional development and enhanced school readiness. We recognize that emotional and intellectual development cannot be separated. These two functions come together as the child actively explores the emotional, social and cognitive challenges of each of these stages. CDS focuses on the developing capacity of children from birth through age five to: experience, regulate, and express emotions; form close, secure interpersonal relationships and explore the environment and learn; all in the cultural context of family and community. CDS collaborates with mental Health Consultants in fostering the behavioral, emotional, and cognitive development of all children by: identifying and responding to children needs, plan interventions, and supporting the efforts of families to develop coping strategies.

11 Family & Community Partnership CDS provides support and referrals for families in a multitude of ways including crisis intervention, adult education programs, job seeking assistance, parenting classes, child care referrals and health/nutrition education. Families with children in center based programs work with a Family Advocate to set family goals and determine how to achieve their goals. Families in home based programs work with a home visitor to identify family strengths and receive support in education and nurturing their children. Parents are encouraged to volunteer in classrooms and serve on Policy Council and parent committees. Parents receive monthly newsletters with articles highlighting the education opportunities in classrooms and how these can be extended to home environment. Parent education programs provide families with information such as financial literacy, parenting, family literacy, emergency preparedness, substance abuse, and challenging behaviors. Program services are enhanced by the many community partners coordinating services with CDS. Community wide collaboration provides agencies the capacity to share resources and develop programs that support children and families. SERVICES UTILIZED MSHS # of families HS # of families EHS # of families Emergency/Crisis Intervention Housing Assistance Mental Health Services English as a Second Language (ESL) Training Adult Education Job Training Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment Child Abuse and Neglect Services Domestic Violence Services Child Support Assistance Health Education Assistance to Families of Incarcerated Individuals Parenting Education Marriage Education Services

12 Special Programs Family Literacy Promoting Healthy Lifestyles Reading Is Fundamental I am Moving, I am Learning Cavity Free Kids Family literacy programs support parents in improving their adult literacy and help foster within each family a love of reading and learning which nurtures the literacy development of children. Our centers emphasize healthy lifestyles by promoting sound nutrition, increased activity levels for children through daily center practices. Parent education opportunities focus on family strategies that promote lifelong health practices. Reading Is Fundamental is the nation s largest child literacy organization. This program prepares and motivates children to read by giving free books and providing literacy activities to children and families. I Am Moving, I Am Learning is a proactive approach for addressing childhood obesity in Head Start children. IMIL seeks to increase moderate to vigorous physical activity every day, improve the quality of movement activities intentionally planned and facilitated by adults, and promote healthy food choices every day. Cavity Free Kids is a preventative oral health education program designed for Head Start programs. These developmentally appropriate activities teach oral health to children and provide oral health education to parents. Dual language learners have access to early learning experiences that prepare children for school and support future academic success. Dual Language Learners Emergency Preparedness Emergency Preparedness information and training are provided to staff and families. Information on how to be prepared for emergencies from man-made to natural disasters is provided in conjunction with local agencies. CDS provides parent education opportunities for families through workshops, parenting classes, individualized trainings and parent meetings. Parenting Education Nurturing Program is a parenting program provided for parents that focuses on enhancing parent-child relationships through a research based curriculum. It is targeted toward the prevention of abuse and neglect. Nurturing Program

13 Funding and Budgets (Program year ) STATEMENT OF REVENUE AND EXPENSES REVENUE EHS HS MSHS Net amount received from Dept. Of Health and Human Services $ 434,977 $2,188,087 $2,776,325 EXPENSES Operating expenses $ 115,361 $ 454,668 $ 725,939 Personnel salaries (73 full-time & 25 part-time) $ 239,463 $1,270,058 $1,629,553 Fringe benefits (Health, Life, Dental and PERA) $ 80,153 $ 463,361 $ 420,833 ADDITIONAL FUNDING SOURCES State of Colorado (CPP) $ 274,444 Non-Federal Share (Community In-Kind) $ 70,417 $ 638,606 $ 530,461 Child and Adult Care Food Program (USDA Food Reimbursement Program) $ 193 $ 143,599 $ 70,090 Foundation Grants $ 29,688 Otero Junior College Child Development Services Head Start programs are funded through Department of Health and Human Services / Administration for Children and Families. The State of Colorado Statewide Single Audit Report for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2009, was released by the Legislative Audit Committee of the Colorado General Assembly in February This report can be viewed on the website at:

14 Our Staff Child Development Services employed 83 full-time, 35 part-time and 152 seasonal employees. Migrant & Seasonal Head Start Of the 54 Teachers Advanced Degree Bachelors Degrees Pursuing Bachelors Degrees Associates Degrees Pursuing Associates Degrees Early Head Start Of the 12 Home Visitors & 2 Teachers Advanced Degree Bachelors Degree Associates Degree Infant/Toddler Child Development Associate Credential or State Early Childhood Credential Child Development Services provides professional development opportunities for all staff. Training held during the year were in the following areas: Creative Curriculum Education Leadership Staff Wellness Thematic Planning Music and Movement Results Matter Authentic Assessment Handwriting without Tears CIRCLE (The Center for Improving the Readiness of Children for Learning And Education) Child Development Associate Credential Or State Preschool Credential Head Start Of the 24 Teachers Of the 12 Teacher Aides Bachelors Degrees Bachelors Degrees For more information about Otero Junior College Child Development Services contact CDS Central Office 200 Burshears La Junta, CO Pursuing Bachelors Degrees Pursuing Bachelors Degrees Associates Degrees Associates Degrees Pursuing Associates Degrees Pursuing Associates Degrees Child Development Associate Credential Child Development Associates Credential Or State Preschool Credential or State Preschool Credential