2014-2015 Annual Report

2014-2015
Annual Report
MISSION: To deliver comprehensive services to low-income children, five and under, and
promoting their well-being and development.
VISION: To strive to provide comprehensive services through a highly trained staff, current
innovative programming, and diverse community partnerships that will create a strong foundatio
future success.
PHILOSOPHY: The potential for learning is greatest during the early years of a child’s li
every possible learning opportunity should be provided to children at the earliest possible age. F
first and most important teachers of their children; they provide valuable expertise. Head Start is
families in the crucial role of supporting the child’s development.
ANNUAL REPORT | 3
TABLE OF
CONTENTS
Letter from the Board President
Head Start Services
6
Home Visiting 8
Children at a Glance
10
Families at a Glance
12
School Readiness
to their families,
t technology,
on for each child’s
ife; therefore,
Famlies are the
a partner with
4
14
Parent, Family, and Community
Engagement
15
EHS Outcomes
17
Financial Report
18
Program Governance
19
Community Partnerships & Resources 21
4 | ANNUAL REPORT
LETTER FROM THE
BOARD PRESIDENT
Greetings from the Board of Directors:
I am pleased to share with you our 2015 annual report.
It has been my pleasure to serve as the Board of Director’s President for the past four years. During the 2014-15
program year, The National Head Start Association (NHSA)
celebrated 50 years of providing comprehensive preschool
preparation for families and children in poverty. Head
Start for Kent County’s Board of Directors and all of the
agencies employees continue to work hard to provide
the best comprehensive preschool and early educational
services to children and families in Kent County.
Recent partnerships with the Michigan Department of
Education and the Kent Intermediate School District has
allowed our agency to provide full-day preschool services
to over 736 children in Kent County. Leading in this
transition from half-day only program offerings to full-day
opportunities for families and children was the agencies
new Executive Director, MaDonna Princer. Her prior experiences and knowledge of early
childhood education, has once again positioned Head Start for Kent County as the leader
throughout the region.
As our agency looks forward to the 2015-16 program year and the many challenges of providing
full-day and half-day comprehensive preschool and early childhood services to families in
West Michigan, I would like to thank all of the devoted Head Start employees that make this
possible. Our outstanding class room teachers and teacher assistants make the daily experience fun and enjoyable for all that participate. Family Service Workers, bus drivers, custodial
staff and others work extremely hard to provide the care and assistance that our Head Start
families deserve. The dedicated members of the Parent Policy Council continue to help the
agency make decisions that are best for families and the agency as a whole.
Lastly, I would like to thank the Head Start parents and children over the years that have chosen
Head Start for Kent County for their child’s education. I know that there are many options for
early childhood education in West Michigan, but I believe that Head Start for Kent County is
the best decision for you and your child.
Looking forward to another outstanding year,
Oogie LaMar,
Board President
ANNUAL REPORT | 5
“All I can say is ‘Thank God for Head Start!!’ I truly don’t know
how my children would be handling things if they didn’t have
school to go to. Not only do they both already love to learn,
but Head Start has given them opportunities to grow & learn
socially & emotionally. Without Head Start, neither of them
would have been able to attend preschool due to expense.
Thanks to her amazing teachers in room 3 at Springhill, my
daughter Grace is ready & eager to start Kindergarten in
the fall; and the exceptional teachers of room 4 have been
wonderful as we work on potty-training for our son Liam and
have helped him get excited to go to school as well.”
- Amanda Mooney
6 | ANNUAL REPORT
Head Start
Services
Child performance
evalutations
(3 times per
school year)
Nationally
Recognized
Curriculum
Health/Dental
screening and
care
Bussing for
most children
Dedicated
Family Social
Worker for
each family
Family-style full
meals for
all and special
diets for
children who
need them
Child
Multi-cultural
translation
services
Degreed
dedicated
classroom
professionals
Monthly parent
meetings and
parent
involvement in
governance
Specialized
behavioral
plans for
challenging
children
Nationally
Accredited
HS Sites
ANNUAL REPORT | 7
EDUCATION
Children learn best through play and developmentally appropriate activities. We provide individualized observation,
planning and follow-up to ensure the best learning experience possible for every child. Our classroom environments are
arranged to enhance children’s learning through play. A daily schedule is posted in every classroom at the children’s
eye level. A daily schedule establishes the consistency that helps young children to predict the sequence of events
and thus to feel more secure and more in control of their day. A typical daily schedule includes arrival, greeting time,
breakfast/lunch, tooth brushing, large group time, free choice, small group time, outdoor play (weather permitting),
gross motor activities, snack, and departure. Young children are most successful when they are free to explore in a
safe and orderly environment.
HEALTH AND DENTAL
Head Start emphasizes the importance of on-going preventive care and early detection of health problems. Families are
provided with assistance in accessing resources to address oral health and physical well-being. Head Start believes a
healthy child is a child who is ready to learn and succeed. We support healthy development by addressing the various
areas of child and family health such as hearing, vision, and speech.
NUTRITION
Head Start provides a nutritious meal and snack which meets Child and Adult Care Food Program and licensing
guidelines, in a relaxed family-style atmosphere in the classroom. Individual care is provided to meet special dietary
needs. Food experiences are incorporated into the classroom to encourage children’s participation in preparing the
food as well as eating it. Menus are sent home with children. Family-style meals are about much more than food; it’s
an opportunity for the children to learn how to take turns, pre-reading and pre-math skills, enhance listening skills,
learn how to engage in a conversation, problem solving skills, building self-esteem, and encouraging manners.
85%
SPECIAL NEEDS/MENTAL HEALTH
85%
82%
81%
76%
The Special Needs Department establishes relationships with the LEA in collaboration with a child’s Individualized
Education
Plan (IEP) or Individual Family Service Plan (IFSP) to help ensure all students are receiving appropriate assistance to reach his
or her highest potential. Head Start offers children with disabilities the opportunity to learn and play alongside their peers
49%
(inclusion). “Mainstreaming” helps the teacher plan goals and objectives that meet the needs of each child. Services are provided
through observations, preventions, and interventions in the classroom and at home in conjunction with outside agencies.
Head Start for Kent County also has 3 on-site mental health staff referred to as Early Learning Services Specialist.
al
FAMILY SUPPORT SERVICES
al
cy
ra
te
Li
M
at
he
m
at
ics
ic
ys
Ph
So
ci
The Social Services component provides family support with a focus on engaging parents/guardians in a process of partnershipbuilding to identify their family’s strengths, goals, and needed services. Parents are offered opportunities to develop and implement
individualized family goals that identify responsibilities, timetables, and strategies for achieving those goals. Interactions with
families are expected to honor and respect each family’s diversity, cultural and ethnic background. Head Start for Kent County
has 18 Family Service Workers (FWSs) and one Family Service Worker Specialist who provide training and assistance.
8 | ANNUAL REPORT
HOME VISITING
Early Head Start (0-3) Home Visiting utilizes the home and everyday routines as the
young child’s primary learning environment. It provides comprehensive services
which focus on child development, parenting education, and family support. Early
Head Start Home Visiting services are provided utilizing highly qualified home
visitors. Families receive a weekly 90-minute home visit, monthly parent meeting
and a minimum of two group socialization opportunities each month.
1482
86
89.6%
88.8%
9%
10%
me
Vis
it
or
Support
78.7%
Ho
Engagement
Pa
n
e
r
t- c
d
l
i
h
School Readiness
ANNUAL REPORT | 9
“At first I was hesitant to
send my daughter (Salma)
to pre-school. But I was
surprised to see how well
she did. She came home
excited and motivated.
We practiced her letter
sounds and it pushed
me to be involved in her
education. I loved every
minutes of it. Now she is
moving onto Kindergarten
and she is more than
ready to take on that new
chapter in her life. I am
eternally grateful to Head
Start and all the staff.”
- Fabiola Tenorio
10 | ANNUAL REPORT
CHILDREN AT A GLANCE
The total cumulative enrollment for infant-toddler children (Home Visiting)
programming is 162. This includes pregnant women. Total cumulative
enrollment for preschool children (HS) programming is 1,836. The following
chart is a breakdown of cumulative enrollment by age:
524 children received a full day of preschool programming (by blending a ½ day Head Start slot and
a ½ day Great Start Readiness Program slot).
1%
17%
Race
6%
American Indian or
Alaska Native
Asian
41%
35%
African American
12%
Diagnosed Disability
Typically Developing
Children
White
Multi-Racial/Biracial
88%
ANNUAL REPORT | 11
81%
76%
Types of Eligibility
100% Federal Poverty Level
Public Assistance:
- Temporary Assistance for Needy
Families (TANF)
- Supplemental Security In come (SSI)
- Child Development and Care (CDC)
Preschool
Home Visiting
Foster Child (automically eligible)
13%
Homeless (automaticallly eligible )
*Federal law states that no more than
10% of eligibility can be used for over
income slots.
100%
Poverty
7%
10%
2%
1% 1%
Foster Child Homeless
Public
Assistance
3%
6%
Over
Income
2014 POVERTY GUIDELINES FOR THE 48 CONTIGUOUS STATES
AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
12 | ANNUAL REPORT
FAMILIES AT A GLANCE
26%
40%
60%
Family Status
Single Parent
Two Parent Families
74%
Primary Language
of Family
English
Non-English
24%
34%
39%
66%
37%
Parent's Working Status
Parent's Educational Level
Higher than High School
Working Parents
High School Graduate or GED
Unemployed
Less than High School
Photo Cr
redit: Office of Head Start
ANNUAL REPORT | 13
14 | ANNUAL REPORT
School
Readiness
HS4KC’s purpose is to help create a strong foundation for each child’s future success in school and in life. We
utilize a comprehensive, holistic, two-generational approach, focusing on both the child and the parent. School
Readiness is defined as meeting or exceeding the current standard developmental level (widely hed expectation)
for a particular age group. The impact of poverty on a child’s develpment is statistically significant; it is our goal
each child enrolled in Head Start Pre-School or Early Head Start Home Visiting make progress toward meeting and
exceeding the widely held expectation for her/his age.
CURRICULUM
Head Start for Kent County has chosen to use the objectives
and widely held expectations developed by Teaching
Strategies GOLD™ to assess each child’s development.
Following extensive research review and field testing,
Teaching Strategies GOLD™ has been evaluated as
highly valid and reliable by the Center for Educational
Measurement and Evaluation (CEME) and it aligns with
the Head Start Child Development and Early Learning
Framework, Common Core State Standards, Michigan
Early Childhood Standards of Quality for Prekindergarten
and Michigan Early Childhood Standards of Quality for
Infant and Toddler Programs. Teaching Strategies GOLD™
supports learning for all levels of development, including
children with special needs and dual-language learners.
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
CHILDREN WHO PARTICIPATE IN HEAD
START/EARLY HEAD START WILL:
Gain experience in solving problems and following directions
Explore writing and recognizing numbers and letters
Be able to communicate thoughts and feelings
Experience using books to get information
Gain confidence in doing things for themselves
Experience a positive, exciting learning environment
Develop a positive sense of self, regulate their own
emotions/behaviors and develop and maintain positive
relationships
INDIVIDUALIZATION
Individualized learning plans are developed for each
child with parent input and used daily to plan classroom
activities.
As part of individualization, five early learning coach
specialists, two speech specialists, and three mental
health specialists act as resources and mentors for our
Head Start children, families, and education staff, and
productive learning environment.
PBIS
PBIS (Positive Behavior Intervention and Support) – an agency-wide system
of support that includes proactive strategies for defining, teaching, and
supporting appropriate student behaviors to create a positive, safe, and
productive learning environment.
KINDERGARTEN PREPARATION
Head Start for Kent County utilizes the Creative Curriculum© and Teaching
Strategies GOLDTM to assess and support development in all five essential
domains of school readiness identified by the National Education Goals Panel:
1. Physical and Developmental Health
2. Social and Emotional Development
3. Approaches to Learning
4. Language and Literacy
5. Cognition and General Knowledge
Each child’s development is documented using screens, ongoing assessment,
observation notes, and individualized portfolios.
KINDERGARTEN TRANSITION EVENT
The “Building the Bridge to Kindergarten: On the Road to School Readiness”
Kindergarten Transition Event was held for a second year. It is designed as a
way to inform families about their continuing education options and to share
information about how, where, and when to enroll children in kindergarten.
Representatives from several area school districts, charter, and private schools
are available to answer questions and provide specific information about their
programs.
ANNUAL REPORT | 15
Parent, Family and Community Engagement
PARENT POLICY COUNCIL
The Parent Policy Council is an elected group of parents and people from the community
working as a team to make decisions about the design and operation of the Head Start and
Early Head Start programs. It gives parents a voice and provides a valuable learning opportunity.
ADVISORY COMMITTEES AND EDUCATION TASK FORCE
Selected parents, staff, and experts from the community gather to discuss program improvement strategies in the areas of education, health, and Early Head Start.
UNDERSTANDING READINESS OUTCOMES COMMITTEE (UROC)
UROC meets quarterly and is made up of parent, community members, and staff. This committee
works as a team to oversee School Readiness planning. Participants will see the gains
Head Start children are making and understand how the childrens information impacts
School Readiness.
TREASURE READING
This reading program encourages parents to spend time reading with their children at home.
After reading 50 books, families receive a new book to add to their home library.
IMIL (I AM MOVING, I AM LEARNING)
This program encourages families to make simple, healthy decisions about their food choices
and activity levels every day.
FIELD TRIPS
Each year, every Head Start class is given the opportunity to visit the Children’s Garden at
Frederik Meijer Gardens. Additional field trips are planned throughout the year. Parents are
encouraged to participate.
CLASSROOM VOLUNTEERS
Parents are welcome and encouraged to volunteer in their child’s classroom. Parents work
with children individually or in small/large group activities and participate in regular field
trips and on-site activities.
• Male Involvement/Watch D.O.G.S.
• Bus Aides
FAMILY LITERACY PROGRAM
A joint program with the Literacy Center of West Michigan designed to help families build
language and literacy skills to support both the adult learner and the child.
TAKE HOME FAMILY ACTIVITY KITS
Each family receives a new book, learning activities, and a calendar to enjoy with their children,
during the winter, spring, and summer breaks. Early Head Start activity packets are provided
two times each year.
MONTHLY SITE PARENT MEETINGS
Held monthly during the program year, these meetings provide an opportunity for parents
and staff to plan for upcoming site events together, become informed about Head Start issues,
receive information on the topics of their choice, review outcomes data related to their child’s
school success, and network with other parents.
FAMILY LITERACY PROGRAM
Parents are given four formal opportunities annually to help assess their child’s development
and participate in setting individualized learning goals for their child.
16 | ANNUAL REPORT
99% of children were up-to-date on a schedule of health services,
including: annual physicals, hearing and vision screens, growth
assessments, blood pressure, and blood level checks.
99% of children screened with Ages & Stages.
99% of children with a medical home and ongoing source of
continuous health care.
10% of children recieved special accomodations related to
food allergies, intolerances, or special food related conditions.
99% of families completed a needs assessment.
ANNUAL REPORT | 17
18 | ANNUAL REPORT
Financial Report
FINANCIAL AUDIT
An independent audit, completed for the year ending December
31, 2014 by Rehmann Robson, resulted in an unqualified
opinion; the financial statements present fairly, in all material
aspects, the financial position of Head Start for Kent County
as of December 31, 2014. The audit provides assurance the
financial statements are free of material misstatement and
reviews the internal control over financial reporting for compliance with certain provisions of laws, regulations, contracts,
and grant agreements.
No deficiencies or instances of noncompliance were found. A
copy of the complete audit report and accompanying notes is
available by contacting our Controller, Nancy Priebe.
2014 Public and Private Funds
Head Start Grant Revenue
USDA Child and Adult Care
Food Program Reimbursements
$516,349
University of Michigan Obesity
Prevention
$37,555
GSRP
427,025
InKind
$4,013,335
TOTAL ASSETS:
EXPECTED 2015 BUDGET
Federal Category
Head Start
Early Head Start
Operations
$11,100,384
$1,035,822
$122,256
$25,563
Training
Funding Notice:
$12,284,025
$12,284,025
$17,278,289
Program
ANNUAL REPORT | 19
Governance
Head Start for Kent County is governed by a diverse group of volunteers who form the Board of
Directors. They are experts in multiple areas such as social services, finance, law, education, public
health, public relations and early childhood education. Additionally, the Parent Policy Council, a
volunteer group of parents and other community members, makes decisions about the design
and operation of both the Head Start and Early Head Start programs.
Executive Director
MaDonna J. Princer
Program Director
Phillip D. Hamberg
Board of Directors
Oogie LaMar, President
Rudy Gutierrez, Vice President
Brian Hofstra, Treasurer
Beth McIntyre
Charlene Werdon
Fredericka Brown
Joann Hoganson
Sandy Walls
Susan Verwys
Tammy Miller
Krystal Elsbury
Latarra Lowe
Fredericka Brown, Chairperson
Lexi VanHattum
Vice Chair
Mariana Martinez
Sarah Kissel, Secretary
Martha Moore
Tomarra Richardson, Treasurer
Mayra Sakniran-flores
Amber Worden, Membership Coord.
Mercedes Rodriguez
Rudy Gutierrez, Board Representative Nevada Halilovic
Amanda Mooney
Paige Godin
Amy Barrows
Rachel Overvoorde
Angela Bowers
Sarah Juneau
Angela Bunn
Setrina Nails
Anne Anderson-Moore
Tory Mitchell
Brenda Ibarra
Uniqwa Coats
Cassandra Mercado
Yolanda Posadas
Dwayne Felver Jr
Fabiola Tenorio
Griffin LaShell
Community Representatives:
Jonathan Zuno
Aubrey Warfield, Cherry Street Health Serivices
Josefina Jarquin
Candice Chivis, Healthy Homes Coalition
Keyla Araujo
Jessica Luiz, Children’s Museum
Lisa Butler, Urban League
Matt Haviland, Great Start
Parent Policy Council
20 | ANNUAL REPORT
ANNUAL REPORT | 21
Community Partnerships & Resources
Engaging community members, establishing partnerships, and connecting with
community resources is an integral part of the work of Head Start for Kent County. The
relationships built with the following organizations and businesses enhance the services
provided to children and their families
• Arbor Circle
• Kent School Services Network (KSSN)
• Bright Beginnings
• Literacy Center of West Michigan
• Cherry Health Services
• Michigan State University Extension
• Early On
• Safe Kids Greater Grand Rapids
• Family Futures
• Spectrum Health MOMS Program
• Feeding America West Michigan Food Bank
• Spectrum Health Healthier Communities
• Frederik Meijer Gardens and Sculpture Park:
Children’s Garden
• The Employers’ Association
• First Steps Kent
• Foster Grandparent Program, Kent County
• Grand Rapids Children’s Museum
• Great Start Collaborative of Kent County
• Healthy Homes Coalition of West Michigan
• Home Visiting Provider Network
• Kent County Health Department
• Kent Intermediate School District (KISD) and
local education agencies (LEAs)
• The SOURCE
• Welcome Home Baby
ANNUAL REPORT | 23
2014-2015 PROGRAM
SERVICE AREA AND SITES
24 | ANNUAL REPORT
2626 Walker Ave. NW, Walker, MI 49544
Toll Free: 1-800-472-6994
Fax: 616-453-1208
www.hs4kc.org
www.facebook.com/hs4kc
Materials funded under a grant
awarded by the Michigan Dept. of Education