What is Head Start? - Family Services of Grant County
Transcription
What is Head Start? - Family Services of Grant County
2013-2014 Board of Directors Jeff Ketchel, President Family Services of Grant County (FSGC) Steve DuVall, Vice President Juliann Dodds, Treasurer Louis Logan, Secretary Amanda Robles, Policy Council President Lois Gibbens Cheryl Hein Silvia MartinezSchempp Vera Senn John McKean David Bustamonte 2014 Fiscal Year End Annual Report “Oh, the places You’ll Go!” 1 2 Table of Contents: The Mission of Family Services of Grant County...…………………………...………………………………...4 What is Early Head Start/Head Start?……………......……….………………………………………………….5 Program and Center Information..……………………………………………………………………………….6 Policy Council President Interview..…………………………………………………………………………….7 Shared Governance.............................…..……………………………………………………………………….8 Progress on Healthy Lifestyles Goals………………………...………………………………………………….8 Parent Activities...............................………………………………………………………………...........……..9 Health……………..…………………………………………………………………………………………….10 Educational Outcomes and School Readiness…..…………...…………………………………………………11 FSGC’s Early Head Start Program is Recognized……………………………………………………………...12 Learning Approaches for FSGC Programs………………………………………………...…………………...13 Head Start Teacher Quality and CLASS scores…………………………………………...…………………...14 Statement of Revenues and Expenses…..…………………………………………………………………….. 15 Graph of 2013 Revenues and Expenses…..…………………………………………….…………………….. 16 Statement of Financial Position………………………………………………………………………………...17 2014 Budget…..…..…………………………………………………………………………………………….18 2013 Fiscal Audit Results and Findings………………………………………….…………………………….19 2013 Federal Triennial Review Findings……………………………………………………………………….20 Letter from the Executive Director……………………………………………………………………………..21 Administration and Management……………………………………………………………………………….22 3 Family Services of Grant County’s Mission Family Services of Grant County partners with children, parents, families and communities to promote growth through high quality education and comprehensive health and social service networks. Our administrative offices are located at the Denise Schmidt Center 1402 E. Craig St., Moses Lake, WA We operate two federally funded programs: Head Start Early Head Start Family Services of Grant County was formed in 1983 by a grass-roots citizen’s group. Since that time we have grown to employ over 60 staff members, and expanded to provide educational services for 238 children at a given time and their families. (see page 5 for more information about our services). Financial Eligibility When was the last time you tried to live on a monthly paycheck that looks like this? These federal income eligibility requirements must be met to qualify for FSGC’s Head Start or Early Head Start program. 4 To Qualify, a family Persons must make less than in family/ the following per household month: 1 $ 981 2 $1,328 3 $1,674 4 $2,021 What is Early Head Start ? Parent Education and Support for 94 Low Income Families with Infants, Toddlers and Pregnant Moms Classroom = Two days of class and two home visits per month. Home Based = Weekly home visitation and bi-monthly educational groups. 1) Parents and Children Together (PACT) classroom in Moses Lake is for children in foster care. 2) Toddler Class in Moses Lake gives EHS toddlers a taste of preschool 2 days per week. 3) Home Based Caseloads with Family Educators in Moses Lake, Ephrata, and Soap Lake to offer weekly parent education. 4) Families meet federal income eligibility to qualify. What is Head Start? Quality Preschool Education and Family Support for 144 Low Income Children 1) Classrooms are in three communities - Moses Lake, Ephrata and Soap Lake. 2) Preschool is 4 hours per day, 4 days per week. 3) Services: individualized assessment and education, screenings for health, dental, and behavioral concerns, nutritious meals, resources to help families be successful, and parent leadership training. 3) Families meet federal income eligibility to qualify (as noted left). 5 Program & Center Information Soap Lake Center Program Children Served Families Served Special Needs Children Head Start Preschool 21 18 4 Early Head Start Teen PACT 17 13 0 In Soap Lake there are 16 un -served eligible children on our waiting list; our Community Needs Assessment shows that we are adequately serving the area with very few children left unidentified. Center Contact Information Grand Coulee Moses Lake Center Denise Schmidt Center Administrative Office 1402 E. Craig St., Moses Lake, WA (509) 766-9877 Soap Lake Ephrata Center 246 8th Ave., Ephrata, WA (509) 754-5358 Ephrata Soap Lake Center 410 S. Gingko, Soap Lake, WA (509) 246-1323 Moses Lake Ephrata Center Program Children Served Families Served Special Needs Children Head Start Preschool 23 22 6 Early Head Start Home Based (includes Soap Lake ) 31 27 1 6 In Ephrata there are 6 eligible un-served children on the waiting list; our Community Needs Assessment shows that that there are as many as 189 children left unserved in the community. Program Children Served Families Served Special Needs Children Head Start Preschool 132 106 16 Early Head Start Home Based 49 40 4 Early Head Start PACT 17 13 1 Early Head Start Toddler Class 19 19 3 In Moses Lake there are 136 eligible unserved children on our waiting list; our Community Needs Assessment shows that there are as many as 452 children left un -served in the community. ***FSGC maintained 100% enrollment for both programs this year. This means that of our 144 Head Start funded preschool positions, and 94 funded Early Head Start Home Based and Classroom positions, that none were left open for more than thirty days. President Ephrata Early Head Start Amanda Robles Vice President Moses Lake Head Start Loni Sandoval Secretary Moses Lake Head Start Alejandra Maravilla Treasurer Moses Lake Head Start Amber Meader Soap Lake EHS Tiffany Payne Moses Lake EHS Esperanza Yepez Community Member Bob Walsh, People for People Community Member Marginia Carlile, Past Parent An outgoing Policy Council President’s Reflections Our parents begin the year by becoming involved with their Parent Center Committee (PCC). This group is responsible for planning center activity nights that involve children and parents in socializing, learning activities and celebrations at their local center. Each PCC has an organized leadership structure that includes elected officers. Parents may be elected from PCC to the Policy Council (PC), which is FSGCs primary mechanism for parent input into program policies. Here’s what Amanda Robles, the outgoing Policy Council Chair, had to say from her perspective of being on Policy Council for three years: “Policy Council takes a lot of work and the willingness to go outside your comfort zone. I believe the most important traits for a Policy Council Representative are motivation (you need lots of energy), a strong will, dedication and the ability to speak up. These are especially important at Washington State Association of Head Start and ECEAP (WSA) meetings where we learn about advocacy and talk to state and federal congressmen and women. Policy Council taught me professional etiquette and gave me the opportunity to be on the WSA Board. The most enjoyable experiences I had were in mingling with administrative staff and belonging to our Policy Council after three years of working together. Our group members supported each other; many of us were overcoming similar difficulties in life. The hardest part of the job was when we went through the Sequester and had to cut transportation and classrooms, looking at budgets and coming to solutions. There was a lot to learn about how it all works. I had to learn how the funds filter down from the Office of Head Start to Region X to us, and that we have lots of guidelines we have to follow. I still use the skills that I’ve gained in working with the public schools advocating for my children. Head Start also taught me to “pick my battles” because you don’t win them all. I will miss getting the regular updates that I used to receive from PC!” 7 Shared Governance who works for Grant County’s office of Public Defense. FSGC has two governing bodies: the FSGC Board, and Policy Council (see page 7 for an interview with the former PC President). The FSGC Board is legally and fiscally responsible for the organization. President Jeff Ketchel, the Administrator for the Grant County Health District, has supported and guided our progress on long term goals focusing on wellness and healthy lifestyles (see article below). The FSGC Board is required by Head Start Performance Standards to have members with expertise in finance, law and early childhood. Our financial expert is Juliann Dodds, Bank Manager at Umpqua in Moses Lake. She has performed faithfully by reviewing all credit card receipts, and vigilantly watching our budget to ensure FSGC’s future fiscal viability as an organization. We welcomed our newest member recently, David Bustamante, Esq. a legal expert Our current early childhood expert, Louis Logan, a former FSGC Education Director, is completing his final term on the Board. He is featured on the front page as “the Cat in the Hat”. We thank him for his many years of service and for the joy he brings to children and families! The FSGC Board will be recruiting a new member with expertise in early childhood to meet standards in the near future. Progress on our Healthy Life-Styles Goals In April of 2014, Family Services of Grant County (FSGC) collaborated with parents and community partners to install and plant raised garden beds. Home Depot and Lowes supplied enough lumber to build eight garden boxes; Tommer’s Construction supplied the soil and Home Depot gave us steer manure to enrich the soil. The Food Bank, Brier Patch Farm and Big R supplied seeds and baby plants. Parents supported by FSGC Staff and Job Corps volunteers built the boxes and children planted the seeds and plant starts. Children were taught how to treat the garden and how to harvest; then they got to eat what they had grown. As we continue with this project, we encourage parents and children to eat healthy foods by incorporating fresh fruits and vegetables into their diets. FSGC children learn in the classroom from a curriculum called Grow It, Try It, Like It,. FSGC Healthy Lifestyle Goals have been reflected in the parents choice to serve fresh, low sugar desserts to their children at parent driven activities. Other aspects of the FSGC healthy lifestyles goal includes encouraging movement through IMIL (I’m moving I’m learning ). 8 Parent Activities The following is a list of many of the activities Friendship Friday that parents have supported throughout the Cooking Matters at the Store past school year: Parent training in Professionalism Monthly - Policy Council meeting Topics covered at each center: Washington State Association (WSA) of Head Advocacy & Parent Involvement Start and ECEAP training events Literacy Parent Orientation - All Centers “All About Me” Transportation Safety Scrapbooking Children’s Profiles Pedestrian safety Nutrition training Hand washing safety Budgeting training Quarterly Child Development and Curriculum input Dental Health meetings FUN Fridays Personnel Committee Meetings - as needed for Annual Lion’s Club dinner staff changes Kindergarten Registration night Quarterly Health Advisory Committee Meetings End of the Year Barbeques and Menu Planning Moses Lake End of Year Transportation & Monthly Socializations with Parent/Child activities Safety Fair with EHS Recruitment Monthly Parent Center Committee meetings with Gleaning apples and potatoes individual planned center activities, including: Fatherhood Activities Singing at the Nursing Home/Caroling Movie and Snacks Pajama Day/Hat Day and Wacky Hair Day “Wacky Wednesday” (unusual dress) Healthy gingerbread making, Gingerbread Houses & Gingerbread man hunt, Winter & Harvest Festival Field trips (tree farm, pumpkin patch, Doolittle Park, veterinarian clinic, library, post office, etc.) First Aid/CPR Bowling salt dough handprints and other dough ornaments, hand print wreaths, a trip to the museum, snowman creations Positive Discipline Open House Parents and children enjoy meeting a puppy in the classroom. Hearthstone Grandparents Visit Parents are involved at every level of the Head Start and Early Head Start programs because we believe that... Parents are the first and most important educators of their children! 9 100% of EHS children received a dental screening 92.6% of Head Start children received a dental exam 98.1% of EHS children were up to date for their age for medical care 89.2% of Head Start children received a medical exam 2013-14 Health Accomplishments Our FSGC Nurse Specialist continues to use the new Spot Vision equipment resulting in four Head Start and five Early Head Start Toddlers receiving glasses last year. Changes in Body Mass Index BMI) associated with Head Start participation The Official Journal of the American Academy of Pediatrics recently reported1 that “Preschool-aged children with an unhealthy weight status who participated in Head Start had a significantly healthier Body Mass Index (BMI) by kindergarten entry age than comparison children in a primary care health system (both those receiving and those not receiving Medicaid).” FSGC’s local statistics support these national findings. Our Head Start enrolled 39 children in the 2014 school year who were identified as obese according to their BMI. Of 38 who were weighed twice, eleven children had a decreased BMI at the end of the year. Of the eleven, seven children’s BMI had decreased to be identified as overweight rather than obese, and four children were determined to be within normal limits. 1Julie C. Lumeng, MD et al., (2014) Changes in Body Mass Index Associated With Head Start Participation. Official Journal of the American Academy of Pediatrics. retrieved from fhttp://pediatrics.aappublications.org/ content/135/2/e449.abstract?sid=14b00ff2-c950-4e908e6e-da7a4dc569f6 They compared Head Start enrollees to same age non enrolled children in Michigan between the years of 2005 and 2013. Comparison group children were divided between those receiving Medicaid and those on private insurance. These results are associated by experts to be due to more activity, more regular sleep schedules, less TV time and healthier meals. 10 Health includes promoting children’s physical growth and development. Child Outcomes for Children Going to Kindergarten in Spring 2014 *WAKids data Family Services of Grant County 2013-14 Progress of Children Teaching Strategies Gold (TSG) is the research based developmental assessment tool that FSGC utilizes to show growth trends with Head Start and Early Head Start children. Washington State also utilizes TSG to assess the developmental level of all children entering kindergarten. The chart above depicts local WAKids data for Moses Lake and Ephrata, data for low income children entering kindergarten in Washington State, data for all children entering kindergarten in this state and FSGC data for comparison. Of the children represented within the group measured in Washington State, many may have also attended preschool. The 2013-2014 School year final outcomes reports shows considerable growth. Last year, we focused on math and science and you can see the corresponding growth in the cognitive area! 11 Yet you can see the data shows that FSGC Head Start children are more prepared at the end of preschool for kindergarten than are the total of all children entering kindergarten in Washington State, regardless of income (WAKids Data). 1 Washington State Department of Early Learning, WaKIDS (2014 January). Retrieved from http://www.k12.wa.us/ WaKIDS/pubdocs/WaKIDSFall2013Data.pdf Early Head Start has been recognized for their hard work by receiving the Parents as Teachers Quality Endorsement for our Home Based program. In order to receive this commendation the program had to meet or exceed all the following seventeen essential requirements: Each program Family Educator (FE) must have a high school diploma and two years of experience serving families with children between prenatal to kindergarten. A parent advisory council must exist that meets at least every six months (our Policy Council meets this function). Each program PAT Supervisor must have twelve or fewer Family Educators (FEs) to supervise. All FEs and Supervisors must be trained in PAT and receive continuous professional development and training. Research based family assessments are completed on each participating family, and parents create goals based upon their family’s needs and future desires. Every family receives at least twenty-four annual home visits (Early Head Start (most families receive four visits per month). New FEs complete no more than 48 visits in a month and after one year of experience no more than 60. There are at least twelve group socializations in a year among parents. Required screenings are completed within 90 days of enrollment for children over four months. Educators provide referrals to resources for their families in areas of need. Self assessment is completed annually and includes feedback from parents, and The Annual Performance Report is completed. We have exceeded all the essential requirements and had a perfect federal monitoring review giving us the endorsement until summer of 2018 when we will undergo the process again to ensure continued quality of program. We are proud of the work accomplished this year! 12 When I paint at the easel, I am learning…. When I explore with water I am learning… To develop my imagination and creativity. Eye-hand coordination, helpful for learning to write. To distinguish shapes and purposely create shapes. To express my feelings and ideas. Relationships of space and size, necessary for mathematics. About different temperatures. About wet, dry, and evaporation. Concepts of symmetry, balance, and design. What happens when you mix water with some thing (soap, food coloring, dirt, etc.) Eye-hand coordination as I learn to pour. Concepts of empty and full, less and more, relevant to mathematics. When I sort things, I am learning… To match and sort items that are the same and different, a pre-reading and pre-math skill. Concepts of color, size, and shape. Numerical concepts of more and less. Logical reasoning. That some things sink and some things float. To observe changes as water takes different forms in different containers. When I climb on playground equipment, I am learning… Self-confidence as I develop new skills. Physical strength, coordination and balance. To use my imagination. To cooperate with others when involved in some dramatic play. To solve problems. When I play dress-up, I am learning… To be flexible in my thinking. To try on different adult roles. To solve problems, especially socially, through negotiations with friends. When I play with blocks, puzzles, trucks, and dolls, I am learning… To make decisions. When I play with playdough, I am learning… To exercise my imagination. To cooperate with others. To solve problems. Concepts of shapes, relative sizes, big, small, length, height, etc. Concepts of shape, size, length, and location. To express my feelings by squeezing and pounding. To create and repeat patterns, a reading and math skill. To exercise my imagination and creativity. When I talk with others, I am learning… To listen and understand spoken language. To add my ideas to the discussion. My ideas have value. To wait while others are talking. New vocabulary connected with the topic of discussion. Adapted from: When I Play I am Learning Written by Karen Miller Children’s World National Director of Education www.vmcp.org/play. html 13 Head Start Teacher Quality During the past several years, the Office of Head Start (OHS) has used the Classroom Assessment Scoring System (CLASS™) Pre-K Teacher-Child Observation Instrument during its on-site reviews of grantees. CLASS-reliable reviewers visit preschool classrooms of reviewed programs to obtain grantee-level scores. The table below provides descriptive statistics of the 2014 grantee-level national CLASS™ data. Those programs that fall below the lowest 10% are required to re-compete for their funding. From OHS website, http://eclkc.ohs.acf.hhs.gov/hslc/sr/quality/2013-class-data FSGC Teachers and specialists work hard to ensure our quality is high. As part of our ongoing efforts, our teachers are rated locally with the CLASS instrument by certified reliable observers. The chart below depicts FSGC scores in comparison to the highest and lowest 10% of scores attained by those reviewed during the 2013-2014 school year. FSGC’s Teacher CLASS scores were above the highest 10% in the nation for Instructional Support and close to the median for Emotinal Support and Classroom Organization. 14 Family Services of Grant County Statement of Revenue and Expenses From 1/1/2014 to 12/31/2014 Early Head Start Family Services Head Start USDA Total Grants Federal 1,241,939.57 0.00 1,647,620.51 71,654.71 2,961,214.79 Other Revenue 948.96 3,704.91 20,606.90 5,926.50 31,187.27 Total Revenue 1,242,888.53 3,704.91 1,668,227.41 77,581.21 2,992,402.06 Wages 730,594.80 120.50 954,977.38 0.00 1,685,692.68 Payroll Taxes 102,102.64 18.07 145,411.02 0.00 247,531.73 98,141.82 0.00 144,465.36 0.00 242,607.18 930,839.26 138.57 1,244,853.76 0.00 2,175,831.59 5,290.50 0.00 8,241.80 0.00 13,532.30 Equipment (under 5K) Other Total Equipment Supplies 49.83 0.00 49.83 60,701.43 0.00 0.00 0.00 177.31 77.62 0.00 77.62 102,062.82 0.00 0.00 0.00 73,511.08 127.45 0.00 127.45 236,452.64 Travel & Training 36,217.99 (109.89) 27,375.58 0.00 63,483.68 Other 163,581.44 762.96 209,466.24 0.00 373,810.64 Total Other Expenses 265,841.19 830.38 347,224.06 73,511.08 687,406.71 46,208.08 2,735.96 76,149.59 4,070.13 129,163.76 2,983.21 0.00 3,678.23 0.00 6,661.44 1,274.64 0.00 3,627.76 0.00 4,902.40 28,501.58 0.00 71,832.00 0.00 100,333.58 15,421.39 0.00 10,813.01 0.00 26,234.40 48,180.82 1,244,861.27 0.00 968.95 89,951.00 1,682,028.82 0.00 73,511.08 138,131.82 3,001,370.12 (1,972.74) 2,735.96 (13,801.41) 4,070.13 (8,968.06) Employee Benefits Total Employee Cost Contract Service Equipment Gain/Loss Depreciation Equipment (Depreciation) Land Improve (Depreciation) Occupation (Building Depreciation) Transportation (Vehicle Depreciation) Total Depreciation Total Expenses Net Gain/Loss 15 USDA, 77,581.21 , 2.6% Head Start, 1,668,227.41 , 55.7% FSGC Fiscal Year 2014 Revenue Early Head Start, 1,242,888.53 , 41.5% Family Services, 3,704.91 , 0.1% Supplies Other Travel and Training Supplies Equipment Purchases Contracted Services Employee Costs 3,001,370.12 511,942.46 63,483.68 236,452.64 127.45 2,175,831.59 13,532.30 FSGC Fiscal Year 2014 Expenditures Employee Costs Contracted Services Early Head Start Travel and Training Equipment Purchases Family Services Other Other, 511,942.46 Employee Costs, 2,175,831.59 Fiscal Year 2014 Expenditures Total Expenditures Head Start USDA Travel and Training, 63,483.68 Supplies, 236,452.64 Equipment Purchases, 127.45 Contracted Services, 13,532.30 16 FAMILY SERVICES OF GRANT COUNTY Statement of Financial Position as of 12/31/2014 Current Year Balance Assets Cash and Cash Equivalent Restricted Cash Grants Receivable Accounts Receivable Unemployment Compensation Prior Year Current Year Change Current Year % 281,938.36 65,374.87 41,316.58 3,835.65 72,855.76 287,558.02 65,334.08 62,944.41 570.00 29,871.91 (5,619.66) 40.79 (21,627.83) 3,265.65 42,983.85 (1.95) 0.06 (34.36) 572.92 143.89 Prepaid Expenses Total Assets 17,665.96 482,987.18 25,167.63 471,446.05 (7,501.67) 11,541.13 (29.81) 2.45 Total Current Assets 482,987.18 471,446.05 11,541.13 2.45 3,588,738.77 (1,323,978.07) 244,500.23 2,509,260.93 3,505,776.70 (1,204,003.70) 244,500.23 2,546,273.23 82,962.07 (119,974.37) 0.00 (37,012.30) 2.37 9.96 0.00 (1.45) Total Property and Equipment 2,509,260.93 2,546,273.23 (37,012.30) (1.45) Net Assets 2,992,248.11 3,017,719.28 (25,471.17) (0.84) 28,128.88 218,048.62 39,601.18 199,683.85 (11,472.30) 18,364.77 (28.97) 9.20 30,722.70 64,874.78 95,597.48 23,082.67 364,857.65 29,397.92 67,098.50 96,496.42 22,480.64 358,262.09 1,324.78 (2,223.72) (898.94) 602.03 6,595.56 4.51 (3.31) (0.93) 2.68 1.84 364,857.65 358,262.09 6,595.56 1.84 Mortgage Payable (Long 1,273,421.14 1,296,519.81 (23,098.67) (1.78) Total Mortgage Payable less 1,273,421.14 1,296,519.81 (23,098.67) (1.78) 1,273,421.14 1,296,519.81 (23,098.67) (1.78) 1,273,421.14 1,296,519.81 (23,098.67) (1.78) (1,638,278.79) (1,654,781.90) 16,503.11 (1.00) 1,353,969.32 1,353,969.32 1,362,937.38 1,362,937.38 (8,968.06) (8,968.06) (0.66) (0.66) (3,017,719.28) 25,471.17 (0.84) Property and Equipment Property and Equipment Accumulated Depreciation Land Total Property and Equipment Current Liabilities Accounts Payable Payroll Liabilities Accrued Expenses Accrued Vacation Payable Wages Payable Total Accrued Expenses Mortgage Payable Current Total Current Liabilities Total Current Liabilities Long Term Liabilities Mortgage Payable less Reserve Total Long Term Liabilities Total Long Term Debt Total Liabilities Net Assets Total Net Assets Liabilities and Net Assets (2,992,248.11) 17 FAMILY SERVICES OF GRANT COUNTY BUDGET NOVEMBER 1, 2014-OCTOBER 31, 2015 EARLY HEAD START 2014-2015 Code HEAD START 20142015 TOTAL USDA Account Title 4001 Grants - Federal 4004 FP Rental 1,236,351 Training & Technical TOTAL REVENUE 5100 Salaries and Wages (Budgeted) 5210 FICA/Medicaid 5211 Workers Comp 5212 Unemploy Ins 5320 Health & Dental Ins TOTAL EMPLOYEE COSTS TOTAL SUPPLIES TOTAL CONTRACTED TRAVEL AND TRAINING TOTAL OTHER TOTAL EXPENDITURES GAIN/LOSS 1,585,932 75,000 2,897,283 23,688 23,688 30,512 19,835 50,347 1,266,863 1,629,455 706,475 1,019,963 1,726,438 54,045 78,027 132,073 13,000 18,000 31,000 32,479 70,800 103,278 218,626 137,574 356,200 1,024,625 1,324,364 2,348,989 42,540 70,270 5,522 10,378 15,900 30,512 19,835 50,347 163,664 204,608 0 368,272 1,266,863 1,629,455 75,000 2,971,318 (0) 0 18 75,000 75,000 2,971,318 187,810 (0) 19 Schedule of Audit Findings 2013 Annual Fiscal Audit Completed May 18, 2014 By ClifftonLarsonAllen Findings & Corrective Action from triennial Federal Review Conducted March 24, 2013 20 “2014 - Oh the Places You’ll Go!” Dr. Suess’s books hold fond memories for many of us; memories of significant people in our lives who took the time to engage with a small child and bring joy, laughter and language into their life. For me, this person was my sister, who although only three years older loved Dr. Suess and helped teach me to read by the time I was four years old. For children at FSGC it is their teachers, other staff members and special volunteers who read and play with them. These gifted people make books and stories come alive, bringing imagination, creativity and playfulness to our children’s classrooms, often resulting choruses of “read it again, PLEASE!”; to which the response is often “OK, one more time…” because we are aware that repetition is useful for children’s learning. When observed, learning may seem to be a mere side effect of playful activity; however, the growth promoting interaction resulting in higher literacy and language acquisition is all very intentional. Early Childhood educators are gifted at using a child’s interests, engaging in topics the child likes and expanding them in new ways. Consequently they help children build on what is already known (scaffolding), and reinforce the learning with the child’s enjoyment. FSGC teachers are adept at using the Comment, Ask, Respond, Expand with Sensitivity (CARES) system to extend children’s thought processes in a given activity. It is a way of interacting with a child that acknowledges their interests while engaging them with thinking about something new. The chart on page 11 is good evidence that FSGC’s enrollees are learning at a faster rate and are more apt to be ready to enter Kindergarten than the average child in Washington State. This is something to be very proud of! FSGC has many other accomplishments to highlight as well. This year we are inviting our families to take part in our eight week Circle of Security parenting training. Our parents report really enjoying this material! Circle of Security teaches that a strong parent/child bond is critical to children’s learning process. Offering security to your child when he or she needs you, assists them in building the confidence to explore: a trait that promotes learning and fuels future mastery. Many other opportunities have also been used to support parents as advocates for their children’s healthy development. Parents of enrolled children have been involved in a broad array of activities from promoting healthy food choices, to literacy development, organizational development, and budgeting. FSGC has offered cooking seminars in which they have learned to make pumpkin pie from pumpkins, and how to cook dried beans. Policy Council members have had the opportunity to go to seminars in which they learned about local program and public policy making. Last year, 581 volunteers (both parents and others) came through our doors. The individuals who work and volunteer at FSGC bring life to the party; nurturing and belonging to both the children and families we serve; and offer messages of hope and excitement for our future. As Dr. Suess would say, “Oh, the places we’ll go”! 21 2013 Administration and Management Sally Gundry, MSW, Executive Director Annette Hippolyte, Human Resource Director Daisy Sharp, Chief Fiscal Officer Lorraine Kane, LCSW, HS/EHS Specialist Lori Bennett, MSW, EHS/HS Specialist Vernell Whitney, M. Ed, Education Specialist Lisa Crum, Preschool Manager Disabilities Coordinator Stephanie Bates, Parent Engagement Specialist Cindy Essex, Operations Manager Margie Lopez, Moses Lake Home Services Specialist Stephanie Lundgren, RN, Health Specialist Ginny Varela, ERSEA and Quality Assurance Specialist Catie Darrow, Program Assistant Echo Winston, Program Assistant 1. Did you know FSGC employs 63 individuals and 7 on call substitutes? 2. Did you know FSGC served 176 preschool children, 108 infants and toddlers, and 13 pregnant women last year? 3. Did you know that Head Start children are more ready for kindergarten than their peers who do not attend Head Start? 4. Did you know FSGC identified 9 children who needed glasses last year? 5. Did you know that Head Start programs obtain 20% of their funding through local support or volunteerism? 6. Did you know FSGC had 581 volunteers come through our doors in the past year? 22