2009 Annual Report

2009
Annual Report
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Board of Directors
ii
Staff
iii
Mission Statement
1
History
1
Client Information Tables:
2
Client Population by Age, Gender and Ethnicity
Clients Served by Program
Clients Served by Area
Adoption Program
3
Foster Care Program
3
Big Brothers Big Sisters Program
4
Child Care Program
5
Healthy Marriage Program
6
Pre-K Counts Program
7
Nurturing Program
7
Collaboration & Community
8
Public Relations/Community Activity Highlights
8
Funding Information Tables:
9
Grants and Allocations
Fundraising Successes
United Way Funding
Big Brothers Big Sisters Match Sponsors
Generous Donors
Other Thoughtful Donors
9
9
10
10
11
12
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
2009 OFFICERS
President ...................... ............ Joyce Falger
Vice President ............. ............ Shari Merrey
Secretary ...................... ............ Lisa Soult
Treasurer...................... ............ Amanda Nelson
Assistant Treasurer .... ………..Mary Ann Reilly
Solicitor ........................ ............ Kim C. Kesner, Esquire
BOARD MEMBERS (as of 12/2009)
Kevin Beardsley
Kathy Bedger
Barbara Beish
Joyce Falger
Maureen Gathagan
Gigi Gearhart
Betsy Long
Doris Manos
Shari Merrey
Linda Moore
Vicki Myers
Amanda Nelson
Mary Ann Reilly
Carol Romanski
Sue Rosenberg
Carolyn E. Rowles
Lisa Soult
Kathleen Strickland
Jon Steen
Ann Wood
FULL-TIME STAFF
(AS OF 12/2009)
Administration
Bonnie Floro, Executive Director
Janice L. Schneider, Fiscal Director
Julie Kennedy, Assistant Director
Adoption/Foster Care
Teresa Guaglianone, Program Manager
Rebekah McClure, Case Manager
Sarah Miller, Case Manager
Kate Thompson, Case Manager
Debra Wingard, Administrative Assistant
Big Brothers Big Sisters
Lynda Saggese, Program Coordinator
Child Care
Laura Deardorff, Child Care Director
Monica Lumadue, Coordinator
Tara Lansberry, Team Leader
Janet Biss, Team Leader
Healthy Marriage Program
Victoria Barger, Program Manager
Shannon Kassab, Program Coordinator
Amanda Clark, Administrative Assistant
Nurturing Program
Teresa Guaglianone, Program Manager
Amanda Clark, Administrative Assistant
Pre-K Counts
Debbie Haight, Teacher
Rhonda Carfley, Classroom Aide
Becky Blackburn, Administrative Assistant
Children’s Aid Society Annual Report
2009
“The mission of Children’s Aid Society is to identify
and provide services to improve the quality of life
of children and their families.”
HISTORY AND OVERVIEW
Children’s Aid Society was organized in 1890 to find families for orphaned and abandoned
children. In 1917, two benefactors built the Children’s Home for housing children until more
permanent homes could be found. The home served that purpose for many years. In 1984,
the residents were moved into foster care because of new State and Federal requirements.
A chronological history of Children's Aid Society:
1890 - Founded
1917 - Children’s Home built
1984 - Children moved to foster homes
1985 - Adoption agency created and licensed
1986 - Assumed Partners with Youth, converted to Big Brothers Big Sisters in 1991
1989 - Started Child Care program in former Children's Home
1995 - Began the Nurturing parenting program
1996 - Purchased and renovated 1008 South Second Street for administration
1998 - Started school age child care at Clearfield Elementary School
2000 - Started the 3-year Families and Schools Together (FAST) program
2001 - Began collaboration with Head Start of Cen-Clear Child Services
2002 - Started Foster Care Program to help facilitate adoptions
2006 - Began the new Healthy Marriage program through a Federal grant
2007 - State Grant awarded for new Pre-K Counts preschool program
In 1985, Children’s Aid Society began offering a full range of adoption services to
prospective adoptive families in central Pennsylvania. We help families find children from
our communities and around the world. The agency is an affiliate of the Statewide Adoption
& Permanency Network (SWAN,) a program serving waiting children and adoptive families.
We also hold a Foster Care license to serve adoptive families when needed.
The Department of Public Welfare licenses us as a Child Care Center, Adoption Agency,
Foster Care Agency, and Private Children and Youth Serving Agency. We are a private,
non-profit, non-sectarian agency. We welcome all who request our services and do not
discriminate on any basis.
In 2009, Children’s Aid Society served 1,655 children and adults through our six
current programs which include Adoption, Big Brothers Big Sisters, Child Care,
Healthy Marriage, Nurturing and Pre-K Counts.
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Children’s Aid Society Annual Report
WHO WE SERVE
Composition of Client Population by Age
Gender and Ethnicity 2009
Race/Ethnicity
Gender
0–
17
Age
18 – 60+
59
Total
Male
292
463
3
758
Caucasian
Female
256
605
2
863
AfricanAmerican
Hispanic/Latino
Male
6
3
0
9
Female
7
2
0
9
Male
2
0
0
2
Female
2
1
0
3
Male
1
1
0
2
Female
0
0
0
0
Male
9
0
0
9
Female
0
0
0
0
575
1075
5
1655
Asian
Other
Total
Clients Served by Area
%
Total
Centre County
9%
159
Clearfield Area
67%
1101
DuBois Area
21%
344
3%
51
Other
Total
1655
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2009
Children’s Aid Society Annual Report
2009
ADOPTION PROGRAM
Children's Aid Society began its adoption program in 1985. We offer a full range of services
to prospective adoptive families in several counties in central and western Pennsylvania.
The majority of our adoption work takes place in Clearfield, Centre, and Jefferson Counties.
We are an affiliate of the Statewide Adoption & Permanency Network (SWAN).
Services include:
Birth parent counseling
SWAN orientation
Adoption classes
Preparation of home study
Child Profiles
Child Specific Recruitment
Child Prep
Networking with placement agencies
Post-placement supervision
Report of Intermediary
Court appearances as required
Post-adoption supervision
International placement help
Post Permanency services
In addition to special needs adoption, we assist families who want to pursue infant or
international adoption. Our adoption manager and case managers conduct private home
studies and supervisory visits for these families. In 2009, we provided adoption services to
383 children and adults.
There were 2 private
finalizations in 2009 and 11
fost-adopt children in 9
families. Our staff completed
38 child profiles, 2 child
specific recruitment, and 24
family profiles/home studies
and updates. 4 people
attended Adoption Info Night
and 14 took part in Adoption
classes.
FOSTER CARE
In 2009, we had three children placed in Children’s Aid Society foster care families. The
purpose of this program is to allow families who would like to adopt become foster parents
and eventually adoptive parents for a child.
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Children’s Aid Society Annual Report
2009
BIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Clearfield County matches children and adults for additional fun
and friendship. Being in a match relationship is a magical experience. Providing these
mentoring relationships for a child, who might otherwise not be inspired by what life has to
offer, is of utmost importance to our staff.
In the community program, adult volunteers provide a special friendship and support. The
program works because of caring volunteers who make time for a child who needs them.
Another Big Brothers Big Sisters program is School-Based Mentoring. All mentoring
programs combined had 75 matches in 2009. BBBS and all of its programs touched
the lives of 229 people this year!
We charge no fees for Big Brothers Big Sisters’ services and nearly 90% of our agency
fundraising efforts directly benefit these mentoring programs. In 2008 we saw an end to
several mentoring sites due to a loss of grant funding.
Children ages 7-12 years are accepted as
new clients in the community program,
which is provided for children in need of a
mentor. A Big Brother or Big Sister spends
a minimum of four hours a month with his
or her Little Brother or Little Sister. There
are match goals facilitated by staff and
agreed upon by all parties. Outcome
evaluations are conducted in the first six
months and then annually. We served 47
matches in the community program.
Matched kids in the Community Based program are:
46% less likely to begin using illegal drugs
27% less likely to begin using alcohol
52% less likely to skip school
32% less likely to hit someone
More confident of their school performance
In School-Based Mentoring, high school volunteers are matched with elementary students
and provide additional friendship, guidance and support in a weekly after-school program.
The program aims to improve grades, attendance and social skills. In 2009, School-Based
Mentoring served 28 matches. The following improvements are reported among the
majority of participants in the program:
Increased self confidence
Improved ability to express feelings
Better decision making
Broader interests and hobbies
More positive sense of the future
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Children’s Aid Society Annual Report
2009
CHILD CARE & EARLY LEARNING PROGRAM
In our Child Care Center, we provide loving care for children ages 6 weeks through 8th
grade. The center is open from 5:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. We served 672 children and parents
in 2009 in all of our Child Care programs, including center care, school-age care and
Clearfield Elementary care. Our daily attendance at all sites averaged about 92.
The program strives to provide a safe, secure and stimulating environment, allowing each
child to experience success and develop a sense of self worth. Our staff is comprised of
experienced, trained personnel who have a genuine interest and commitment to the
children entrusted to our care.
The Child Care program is licensed by
the Pennsylvania Department of Public
Welfare and is inspected annually. In
2009, our Child Care staff conducted
many fundraisers, which netted
$5,497.77 to use for fun activities
throughout the year. Our clients
averaged about 50% private pay and
50% subsidized care in 2009.
Elementary Care in Clearfield Elementary is a fun after-school program that allows children
to stay after school until their parents can pick them up. Kids receive healthy snacks; help
with homework, activities and the same special care for which all of Children’s Aid Society
Child Care programs are known. This program has been so successful that we are hoping
to start more after- school programs throughout Clearfield County.
We continued our participation in the Keystone Stars, state quality initiative
program. Our agency was originally one of 400 centers selected to
participate in the Keystone Stars pilot program. The program issues up to 4
stars to participating programs using objective criteria to judge the quality of
the educational environment for children. We are a Star 3 at our child care
center and at the Clearfield Elementary after-school program.
In 2009 several staff received their Child Development Associate (CDA) credentials and the
final five staff members are currently pursuing their credentials. We also have one staff
member currently pursuing their associate’s degree in Early Childhood Education. Having
an educated staff is a requirement of Keystone Stars and a goal of Children’s Aid Society.
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Children’s Aid Society Annual Report
2009
HEALTHY MARRIAGE PROGRAM
Children's Aid Society began its Healthy Marriage Program in 2006 with a grant from the
Office of Family Assistance, Administration for Children and Families, U.S. Department of
Health and Human Services. This was our first Federal grant and amounts to over
$1,135,000 over a five-year period!
In 2009, we entered our 4th year of the program and served 178 clients. Healthy Marriage
classes are offered to couples using the “Within Our Reach” curriculum, which is designed
to help couples achieve their goals in their relationships, family and marriage. Within Our
Reach builds on the existing strengths of the couple and adds critical life and relationship
skills to help participants create safer, more stable couple relationships and better home
environments for their children.
The classes are designed to be FUN and educational; mixing group activities, instruction,
couple activities and planning. Each class is lead by two facilitators who have been trained
in the “Within Our Reach” curriculum.
The Healthy Marriage class sessions are held throughout the year at changing locations
throughout Clearfield County in order to make participation easier. Classes are offered in a
variety of formats to fit couple’s schedules. A 12 Week workshop meets weekly in the
evenings. Saturday’s workshops are offered in which couples meet every other Saturday
morning and we also offer a 3 day intensive workshop. Weekend retreats are available for
those couples who cannot attend regular classes. These retreats included two days of
marriage education with an overnight stay. Sixty couples took part in one of the many forms
of classes in 2009.
Additional “booster” activities are offered for one year to those who successfully complete
the program. These activities include: Three date nights with FREE child care and money
for activities, monthly peer support
meetings, couples massage class,
and money management workshops.
Because money is one of the top
issues for many couples, we offer
money management workshops to
help couples learn about budgeting,
cutting cost, getting organized and
talking about money. This program
is designed to make a lasting change
on couples by giving them the
support necessary to continue using
the tools they have learned. Pictured
to the right are support group
members working on the importance
of team work.
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Children’s Aid Society Annual Report
2009
PRE-K COUNTS
Our agency applied for and received a grant to participate in the statewide educational
initiative, Pennsylvania Pre-K Counts in 2007. This grant allowed us to open up a Pre-K
classroom on the third floor of our Child Care Center to serve 15 children. Children receive
the benefits of full-day quality preschool free of charge. The schedule follows the calendar
of the Clearfield Area School District and is offered for 180 days each year. In 2008 we
applied for two additional slots to increase our classroom size. Our application was
approved and we now provide services to 17 children.
A qualified teacher, certified in Early Childhood
Education, is required to lead the classroom. We
chose the Creative Curriculum as the basis for
instruction to keep the program in line with the other
preschool Child Care rooms. Before and after school
care is provided, if necessary, by our Child Care
program.
In 2009, 16 of the17 students who enrolled in the
program on the first day of class the previous fall
graduated with an average attendance rate of 90%.
NURTURING PROGRAM
The Nurturing program strives to strengthen families by
giving parents and children tools needed to make a
happy home life. The traditional Nurturing program is
held in the spring and fall at the Trinity United
Methodist Church in Clearfield and at another location
in Clearfield County. In Nurturing, we had five
successful sessions with a high percentage of families
completing the program and improving their parenting
skills. Nurturing served 62 children and adults in
2009.
The Nurturing Philosophy:
Children don’t come with
instructions. All parents can
use help in the complicated
task of raising children well.
Being a good parent becomes
easier using skills taught in
this program. Children learn
new family skills when
presented in a fun, active way.
Clearfield County recognizes the program as an
essential piece of its child abuse prevention efforts and
funds a significant portion of program costs. In
recognition of Child Abuse Prevention Month in April,
the Nurturing Program distributed flyers to local
elementary schools and doctors offices to raise awareness and took part in the county
Children, Youth & Family Services’ Children’s Fair. 2009 was the last year for the
Children’s Trust Fund grant that helped us expand our sessions from two to four per year
and add a shorter summer program to serve parents only.
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Children’s Aid Society Annual Report
2009
COLLABORATION AND COMMUNITY
Collaboration and community are important at Children’s Aid Society. The agency
participates or is involved with the following groups:
Clearfield County Collaboration and Prevention Board
Health and Human Services Council
Clearfield County Children, Youth & Family Services Advisory Board
Big Brothers Big Sisters of America Affiliate
Clearfield and Jefferson Counties North Central Workforce Youth Consortias
Statewide Adoption and Permanency Network (SWAN) Affiliate
Pennsylvania Association of Child Care Agencies (PACCA)
Teen Pregnancy Coalition
Clearfield Area, DuBois Area and Centre County United Ways
Clearfield and DuBois Chambers of Commerce
Clearfield County Early Care and Education Team
Pennsylvania Association of Non Profit Organizations (PANO)
Pass It On Outdoor Mentors.
SAVE Safe Access and Visitation Exchange site
PAFSA Pennsylvania Family Support Alliance
PUBLIC RELATIONS/COMMUNITY ACTIVITY HIGHLIGHTS
A large portion of referrals to our programs are from previous clients and other agencies;
however, marketing our programs is still a vital aspect of program sustainability. Through
brochures, newsletters, flyers, our web site and occasional radio and television coverage,
we reach a large audience. We got the word out this year through the following:
Newspaper –The Progress of Clearfield has been very helpful by providing front-page
coverage, photos and articles throughout the year. The Courier-Express commonly
features articles on local fundraisers and events.
Telephone Directories – The agency and Big Brothers Big Sisters are listed under
Children and Youth Services in the Guide to Human Services portion of local phone
directories. Ads for our Adoption Program are located in over 20 directories.
Website - The website details each of our programs and events and includes online
applications, waiting children and families and a calendar. The address is www.childaid.org.
It is updated regularly and is a vital part of our marketing efforts.
Radio – This year we had several radio advertisements for the Healthy Marriage program
and special PSAs called Mentoring Minute, which ran on wOK!w.
Bowl for Kids Sake (BFKS) - Patterned by the models established by Big Brothers Big
Sisters of America, BFKS was a success in 2009. Bowlers and community supporters in
DuBois, Clearfield, and Philipsburg raise money in this fun yearly event.
Oldies Dance – Each year wOK!w puts on the annual Oldies Dance at the Smokehouse in
Curwensville. Proceeds benefit BBBS.
Shoot for the Magic – Our 6th annual “Shoot for the Magic” sporting clay event was held in
July near Tyrone and was a great success. Proceeds benefit BBBS.
Yard Sale - In 2009, we held one agency yard sale to help us clean out our closets.
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Children’s Aid Society Annual Report
2009 FUNDING SOURCES
2009 Grants, Fees and Allocations
Amount
Child Care Private Pay and Subsidized Fees
$535,237
Dept. of HHS, OFA, Healthy Marriage Demonstration Grant
$227,173
Statewide Adoption Network and Private Adoption Fees
$235,703
PA Office of Child Development and Early Learning Grant
$145,683
Clearfield County Children, Youth & Family Services
$53,500
PA Dept. of Education Child and Adult Care Food Program
$48,718
Children’s Trust Fund Grant
$38,695
Keystone Stars – Child Care Program Award
$41,795
PA Dept. of Community & Economic Development
$5,000
North Central Workforce Investment Board Grant
$3,000
Centre County Community Foundation Grant
$3,000
John Lightner Trust Fund
$2,740
Target Grant
$1,500
Wal-Mart Volunteerism Always Pays Grant
$1,000
PA OCDEL, CIU#10 Positive Behavior Support Grant
$442
Fundraising 2009
Shoot For the Magic
$27,909
Bowl For Kids’ Sake Clearfield
$6,803
Bowl For Kids’ Sake DuBois
$7,863
Bowl For Kids’ Sake Philipsburg
$4,432
Child Care Fundraisers
$5,497
Pin Ups
$1,110
Oldies Dance
$1,715
Snack Box
$538
Rent-A-Center
$520
Celebrity Waiter Night
$475
Yard Sale
$350
Empties For Cash
$221
EBay
$44
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Children’s Aid Society Annual Report
2009
United Way Funding 2009
Clearfield Area United Way
DuBois Area United Way
Centre County United Way
$6,300
$4,350
$10,639
We are members of the Clearfield Area United Way, DuBois Area United Way, and Centre
County United Way. This year the money from Clearfield Area United Way helped leverage
a grant from the Pennsylvania Children’s Trust Fund. Money from DuBois Area United Way
is dedicated to our Big Brothers Big Sisters program and funds from Centre County United
Way support our Adoption/Foster Care programs.
We greatly appreciate their support!
The cost of supporting a match in our Big Brothers Big Sisters program is approximately
$1,000. This helps us serve clients from the beginning of the match process, through
monthly match support and helps provide fun activities and events throughout the year.
Thank you!
2009 BBBS Match Sponsorships
Sponsorship
William & Joyce Falger
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Children’s Aid Society Annual Report
*The following lists do not include the many dedicated sponsors
and generous contributors to our annual fundraisers and the
Big Brothers Big Sisters yearly Christmas program. Those
names have previously been mentioned in programs,
newspaper articles, presentations and/or newsletters.
Please forgive us if we have inadvertently missed your name.
2009 Generous Donors
Rudd Equipment
Varischetti & Sons
DuBois Business College
William & Joyce Falger
Non-Monetary Gifts:
WOK!W
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2009
Children’s Aid Society Annual Report
2009
Other Thoughtful Donors
Robert Schucker
Robert Adams
Marjorie Parks
Arthur Weiss
Carl & Carol Peterson
Paula Reed
Pete Marino
Vincent Sturniolo
Thomas Edwards
John & Janice Kennard
Peter Smith
Robert Kurtz
Mark Noel
Mary Payonk
Tom Krolick
First United Presbyterian Church
Mark Harley
Dan & Julie Kennedy
CNB Employees
Harmony Multimedia
B. Shobert
Robert Fitzmaurice
Kurtz Brothers
Ann Wood
Clearfield Lions Club
Northwest Savings Bank
Guelich Township
Ray Walker
Houtzdale Borough
Dr. Wendy Watt
Arby’s
Rockwood Insurance
Pat Smith
A special Thank You to ALL volunteers and
mentors who dedicated their time and energy to
help area children and families in 2009!
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Children’s Aid Society Annual Report
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Children’s Aid Society Annual Report
1008 South Second Street
Clearfield, PA 16830
814-765-2686
info@childaid.org
www.childaid.org
*Children’s Aid Society is a private, non-profit agency that does not
discriminate in service provision or employment on the basis of race, color,
national origin, age, disability, and where applicable, sex, marital status, familial
status, parental status, religion, sexual orientation, genetic information, political
beliefs, or on any other basis.
2009