Partnership For Children Of The Foothills Inc

Child care and education quality activities provided childcare training, technical assistance, and resources for early childhood educators working in licensed childcare facilities serving children birth to five years old. These include in-service training workshops, technical assistance visits, and on-site training, and support to centers and homes preparing for environmental rating scale assessments. The program supports centers and homes, which are preparing for re-assessment and provides assistance to directors in helping teaching staff reach professional development goals. 12 participants in professional development component employed by 8 different child care facilities. 12 child care staff/educators participated in higher education advising. 25 child care professionals benefited from trainings and technical assistance. 6 child care facilities participated in quality support. 15 teachers received individualized technical assistance; 11 directors received individualized technical assistance; 2456 parents handouts delivered.

Family support activities included circle of parents programs, dolly parton imagination library program, and the play to learn program and community outreach. The circle of parents program provided a parent support group through weekly meetings so parents can gain self-esteem, overcome isolation and improve their parenting skills. 131 adults participated in at least one session. The dolly parton imagination library program offers an opportunity to prepare children for kindergarten by exposing them to the concepts of print, encouraging child/parent reading and increasing early literacy activities in the home, thereby stimulating the child's interest in reading and learning. Participating children receive an age appropriate book each month from time of registration until age 5. 42,053 books delivered, 3104 children served. The play to learn program provided free, weekly two-hour play groups involving parents/caregivers, children, and a facilitator. The program promoted positive and healthy outcomes for children birth-five years of age and supported parents and caregivers as they prepare their children for kindergarten. 2 groups conducted. 18 parents and 22 children attended. 93 on-site sessions. Community outreach programs goal is to increase parenting knowledge about high quality early education, child health and safety, and consistent physical activity and proper nutrition. 6 community presentations presented; 18 outreach events held; 8 newsletters produced; 23,556 families received newsletters; 3,498 website hits; and 8 press releases.

Health and safety program included healthy smiles. The healthy smiles program provides preventative dental screenings to preschool children and licensed childcare centers