Montgomery County Partnership For Children Inc

TO DEVELOP AND IMPLEMENT STRATEGIES THAT WILL IMPROVE THE EDUCATION, HEALTH, AND WELL-BEING OF YOUNG CHILDREN & THEIR FAMILIES IN MONTGOMERY COUNTY, NORTH CAROLINA.

CHILD CARE AND EDUCATION QUALITY:CHILD CARE CENTRAL RESOURCE AND REFERRALCHILD CARE CENTRAL - CHILD CARE RESOURCE AND REFERRAL (CCR&R) IS AN ACTIVITY ALIGNED WITH THE NORTH CAROLINA CCR&R SYSTEM AND WILL PARTICIPATE WITH, AND REPORT DATA TO, THE DESIGNATED CCR&R REGION. SERVICES THAT ARE PROVIDED USING SMART START DOLLARS IN THIS ACTIVITY INCLUDE: (1) TRAINING FOR CHILD CARE PROVIDERS: TRAINING FOR DCDEE CREDIT HOURS PROVIDED ON CHILD CARE RELATED TOPICS AND COORDINATION OF CEU OPPORTUNITIES. (2) CONSUMER EDUCATION: INFORMATION AND/OR EDUCATION TO FAMILIES ABOUT QUALITY CHILD CARE. (3) KINDERGARTEN TRANSITION: STAFF PARTICIPATION AND COORDINATION OF LOCAL SCHOOL-READINESS EFFORTS.SMART START FUNDS MAY BE USED TO COVER EXPENSES FOR PROVIDER TRAININGS, DIRECTORS'/STAKEHOLDERS' MEETINGS, AND/OR CONSUMER EDUCATION RELATED EVENTS (E.G., ANNUAL MATERNITY FAIR, COMMUNITY FESTIVALS, ETC.) NON-CASH GRANTS AND/OR INCENTIVES OF CLASSROOM EQUIPMENT/MATERIALS/SUPPLIES, HEALTH AND SAFETY SUPPLIES, EARLY LITERACY MATERIALS, SCHOOL-READINESS SUPPLIES, AND/OR PROFESSIONALISM ENHANCEMENTS AND SUPPORTS, MAY BE INCLUDED IN THIS ACTIVITY FOR FACILITIES, CLASSROOMS, CHILD CARE TEACHERS/ADMINISTRATORS, AND/OR CHILDREN/FAMILIES.FY 20-21 ACCOMPLISHMENTS / STATISTICAL DATA:1. NUMBER OF DIRECT TEACHING STAFF WHO ATTEND NON-CREDIT BASED TRAINING OR WORKSHOPS : 1152. NUMBER OF SCHOOL READINESS BACKPACKS DISTRIBUTED - 206 *OUTCOMES/OUTPUTS FOR THIS ACTIVITY WERE NEGATIVELY IMPACTED BY THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC.CHILD CARE CENTRAL LENDING LIBRARYTHE CHILD CARE CENTRAL LENDING LIBRARY WILL OFFER A VARIETY OF MATERIALS TO SUPPORT EARLY CARE AND EDUCATION PROVIDERS, PARENTS/CAREGIVERS, (AND/OR OTHER INDIVIDUALS/PROGRAMS WORKING WITH, AND ON BEHALF OF, YOUNG CHILDREN AND FAMILIES), WITH YOUNG CHILDRENS LEARNING AND DEVELOPMENT.THE CHILD CARE CENTRAL LENDING LIBRARY WILL PROVIDE ACCESS TO CHILD DEVELOPMENT RESOURCES AND MATERIALS SUCH AS, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, BOOKS, MANIPULATIVES, REFERENCE MATERIALS, CURRICULUM KITS, ETC. ITEMS FOR CHECK OUT WILL BE AVAILABLE TO LENDING LIBRARY PATRONS, (E.G., EDUCATORS, FAMILIES WITH CHILDREN AGES BIRTH TO FIVE YEARS, COLLEGE STUDENTS, EARLY INTERVENTIONISTS, AND OTHERS.) GUIDANCE ON THE APPROPRIATE USE OF THE MATERIALS MAY BE PROVIDED.THE CHILD CARE CENTRAL LENDING LIBRARY WILL ALSO SERVE AS A RESOURCE ROOM, WITH ACCESS TO DIE CUTS AND RELATED SUPPLIES (E.G., BULLETIN BOARD AND CONSTRUCTION PAPER, STATIC CLING VINYL, ETC. FOR PURCHASE),LAMINATING MACHINES, STICKER MAKERS, COMB BINDERS, AND PHOTOCOPYING (FOR A FEE.)FY 20-21 ACCOMPLISHMENTS / STATISTICAL DATA:1. NUMBER OF ADULTS USING THE RESOURCE LENDING LIBRARY : 452. TOTAL NUMBER OF VISITS TO THE LENDING LIBRARY - 73*OUTCOMES/OUTPUTS FOR THIS ACTIVITY WERE NEGATIVELY IMPACTED BY THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC.EDUCATIONAL INCENTIVE SUPPLEMENTSTHE EDUCATION INCENTIVE SUPPLEMENT (EIS) ACTIVITY WILL PROVIDE MONETARY INCENTIVES FOR CHILD CARE PROVIDERS TO OBTAIN FURTHER EDUCATION AND ENCOURAGE STAFF LONGEVITY. MONTGOMERY COUNTY PARTNERSHIP FOR CHILDREN WILL ADMINISTER THE ACTIVITY AND PAY INCENTIVES TO TEACHERS AND ADMINISTRATORS IN LICENSED CHILD CARE SETTINGS WHO MEET SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS REGARDING THE SATISFACTORY COMPLETION OF COURSEWORK AT AN ACCREDITED COLLEGE OR UNIVERSITY AND LENGTH OF EMPLOYMENT. INFORMATION ABOUT THE EIS PROGRAM AND RELATED PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIES WILL BE CONVEYED THROUGH INFORMATION PACKETS, GROUP MEETINGS, AND/OR INDIVIDUAL COUNSELING SESSIONS. PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT ASSISTANCE WILL BE AVAILABLE TO ANY CHILD CARE PROVIDER OR ADMINISTRATOR EVEN IF THEY ARE INELIGIBLE FOR EIS PAYMENTS. ASSISTANCE MAY ALSO BE PROVIDED TO ADMINISTRATORS IN DEVELOPING BUSINESS STRATEGIES THAT IMPROVE THE EDUCATION, COMPENSATION, AND RETENTION OF THEIR EMPLOYEES. IN ADDITION TO THE INCENTIVE AWARDS, FUNDS MAY BE USED TO RECOGNIZE RECIPIENTS, TO PROMOTE THE ACTIVITY, AND/OR TO COVER ANY SUPPLIES AND MATERIALS NEEDED TO CARRY OUT THE ACTIVITY.FY 20-21 ACCOMPLISHMENTS / STATISTICAL DATA:1. 11 DIRECT TEACHING STAFF RECEIVED A PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT SUPPLEMENT.2. 3 CHILD CARE FACILITIES EMPLOYED AT LEAST ONE DIRECT TEACHING STAFF WHO RECEIVED A PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT SUPPLEMENT.*OUTCOMES/OUTPUTS FOR THIS ACTIVITY WERE NEGATIVELY IMPACTED BY THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC.CHILD CARE WAGE$ PROGRAMTHE CHILD CARE WAGE$ PROGRAM WILL PROVIDE EDUCATION-BASED SALARY SUPPLEMENTS TO LOW PAID TEACHERS, DIRECTORS AND FAMILY CHILD CARE EDUCATORS WORKING WITH CHILDREN AGES BIRTH TO FIVE. THE PROGRAM IS DESIGNED TO INCREASE RETENTION, EDUCATION AND COMPENSATION. THE CHILD CARE WAGE$ PROGRAM IS A FUNDING COLLABORATION BETWEEN YOUR LOCAL SMART START PARTNERSHIP AND THE DIVISION OF CHILD DEVELOPMENT AND EARLY EDUCATION (DCDEE).FY 20-21 ACCOMPLISHMENTS / STATISTICAL DATA:1. 26 CHILD CARE STAFF RECEIVED A SALARY SUPPLEMENT.2. 10 CHILD CARE FACILITIES EMPLOYED AT LEAST ONE STAFF MEMBER WHO RECEIVED A SALARY SUPPLEMENT.

NC PRE-KDSS SUBSIDYFINANCIAL ASSISTANCE WILL BE PAID ON A DIRECT PER CHILD BASIS FOR SUBSIDY FOR FAMILIES ELIGIBLE FOR TEMPORARY ASSISTANCE FOR NEEDY FAMILIES (TANF) OR THE CHILD CARE AND DEVELOPMENT FUND (CCDF). THIS ACTIVITY WILL BE IMPLEMENTED THROUGH THE STATE-LEVEL SUBSIDY CONTRACT AND WILL BE GOVERNED BY A MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING BETWEEN THE LOCAL PARTNERSHIP AND THE LOCAL PURCHASING AGENCY (LPA). FY 20-21 ACCOMPLISHMENTS / STATISTICAL DATA:1. NUMBER OF CHILDREN SERVED WITH SMART START FUNDED CHILD CARE SUBSIDY 87NC PRE-KINDERGARTENFINANCIAL ASSISTANCE WILL BE PAID ON A DIRECT PER CHILD BASIS FOR THE PURPOSE OF ENHANCING THE NC PRE-K RATE FOR CHILDREN ENROLLED IN AND BEING SERVED THROUGH NC PRE-K AND WHOSE FAMILIES ARE ELIGIBLE FOR TEMPORARY ASSISTANCE FOR NEEDY FAMILIES (TANF) OR THE CHILD CARE AND DEVELOPMENT FUND (CCDF). DOES NOT INCLUDE WRAP-AROUND CARE. DATA WILL BE REPORTED AS DIRECTED BY DCDEE. ENHANCEMENTS ARE AVAILABLE FOR NC PRE-K SITES THAT ARE PUBLIC SCHOOL SITES, PRIVATE SITES, HEAD START/EARLY HEAD START SITES. ENHANCEMENTS ARE NOT PRO-RATED FOR PARTIAL ATTENDANCE MONTHS. FY 20-21 ACCOMPLISHMENTS / STATISTICAL DATA:1. 9 CLASSROOMS WERE SUPPORTED WITH SUPPLEMENTAL FUNDING2. 135 AT-RISK CHILDREN SERVED

HEALTH & SAFETY PROGRAMS CONSISTED OF THE BLUE CROSS NC FOUNDATION AND LISTEN FOR GOOD THAT SUPPORTED COMMUNITY CENTERED HEALTH. COMMUNITY CONNECTORS WORKED THROUGHOUT THE COMMUNITY TO ENSURE BETTER HEALTH IN THE COMMUNITY. THE PROGRAM ALSO HELPED BY DELIVERING ASSISTANCE FOR COVID-19 RELIEF SUPPLIES SUCH AS PPE.

FAMILY SUPPORT:REACH OUT & READTHIS ACTIVITY WILL COLLABORATE WITH MEDICAL CARE PRACTICES TO PROVIDE PRE-LITERACY OPPORTUNITIES FOR CHILDREN AND THEIR PARENTS. THE PARTICIPATING TRAINED MEDICAL CARE PROVIDERS WILL VOLUNTARILY INCORPORATE REACH OUT AND READ (ROR), AN EVIDENCE-BASED MODEL, INTO YOUNG CHILDREN'S REGULAR PEDIATRIC CHECKUPS OR WELL-CHILD VISITS. THE MEDICAL CARE PROVIDERS WILL IMPLEMENT ROR IN THEIR PRACTICES ACCORDING TO THE NATIONAL ROR GUIDELINES. DURING EACH OF THE ROUTINE VISITS, CHILDREN WILL RECEIVE A NEW, CULTURALLY- AND DEVELOPMENTALLY-APPROPRIATE BOOK TO TAKE HOME AND READ WITH THEIR PARENTS. THE MEDICAL CARE PROVIDERS WILL DISCUSS THE IMPORTANCE OF READING, MODEL READING A BOOK ALOUD TO THE CHILD, AND ENCOURAGE PARENT-CHILD INTERACTIONS AS PART OF PRE-LITERACY AND LANGUAGE DEVELOPMENT. THE PROGRAM BEGINS AT THE CHILD'S 6-MONTH CHECKUP AND CONTINUES THROUGH AGE 5, WITH A SPECIAL EMPHASIS ON CHILDREN GROWING UP IN LOW-INCOME COMMUNITIES. MEDICAL PRACTICES WILL PARTICIPATE IN THE PARENT SURVEY PERIOD AND SUBMIT PARENT SURVEYS TO ROR CAROLINAS. THIS ACTIVITY WILL PROVIDE A PROJECT COORDINATOR TO SUPPORT THE MEDICAL PRACTICE WITH BOOK ORDERING, DATA COLLECTION, LITERACY RICH WAITING ROOM DEVELOPMENT, AND OVERALL PROGRAM COORDINATION. THE MEDICAL CARE PRACTICE WILL DISPLAY A LITERACY-RICH WAITING ROOM AREA THAT REINFORCES THE DOCTOR'S "PRESCRIPTION TO READ". SMART START FUNDS MAY BE USED TO PURCHASE CHILDREN'S BOOKS, ASSIST WITH EQUIPPING AND MAINTAINING THE WAITING ROOM AREA, AND INCENTIVES FOR ELIGIBLE PARTICIPANTS. FY 20-21 ACCOMPLISHMENTS / STATISTICAL DATA:1. NUMBER OF MEDICAL PRACTICES PARTICIPATING IN ROR AS PART OF A SMART START FUNDED ACTIVITY - 12. NUMBER OF BOOKS DISTRIBUTED TO CHILDREN AT WELL CHILD VISITS : 78*OUTCOMES/OUTPUTS FOR THIS ACTIVITY WERE NEGATIVELY IMPACTED BY THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC.DOLLY PARTON IMAGINATION LIBRARYTHE DOLLY PARTON'S IMAGINATION LIBRARY ACTIVITY WILL PROMOTE EMERGENT LITERACY SKILLS THROUGH A PARTNERSHIP WITH DOLLYWOOD FOUNDATION. THROUGH THIS ACTIVITY, AGE-APPROPRIATE BOOKS WILL BE MAILED TO REGISTERED CHILDREN BIRTH UP TO AGE FIVE (0-5) MONTHLY. FAMILIES WILL BE RECRUITED IN TARGET ZIP CODES. CHILDREN ARE ELIGIBLE TO RECEIVE BOOKS REGARDLESS OF FAMILY INCOME. THE BOOKS WILL BE ORDERED USING THE DOLLYWOOD FOUNDATION BOOK ORDERING SYSTEM (BOS) DATABASE. FAMILIES WILL BE ENCOURAGED TO PARTICIPATE IN SURVEYS DESIGNED TO EVALUATE THE PROGRAM'S IMPACT ON PARTICIPATING CHILDREN. BOOKS THAT ARE RETURNED AS NON-DELIVERABLE CAN BE REDISTRIBUTED TO LOCATIONS IN THE COMMUNITY SUCH AS WAITING ROOMS AT SOCIAL SERVICES AND PUBLIC HEALTH, LOCAL CHILD CARE PROGRAMS, AND OTHER LOCATIONS WHERE FAMILIES CAN RECEIVE INFORMATION ABOUT EARLY CHILDHOOD SERVICES.FY 20-21 ACCOMPLISHMENTS / STATISTICAL DATA:1. NUMBER OF CHILDREN PARTICIPATING: 1250*OUTCOMES/OUTPUTS FOR THIS ACTIVITY WERE NEGATIVELY IMPACTED BY THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC.