Community Action Service Of Morgan County

THE ORGANIZATION PROVIDED 241 AT RISK CHILDREN (AGES 0-5) FROM MORGAN COUNTY AN OPPORTUNITY TO GROW THROUGH THEIR PARTICIPATION IN A COMPREHENSIVE EARLY CHILDHOOD DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM WHICH INVOLVES THE CHILD, THE PARENT(S) AND THE COMMUNITY. THE COMPREHENSIVE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM STRIVES TO INCREASE THE CHILDREN'S SELF CONFIDENCE, CURIOSITY, SELF-DISCIPLINE AS WELL AS IMPROVE THE CHILD'S HEALTH, PHYSICAL ABILITIES, AND MENTAL PROCESSES. THE PROGRAM ALSO PROVIDES MEALS FOR CHILDREN WHO QUALIFY FOR THE PROGRAM.

THE ORGANIZATION PROVIDED 241 CHILDREN A LOVING AND STRUCTURED CENTER CLASSROOM ENVIRONMENT TO ENCOURAGE LEARNING AND TO SPARK THEIR CURIOSITY AND INTEREST IN THE WORLD AROUND THEM. OVER 90% OF THE ENROLLED CHILDREN ARE FROM FAMILIES WHO ARE BELOW THE FEDERAL POVERTY GUIDELINES. THE ORGANIZATION PROVIDES EMOTIONAL AND SOCIAL ASSISTANCE TO THESE CHILDREN AND THEIR FAMILIES. THE ORGANIZATION SEES THAT EACH CHILD'S NEEDS ARE ADDRESSED INCLUDING EDUCATIONAL, NUTRITIONAL, MEDICAL, DENTAL AS WELL AS SPEECH AND OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY. THE ORGANIZATION PROVIDES NUTRITIOUS MEALS DAILY FOR THE CHILDREN AT NO COST TO THE FAMILIES. THE MEALS ARE CAREFULLY PLANNED TO MEET THE USDA NUTRITIONAL GUIDELINES AND INCLUDE BREAKFAST AND LUNCH. WE ALSO PROVIDE TRANSPORTATION TO AND FROM THE FACILITY.AS A PART OF THE CLASSROOM, THE ORGANIZATION INVOLVES THE PARENTS THROUGH CLASSROOM VOLUNTEER TIME WHICH ALLOWS THEM AN OPPORTUNITY TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THE EDUCATIONAL, EMOTIONAL, SOCIAL AND MEDICAL NEEDS OF CHILDREN. IN ADDITION, THE ORGANIZATION HAD 26 CHILDREN AND THEIR FAMILIES ENROLLED IN A HOME BASED PROGRAM. TEACHERS FROM THE ORGANIZATION VISIT THESE FAMILIES ONCE A WEEK AND HELP TEACH PARENTS HOW TO PROVIDE FOR THE CHILD'S EMOTIONAL, SOCIAL, EDUCATIONAL AND MEDICAL NEEDS. THIS INVOLVEMENT ALLOWS THE TEACHERS TO ACT AS AN INTERMEDIARY AND ALSO IDENTIFY NEEDS OF EACH CHILD AND SEE THAT EACH CHILD GETS THE NECESSARY CARE. IN ADDITION, THE EARLY HEAD START PROGRAM HAD 9 PREGNANT WOMEN ENROLLED WHICH ALLOWED THEM TO EDUCATE EACH MOTHER ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF PRENATAL CARE. AFTER THE BIRTH OF THE CHILD, THE ORGANIZATION FOLLOWS UP WITH THE NEW MOTHERS TO BE SURE THE CHILDREN AND THE MOTHERS BASIC NEEDS ARE BEING MET.