Early Childhood E-Update
In the News
National Headlines-July 11, 2008- Federal Budget Update
The Urban Institute and the New America Foundation along with First Focus hosted a briefing to reveal findings from the Kids’ Share 2008 and Children’s Budget 2008. The two reports focused on the federal budget’s spending trends on children.
See link: www.firstfocus.net/pages/3391 or www.newamerica.net/files/KidShare08.pdf
State Headlines-Friday, July 18, 2008-Virginia’s Superintendent of Public Instruction Resigns
Dr. Billy Cannaday will end his four year term in the position of Virginia’s Department of Education, Superintendent of Public Instruction on September 30, 2008. Dr. Cannaday is leaving the Virginia Department of Education to take the position of dean at the School of Continuing and Professional Studies at the University of Virginia in Charlottesville effective, October 1, 2008. Dr. Cannaday is the first African American to obtain the head position at the Department of Education. He also helped to raise awareness of and made high quality preschool education more accessible in the state.
www.bizjournals.com/washington/stories/2008/07/14/daily76.html
Virginia Drug Card
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TO SIGN UP, GO TO …. www.virginiadrugcard.com
Regional Headlines-Thursday, July 17, 2008-Alexandria City Council approves funding for Pre-K Programs
Alexandria’s City Council proved a show of support for Governor Tim Kaine’s commitment to providing Virginia’s four year olds with access to high quality preschool. $300, 000 in funding was approved by Alexandria’s City Council on June 24, 2008 for early care and education in the City. All families who need child care are able to access it and all children entering preschool can receive not only quality early care but preparation for Kindergarten through this funding.
See link: www.alextimes.com
Local Headlines-Wednesday, June 30, 2008-Class prepares kindergartners-to-be: Parental involvement big part of program in Richmond schools
The Richmond City Public School system had 40 of their 845 students who participated in the preschool initiative this past school year, 2007-2008, to enroll in the summer program for preschoolers, that is currently in its fourth year. The summer session is offered at Bellevue, Cary, Redd and Westover Hills elementary schools. The concept of the program is to make sure that kindergarten starts smoothly for the preschoolers for the following school year. Parents are asked to help at least once a week in the classroom during the summer session as well as reinforcing classroom lessons at home.
See link: http://www.inrich.com/content/cva/ric/news.PrintView.-content-articles-RTD-2008-06-30-0160.html
Friday, July 18, 2008-Virginia trying to combat obesity rates with community programs
The Faces of Hope, an obesity prevention and reduction program, which provides in home counseling and personal training is noted in the Richmond Times Dispatch assisting in fighting the obesity condition in families as a whole with a special focus on children.
www.inrich.com/cva/ric/search.PrintView.-content-articles-RTD-2008-07-18-0060.html
Relevant Research, Reports and Resources
State Strategies to Reduce Child and Family Poverty
This is summary of the National Governors Association’s Center for Best Practices looks at how states’ leadership, policies and programs combat poverty at the same time attempting to strengthen the economy locally. Mentioned is the fact that child poverty has produced long term costs for communities and the country, not just for children and families.
http://www.nga.org/Files/pdf/0806POVERTYBRIEF.PDF
Child Care Use by Low Income Families: Variations Across States
In order to work, adequate child care is needed by many low-income parents, yet according to the latest Child Trends research brief, children from these families are less likely to participate in non-parental child care than children from families with higher incomes. The report also includes information on a state by state basis using data on children ages 0-4 years from low income families who are able to access child care.
www.childtrends.org
Spotlight on ECDC Partner/Organization
Patricia Muller, County of Henrico Library
Patricia Muller is a native of Michigan and received a B.A. from the University of Michigan and a Master of Library Science degree from California State University at San Jose. Pat is currently serving as the Children’s Services Coordinator for the County of Henrico Public Library. Pat is responsible for overseeing the programs and services of the county’s 9 libraries and one bookmobile that pertain to children and families. Pat was previously the Children’s and Youth Services Consultant at the Library of Virginia, with responsibility for assisting libraries across the state to develop and maintain quality library programs. Pat is currently serving as the Co-Chair of the ECDC Family Education and Support Committee.
Pat’s special areas of interest are early literacy development, marketing, and outreach. If you work with families in Henrico and would like to arrange for your group to visit the library or attend a storytime, call Pat at (804) 352-3227.
Activities Report
* Instructor Training Workshops to Learn to Deliver CICC’s Effective Black Parenting Program will be held in Richmond, Virginia on July 21-25, 2008 at the Family Resources Center, 2405 Jefferson Avenue, Richmond, Virginia 23223. These are intensive; five-day workshops preparing parent educators and home visitors with the training, materials and certification to lead Effective Black Parenting classes and seminars in the community. For more information call or email Gary Oltman with CICC at 1 (800) 325- 2422, ciccparenting@sbcglobal.net
* The Coalition is currently looking for any members who would like to participate in the planning of our Annual ECDC Partner’s Meeting in October 2008
ECDC Meeting Schedule
* The ECDC Children’s Health and Special Needs Committee Meeting is scheduled for Thursday, August 21, 2008 from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. at the United Way building located at 2001 Maywill Street, Suite 201, Richmond, Virginia 23230
* The ECDC Quality Early Care and Education Committee Meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, August 27, 2008 from 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the Children’s Museum of Richmond located at 2626 West Broad Street, Richmond, Virginia 23230
Public/Community Events Related to Early Childhood
* The Parents Supporting Parents group presented by Henrico County Area Mental Health will be held every Thursday from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. located at 4825 South Laburnum Avenue, Richmond, Virginia 23231.
The following topics and speakers for the remaining dates are listed:
July 31st- John Morgan with Voices for Virginia’s Children-Coping With and Managing Your Child’s Behavior (Family Dinner and Family Play (blocks) included)
August 7th- Chanie Jordan with Jordan’s Quest-Improving a Child’s Self Esteem (Family Dinner and Family Play (Aquarium) included)
August 14th- Kate Olenyik with Bounce, Raising Resilient Children-ADHD (Family Dinner and Family Art Activity included)
August 21st- Rhoena Haithcock with VCU’s Head Start Program-School Readiness (Family Dinner and Family Play with Puppets included)
Please contact Lexie Gerczak at (804) 222-2607 for more information.
* The City of Richmond Early Childhood Development Initiative has scheduled Parenting Education Activities and workshops for parents, grand parents and caregivers of young children ages 0-5 years. Scheduled are the following dates, topics and locations:
Thursday, July 31st- Parenting: Communication is the Key, 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m., Family Resource Center, 2405 Jefferson Ave., Richmond, Virginia 23223
Tuesday, August 12th- Is Your Child Ready for School? (In Espanol/Spanish), 11:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m., Ramsey United Memorial Methodist Church, 5900 Hull Street Road, Richmond, Virginia 23224
Wednesday, August 13th- Are you Ready for School? 11:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. Richmond Public Library, Hull Street Branch, 1400 Hull Street, Richmond, Virginia 23224
Wednesday, August 20th- Tools for Learning: Building your toolbox for school success, 11:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. Family Resource Center, 2405 Jefferson Avenue, Richmond, Virginia 23223
Thursday, August 21st- Parenting Can Be Challenging Got Challenging: Got Questions? 6:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m. Sacred Heart Center, 1400 Perry Street, Richmond, Virginia 23224
For more information and to register, call Mary France at (804) 225-7915
* There will be a School Readiness event on August 21, 2008 at Ginter Park Elementary School, 3817 Chamberlayne Avenue, Richmond, Virginia 23227 from 5:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. This event is sponsored by the Partnership for Families-Northside.
*If you have any upcoming community events or additional ECDC news please contact Shelby Harrison by email or phone at: harrisons@yourunitedway.org or (804) 771-5873.
Archived E-Updates
June 2008
May 2008
April 2008