Facebook
Twitter (X)
LinkedIn
Instagram
Youtube
Join us at Pennsylvania Early Learning Investment Commission’s 10th Anniversary Economic Summit
3S33d_admin February 23rd, 2018
Posted In:
Community Services for Children receives Community Partnership grant from Lehigh Valley Community Foundation
ALLENTOWN — Community Services for Children recently received a 2017-18 Community Partnership Grant from Lehigh Valley Community Foundation (LVCF). The $5,000 grant, part of $250,000 awarded to 29 local nonprofits, will support CSC’s innovative literacy/technology lab for one year.
“Congratulations to Community Services for Children’s technology lab,” said Bernie J. Story, president and CEO of the Lehigh Valley Community Foundation. “Grants are reviewed on a competitive basis and approved by the Foundation’s Board of Governors. We are pleased to help support this important project this year.”
CSC’s technology lab, initiated in 2009, enhances early literacy, math and digital skills among high-risk preschoolers by helping them learn the alphabet and letter sounds through a technological approach. During visits to the tech lab, children are able to have an individualized experience using touch-screen computers, iPads and smart boards while mentored by a technology coach, in addition to two classroom teachers. Imagination Station software allows students to work at their own pace, reviewing material until they are competent and comfortable with a subject area. CSC has two technology labs, serving 240 of the 859 Head Start children enrolled each year.
“Eighty-five to 90 percent of children begin Head Start 12 months behind their chronological age in development. But by the time they graduate from the program, nearly 97 percent are fully ready for kindergarten in all areas of growth and development,” said Paula Margraf, CSC CEO and President. “And children with access to the technology lab score better than their peers across the board. Grants like this one help to ensure more children will have access to these vital 21st Century skills.”
About the LVCF Community Partnership Grants
LVCF awards Community Partnership grants on an annual, competitive basis to publicly supported organizations with 501(c)(3) exempt status located in Lehigh and Northampton Counties for programs provided in those counties. Community Partnership Grants support programs that provide a service to the entire Lehigh Valley, are collaborative in nature, demonstrate the ability to leverage additional resources, and fulfill unmet community gaps in service. To learn more, please contact Megan Briggs, Director of Community Investments, at 610 351-5353, ext. 11 or email meganb@lvcfoundation.org.
About Lehigh Valley Community Foundation
For five decades, the Lehigh Valley Community Foundation has helped donors with their charitable contributions with a simple, powerful, and highly personalized approach. LVCF is a philanthropic hub for the Lehigh Valley—and knows and navigates the landscape of the Lehigh Valley’s community’s needs to connect people who care to causes that matter. It is our mission to improve the quality of life in our region, to encourage collaboration among area philanthropists, and to serve as a source of information and expertise regarding charitable giving.
About Community Services for Children
Community Services for Children is a regional leader in early childhood education, affecting the lives of 40,000 children annually. Its Head Start program is recognized as a national center of excellence and innovation.
3S33d_admin January 29th, 2018
Posted In:
Deirdre Kamber Todd, Victoria Montero join CSC Board
ALLENTOWN – Community Services for Children is honored to welcome Deirdre Kamber Todd and Victoria Montero to the Board of Directors.
Kamber Todd is a managing partner of the Kamber Law Group, P.C., in Allentown. Her areas of practice include business law, employment law, contracts, HIPAA, social media law and school law. In her free time, she is a private pilot in training. She also directs World Trade Center Connect, which provides exhibition opportunities for one of the largest privately-held World Trade Center collections; promotes legal and charitable support for Ground Zero survivors and first responders and encourages education and activism surrounding Sept. 11, 2001 and its aftermath.
She holds a bachelor’s degree from Brandeis University, a master’s degree from University of Limerick, Ireland, and a law degree from Hofstra University. She has received numerous honors, including the Distinguished Lawyer Award and was named among the 10 Best Attorneys in Employment Law in Pennsylvania.
Victoria Montero is the manager of Youth Development Initiatives, Community Health & Preventative Medicine at St. Luke’s University Health Network. She has held various positions in Community Health & Preventative Medicine since 2004, in the areas of healthy living, disease prevention and adolescent career mentoring. She is also a consulting director for the Hispanic Center of the Lehigh Valley.
She holds a bachelor’s degree in health services administration, and a master’s degree in public health, both from East Stroudsburg University. She has given health presentations across the country, has been highlighted in numerous Northampton Community College campaigns and is a past recipient of the St. Luke’s Hospital and Health Network PCRAFT (Pride, Caring, Respect, Accountability, Flexibility and Teamwork) Award.
Community Services for Children is a regional leader in early childhood education, affecting the lives of 40,000 children annually. Its Head Start program is recognized as a national center of excellence.
Nadine Slifka December 11th, 2017
Posted In:
Dr. Deborah A. Campbell to receive inaugural ‘Head Start Oral Health Champion’ Award for work with Head Start/Early Head Start children
Pennsylvania Head Start Association and the Healthy Smiles Task Force will honor the dentist on Nov. 2 at Community Services for Children in Allentown
ALLENTOWN – Lehigh Valley Health Network’s vice chair of dental medicine will be honored Thurs., Nov. 2, for her ongoing commitment to children’s oral health.
Dr. Deborah A. Campbell has donated her time since 2013 to ensure children and families in the Head Start/Early Head Start of the Lehigh Valley programs receive dental screenings and referrals for follow-up care.
Pennsylvania Head Start Association and Healthy Smiles Task Force will present Campbell with the inaugural Head Start Oral Health Champion Award “for her outstanding service and commitment to children’s oral health” at 11:30 a.m. Thursday at Community Services for Children.
The event, which will take place as part of a task force meeting, will be in the Training Institute of the Fowler Building, which is on CSC’s campus at 1520 Hanover Ave., Allentown.
Campbell began partnering with Head Start and Early Head Start when Lehigh Valley Health Network received a dental grant called Healthy Smiles, Healthy Children. Since then she has donated her time to provide dental screenings and exams to pregnant women and children birth to age 5, as well as on-site dental and oral hygiene education to children and families. She serves more than 200 children each year, helping alleviate fears regarding going to the dentist and linking children to dental providers if they need ongoing dental care and treatment.
Community Services for Children is a regional leader in early childhood education, affecting the lives of 40,000 children annually. Its Head Start program is recognized as a national center of excellence.
Nadine Slifka October 26th, 2017
Posted In:
Middle States Association re-accredits Community Services for Children for 7 years
ALLENTOWN — The Middle States Association Commissions on Elementary and Secondary Schools (MSA-CESS) has re-accredited Community Services for Children for another seven years, a move that recognizes the agency as a leader in quality standards.
CSC is one of 167 schools worldwide to earn accreditation or re-accreditation, which is considered the gold standard for measuring and advancing school improvement. MSA-CESS accredits preK-12 public, private, parochial and charter schools, as well as non-degree granting career and technical post-secondary institutions, special purpose schools, supplementary education centers, learning services providers and distance education institutions.
“I congratulate our newly accredited and re-accredited schools for their ongoing commitment to achieving excellence,” said Henry G. Cram, Ed.D., president of the Middle States Association Commissions on Elementary and Secondary Schools. “The Middle States accreditation process is a proven and cost-effective approach to help schools and students grow and improve.”
The voluntary accreditation process consists of a self-study to gather input from school leaders, teachers and families, followed by a peer review by a team of volunteer educators. This accreditation is based on 12 standards: mission; governance and leadership; school improvement planning; finances; facilities; school organization and staff; health and safety; educational program; assessment and evidence of student learning; student services; student life and activities and information resources.
The visiting team made its recommendation to the Middle States Association Commissions, which voted on the accreditations at its biannual meeting in Philadelphia this month.
Nadine Slifka October 23rd, 2017
Posted In:
CSC’s Children’s Ball Supports Head Start, other early education
ALLENTOWN — Community Services for Children invites the community to “Journey to Oz” on Nov. 17, for the annual Children’s Ball to support early education.
This year’s Wizard of Oz-themed ball will be held 6 to 9 p.m. at Lehigh University’s Mountaintop Campus. Tickets are $135 per person or $250 per couple and include a reception, live jazz music, seated dinner and auction. Jon Stetson, America’s foremost mentalist, will provide this year’s special entertainment.
Proceeds from the annual Children’s Ball support CSC’s early education programs, including Head Start of the Lehigh Valley. CSC’s Head Start program is ranked among the top 10 in the nation, providing high-quality early education to children ages 0-5 living in extremely low-income households. Services involve the entire family to ensure children reach developmental and academic milestones and caregivers have the support they need for the family to thrive.
The ball is limited to 200 attendees, and tickets are available at www.cscinc.org/events or by contacting Stacy Perlaki at 610-437-6000, ext. 2113.
Community Services for Children is a regional leader in early childhood education, affecting the lives of 35,000 children each year. Programs cover 16 counties in Northeastern Pennsylvania.
Nadine Slifka September 21st, 2017
Posted In:
State grant allows CSC to add 100 Pre-K Counts students
Community Services for Children has been approved for an additional 100 PA Pre-K Counts children for the second year in a row.
The increase brings CSC’s Pre-K Counts enrollment to 373 and allows for expansion into previously un-served school districts. Of the 100 additional children, 60 will be served in Allentown, 20 in the Pen Argyl School District at Plainfield Elementary School, and 20 at Moore Elementary School in Northampton Area School District.
The new classrooms are scheduled to open Nov. 1 and will be in session through June. The five new classrooms will be comprised solely of Pre-K Counts students, unlike some of CSC’s classrooms, which are a combination of Head Start and Pre-K Counts children.
Head Start and Pre-K Counts, while both high-quality early education programs, have different federal income guidelines. Most Head Start students fall at or below 100 percent of the poverty line, while Pre-K Counts allows families to be at 300 percent of poverty. But Deidra Vachier, vice president of Early Childhood Development, said CSC will still use the funds for the neediest children, allowing many who would have languished on a Head Start waiting list to be enrolled in school.
Community outreach is now underway to fill the new classrooms, with 4-year-olds given priority to ensure they receive at least one year of high-quality education before starting kindergarten. CSC will have to re-apply for all 373 Pre-K Counts slots next year.
Nadine Slifka August 24th, 2017
Posted In:
CSC welcomes John Ponente as VP of Finance
Community Services for Children is pleased to announce John Ponente is the organization’s new vice president of finance.
Ponente, who joined CSC on Monday, has more than 25 years of financial experience in both the nonprofit and for-profit sectors. He most recently served as the director of finance for Silver Springs Martin Luther School, a nonprofit organization in Plymouth Meeting, Pa., which helps children overcome serious emotional and behavioral issues. He was previously the chief financial officer for Family Resource Network/Epilepsy Foundation of New Jersey, in Trenton, and corporate controller for the former Clubsystems Group in Jenkintown, Pa., and Jude Enterprises Inc., in Ivyland, Pa.
Ponente has extensive experience in preparing agency budgets; maintaining financial records and creating reports; preparing for and supervising audits; overseeing federal and state grant budgets; ensuring compliance with governmental reporting; tax planning; and maintaining insurance policies and banking relationships.
Ponente holds a bachelor’s degree in accounting from St. Joseph’s University in Philadelphia. He lives in Doylestown, Pa., with his wife and two sons.
Nadine Slifka June 21st, 2017
Posted In:
Dr. J. Robert Lovett and CASA of Lehigh County honored at 22nd annual Donley Awards celebration
Marta Boulos Gabriel, regional manager-Lehigh Valley for Sen. Pat Toomey, and Rep. Mike Schlossberg congratulate Dr. J. Robert Lovett (center) on receiving a Donley Award.
Community Services for Children honored Dr. J. Robert “Bob” Lovett and Court-Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) of Lehigh County at the 22nd annual Inez and Edward Donley Award for Children’s Advocacy last week.
The award, established in 1996, acknowledges individuals and organizations whose public service has significantly improved the quality of life for children. It is named for the late Inez and Edward Donley, the first recipients, who spent their lives advocating for children. This year’s event, held April 13 at DeSales University, was especially memorable, as it came just days after the passing of Ed Donley.
Lovett, a retired Air Products executive, and his wife, Sandy, are known for their devotion to at-risk youth in Allentown. He is hailed as a hands-on leader involved with many children’s-focused community organizations, including serving as founding chair and lifetime trustee of the Da Vinci Science Center; chair of the Baum School of Art; board member of Communities in Schools, Community Bike Works, the Lehigh Valley Early Learning Coalition and the Community Action Development Corporation (CADC) of Allentown; and member of the Executive Committee for Building 21, Allentown School District’s new innovative high school. He has also served on the boards of Cedar Crest College, Ursinus College and the Allentown Neighborhood Improvement Zone Development Authority.
Congressman Charlie Dent recognizes Betsy Savoia, assistant director of CASA of Lehigh County, for receiving a Donley Award.
The mission of the Lehigh County Court-Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) program is to provide consistent, credible and trained volunteers who investigate, facilitate, monitor and advocate for Lehigh County’s abused and neglected children in juvenile dependency court. CASA’s 55 volunteers have undergone rigorous training on topics including child welfare best practices, education, mental health and the legal system. Volunteers work with children ages birth to 18, with a special emphasis on those 12 and younger. They visit the children, teachers, foster care parents, doctors, therapists and anyone else who may have information relevant to ascertaining what would be in the best interest of the children. Findings show that children who have been assigned CASA volunteers tend to spend less time in court and in the foster care system than those who do not have CASA representation and that they have greater chances of finding permanent homes.
Community Services for Children is a regional leader in early childhood education, affecting the lives of 40,000 children annually. Its Head Start program is recognized as a national center of excellence.
Nadine Slifka April 21st, 2017
Posted In:
Crayola Manager of Community and Government Relations Colleen Mooney McGee joins CSC Board
Community Services for Children is honored to welcome Colleen Mooney McGee, manager of community and government relations for Crayola, to the Board of Directors.
McGee has extensive experience in community relations, communications, special events and volunteer services. She manages corporate philanthropy and employee volunteerism at Crayola and also cultivates and maintains relationships with local business leaders, community partners and legislators at local, state and federal levels.
Prior to joining Crayola in 2015, McGee worked in a variety of positions managing community relations, corporate philanthropy, employee volunteerism, executive communications and special events.
McGee holds a master’s degree in business administration from DeSales University and a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Saint Mary’s College in Notre Dame, Ind.
Community Services for Children is a regional leader in early childhood education, affecting the lives of 40,000 children annually. Its Head Start program is recognized as a national center of excellence.
Nadine Slifka April 21st, 2017
Posted In: