Air Products donates $221,112

CSC recently received $221,112 from Air Products in Educational Improvement Tax Credit (EITC) funding in support of its early education scholarships.

“We are so appreciative of Air Products leadership in supporting early education. This is the building block for successful high school graduation and an educated workforce,” said Jane Ervin, CEO/President of CSC.

CSC will distribute $221,112 in scholarships to children enrolled in high quality pre-k programs which have earned a STAR 3 or STAR 4 quality designation by the Pennsylvania Keystone STARS program; accredited by the national association for educating young children (NAEYC); or accredited by the Middle States Commission on the Accreditation of Elementary Schools.

CSC is approved by the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development as a Pre-Kindergarten Scholarship Organization. Qualifying businesses may receive tax credits in exchange for donations to CSC to fund students from low income families attending high quality pre-k programs. These credits are obtained through the program Educational Investment Tax Credits (EITC) and administered by the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development.

3S33d_admin December 3rd, 2013

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Brown Daub Charity donates $3,230

For the month of October, Community Services for Children (CSC) was the recipient of receiving a portion of car sales from Brown Daub Charities. CSC received a total of $3,230.00

The Brown-Daub dealerships believe in helping the community by developing partnerships with Lehigh Valley organizations that have the goal of bettering the lives of Lehigh Valley residents.

3S33d_admin December 3rd, 2013

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PPL donates $150K

Community Services for Children (CSC) recently received $150,000 from PPL Corporation in Educational Improvement Tax Credit (EITC) funding in support of its early education scholarships and innovative Literacy Lab program.

“We are so appreciative of PPL’s leadership in supporting early education. This is the building block for successful high school graduation and an educated workforce,” said Jane Ervin, CEO/President of CSC.

CSC will distribute $120,000 in scholarships to children enrolled in high quality pre-k programs which have earned a STAR 3 or STAR 4 quality designation by the Pennsylvania Keystone STARS program; accredited by the national association for educating young children (NAEYC); or accredited by the Middle States Commission on the Accreditation of Elementary Schools.

PPL also donated $30,000 in EITC funding to CSC’s Literacy Lab. This innovative program for preschoolers has proven to accelerate young children’s grasp of early literacy skills which can help future success with language, reading and writing.

“PPL is committed to improving the communities where our customers and employees live and work,” said Don Bernhard, director, Community Affairs.  “A quality early childhood education for our community’s children today will help them be prepared for high quality jobs at PPL tomorrow.”

CSC is approved by the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development as a Pre-Kindergarten Scholarship Organization. Qualifying businesses may receive tax credits in exchange for donations to CSC to fund students from low income families attending high quality pre-k programs. These credits are obtained through the program Educational Investment Tax Credits (EITC) and administered by the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development.

CSC is the region’s leader in early childhood education and family development, reaching 40,000 children in 18 counties annually. For further information, call Sara George, 610-437-6000, x2101.

3S33d_admin November 25th, 2013

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Ball raises funds for Abused Babies

The ‘Night on the Nile’ Children’s Ball held Saturday, Sept 7th at Lehigh Country Club brought out the stars to champion babies who have been abused and neglected. 176 leaders from Lehigh and Northampton Counties rallied for dinner, dancing and an auction to raise funds for CSC’s unique ‘SafeStart’ program housed in the new Donley Family Infant Center. More than $75,000 was raised.

The program is one of only 5 in the country addressing the special needs of abused babies and working with parents. Guests were first greeted by LV Style which took photos of all. Then they were treated with the Club’s most delectable hors d’oeuvres and over 100 specialty auction items donated by generous community spirits including Daniel’s BMW, RCN, The Diamants, Donegal Square, Inspiration, Frank Smith Photographer, and Mary Klunk and Paula Margraf Artists. The Live Auction highlight was a week’s stay for two in a Tuscan Villa donated by the Amaranth Foundation. Dance music was provided by Simon Apple.

3S33d_admin September 11th, 2013

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Donley Nominations Sought

Background: Given for the first time in 1996, Community Services for Children established Inez and Edward Donley Award to acknowledge public service that has significantly improved the quality of life for children at the local, state and/or national levels. Mr. and Mrs. Edward Donley, who exemplify the spirit of the award, were the first recipients. Ed Donley is the retired chairman and president of Air Products who has spent a lifetime advocating for improvements in education. His wife Inez, a well-known philanthropist in her own right, died in February 2013. CSC continues to honor their example by naming the award for them.

Nominations are due by November 1, 2013, in the Development Office of Community Services for Children. No more than two nominees will be selected for the award to be presented at the Donley Awards Luncheon, April 4, 2014, at The Sands Conference Center, Bethlehem. Dr. Art Scott, retired president of Northampton Community College, and Mr. Thomas Donley, son on the original award recipients, are judges for the award this year.

Criteria for Nominations:

1. Nominee must be an individual, couple, group, non profit organization or for-profit company whose residence or offices are located in the Lehigh Valley, PA.
2. Contributions of time, talent and/or treasure have directly improved the health, education or general welfare of children between the ages of 0-18. OR
3. Contributions have substantially increased the awareness of needs of children.

Ineligible: Schools, child care providers

Nominations should include the following information:

1. Nominee Organization/Company/Individual, Contact Name, Address, Telephone, email.
2. What contribution(s) has the nominee made to improve the health, education or general welfare of children? Provide specific examples.
3. Has this work been done alone or has the nominee worked in partnership or otherwise organized a team to participate in the work? Please be specific.
4. Describe the children who have been helped.
5. Describe the location of these children.
6. How has the nominee increased the awareness of children’s needs? Provide specific examples.
7. Name and contact information of the individual making the nomination, Address, Telephone, email.

Nominations should be sent by email to sgeorge@ccsinc.org or by post c/o Development, Community Services for Children, 1520 Hanover Ave, Allentown, PA 18109.

In addition to the Donleys, past individual recipients include Mr. and Mrs. Lee Butz, Mr. L. Jack Bradt, Mr. Peter Carpino, Mr. Scott Fainor, Mrs. Marlene “Linny” Fowler, Mrs. Rebecca Gorton, Mr. Kostas Kalogeropolous, Mrs. Patricia W. Levin, Dr. and Mrs. Peter Likins, Chief Roger MacLean, The Honorable Jeanette Reibman, The Honorable Edward G. Rendell, Mrs. Ardath Rodale, Dr. Arthur L. Scott, Dr. Diane Scott.

Past recipients of the Organization Award are Agere Systems; Air Products & Chemicals, Inc; Bethlehem Steel Corporation; Computer Aid, CoreStates Bank, Crayola, Education 2020!; Just Born, Inc;  Lehigh Valley Health Network, Northampton County Medical Society Alliance, PNC Financial Services, PPL Corporation,  St. Luke’s Hospital & Health Network, The Harry C. Trexler Trust, United Way of the Greater Lehigh Valley  Women’s Leadership Council.

Community Services for Children is a regional leader in early childhood education that prepares children to succeed in school. Programs covering 18 counties of NE Pennsylvania affect 35,000 annually.

3S33d_admin September 10th, 2013

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Uniforms in Allentown

If your child is enrolled in pre-kindergarten in the Allentown School District this Fall, a uniform is required. Uniforms include white or light blue short-sleeve polo shirts (or long-sleeved), navy blue pants or shorts. Girls have the option of navy skirts or jumpers. Solid color foot ware is required: brown, black or white. A brown or black belt is required with the pants or shorts. For information see www.allentownsd.org.

3S33d_admin August 7th, 2013

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Children’s Ball Supports Abused Babies

The Children’s Ball, “A Night on the Niles, will be hosted by Community Services for Children on September 7, 2013, at the Lehigh Country Club, from 6 to 11 pm. $135 ($250 for a couple) includes reception, dinner, dancing to the Simon Apple band, and auction.

Auction items include a week for two in Tuscany thanks to the Amaranth Foundation, Jewelry from Susan Bella, 21-speed bike from Coca Cola, imported cigars, and original artwork.

Proceeds from the 2013 Children’s Ball will support the Donley Family Infant Center. The Center is a new treatment facility that provides daily treatment for babies who have been abused and neglected and works toward stopping repeat abuse. It is the only such treatment program in Pennsylvania.

Contact CSC at 610-437-6000, x 2112 for additional information. www.csc.org/events

Community Services for Children is a regional leader in early childhood education by preparing children to succeed in school. Programs covering 18 counties of NE Pennsylvania affect 35,000 annually.

3S33d_admin August 7th, 2013

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Strategic Planning, Marketing Expert Joins Board

John Diamant, principal of Diamant Consulting, recently joined the Board of Directors of Community Services for Children (CSC). Diamant brings 40 years experience to the Board in developing new businesses, marketing and sales, and strategic visioning. Prior to establishing Diamant Consulting, he developed Victaulic’s international business, establishing a global network of distributors and leading sales forces throughout the world. He is an expert in strategic planning, marketing and sales management..

Diamant is active in community leadership throughout the Lehigh Valley including past and present positions with United Way of the Greater Lehigh Valley and Via.

Diamant has attended management classes at the prestigious Kellogg School of Management of Northwestern University in Evanston, IL, and holds a bachelor’s from Montclair State University. He is fluent in Spanish and French.

Diamant’s expertise is a welcome addition to the Board as CSC envisions diversification strategies to support the growing demand for quality early childhood education.

CSC is a regional leader in early childhood education, affecting the lives of 40,000 children annually. CSC believes all children deserve a chance to succeed in school, which begins in early childhood within a nurturing family.

3S33d_admin May 16th, 2013

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5K and Kids Fun Run to Stop Child Abuse

3S33d_admin May 1st, 2013

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CSC’s Child Care Support Expands

Pennsylvania’s Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL) is expanding Community Services for Children’s administration of child care services from 13 to 18 counties in northeast Pennsylvania effective July 1.

Currently CSC administers one of six Regional Keys which deliver quality improvement services to child care providers. The state is reducing the six Regional Keys to five. Columbia, Sullivan, Bradford, Lycoming, and Tioga, the five new counties, will join Lehigh, Northampton, Berks, Bucks, Carbon, Monroe, Pike, Wayne, Susquehanna, Lackawanna, Schuylkill, Wyoming, and Luzerne in CSC’s Regional Key territory. The number of child care providers currently enrolled in the Stars program will jump from 800 to 900 plus. An estimated 35,000 children are already affected by the quality improvements provided by the Stars program in the Northeast region.

Pennsylvania’s initiative to improve the quality of child care has multiple services available through the Northeast Regional Key and their partners.

• Early Childhood Mental Health Consultation offers site specific  professional development and technical assistance to link and bridge systems and service options on behalf of a child,.
• Keystone STARS is a state-wide initiative to improve, support and recognize the continuous quality improvement efforts of early learning and school-age care and education in Pennsylvania. By meeting standards of practice and professionalism child care facilities move through designations to the highest level known as a STAR 4 facility.
•  Low cost professional development opportunities designed to help early learning and school-age education professionals move upward through a career lattice. The NE Key in partnership with more than 80 instructors and organizations offers workshops, symposiums, conferences and also partners with institutes of higher education to fund credential and credit-bearing courses.
• Free onsite technical assistance offered to Keystone STARS facilities to assist in enhancing quality and moving to the next STAR level.
• STARS grants and awards assist regulated programs enhance the quality of children’s programs.
• The School-Age Child Care Project is designed to assist school-age facilities and practitioners with supports and resources geared toward school-age children.
• And the Infant/Toddler Project provides on-site support to Infant and Toddler classrooms.
• The Northeast Regional Key support Line is where practitioners can call and speak with a Technical Assistance Manager.
• A weekly email, called The Key Connection, highlighting Regional Key and partner updates and new, upcoming professional development, opportunities, resource information and announcements.
• Technical Assistance Papers (TAP’s) with information on a variety of topics.

Child Care programs are encouraged to contact the Northeast Key at 800-528-7222 extension  to learn more about the services and opportunities available to the Early Learning community.  A special transition phone line has been set up for the 5 new counties – call 800-528-7222 extension 2320.

CSC is a regional leader in early childhood education and family development, affecting the lives of 40,000 children annually. CSC believes all children deserve a chance to succeed in school, which begins in early childhood within a nurturing family.

3S33d_admin April 26th, 2013

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