Fowlers Join SafeStart

Known for their love of children and early childhood education, Linny and Beall Fowler have joined the SafeStart campaign as Honorary Chairs. ‘You know, I was a Head Start teacher,’ smiles Linny, thinking about the needs of at risk children in our area. ‘I know that they need all the help they can get — now — while they’re young.’

Dave and Kathy Leber have agreed to chair the cabinet of the campaign.  ‘I taught gifted children,’ says Kathy. ‘I always wonder how many gifted children we would have if they really had a decent chance at life.’

‘SafeStart stops the cycle of abuse,’ says Dave Leber. ‘Clearly, it’s better to help them now rather than face all the challenges they might have later in life.

Joining them on the cabinet are Dolly and Lee Butz, Barbara & John Diamant, Dolores Laputka, Jerry Beaver, Tom Daub, Julie Timmcke, and Frank Smith. To date the Campaign has raised 39% of its $3 million goal.

3S33d_admin April 6th, 2011

Posted In:

LehighValleyCamps.com launches

Community Services for Children created and launched LehighValleyCamps.com, a free directory of summer camps in the Lehigh Valley. The site also offers parent tips for choosing camps, keeping kids safe, and more. Camp listing is free and use of the website is also free. Camps will be added continuously so parents should keep checking back. The directory will continue year round with other recreational and enrichment activities in the fall. To add a camp, contact abuss@cscinc.org; 610-437-6000, x 2112 or go online to www.lehighvalleycamps.org.

3S33d_admin March 28th, 2011

Posted In:

Web based camps directory launches

LehighValleyCamps.com is launching March 24. This new website provides parents free and easy access to camps and activities in the Lehigh Valley. Click on the kind of camp your child is interested in to see listings and descriptions. Another click will take you to the camp’s own website for more information.

Parents should keep checking back to see more camp listings for the summer and year round classes and activities for children. LehighValleyCamps.com also provides parent tips, news about upcoming events of interest, blogs from parents about camp experiences, and resources. LehighValleyCamps.com means kid-friendly fun.

Camp listings are free.

WFMZ, Lehigh Valley Live, and Lehigh Valley Family are media sponsors of the new website. LehighValleyCamps.com is developed and maintained by Community Services for Children, a regional provider of early education programs and services. For information, call 610-437-6000, x 2112.

3S33d_admin March 10th, 2011

Posted In:

PPL Receives Donley Award

Community Services for Children (CSC) will present the Inez and Edward Donley Award to James Miller, CEO, PPL, recognizing the company’s long-term investment in children, families and communities at its Awards Luncheon April 20, 2011, at the Allentown Symphony Hall, 6^th & Linden St, Allentown. Tickets are $50.

Robert H. Dugger will be keynote speaker, “Investing in America’s Children: The Business Case.” Dugger is the founder and managing partner of Hanover Investment Group and serves as chair of the Partnership for America’s Economic Success Advisory Board, whose business leaders support early childhood education policies that strengthen our economy and workforce.

Air Products Foundation is Presenting Sponsor along with Klunk & Millan Advertising and Concannon Miller, PC.

Given for the first time in 1996, CSC established the Donley Award to acknowledge public service at the local, state, and/or national levels which has significantly improved the quality of life for children. Mr. and Mrs. Donley, who exemplify the spirit of the award, were the first recipients.

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

Past recipients of the Organization Award are Education 2010! (now Education 2020), St. Luke’s Hospital & Health Network, The Women’s Leadership Initiative of the United Way of the Greater Lehigh Valley; PNC Financial Services; Just Born, Inc; The Harry C. Trexler Trust; Bethlehem Steel Corporation; Agere Systems; Air Products; Lehigh Valley Health Network; CoreStates Bank; and Crayola.

For information, call 610-437-6000, ext 2113; tickets may be purchased online, www.cscinc.org/events.

3S33d_admin March 3rd, 2011

Posted In:

Autism Conference: No More Meltdowns

CSC presents an all-day conference on methods for helping children with autism, ages preschool through 12^th grade, on May 6, 2011. Featured speaker is Dr. Jed Baker, an award-winning author of many books on training social skills to children and adolescents. More than 20 organizations with services to offer parents and professionals on autism will participate in the resource fair held in conjunction with the conference.

The conference runs 8 am – 3 pm at DeSales University Center in Center Valley. Tickets are $75 for professionals (continuing education units available) and $20 for full-time students and parents of children on the autism spectrum. Continuing education credits available include Act 48, for Teachers, PA Board of Social Work Examiners, Speech Therapists and Psychologists.

Dr. Baker’s all-day presentation is entitled “No More Meltdowns: Handling Challenging Behaviors and Teaching Social Skills.” Students on the autism spectrum often have difficulty regulating their feelings and interacting socially. This workshop describes how to handle meltdowns and design effective behavior plans to prevent these moments and reduce frustrations and anxiety. The second part of the presentation details strategies to motivate students to learn, ways to teach and increase acceptance and tolerance from peers. He will use a combination of lecture, interactive exercises and video clips. The conference includes Resource Fair, lunch, and a Q&A period with Dr. Baker.

In addition to CSC, the conference planning committee included The Arc of Lehigh & Northampton Counties, ARCH of Lehigh Valley, Autism Society of America LV Chapter, Glenn Koch & Associates, Lehigh County Early Intervention,

Contact CSC for information: 610-437-6000, x 2112; www.cscinc.org/events to register on line.

3S33d_admin March 3rd, 2011

Posted In:

Dr. Seuss Readers promote literacy

Leaders Read for Dr. Seuss Birthday

Celebrating the birthday of America’s favorite children’s author, Dr. Seuss, community leaders are visiting Head Start classrooms across the Valley the week of February 28 – March 4, 2011. Readers include bank volunteers from PNC and Susquehanna as well as the following individuals: Bethlehem Mayor John Callahan (a former Head Start student); Easton Mayor Sal Panto; Easton Police Captain Vangelo; Pam Dent, wife of Congressman Charlie Dent; Bethlehem Police Officer Tom DeFrank; and Colby J. Kent of Computer Marketing and Management Associates.

3S33d_admin February 28th, 2011

Posted In:

CSC Honors PPL

CSC will present the 16^th Annual Inez and Edward Donley Award for Children’s Advocacy to PPL Electric at its Champions for Children Luncheon, April 20, 2011, at the Rodale Community Room, Allentown Symphony Hall. PPL is a great friend of children and their families! In 2009, for example, PPL donated over $4.6 million to efforts to improve communities, which included $1.5 million for education and $2 million for health and human services alone. In addition to outright cash, their employees are well known for their volunteerism and the company also provides numerous tools for educators. A national speaker will be featured at the luncheon.

Given for the first time in 1996, CSC established the Donley Award to acknowledge public service at the local, state, and/or national levels which has significantly improved the quality of life for children. Mr. and Mrs. Donley, who exemplify the spirit of the award, were the first recipients.

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

Past recipients of the Organization Award are Education 2010! (now Education 2020), St. Luke’s Hospital & Health Network, The Women’s Leadership Initiative of the United Way of the Greater Lehigh Valley; PNC Financial Services; Just Born, Inc; The Harry C. Trexler Trust; Bethlehem Steel Corporation; Agere Systems; Air Products; Lehigh Valley Health Network; CoreStates Bank; and Crayola.

For information, call 610-437-6000, ext 2113.

3S33d_admin February 15th, 2011

Posted In:

State of the Child Briefing

Community Services for Children, regional provider of early childhood programs, is sponsoring a briefing on community trends affecting the success of young children in school. A panel consisting of business and community leaders will also discuss the implications of school success among young children on community development, revitalization, and the work force. Legislators are especially invited to hear about the profound impact quality early education makes in the Lehigh Valley and in the future.

The meeting will be held Friday, March 25, 7:30 – 9 am, at the Rodale Community Room, Allentown Symphony Hall, 6^th & Linden Sts. For further information, call Sara George at 610-437-6000, x 2101 or email sgeorge@cscinc.org.

3S33d_admin February 15th, 2011

Posted In:

Pew Report Supports Early Ed

“Pay now or pay later” says the recent Pew Center on the States partnership. The rewards of investing quality early education and healthy childhood development are better known now than ever before. Research proves substantial educational, social and financial benefits for children and communities for quality early education.

By contrast, some of the “pay later” outcomes include child abuse and neglect, high school dropouts, criminal activity, teen pregnancy, drug and alcohol abuse and other health problems. The average tangible costs associated with poor outcomes, such as child abuse may cost at least $30,000 for foster care and medical and mental health services. A high school dropout costs society an estimated $250,000 through lower earnings.

3S33d_admin February 3rd, 2011

Posted In:

Cumberland Gardens Renews Classrooms

Cumberland Gardens dedicates new building with Head Start classrooms

On Wednesday, February 2, at 11 a.m., the Allentown Housing Authority will celebrate the official dedication of the recent renovations completed at the Cumberland Gardens Community Building. This project was made possible by an investment of $2.7 million in funds from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA), which not only transformed the community building but also included renovations to 14 residential apartments in the complex.

The newly revitalized Cumberland Gardens Community Building proudly hosts two Head Start classrooms, enriching the educational experience for 40 enrolled children. These classrooms are operated by Community Services for Children, which oversees the Head Start/Early Head Start programs in the Lehigh Valley. For several years, Cumberland Gardens has provided a nurturing environment for young learners, further enhancing its role as a vital hub for family and community engagement.

3S33d_admin January 31st, 2011

Posted In: