Mini Golf Tourney

Mini Golf To Raise Money for Kids

Lehigh Valley, PA – Community Services for Children, Inc (CSC) is holding a fundraiser on August 1, 2009, at Putt U in Center Valley, PA. Proceeds will fund Head Start and other children’s programs run by Community Services for Children. Local businesses will sponsor teams and each hole of the course.

All ages are invited. Each ticket will be $10, registration is on the CSC website. There will be a shotgun start with an award ceremony to follow. Awards will be given to the best male, female, and child under 13 as well as the worst score. For more information go to our website at www.cscinc .org, or contact Sara George at sgeorge@cscinc.org or 610-437-6000 ext. 2101.

Community Services for Children is the sole provider of Early Head Start and Head Start in this region. The families enrolled in Head Start earn an average of $11,000 per year. Through Head Start, parents learn skills necessary to gain greater independence and their children arrive in our public schools ready to achieve. In addition to providing Head Start of the Lehigh Valley, CSC also administers a subsidized child care program and information service in Lehigh County as well as a child care quality improvement program for child care providers through the Northeastern PA Regional Key, which serves the 15 counties of Northeastern Pennsylvania.

3S33d_admin September 21st, 2010

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Butz, PPL, APC Support Literacy

Butz, PPL, Air Products Support Innovative Literacy Lab

As members of Education 2010 seeking to improve the outcome of education in the Allentown School District, Alvin H. Butz, Inc, Air Products Foundation, and PPL have together contributed $80,000 toward an innovative approach to teach early literacy among preschoolers through Community Services for Children. Lee Butz presented his company’s check of $20,000 through the Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce’s Foundation. PPL forwarded their $50,000 contribution via the United Way of the Greater Lehigh Valley.

Innovative Educational Program
Community Services for Children, Inc. in partnership with Education 2010 and Computer Aid/Imagination Station is launching an innovative project to enhance literacy among preschoolers living in the Allentown School District catchment area. The “Enhancing Literacy Project” includes a Literacy Laboratory and utilization of the Imagination Station Software program to provide opportunities for a strong foundation for language and literacy development essential for school readiness and success.

The state’s Educational Initiative Tax Credit program recognizes CSC’s Literacy Laboratory as an “innovative educational program,” for which business may contribute for tax credits.

Literacy Lab will improve early literacy gains
CSC projects that each child will have at least a 50% gain in

• listening, following 2-3 step directions, and phonological awareness
• speaking clearly enough to be understood without contextual clues
• using expanded vocabulary and language for a variety of purposes
• understanding concepts about print
• developing knowledge about letters
• comprehending and responding to stories read aloud
• representing ideas and stories through pictures, dictation and play
• using letters and letter-like symbols to convey meaning

Children at-risk
The initial “Enhancing Literacy Project” will open September 2009 at CSC’s PreK Counts Preschool, 1230 Linden St, Allentown. This is the prime catchment area for Central, Jackson and McKinley Schools, which have large percentages of low-income families.

The Literacy Laboratory consists of the following:

• unique print-rich, technologically-equipped learning environment
• Imagination Station computer opportunities for 20 preschoolers at one time
• Laboratory Center for small group reading/dramatic play area, small tables and chairs for teacher read aloud and writing opportunities
• Books, related educational materials for creative practice and opportunities for guided interaction with letter recognition, phonemic awareness and writing skills.

Teachers and assistant teachers provide each child with guidance and support on the Imagination Station computer for 10 minutes at a time. Education staff read and support children in writing, use of oral language, and instruction. With this comprehensive approach and consistent with best practices, children have a guided computer interaction and a “whole” literacy experience that produces positive outcomes. ###

3S33d_admin September 21st, 2010

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Big business on small model

In the Northeast region of Pennsylvania, The PA Department of Welfare regulates 1240 early child education providers with an estimated 30,000 children enrolled. More than 600 of those providers are located in Berks, Lehigh and Northampton counties. Collectively, they represent one of the largest employers in the region.

Child care was once considered babysitting. No more. The state has developed early learning standards and early education providers are aligning their curriculum to meet those standards and, in the long run, better prepare young children to be ready for kindergarten. Head Start, a national program since 1965, has provided the model for early education in measure, although most programs lack the funding to provide the comprehensive family and health services that a Head Start program provides.

While the Department of Welfare monitors for various safety and health factors mandatory if the provider has more than 7 children, programs may voluntarily sign up for Keystone STARS. This program provides quality improvement, training, and monetary grants for participating providers who seek to move through STAR levels that equate to higher standards of curriculum, teacher preparation and professional development, and business practices. In Berks, Lehigh and Northampton, about 60% of regulated providers participate in STARS. Of those 373, 36 have achieved the highest level, STAR 4.

Through the STARS program, providers may apply for grants to assist in development of higher quality programs. Community Services for Children administers this grant program. So far in fiscal year 2009 (July 1, 2008 – June 30, 2009), providers in Berks, Lehigh and Northampton Counties have received $2,353,478.

All providers have the same business challenges as other businesses – marketing and customer relations, recruitment and personnel training, payroll, benefits, personnel policies, accounting, purchasing, construction and renovations, maintenance, and so forth. An early education center could easily cost $1 million in construction (10,000 sf x $100/sf).

Early education is big on the minds of business. Results from a poll of Fortune 500 companies by Zogby International several years ago indicated that business executives believe that quality early education is essential to future workforce development and a key to the US remaining competitive in the world. The US Chamber of Commerce devotes an executive level VP to educate and champion this cause (former Lafayette College president Arthur Rothkopf).

Last, reliable quality early education is considered an essential service by companies for employee retention and productivity.
For more information about the Keystone STARS program, contact 610-437-6000, ext 2303 or www.pakeys.org/stars. To locate an early education provider, call the Child Care Information Service in your county, or go to www.dpw.state.pa.us.

3S33d_admin September 21st, 2010

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Rodale & St Luke’s Donley Awardees

Children’s Education Org Honors Rodale and St. Luke’s

Community Services for Children salutes outstanding individuals and organizations for their contributions toward improving the lives of children through The Inez and Edward Donley Award. The 2009 awardees are Mrs. Ardath Rodale for her outstanding lifetime assistance to children and St. Luke’s Hospital & Health Network for their on-going efforts to improve the health of the community, including indigent children.

The 2009 Children’s Gala & Donley Awards is CSC’s major fundraising event. It will be held Friday, September 11, 6 pm, at The Eastonian, adjacent to The Holiday Inn Express, off the 25th St exit of Rt 22, Palmer Twp. Tom Sparough, known as The Space Painter, is a juggler extraordinaire who invites audience participation as he weaves the story of struggles and triumphs of families.

Amy Burkett, host of PBS-39’s TEMPO series, will be master of ceremony at the event. Members of the Donley Children’s Gala Committee include Amanda Buss, David Ellowitch, Jane Ervin, Sara George, Donna Haggerty, Margot Hillman, Valerie Holt, Colby J. Kent, Kathy Leber, Helena Lindquist, Katie Loeb-Schwab, Shirley Miller, Linda Nabb, Peter Schurman, and Jared Steckel.

Individual tickets are $110. Sponsorships are available.

Head Start, one of CSC’s core services, is the nation’s premier early education program for indigent children. Other early education programs CSC provides includes Pre-K Counts Preschool, subsidized child care, and quality improvement services for early education providers in 13 counties.

For more information, call Sara George, 610-437-6000, ext 2101.

3S33d_admin September 21st, 2010

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Award Winners

Early Education Org Honors Volunteers and Community Partners
Lehigh Valley, PA – Community Services for Children honored the 200+ volunteers, in-kind service and product donors, and community partners at its Fourth Annual Circle Awards Breakfast, on Tuesday, April 21, at CSC’s Donley Children’s Campus.

Those who received special recognition Circle Awards were

• Pamela Dent, Outstanding Classroom Volunteer for her years of service as a reader to children both in Head Start and other early education programs
• Allentown School District, Outstanding Preschool Support, for years of excellence in a collaboration with Head Start
• Colby J. Kent, Outstanding Friend of the Agency, for years of volunteerism raising funds and awareness of CSC and Head Start
• St. Peter’s Lutheran Church (Bethlehem), Outstanding Community Partner for longevity of hosting Head Start classroom
• Maribel Seda, coordinator, St. Luke’s Health & Hospital Network, Outstanding Health and Nutrition Support for assistance providing dental care to Head Start children
• Central Moravian Church, Outstanding Family Support for assistance to families and children in the Head Start program
• PNC Financial Services, Outstanding Corporate Citizen, for miscellaneous support for so many years – time and talent, clothing, books, reading to the children, and other assistance

Jane Ervin, CEO of Community Services for Children, and directors of its Head Start program presented the awards. Two parents described how Head Start has helped them improve their lives. Children from one of the Head Start classrooms performed a song from a childhood obesity program recently introduced at CSC.
Community Services for Children is the umbrella organization for numerous early education programs geared toward getting children ready to succeed in kindergarten, including Head Start, PreK Counts, Northeast Regional Key/Keystone STARS, and Child Care Information Services subsidy program. These programs affect the lives of more than 25,000 young children throughout the region. ###

3S33d_admin September 21st, 2010

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PNC Mural Painting

Heart to Art and PNC Bank are working together to create collaborative murals with children attending Head Start. In total, four murals will be produced by Head Start centers throughout Northeast Pennsylvania. PNC employees came to CSC on April 29th to paint with about 80 children attending Head Start at the Fowler Center on the Donley Children’s Campus. Each mural will represent a different aspect of a child’s development. Upon completion, Heart to Art will take the murals to add any finishing touches necessary and return them to the bank. The bank will have the murals for a short time in order to get a photo, but ultimately CSC will receive its mural back for children, families, staff, and the community to enjoy.

3S33d_admin September 21st, 2010

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Head Start PreK Counts Enrollment

Head Start, Early Head Start, and CSC’s PreK Counts Preschools are accepting application for eligible children for the 2009-2010 school year. For a convenient face-to-face application meeting, come to the Salvation Army in Easton, 1110 Northampton St, March 18, 19, and 20, from 9 am to noon and 1 to 3 pm. Applications are also available at Allentown’s Salvation Army, 841 8th St, March 24, 25, 26, and 27, 9 am to noon and 1 to 3 pm. Parents should bring the child’s proof of age and proof of income. Early Head Start, Head Start and PreK Counts programs are available for low-income families. For additional information, call Enrollment, 610-437-6000, 2354.

3S33d_admin September 21st, 2010

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Head Start, PKC enrollment

Learning Made Fun!
Community Services for Children Head Start of the Lehigh Valley is now accepting applications for the 2009-2010 school year for Head Start and Pre-K Counts preschool programs. Early Head Start & Head Start programs are eligible to pregnant women and children ages 0 to 4 year olds that live in the Allentown, Bethlehem & Easton areas and that are income eligible. We offer home-based and classroom based services. PreK Counts is eligible to 3 & 4 year olds that live in the Allentown & Easton areas and are income eligible. Only classroom based services are available.

Staff will be at the following locations:
Easton Salvation Army
1110 Northampton St.
March 18, 19 & 20th
9:00am to 12:00pm and 1:00pm to 3:00pm

Allentown Salvation Army
841 8th St.
March 24, 25, 26 & 27th
9:00am to 12:00pm & 1:00 to 3:30
Please bring you child’s proof of age and proof of income to complete application.

If you are unable to attend but are interested in the programs, families can also contact 610-437-6000, ext 2354, or check out our website at www.cscinc.org to print an application.

3S33d_admin September 21st, 2010

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Waldenbooks supports EHS

Waldenbooks South Mall Promotes Early Literacy
Waldenbooks at the South Mall, Allentown, is sponsoring a book drive promoting early literacy to benefit the infants and toddlers enrolled in Community Services for Children’s Early Head Start program. Books or cash donations towards the purchase of books are available at the check-out counters at the store. The drive runs March 1 – April 30, 2009.
Early Head Start enrolls women as early as possible during pregnancy and continues with two-hour weekly visits with mother and child to age 3. The program provides:

• · Comprehensive prenatal and postpartum education;
• · Parent preparation;
• · Child development services;
• · And opportunities to strengthen parent-child attachment through group activities.

Paula Margraf, Executive Vice President of Community Services for Children, is the director of Head Start of the Lehigh Valley, which includes the Early Head Start program. The Early Head Start program was recently chosen to participate in a national longitudinal study of the effectiveness of preparing infants and toddlers for school success. For additional information, contact Sara George, 610-437-6000, ext 2101.

3S33d_admin September 21st, 2010

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Hit a Homerun for Children and Families

Saturday, April 25, 6- 9 pm, “Hit a Homerun for Children and Families’ fundraiser to benefit Community Services for Children at Coca Cola Park, IronPigs vs Pawtucket Red Sox. Exclusive Party Porch event with all your favorite ballgame foods. $75 adults, $40 youngsters 16 and under. (Actual cost is $35 for this fantastic event with Club-level access.) Help us save a generation of young children.

3S33d_admin September 21st, 2010

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