Macon Program for Progress

HEAD START 0-5 CHILD &

FAMILY PROGRAM

ANNUAL REPORT

August 1, 2015 – July 31, 2016

82 East Orchard View Lane PO Box 700 Franklin, NC 28744 (828) 524-4471 1-800-563-4022 Fax (828) 524-0823

Macon County is located in Western North Carolina and residents take pride in the natural beauty of the picturesque Great Smoky Mountains. Franklin is the county

seat and easily accessible with Atlanta 127 miles to the south; Knoxville 110 miles to the North and Asheville 60 miles to the East.

Macon Program for Progress (MPP) is a Community Action Agency serving families since inception in 1964. In 1965, the first Head Start funds were received to fund a summer program through a partnership with Macon

County and Public Schools. A full year Head Start classroom option started in 1966 and then in 1967 a traveling teacher option was added to

serve children in the remote locations within the county.

For the 2015-2016 program year Macon Program for Progress Early Head Start served 135 children (0-3) and Pregnant Moms and Home Base. EHS

operates four days a week year round; extended day is available five days a week, year round for parents who are attending school and/or

working.

Head Start served 180 pre-school children (3-5) and their families. Head Start operates five days a week, nine months a year. Bus routes are

available to children enrolled in the regular Head Start program option, located in the New Horizons I Center. Extended day is available to eligible families, and we have a limited number of Pre-K slots for four year olds.

All classrooms have five star daycare licensing through North Carolina Division of Child Development and Early Education.

2015-2016 HEAD START 0-5 GOALS AND OBJECTIVES

To implement strategic steps that support school readiness and positive child outcomes

To enhance parent, family and community engagement in order to improve family and child outcomes

To improve management systems and data tracking and analysis

To improve facilities and services to children, families, and staff

Head Start 0-5

Extended Day Childcare 0-5

Early Head Start Home Base

Early Head Start Pregnant Moms

NC Pre-K

Subsidized Childcare

Limited Private Pay

HUD Section 8 Rental Assistance

Job Training

Self-Sufficiency

Parents as Teachers

Holiday Angels

Back to School Angels

Summer Food Program

Volunteer Opportunities

Last ACF Fiscal/ERSEA Review 2/9/2015 to 2/13/2015

Based on the information gathered, all areas were found in compliance. No corrective action required.

Macon Program for Progress Agency Audit: No Findings

HOW TO FIND US

New Horizons I Center for Children & Families 26 East Orchard View Lane – Franklin, NC 28734 New Horizons II Center for Children & Families MPP Administrative Office Building 82 East Orchard View Lane – Franklin NC 28734 New Horizons III Center for Children & Families 110 East Orchard View Lane – Franklin, NC 28734 New Horizons Training Annex 215 East Orchard View Lane – Franklin, NC 28734 Pruett House EHS Center 185 Forest Avenue – Franklin, NC 28734 Mailing Address: PO Box 700 – Franklin, North Carolina 28744 Phone: 800-563-4022 Phone: (828) 524-4471 Fax: (828) 524-0823 Website: mppnhc.org Like us on face book! TRANSPORTATION SERVICES

Head Start does not require programs to provide bus services, however since Macon County is comprised of communities that are located in distant areas, we run bus routes as a service for parents who do not have reliable transportation and to ensure regular child attendance, For the program year 2015-2016, we transported an average of 105 children daily.

Head Start teachers and co-teachers are school bus drivers and maintain a CDL Bus License. In 2015-2016, we received two new buses to replace older buses in the fleet. Buses are equipped with EZ-Safety harness restraints as required for transporting children safely.

BUDGET

"The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more you learn, the more places you'll go!" -- Dr. Seuss

1,750,934

525,280

27,114

188,000

96,800

549,901

337,630

Head Start 0-5 Budget

Personnel

Fringe

Travel

Supplies

Equipment

Other

Non-Federal

SS Enhancem

ent, $89,951.00

NC Pre-K, $252,000

NC Parents As Teachers, $43,294

Parent Volunteer

Hours, $57,275

Community

Volunteer Hours, $14,000

Speech & Resource Services, $25,300 Extended

Day Fees, $79,000

Other, $3,453

Non-Federal Share

Personnel $1,750,934 Fringe Benefits 525,280 Travel 27,114 Supplies 188,000 Equipment 96,800 Other 549,901 Direct Costs 3,138,029 Indirect Cost 260,889 Non-Federal Share 337,630 OTHER FUNDING

NC Pre-K 288,000 Medicaid 2,360 0-5 Day Care Subsidy 510,908 CACFP 379,752 Summer Food Program

76,861

NON-FEDERAL – IN-KIND

Head Start funding comes from federal dollars and for every $4, we

must have $1 in-kind. Justifiable documentation is required and we use an In-Kind Volunteer Record

form and a School Readiness Reading Log form. Volunteer hours are parent hours, community and

governing board, speech and resource services, any volunteer time supporting school readiness

goals and program operations. State monies are counted including NC Pre-K reimbursement and Smart Start subsidy daycare funds. Due to decreased resources, a waiver

was granted for 2015-2016 reducing our non-federal share from

$837.630.00 to $337,630.00 for August 1, 2015 thru July 31, 2016 program year. After extensive

efforts to pursue maximum non-federal dollars, we ended the year

with a total of $564,273.00.

ON-GOING COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENTS Service Agency Service Description

Macon County Health Center Health Checks-WIC Referrals - Dental Screenings

Carolina West Dental Clinic Dental treatment and follow-up

Long Center for Psychology Training, referrals; information for newsletter; education services

KIDS Place Child Abuse prevention; referrals, support services

Children’s Developmental Services Child development assessments, referrals, and follow-up.

Community Care Clinic of Franklin Clinic schedules; resource for parents; Health Advisory Volunteer

Dr. Gossett & Dr. Ward Exams, follow-up after failed vision screenings

Dr. Kevin Foley, MD PA Well child exams, immunizations, follow up; wellness, etc.

REACH of Macon County Domestic violence referrals; safe home, counseling, support services

Macon Department Social Services Referrals, training, Medicaid, health choice, other family assistance, etc.

Region A Smart Start Family Support Network

Pre-K/Childcare funds

Workshops, parent support groups, link families with resources, assist with meetings, etc. Childcare funding; quality care initiatives; pre-k funds; training

Care Net Emergency food pantry; soup kitchen; weekend-food backpacks

Baptist Children’s Home Housing for young mothers and their children; referrals to Head Start; training

Meridian Educational support, parenting, staff development

Franklin High School Referral of pregnant students; release time for EHS Home Base socialization,

North Carolina Cooperative Extension Support services to families, staff; nutrition/craft workshops, etc.

Jackson County Family Resource Center Training, workshops; provide trainer and materials for parent meetings, etc.

Smoky Mountain Pregnancy Care Center Services to pregnant participants, share information, pregnancy guidance

Macon County Public Schools Transition, speech/resource staff on-site, Policy Council Representation

Macon County Public Library/Reading Rover

Literacy opportunities - Reading Rover bookmobile visits, story time

Southwestern Community College Continuing education for parents and staff, GED instructors, etc.

WCU Center for Service Learning Interested students volunteer; WCU Community Service Learning Fair, etc.

Macon County 911 Response; serve during disaster, educational information

Franklin Town Police Assistance in emergency; info/activities for children/parents, seat belt checks, etc.

Region A Partnership-Pre-K Pre-K funding slots; Smart Starr enhancement funds; share resources

Southwestern Child Development Commission

Subsidized daycare for parents working and in school; resource and referrals

Macon County Transit Referrals, public transportation routes, access to vehicles wheel-chair accessible

Macon County Housing Support housing services, referrals, weatherization

Mtn. Projects Foster Grandparent Program Foster grandparents; share information for recruitment of Head Start grandparents

Macon County Recreation Park Summer swimming classes/summer pool privileges & field trips

Dr. Burrell, OB Care Well child exams/immunizations; follow up, medical consultant & collaboration

Kids Care Pediatrics Well child exams/immunizations; follow up, medical consultant & collaboration

POLICY COUNCIL

PARENT REPRESENTATIVES COMMUNITY REPRESENTATIVES

• Marina Tkach Allison Guynn – Public School

• Katherine Freeman Amy Anders – Disabilities & Pre-K – Vice Chair

• Dewey Gunnin – Chair Audrey Coleman – Health Department

• Rose Andreu Lisa Blankenship – Angel Medical Center

• Amanda Bingham Amy Breedlove – Dept. of Social Services

• Jennifer Bingham Shaina Adkins – Care Net Food Bank

• Destiny Moore

• Holly Moore

• Andrea Foley

• Lidia Moreno

• Amahoris Arevado

• Bernabe Hernandez

• Deysi Morales

MPP BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Ronnie Beale – Macon County Commissioner Bob Scott – Town of Franklin Mayor

Jim Bruckner – Macon County Public Health Center Dr. Chris Baldwin – Macon County Public Schools

Tony Potts – Town of Highlands Patrick Betancourt – Department of Social Services

Alan Durden – Community Development Judy Chapman – Franklin Chamber of Commerce

Mike Little – Highlands Community Jennifer Turner-Lynn – REACH – Domestic Violence Ctr.

Margaret Freeman – Faith Community Alisa Ashe – Kid’s Place Child Abuse Prevention Center

Dewey Gunnin – Head Start Policy Council Vivian Cobb – Early Childhood Family

Charlene Marcus – Low Income Families Martha Jamison – Early Childhood Education

Joy Parsons – Low Income Families Pedro Cisneros – Hispanic Community

Head Start programs must establish and maintain a formal structure for program governance that including a governing body, a policy council, and a parent committee. Governing bodies have a legal and fiscal responsibility to administer and oversee the agency’s Head Start and Early Head Start programs.

Head Start Performance Standard Requirements

HEAD START SCHOOL READINESS GOALS

SOCIAL EMOTIONAL

Children will engage in and maintain positive adult-child relationships and interactions.

Children will engage in and maintain positive peer relationships and interactions.

Children will display levels of attention, emotional regulations, and behavior in the classroom that are appropriate to the situation and the supports available.

Children will learn and follow classroom rules, routines, and directions.

All children will develop and display a sense of self, confidence in their abilities, and a strong identity that is rooted in their family and culture.

APPROACHES TOWARD LEARNING Children will show an interest in varied topics and activities, an eagerness to learn, creativity,

and independence in their interactions with activities and materials.

Children will demonstrate persistence when working with materials, activities, and information.

Children will learn and use words and concepts that parallel the information available in activities and materials.

LANGUAGE AND LITERACY DEVELOPMENT Children will build, use, and comprehend increasingly complex and varied vocabulary.

Children will use and comprehend oral language for conversation and communication

Children can identify and discriminate sounds within words, as separate from the word itself.

Children will use and understand print as a system of visible marks that represent the sounds within words and words themselves.

Children will engage with literature in developmentally appropriate ways.

Children who are dual language learners will demonstrate increased competency in their home language while developing proficiency in English.

COGNITION AND GENERAL KNOWLEDGE Children will use math regularly and in everyday routines to count, compare, relate, identify

patterns, and problem solve.

Children will learn and begin to use math concepts during daily routines and experiences.

Children will use observation and manipulation, ask questions, make predictions, and develop hypotheses to gain a better understanding of information and activities in their surroundings.

Children will use their skills in remembering information and in being aware of their own thinking.

PHYSICAL WELL BEING Children will demonstrate control of large muscles for movement, navigation, and balance.

Children will demonstrate control of small muscles for such purposes as using utensils, self-care, building, writing, and manipulation.

Children will identify and practice healthy and safe habits.

SCHOOL READINESS DATA

HEAD START GAINS FALL TO SPRING

EARLY HEAD START GAINS – FALL TO SPRING

0 20 40 60 80

100 120

Fall15/16 Spring 15/16

0 20 40 60 80

100 120

Fall 15/16 Spring 15/16

CLASSROOM ASSESSMENT

The primary role of assessment in Head Start classrooms is to inform and improve instruction by documenting children’s accomplishments. Teachers use direct observation, work samples, photography, video clips, and a variety of data sources to record children’s progress. Head Start recognizes parents are partners in their child’s education and they are one of the most important resources of information about their children. Together parents and teachers use data to set educational goals, plan for instruction and guide

family activities to support the children’s learning.

Teaching Strategies GOLD is our assessment tool. This tool aligns with NC Early Learning Standards and the Head Start Child Development and Early Learning Framework.

Progress checkpoints were collected three times during the year in Head Start and four times a year in Early Head Start.

MPP Head Start developed School Readiness Goals addressing Social Emotional Development, Approaches toward Learning, Literacy/Language Development, Cognition

and General Knowledge and Physical well being and Motor Development. In addition, our program developed a School Readiness Alignment Crosswalk document that ensures

program compliance to the Head Start Framework, NC Early Learning Standards and local school expectations.

TRANSITION ACTIVITIES

Transition Activities are integrated in Head Start classroom daily routines. Children visit local elementary schools where they observe and sometimes participate in kindergarten classrooms, tour their new school, and eat lunch in the school cafeteria. MPP Head Start hosts an annual countywide transition meeting for parents and teachers to share information about expectations, parent responsibilities, and address any concerns or questions. Early Head Start children visit Head Start classrooms prior to transitioning into the older classrooms. Head Start staff work closely with parents on individual transition plans that support positive and smooth transitions for all children.

Through a special MPP Back to School Angels Backpack project that began many years ago by Head Start parents asking for help with school supplies, staff put together and distributed forty-six backpacks to children going into kindergarten classrooms fall of 2016. The project is supported by donations and loyal community support.

Performance Indicator Report

Head Start cumulative enrolled children 206 Total number of classrooms 12 Preschool classes with at least one teacher (12) meeting degree requirements

100%

Preschool classroom assistants (20) with CDA/equivalent or higher 111.1% 3 year olds 98 4 year olds 108 Income below 100% of federal poverty line eligibility 157 Public Assistance & Foster Care & Homeless eligibility 10 Over Income eligibility 17 Number enrolled receiving childcare subsidy 58 Transitioning on to kindergarten 88 Number of children transported on school bus 116 Race and Ethnicity – White 135 Race and Ethnicity – Hispanic 54 Race and Ethnicity – Biracial/Multi-racial 6 Race and Ethnicity – Other 11 Primary language – English 139 Primary language – Spanish 67 Children with health insurance 99.5% Children with medical home 94.7% Children with up-to-date immunizations 99% Children with identified dental home 96.6% Children with an IFSP or IEP 22.3% Total number of HEAD START families 195 Families who received at least one family service 100%

Performance Indicator Report

Early Head Start cumulative enrolled children 157 Total number of EHS classrooms 16 EHS classes with teachers meeting degree requirements 100% Children less than 1 year old 24% Children 1 years old 29.9% Children 2 years old 40.1% EHS children with health insurance 100% Families enrolled below 100% federal poverty guidelines 140 Families enrolled on Public Assistance/Foster/Homeless guidelines 13 Families enrolled over income 9 Number of children receiving childcare subsidy 86 EHS children with a medical home 99.4% Race and ethnicity – White 125 Race and ethnicity – Hispanic 31 Primary Language – English 77.2% Primary Language – Spanish 22.8% EHS children with a dental home 95.5% Percentage of children with an IFSP or IEP 13.4% Total number of EHS families 147 Percentage of families who received at least one family service 83.7% Fathers/father figures participating in father engagement activities 57 EHS Pregnant Moms 10

PARENT ACTIVITIES/TRAININGS

Pedestrian and Transportation Safety Reading to your child School readiness home activities Medication Administration Cold and flu prevention Safe arrival and departure Strong families – conflict management Dressing Children for Winter Winter Storm Preparation Positive Discipline Kids health and nutrition subjects Junk food and your health Renaissance Faire Event Blended family training Social/Emotional development Loving discipline training Family winter craft night Financial literacy training series When to see the doctor A safe and healthy life Tax Tips – How to Claim Earned Income Credit Emergency Preparedness at school and at home Safe sleep for your baby Child abuse awareness and prevention Stress management Outdoor learning Domestic violence awareness Healthy families, healthy kids

122

26 31

75

34 25 2 3 6

17 13

77

3

33 7

0 20 40 60 80

100 120 140

MACON PROGRAM FOR PROGRESS FAMILY SERVICES PROVIDED

2015-2016

SPECIAL VOLUNTEERS For several years, Grand Valley State University has sent student volunteers to Macon County for the “Alternative Spring Break” project. Instead of college students heading to the beaches to party with their friends, these students choose to volunteer with the goal of serving low-income families and giving back to communities.

In March 2016, a group of eleven students worked in Head Start classrooms assisting teachers with children, organized, and sponsored Children’s Olympics, and worked on some landscaping and upgrades to the playgrounds. These young volunteers gave 357 hours, valued at $3,712.00 that counted toward non-federal share.

MPP HEAD START 0-5 PROGRAM OPTIONS Early Head Start (EHS) serves children ages six weeks up to three years of age and pregnant moms. Enrollment opportunities are based on federal income guidelines, age, disability, family type, and other factors. Center hours of operation are 9:00am-2:30 pm Monday-Thursday year round. When a child moves from Early Head Start to Head Start, family income is re-verified for eligibility. THERE IS NEVER A CHARGE FOR HEAD START/EHS SERVICES Head Start (HS) serves children age three to five. Enrollment opportunities are based on federal income guidelines, age, disability, family type, and other factors. Hours of classroom operation are 9:00 am-3:00 pm (typically early September through late to early June). Other eligibility factors include number in the household/family, family needs, and other program selection criteria. HS serves children with disabilities in full inclusion classroom environments. Bus services are available for children assigned to NH I Head Start center.

WE RECRUIT YEAR-ROUND! • Applications accepted year round

• Parents recruit other parents

• Referrals accepted from other agencies

• Announcements in/on local media

• Posters displayed around the county

OTHER OPTIONS

• NC Pre-K is a state-sponsored school readiness program that serves 4-year-olds, based on need and NC Pre-K criteria, hours of care are 8:45 am - 3:15 pm - Monday - Friday.

• Early Head Start Home Base: Once a week, a home visitor visits parent in their home to work with child/parent to plan activities that help child achieve school readiness. Two times a month parents and children meet with other children and parents for socialization activities. EHS Home Base operates year round.

• Private Pay: private childcare for children birth-five; depends on classroom space and staffing availability; hours of care are 7:00 am - 5:30 pm Monday thru Friday year round.

• Extended Day: (before / after) for parents in school, training, or working at least 20 hours per week; based on state daycare guidelines.

Extended Hours age 0-3 7:00 am - 9:00 am and 2:30 pm –to 5:30 pm (Monday - Thursday) 7:00 am – 5:30 pm (Friday)

Extended Hours for age 3-5 7:00 am to 9:00 am and 3:00 pm to 5:30 pm

About Head Start - What We Do

Head Start is a federal program that promotes the school readiness of children ages birth to five from low-income families by enhancing their cognitive, social, and emotional development.

Head Start programs provide a learning environment that supports children's growth in the following domains:

• language and literacy ▪cognition and general knowledge

• physical development and health ▪social and emotional development

• approaches to learning

Head Start programs provide comprehensive services to enrolled children and their families, which include health, nutrition, socialization, and other services determined to be necessary by family needs assessments, in addition to education and cognitive development services. Head Start services are designed to be responsive to each child and family's ethnic, cultural, and linguistic heritage.

Head Start emphasizes the role of parents as their child's first and most important teacher. Head Start programs build relationships with families that support:

• family well-being and positive parent-child relationships

• families as learners and lifelong educators

• family engagement in transitions

• family connections to peers and community

• families as advocates and leaders

Head Start Services

Head Start serves preschool-age children and their families and many Head Start programs provide Early Head Start, which serves infants, toddlers, pregnant women and their families who have incomes below the federal poverty level.

Over a million children are served by Head Start programs every year, including children in every U.S. state and territory and in American Indian and Alaska Native communities. Since 1965, more than 30 million low-income children and their families have received these comprehensive services to increase their school readiness.

EMERGENCY PLANNING MPP Head Start has a plan in place to give staff a guide to use in case of an emergency. In any emergency, the primary concern is to take all appropriate and reasonable actions to protect the safety of children, visitors, and staff. Center staff is responsible for assuring each person within his/her care is accounted for and aid is given to those requiring medical attention or special assistance.

MPP maintains an Emergency/Disaster Group that consists of law enforcement, fire personnel, emergency management personnel and key MPP Head Start support staff. All staff receives fire safety training every year during pre-service, and parents receive emergency planning information throughout the year.

For the 2015-2016 program year, Division of Child Development and Early Education required all programs operating under a daycare licensing, submit an Emergency Preparedness and Response Plan. Key staff attended the extensive training and developed an updated plan to comply with regulations and ensure that all staff received critical updated facts on how to respond in the event of an emergency type disaster situation.

HEAD START 0-5 MANAGEMENT TEAM

Program Director Susie McCoy

Education Manager Debbie Moffitt

Education Supervisor Cindy Cameron

Education Supervisor Cindy Allen

Education Supervisor Bridgett Curtis

Family Services Manager Cheryl Blanton

Family/Community Outreach Specialist Meghan Arnold

ERSEA Specialist Tasmen Bissell

Health Coordinator Tonja Childers

Nutrition Supervisor Crystal Nix

Disabilities Coordinator Stacy Lobeck

Mental Health Consultant Nerissa Baker

Program Design/Development Spec. Suzanne Hughes

Program Monitor Specialist Faydra Miller

Program Support Specialist Glenda Sherman

Learning in our classrooms and in our community

It is our MPP Head Start 0-5 mission in partnership

with parents and communities to protect, preserve,

and promote healthy growth and learning in

children, families, and ourselves.

2015-2016