This activity is designed to increase accessibility of child care for families in Washington County by providing a full time child care coordinator to process applications for all child care subsidies and supplements funding with Smart Start dollars administered by the Washington County Center for Human Services. In addition, this position assists in the process of registering families for child care; collaborates with child care providers, other social service agencies and clients who need child care; and works with Child Care Resource and Referral. For further information contact the Washingotn County Center for Human Services at (252)793-4041.

 

This activity is designed to increase the number of families receiving subsidies, provide supplements to providers based upon the number of children they serve and their efforts to enhance the quality of care they provide. This project will increase accessibility of child care for families who would otherwise be placed on a waiting list because of insufficient funds. It will also assist children with special needs through allocation of supplements for child care. For further information contact the Washington County Center for Human Services at (252)793-4041.

This activity serves both Tyrrell and Washington County and provides a full time Child Care Resource and Referral Coordinator and a part time Program Specialist. Services provided by Child Care Resource and Referral will include: maintaining a database of providers and providing referral information to parents; facilitating provider and parental networks; coordinating training to providers; publishing a newsletter and training calendar; maintaining a lending library and participating in community collaborative efforts to improve services for young children. The Child Care Resource and Referral program also supports Beaufort Community College (BCC) in bringing educational services to Washington County. BCC facilitators will provide opportunities for additional early childhood educational services/courses via the information highway. In addition Child Care Resource and Referral will fund activities associated with the annual “Week of the Young Child” celebration. For further information contact Debra Swain at (252)793-5437.

 

Child Care Resource & Referral Training

 

 

Preschool Program

 This activity will offer educational instruction during the regular school year in two preschool classrooms for up to 30 children (ages 3 & 4) in Tyrrell Elemantary School. The children will receive intensive 1:1 educational instruction and small and whole group instruction from certified Birth-Kindergarten (BK) teachers in an inclusive classroom setting.  Instruction will be focused on children with the greatest needs. Tyrrell County Schools Preschool Program, a four-star program under the State licensing system, will provide in-kind matching such as classroom facilities, teacher/teacher assistant salaries, classroom supplies, materials, equipment, school buses, drivers, and expenses for operating the buses. Additionally, the Preschool Summer Program will be held in June and July at Tyrrell Elementary School for up to 30 children ages 3 and 4 and will include: classroom environment for the students, parent involvement/parent participation, parent education (via individual home or school visits offered by the teacher), and a child and family assessment. Results from the AGS Early Screening Profile will be utilized to plan the activities for the summer program. For further information contact Tyrrell County Schools at (252)796-1121.

 

This activity serves Washington County and is designed to allow parents the opportunity to further their own and their child’s literacy skills, provide parenting skills training, access to information and training on child growth and development, and provide access to an informed and coordinated service referral and delivery system. Parents will attend classes along with their three and four year old children. The Washington County Family Literacy program involves four intricately connected components. These are: The Adult Education Component, the Parenting Component, the Preschool Component and the Parent and Child Together Component (PACT). For further information contact: Kitty Hedgepeth at (252)793-1327.

 

 

 

Cooperative Playgroup

 

This activity serves Tyrrell County and offers a playgroup every Wednesday at the Family Resource Center from 10:30 AM  to 12:00 PM.  A part-time Program Specialist will implement the playgroup for children ages 2-5 who are not in regulated care.   The playgroup will provide family support and parent interaction. Participating children will have the opportunity to experience a structured learning environment and socialization. The Playgroup may include activity time or story time and parent-child activities, and will utilize developmentally appropriate materials including lesson plans or activities. The number of playgroup sessions held will depend on number of children and families participating. The playgroup will also provide snacks for the children and families. For further information contact Sherri Gilliam at (252)793-5437. 



Incredible Years Parenting Program 

 

  The Incredible Years is a research-

  based program that is effective in

  reducing children's aggression and

  behavior problems and increasing

  social competence at home and at

  school.  It is designed to promote

  positive parenting strategies and to

  assist parents in managing

  children's behavior.  This will be accomplished through parent education sessions focusing on positive reinforcement, limit setting, non-physical discipline alternatives and problem solving strategies. Incredible Years classes are held weekly for a total for 14 weeks per year.  The classes are facilitated by two group leaders certified by the the Incredible Years national office.  For further information contact Kay Overton at (252)793-5437.

   

 

 

 

 

This program serves both Washington and Tyrrell Counties. Materials including brochures, newspaper inserts and informational/resource packets for designated populations will be distributed to the community. One of the groups targeted is new mothers.  The "Welcome Baby" resource packet (pictured below) includes materials on various topics including health and safety and is distributed to new parents via MTW Health Department, Washington County Center for Human Services and the Partnership office.   

The Tyrrell-Washington Partnership for Children will participate in and/or sponsor area events to provide information about Smart Start activities and early childhood issues. The Partnership will work to provide information to the community through distribution of agency materials and by seeking positive media coverage. The awareness campaign will be ongoing and target the community including special interest groups. For further information or to request a resource packet contact Kay Overton at (252)793-5437.