The Coastland Times Reports on CYP's 2009 Annual Meeting
2009 Group Champion for Children Award
Kathleen Wasniewski, Cheri Peele, and Thea Crane O’Neil of Outer Banks Mommy & Me accept the 2nd annual group “Champions for Children” award presented at Children & Youth Partnership’s 15th anniversary meeting on September 28.
2009 Children & Youth Partnership Executive Committee
Children & Youth Partnership for Dare County elected 2009-10 officers at its recent Board of Directors meeting and heard a presentation from Stephanie Fanjul, President of the North Carolina Partnership for Children. Pictured (left to right) are Loretta Michael, executive director, Bill Vann, Stephanie Fanjul, Nancy Griffin, Lisa Cafferty, Lisa Murphy, and Sallie Ackley.
Lisa Murphy Recognized for Service
Lisa Murphy was recently recognized for her service as co-chair of Children & Youth Partnership for the past 2 years at the Partnership’s annual meeting on September 28.
Stephanie Fanjul Presents at Children & Youth Partnership's Annual Meeting
Stephanie Fanjul, President of the North Carolina Partnership for Children, spoke about North Carolina’s Smart Start program at Children & Youth Partnership’s annual meeting on September 28.
Outer Banks Community Foundation Awards Grant To Children & Youth Partnership for Imagination Library
Charles Hardy of the Outer Banks Community Foundation presents Loretta Michael a check for $12,000 for Imaginaton Library
Charles Hardy and Barbara Bingham, representing the Outer Banks Community Foundation, announced that Children & Youth Partnership for Dare County has been awarded a third grant for supporting children’s reading initiatives at the Partnership’s 15th annual Board of Directors meeting on September 28. A $12,000 award was presented for Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, an exciting pre-literacy program that mails high quality books to participating children at their homes each month. Children are able to build a library of books in their home that can be read and re-read to them by their parents, nurturing young imaginations and creating family reading time, while laying a foundation for development of reading skills. The Community Foundation’s award will ensure that over 400 children in Dare County continue to experience the benefits of this innovative program for another year. The Outer Banks Community Foundation has supported Children & Youth Partnership since its inception through funding and support for needs identified at various State of the Child Conferences. Examples of past support include the Wright Place for Youth home for children and the Dare County Youth Center. The Foundation’s grant kicks off the fall fundraising campaign for Imagination Library. Children & Youth Partnership is seeking key financial partners to be able to add new children and continue sending books to children already enrolled in the program until their 5th birthday. Businesses, civic groups, and individuals are encouraged to contact the Partnership to make a donation or become a sponsor of this nationally recognized literacy program. There are about 940 children from all areas of the county currently enrolled in Imagination Library. Children & Youth Partnership’s goal this year is to increase and maintain 1,000 children in the program. Last year 10, 194 books were mailed to young children participating in the program. Parents can enroll their child by contacting the Partnership at 441-0614.
POD Squad Comes to Dare County
Kyle Williams(far left), Owner/Director of The Munchkin Academy, accompanies the POD Squad on their visit to The Island Garden Center in Buxton.
Children & Youth Partnership for Dare County (CYP) has been selected as one of ten partnerships in North Carolina to participate in a grant project called Preventing Obesity by Design II (POD II). The mission of POD II is to inhibit the increasing rates of childhood obesity by educating child care providers, children, and their families about healthy physical activity and eating habits and by improving child care centers’ outdoor environments to become more engaging, interesting and fun. The POD II Project is offered through a partnership between the Natural Learning Initiative (NLI), North Carolina State University (NCSU), and the North Carolina Partnership for Children (NCPC) and is being funded by the Blue Cross Blue Shield Foundation of North Carolina, Inc. The project will take place over three years with one center being transformed and designated as a demonstration site during the first year, and two centers being chosen for the second year with installation taking place in the third year.
The Munchkin Academy in Buxton was selected, out of the six child care centers to apply, to act as the demonstration site. The “POD Squad,” made up of members from NCPC, NLI, and NCSU, made their initial site visit to The Munchkin Academy on Wednesday, June 24, 2009. During their visit, the POD Squad took precise measurements of the outdoor area, conducted an assessment of the outdoor environment and did extensive mapping of the children’s behaviors. They also visited The Island Garden Center, a local nursery in Buxton, to obtain some insight on native plants and helpful knowledge concerning vegetation that grows well in a coastal area. Later that day, the POD Squad gave a presentation to educate staff, parents and the community on the POD II Grant and the transformation process. The next step is for staff from The Munchkin Academy and CYP to attend a two day training in Raleigh to create a conceptual design for the outdoor area. Installation of the new outdoor environment will take place in the early planting season of next year.
Currently, there is a national movement towards spending more time outdoors as research persistently shows the beneficial effects nature has on young children’s lives in all areas of development: physical, social, emotional, and cognitive. The transformation process will include bringing nature back into the spaces that are primarily dominated by sterile, synthetic equipment by introducing flower and vegetable gardens, sensory pathways, the use of rain barrels and so much more to make these outdoor environments conducive to learning and play. Everything children can learn and do inside, they can learn and do outside. The plan is to integrate free play activities (i.e. music, art, math, science, etc.) into the outdoor play area through mosaics, instrument discovery, exploration, and imagination. The Preventing Obesity by Design II project is in need of community partners and volunteers to donate their expertise (i.e. what plants are native to this area, how to make raised planters) and time and/or materials for the landscape installation next spring. If you are a local artist/musician, club, nursery, organization and/or individual who would like to contribute to this project (in any way), or if you need additional information, please contact Dare County CCR&R at 252-441-4737 or at ecs@darekids.org.
Children & Youth Partnership for Dare County is a non-profit organization serving children, youth, and families in Dare County. The Partnership administers the Smart Start program for Dare County for children birth through age five and is a central source of information about activities, programs, and resources for all children.Smart Start Partnership Meets with Dare County Legislative Delegation
RALEIGH, NC – On May 19th, a group of child advocates, child care professionals and parents from Dare County traveled to the North Carolina General Assembly as part of Smart Start’s statewide, “Tuesdays for Tots” initiative to discuss important issues facing young children and working families in Dare County on behalf of Children & Youth Partnership for Dare County. The group was joined by Smart Start advocates representing Hyde, Beaufort, Tyrrell, Washington, Pasquotank, Camden, Currituck, Gates, and Bertie counties and met as a group with legislative representatives from Northeastern North Carolina
Tuesdays for Tots is Smart Start’s signature advocacy effort that takes place every year during the legislative session. On Tuesdays, local Smart Start partnerships come to Raleigh for one-on-one meetings with legislators to educate lawmakers on Smart Start successes and discuss challenges facing young children and their families.
Smart Start is North Carolina's nationally recognized and award-winning early childhood initiative designed to ensure that young children enter school healthy and ready to succeed. Smart Start is a public-private initiative that provides early education funding to all of the state's 100 counties. Smart Start funds are administered at the local level through 78 local nonprofit organizations called Local Partnerships. The North Carolina Partnership for Children, Inc., (NCPC) is the statewide nonprofit organization that provides oversight and technical assistance for local partnerships.
Smart Start has experienced funding reductions over the past 8 years of $29.9 million. This amounts to a loss of $87.8 million when combined with the effects of inflation. These cuts are occurring at the same time that economists and other business leaders are advocating that investments in young children are one of the strongest investments not only for the short term but also for sustained growth and job creation. In fact, the North Carolina General Assembly’s Legislative Study Commission on Children and Youth concluded: "It is critical to ensure the healthy development of children in the State and improve outcomes for all children in order to ensure the future success of our State and our citizens."
Dare County residents traveling to the North Carolina General Assembly included: C&YP Executive Director, Loretta Michael and Board members, Sallie Ackley, Thea Crane O’Neil, and Leigh Anne Vincent.
Smart Start is North Carolina’s early childhood leadership network dedicated to assuring that every child reaches his or her potential and is prepared for success in a global community. For more information, visit www.ncsmartstart.org.
Celebrating Child Care Provider Appreciation Day in Dare County
April 29, 2009—Friday May 8th, 2009 marks the nationally recognized Provider Appreciation Day.
Provider Appreciation Day is a special day for parents and the community to recognize child care providers, teachers and other educators of young children everywhere. Started by a group of volunteers in 1996, Provider Appreciation Day was created to recognize the tireless efforts of providers who care for children of working parents. Children and Youth Partnership (C&YP) encourages the entire community to honor and recognize the invaluable efforts of child care providers in child care programs in Dare County that serve children from birth through age five.
Teaching and taking care of young children are critical to our community, providing a good foundation for children and allowing parents to work. Many providers work full time, take classes, participate in various C&YP sponsored trainings, and raise children and families of their own.
About 50% of the early childhood professionals in Dare County in licensed child care settings have taken early childhood education classes at community colleges and universities. Working in child care today requires education, training, skills, dedication, and compassion, and it is important to celebrate and support providers’ efforts to maintain quality child care.
Just like all workers, child care professionals need to be acknowledged for the work they do.
Children and Youth Partnership is proud of the accomplishments of the child care community in Dare County and wants to recognize the hard work and commitment they provide to children and families every day. It takes a special person to work in the child care field, and often child care providers are not fully recognized for their contribution to our community. Provider Appreciation Day offers an opportunity for parents and the community to show their appreciation to child care providers. C&YP would like to encourage parents to take time to show their thanks and gratitude to their child care providers.
Write a special “thank you” note or make a homemade gift, and be sure to include your child in whatever you decide to do. Your act of kindness will bring awareness to the importance of the child care provider’s role and will most certainly be appreciated.
Children and Youth Partnership would like to thank Duck Donuts for their thoughtful donation to acknowledge Provider Appreciation Day! You can visit Duck Donuts at one of its three locations in Duck, Kitty Hawk, and now in Kill Devil Hills! To learn more about Provider Appreciation Day and/or ideas on how to show your appreciation, visit www.providerappreciationday.org or call C&YP at 252-441-0614.
Children and Youth Partnership for Dare County is a non-profit organization serving children, youth, and families in Dare County. The Partnership administers the Smart Start program for Dare County for children birth through age five and is a central source of information about activities, programs, and resources for all children. For more information please visit our website at www.darekids.org.
Third Annual Kindergarten Kick Off 2009
April 14, 2009- Dare County Schools and Children & Youth Partnership for Dare County are planning the third annual Kindergarten Kick-off for April 28, 2009, at Manteo Elementary School from 5:30 to 7:00 pm. Kindergarten Kick-Off provides valuable information to parents of children who will be entering kindergarten in Dare County next year. Parents of incoming kindergarten children who will be attending Dare County elementary schools next year are invited to sign up for this event. Kindergarten teachers will provide information on such topics as “A Day in the Life of a Kindergarten Student” and what to expect in Kindergarten. In addition Practical Readiness Tips and lots of take home handouts will be provided. The evening begins at 5:30 with an optional self-guided tour of a typical Kindergarten classroom. The program will start at 6:00 with free pizza provided. Childcare will be available from 6:00 – 7:00 for children 3 years and older who have pre-registered by April 22th. Parents can register at www.darekids.org or by calling Children & Youth Partnership for Dare County at 252-441-0614. Space is limited, so register early. Children & Youth Partnership is a non-profit organization serving children, youth and families in Dare County. The partnership administers the state Smart Start program for Dare County for children birth through age 5 and is a central source for information about activities, programs and resources for children.
Children & Youth Partnership for Dare County Receives Clean Audit Report
Partnership continues its record of clean audits
Kill Devil Hills – Children & Youth Partnership for Dare County has a “clean bill” of financial health, according to the Office of State Auditor. An audit of 2007-2008 Smart Start activities found the organization was in compliance and had appropriate internal controls. Children & Youth Partnership administers the Smart Start program for Dare County
The state audits Children & Youth Partnership every two years. Auditors look for compliance in three core areas: accuracy of financial statements; how the partnership processes and authorizes transactions such as grants, accounts payable, payroll and cash receipts; and contract compliance.
“We are very pleased with our results,” said Lisa Murphy board co-chair for the Dare Partnership, “We have worked hard to use every tax dollar wisely to help our children and our county thrive, and this audit shows we have done just that.”
Smart Start is an early childhood leadership network that leverages private and public dollars to address issues critical to North Carolina’s young children. Created in 1993 by Governor Jim Hunt, Smart Start is funded in all 100 North Carolina counties and is administered by 78 local Smart Start partnerships that create community-based programs. Smart Start financially supports programs that increase the number of quality early childhood program, provides education credits to early childhood workers, supports parent education programs and connects families with medical services.
The North Carolina Partnership for the Children (NCPC), Inc. leads the state Smart Start initiative. NCPC places great emphasis on local control, coupled with strict accountability, oversight and measures to ensure financial integrity. NCPC undergoes annual audits and the Smart Start partnerships undergo either annual or biennial financial and compliance audits by the State Auditor.
For more information about Children & Youth Partnership, visit the Partnership’s Web site at www.darekids.org, or call 252-441-0614.
Smart Start is North Carolina’s early childhood leadership network dedicated to assuring that every child reaches his or her potential and is prepared for success in a globally competitive world. For more information, visit www.ncsmartstart.org.
Forty children enrolled in the Head Start program in Manteo are participating in an exciting new reading program called “Raising A Reader”. Raising A Reader’s mission is to foster healthy brain development, parent-child bonding, and early literacy skills critical for school success by engaging parents in a routine of daily “book cuddling” with their children. Each week, the children take home bright red book bags filled with colorful and engaging picture books for their parents to read with them. Every week, books are rotated among the children so that every child has a bag full of new books to take home. The book bag and its contents quickly become a child's favorite toy. At the end of the school year, all children heading off to Kindergarten will be given a blue library bag to keep. Both parents and children will be introduced to the Dare County Library and encouraged to continue their reading time together through use of the library. The Outer Banks Community Foundation has provided a grant to Children & Youth Partnership for Dare County to bring this pilot program to Dare County. Dare County Head Start and the Dare County Library are working with the Partnership to ensure the success of the project. Children & Youth Partnership is a non-profit organization serving children, youth, and families in Dare County. The Partnership administers the state Smart Start program for Dare County for children birth through age 5 and is a central source of information about activities, programs, and resources for children.
OBX Bank Donates to Imagination Library December 2009
OBX Bank presented a $1,000 donation to Children & Youth Partnership for the Imagination Library program. Pictured L to R, Dee McManus, OBX Bank, Loretta Michael, Children & Youth Partnership, Phyllis Neal and Penny Bentley, OBX Bank.
OBX Bank has once again donated $1,000 to Children & Youth Partnership for Dare County for Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library. This contribution will help ensure that children already enrolled in the program continue to receive books each month, and that new children can participate.
With the help of generous donors like the OBX Bank, outstanding children’s books are being mailed directly to young children in their homes each month until their fifth birthday. These children will be able to begin building their own library of books at home that can be read and re-read to them by their family members, nurturing young imaginations and laying the early foundations for learning to read. Early exposure to words, books, and nursery rhymes helps young children build language skills - and parents will be reminded each month when a new book arrives to create time to read to their child.
Any child under the age of 5 years in Dare County is eligible for the program, and parents may register their child by contacting Children & Youth Partnership at 441-0614. More information about Imagination Library can be found on our website, www.darekids.org.
Children & Youth Partnership is a non-profit organization serving children, youth, and families in Dare County. The Partnership administers the state Smart Start program for Dare County for children birth through age 5 and is a central source of information about activities, programs, and resources for children.
First Flight Crusiers donate to Imagination Library
Members of the First Flight Cruisers presented a $2,000 donation to Children & Youth Partnership for Dare County for the Imagination Library program.
The First Flight Cruisers have donated $2,000 to Children & Youth Partnership to support Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library program in Dare County. The First Flight Cruisers is an all make/model auto club on the Outer Banks open to vehicle enthusiasts that enjoy gathering for fellowship, shows, and cruises while creating a positive impact on the community. The club members decided to contribute proceeds from their events to Imagination Library, benefiting all young children in the county.
The First Flight Cruisers joins several other corporate and civic donors as a Key Financial Sponsor, making it possible to bring this highly acclaimed reading program to children in Dare County. With the help of generous sponsors like the First Flight Cruisers, outstanding children’s books are mailed directly to young children in their homes each month until their fifth birthday. Children look forward each month to a new and exciting reading adventure, and as parents make time to read with their child, a strong association of love and comfort is made with reading. The goals of the program are to instill a love of learning, to help prepare children for Kindergarten, and to improve childhood literacy and success in school. Families can register for Imagination Library by calling Children & Youth Partnership at 441-0614. More information can be found at www.darekids.org.
Children & Youth Partnership is a non-profit organization serving children, youth, and families in Dare County. The Partnership administers the state Smart Start program for Dare County for children birth through age 5 and is a central source of information about activities, programs, and resources for children.
Dolly Parton's Imagination Library
As children in Dare County head back to school, Children & Youth Partnership and Imagination Library will be gearing up for another successful year. Imagination Library, begun in 2008 for Dare County, is a program that was founded by Dolly Parton to provide books and reading opportunities for all children. Once registered, children who are enrolled in the program will receive an age-appropriate book each month until their fifth birthday.
With books reaching every town and community in Dare County, Imagination Library is helping to give local children a fun and educational way to spend time with their families. When children receive their books in the mail each month, the excitement of receiving something new in the mail helps to build enthusiasm and opens up opportunities for parents to sit and read to their children. This quality time between parents and children helps to prepare each child for their entrance into school and develops their vocabulary and imagination, while laying a foundation for reading skills that will be necessary as they grow. By reading to their children, parents are helping to promote brain development and a love of reading that is vital during the critical developmental years of early childhood.
Imagination Library is currently reaching close to 950 children in Dare County and has mailed over 10,000 books since July 2008. But this wouldn’t have been possible without the generosity and support from financial sponsors and the community. Approximately $28 is required to sponsor one child for a year in the program, and with the help of our past financial sponsors, we have continued to work towards our goal of serving and maintaining 1,000 children.
Beginning after Labor Day, C&YP will begin its fall fund-raising campaign to seek sponsors for the upcoming year. These sponsors help to ensure that the currently enrolled children are still able to receive books while helping to increase the number of children served by the program as well. To become a sponsor of Imagination Library, or for more information, please contact the Partnership at 252-441-0614 or visit the C&YP website, www.darekids.org.
In addition to searching for new sponsors, C&YP is also looking for feedback from parents whose children are currently enrolled in the program. While surveys have been mailed out to the most recent participants in the program, the C&YP website provides a link for access to the survey for all parents whose children currently participate in Imagination Library. The feedback gained through this survey will help to give insight into the program itself and what parents think about its implementation.
Children & Youth Partnership is a non-profit organization serving children, youth, and families in Dare County. The Partnership administers the state Smart Start program for Dare County for children birth through age 5 and is a central source for information about activities, programs and resources for all children.
Mommy & Me donates to Imagination Library
The Outer Banks Mommy & Me Board presents a check for Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library to Brenda O’Donnell, Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library Project Coordinator.
Outer Banks Mommy & Me has donated $1,000 to Children & Youth Partnership again this year to help support Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library program in Dare County. Mommy & Me is a group of organized parents dedicated to the development of young children birth through the age of five.
With the help of generous donors like Mommy & Me, outstanding children’s books will be mailed directly to young children in their homes each month until their fifth birthday. The goals of the program are to instill a love of learning from the earliest age possible, to better prepare children for Kindergarten, and to improve childhood literacy and success in school. Families can register for Imagination Library by calling Children & Youth Partnership at 441-0614. Please visit our website, www.darekids.org for more information.
Children & Youth Partnership is a non-profit organization serving children, youth, and families in Dare County. The Partnership administers the state Smart Start program for Dare County for children birth through age 5 and is a central source of information about activities, programs, and resources for children.
E.R. Midgett donates to Imagination Library
Paul Tine of E. R. Midgett Insurance Agency presents a donation for Imagination Library to Brenda O’Donnell of Children & Youth Partnership.
E. R. Midgett has donated $1,000 to Children & Youth Partnership again this year to help support Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library program in Dare County. E R Midgett Insurance Agency is a community focused full service agency that recognizes the importance of both early childhood education and the general literacy of Dare County's youth.
With the help of generous donors like E. R. Midgett, outstanding children’s books will be mailed directly to young children in their homes each month until their fifth birthday. The goals of the program are to instill a love of learning from the earliest age possible, to better prepare children for Kindergarten, and to improve childhood literacy and success in school. Families can register for Imagination Library by calling Children & Youth Partnership at 441-0614. Please visit our website, www.darekids.org for more information.
Children & Youth Partnership is a non-profit organization serving children, youth, and families in Dare County. The Partnership administers the state Smart Start program for Dare County for children birth through age 5 and is a central source of information about activities, programs, and resources for children.
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