KidSource Child Care Resource & Referral - Stokes Partnership for Children

This activity is designed to promote continuous quality improvement of child care centers and/or homes. Services that are provided using Smart Start dollars in this activity include: (1) Technical assistance: Technical assistance in the form of coaching and modeling provided to early childhood educators working in start-up, licensed and/or G.S. 110 child care facilities serving children birth to five years old. The Technical Assistance activity will be focused on improving participating facilitiesstar levels; ECERS scores; CLASS scores. (2) Training for child care providers: Training for DCDEE credit hours provided on child care related topics and coordination of CEU opportunities. (3) Lending Library Services: Lending Library will provide access to child development resources and materials such as, but not limited to, books, manipulatives, reference materials, curriculum kits, etc. Items for check out will be available to early childhood professionals, college students, and families with children ages birth to five years. Guidance on the appropriate use of the materials may be provided. This activity will also serve as a resource room with access to die cuts and laminating machines. Materials to enhance quality may be provided to classrooms in accordance with locally approved policies & procedures. Contact Shanda Cox at shandamcox@stokespfc.com or call 336-985-2676, ext. 168 for questions.

​

Program Management & Evaluation- Stokes Partnership for Children

Stokes Partnership for Children may utilize in-house and/or contracted personnel to address the multifarious aspects of Smart Start programming and to build upon strengths of the contractors who have principal areas of program evaluation skills. These identified areas of program evaluation needs are as follows: 1) Overall program evaluation and technical assistance for the evaluation process; 2) Program monitoring and reporting of activities and fiscal accountability coordination; 3) Community focus groups and workshops to address collaboration needs with partnering agencies and development of program evaluation education for partner agencies; 4) Data collection from all Smart Start sponsored programs; 5) Analysis of data from subcontractors; 6) Synthesis of data into usable format for annual evaluation of program effectiveness and of Smart Start impact within the community; 7) Creation of all monitoring and evaluation data in a reportable format. Smart Start funds may be used to conduct, or update, a local needs assessment to accurately determine unmet needs.

​

Enhancing Quality Through Professional Development- Stokes Partnership for Children

Enhancing Quality Through Professional Development (EQPD) will provide financial incentives to early childhood professionals working with children ages birth to five for at least 20 hours per week in a Stokes County licensed facility.  Payments will be made after successful completion (grade C or better or pass marking) of a 3 semester credit hour college level course that meets the requirements for a degree in early childhood.  Prerequisite developmental classes will be paid following the completion of three credit hours of prerequisite developmental classes. Financial incentives will also be given for Milestone Achievements (i.e. Early Childhood Certificates; Associate degree in Early Childhood; Bachelor degree in Early Childhood; Master's Degree in Early Childhood). Per-course incentives may be paid after each course completed. Milestone Achievement payments will occur only one time per person for each Milestone Achievement level completed. Eligible Milestone Achievement recipients must have received per course incentives through EQPD for a minimum of two semesters within the current and/or immediately preceding two fiscal years. Stokes Partnership for Children supports EQPD through Smart Start funds and encourages all early childhood professionals enrolled in college to request additional information about this opportunity. Contact Michael Redden at mredden@stokespfc.com or call 336-985-2676, ext. 146 for questions. 

​

NC Pre-K Support- Stokes Partnership for Children

The NC Pre-Kindergarten Program provides high quality pre-k services to eligible children.  To support access to and ensure quality to this pre-k program, Stokes Partnership for Children provides services such as classroom monitoring to ensure compliance for continuous quality improvement; local data collection and analysis to ensure and improve service access and delivery to eligible families; coordination of classroom technical assistance and professional development opportunities; collaboration with community partners to conduct county-wide DIAL screenings to identify eligible children.

​

Workforce Innovation to Support Early Education (WISEE)- Stokes Partnership for Children

At the time of application, Stokes County residents, students attending high school in Stokes County, or individuals working in a Stokes County early childhood program (serving children birth to five and not yet in kindergarten) will be offered the opportunity to participate in the Workforce Innovation to Support Early Education (WISEE) program if enrolled in at least one 3 credit hour college level course (that meets the requirements for a degree in early childhood education).High school students participating in an internship in an early childhood classroom and who may be considering a career in Early Childhood Education may also participate.WISEE will provide financial incentives, enhanced educational opportunities and support for students with a goal to increase the workforce of higher educated early childhood professionals through the use of college credits. WISEE will help to decrease barriers and create a more seamless pathway for students interested in the early childhood field, especially from high school to college, and on into the workforce. Priority will be given to high school and early college students, recent high school graduates and those new to the ECE field. WISEE will provide opportunities for students to develop skills relating to professionalism, leadership and advocacy. In addition to financial incentives and educational opportunities, WISEE will provide an additional level of support and guidance in order to help the students succeed in obtaining college credits in the early childhood education field. Contact Lisa Dillon at ldillon@stokespfc.com or call 336-985-2676, ext. 166.

​

Behavior and Inclusion Support (BIS) Specialist- Stokes Partnership for Children

This activity supports the inclusion of children with emotional, behavioral and/or identified special needs in the child care setting. Services that are provided using Smart Start dollars in this activity include: (1) Technical assistance: Technical assistance (in the form of consultation and coaching) provided to early childhood educators working in licensed and/or G.S. 110 child care facilities serving children birth to five years old. The technical Assistance will be focused on improving the capacity of providers to support nurturing and responsive caregiving, create learning environments, provide targeted social-emotional skills, and support children with challenging behavior in child care settings through the use of the Teaching Pyramid Observation Tool (TPOT); Ages & Stages Questionnaires. (2) Training for child care providers: Training for DCDEE credit hours provided on social emotional and behavioral competence related topics and coordination of CEU opportunities. (3) Family Liaison: Act as a liaison with behavioral health and other resources for caregivers and make referrals as necessary. Materials to enhance social-emotional skills and inclusivity may be provided to classrooms in accordance with locally approved policies & procedures.

​

​

 

Smart Start Funds for POC - Stokes County Department of Social Services   

Financial assistance will be paid on a direct per child basis for the purchase of part- or full-day care and/or rate enhancements for families eligible for Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) or the Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF). This activity will be implemented through the state-level subsidy contract and will be governed by a Memorandum of Understanding between the Local Partnership and the Local Purchasing Agency (LPA). 336-593-2861

​

Early Childhood Itinerant Instructor - Forsyth Tech

Stokes Partnership for Children will fund a full-time position with Forsyth Technical Community College for an Early Childhood Itinerant Instructor in order to offer afternoon, evening, and online courses leading to the credential certificate in early childhood and/or associate degree in early childhood education for Stokes County early education providers. This position will advise, enroll and provide a greater access to early childhood education at a time and place convenient for child care providers in Stokes County. A minimum of six courses per semester will be offered in a variety of alternative formats: afternoons, evenings, online, at providers centers, family child care homes, schools or convenient locations in Stokes County. This instructor will go out into each early childhood setting and evaluate their needs for professional development plans and will also work closely with Stokes Partnership for Children to provide Division of Child Development and Early Education approved trainings as requested for child care providers. 336-734-7969

​

Nurturing Parenting Program (NPP) - Nurturing Skills for Families - Children's Center of Northwest NC

The Nurturing Skills for Families model of the Nurturing Parenting Program will be provided for families and their children birth to five, living in Stokes County and at risk of child abuse and neglect and/or domestic violence. This Intervention model will provide home-based instructional lessons from the evidenced-based Nurturing Skills for Families Lesson Guides. One full-time Parent Educator will provide weekly face to face visits for a minimum of 16 and up to 24weeks to approximately 20 families. Through the face to face visits parents learn about nurturing parenting routines, alternatives to hitting, child development, and ways to build self-esteem and self-concept in self and children. The Parent Educator will administer the Adult-Adolescent Parenting Inventory (AAPI-2) and the Nurturing Skills Competency Scale (NSCS) which measure the impact of the program with pre, post, and process assessment tools. These assessment tools are used to access parenting beliefs, knowledge and skills. The Parent Educator will implement Core Lessons according to Nurturing Skills for Families curriculum that meet the specific needs of the family.

​

Stability in Stars - Stokes County DSS

The Stability in Stars activity provides quality enhancement incentives for eligible 4 and 5 star programs. A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between Stokes Partnership for Children (SPC) and the Stokes County Department of Social Services (DSS) determines how these funds are to be spent. Our MOU agrees to allow these funds to pass through DSS, which in turn gives eligible programs a pre-determined amount per child receiving subsidy payment through DSS.  These funds are an incentive or bonus to attain and sustain a higher star rating.

 

Other Programs and Services (Not funded by Smart Start) 

Provided by Stokes Partnership for Children

​

Reach Out and Read@

This activity will provide a Project Coordinator and other local partnership staff to partner with medical care practices to provide pre-literacy opportunities for children and their parents. The participating trained medical care providers will voluntarily incorporate Reach Out and Read@ (ROR), an evidence-based model, into young children's regular pediatric checkups or well-child visits. The medical care providers will implement ROR in their practices according to the National ROR guidelines. During each of the routine visits, children will receive a new, culturally- and developmentally-appropriate book to take home and read with their parents. The medical care providers will discuss the importance of reading, model reading a book aloud to the child, and encourage parent-child interactions as part of pre-literacy and language development. The program begins at the child's 6-month checkup and continues through age 5, with a special emphasis on children growing up in low-income communites. The children's "medical home" will display a "literacy-rich" waiting room area that reinforces the doctor's "prescription to read". This activity will also ensure data collection for the project evaluation and secure funds for book purchases for at least 6 months after project completion. This program is currently offered at LifeBrite Pediatrics and Stokes County Health Department in Danbury, NC, and Novant Health Pedicatrics in King, NC. Learn more, click here. Funded by proceeds from BBQ for Books with a Side of Bluegrass. Contact Valica Inman for more information at vinman@stokespfc.com or call 336-985-2676. ext. 141. 

 

 

NC Pre-Kindergarten - NC Division of Child Development and Early Education

The NC Pre-K Program is designed to provide high-quality educational experiences to enhance school readiness for eligible four-year-old children. The NC Pre-K Program Requirements are built on the National Education Goals Panel’s premise that to be successful academically in school, children need to be prepared in all five of the developmental domains that are critical to children’s overall well-being and success in reading and math as they enter school:

• Approaches to play and learning

• Emotional and social development

• Health and Physical Development

• Language development and communication

• Cognitive development

For more information click here.  or contact Shannon Cox at scox@stokespfc.com or call 336-985-2676, ext. 147. Funded by the NC General Assembly.

​

Dolly Parton's Imagination Library - Stokes Partnership for Children

Stokes Partnership for Children (SPC) has a very special gift for ALL of Stokes County's young children under 5 years of age. Due to our successful fundraising efforts SPC is now offering Dolly Parton's Imagination Library. Dolly Parton's Imagination Library offers any child a free, developmentally appropriate book once per month from the time they are born until their 5th birthday. Once children are enrolled in the program, books are mailed to their home each month. Dolly Parton's Imagination Library encourages reading along with parent and child interaction ultimately helping children enter kindergarten with established pre-literacy skills critical to later reading success. For more information click here. Funded by a special allocation from the NC General Assembly and BBQ for Books with a Side of Bluegrass. Contact Valicia Inman at vinman@stokespfc.com or call 336-985-2676. ext. 141 for questions. 

​

Little Folks Festival

Held each April, the Little Folks Festival is a school readiness forum for young children and families, with a focus on early care and education, literacy, family support and health. County organizations, non-profits and businesses set up booths featuring their programs and services making the festival a perfect venue for community information sharing. Best of all it offers a variety of fun activities for young children, including special appearances by costume characters, indoor/outdoor activities, free food, free books, games and prizes. Funding is provided throught private donations. There is no charge for admission. Donations are accepted. SPC partners with other community agencies to offer the Little Folks Festival, including the Stokes Family YMCA, the Stokes County Schools, the Children's Center, YMCA Camp Hanes and the Forsyth Tech Early Childhood Program. As a part of this collaboration, the Stokes Family YMCA hosts their Healthy Kids Day jointly with the Little Folks Festival. Funded by private donations and sponsorships. 

​

Book Walk

Our Book Walk, located at King Central Park, encourages children and their families to enjoy reading and the outdoors. Future exhibits are planned in other parks throughout the county. Funded by proceeds from BBQ for Books with a Side of Bluegrass and private grants and donations. 

​

Howard Mabe Literacy Fund

Howard Mabe, a former Stokes County Commissioner, was an active board member of Stokes Partnership for Children for many years. He served as Treasurer of the board and was an energetic SPC committee member. He was well liked and respected by SPC staff and fellow members of the SPC Board of Directors. In order to honor his memory, Stokes Partnership for Children has established the Howard Mabe Literacy Fund. Donations to the fund will be used to purchase new books for young children in Stokes County, in order to encourage the love of reading beginning at an early age. Labels are placed in the front of each book informing the recipient that the book was given through the Howard Mabe Literacy Fund. Howard Mabe valued the well-being of young children and appreciated the importance of literacy as it relates to school readiness and future success. This ongoing initiative is a way for the community to continue to give back to a cause that was so important to Howard Mabe and to help honor his memory. Donations may be made to Stokes Partnership for Children, Howard Mabe Childrens Book Fund, PO Box 2319, King, NC 27021. For more information contact SPC at 336-985-2676 or buildingfoundations@stokespfc.com.