By CHARLES W. JOHNSON / News Editor for the Southern Standard
MINER
The Warren County School System has a new program designed to help families participate in educational activities together. It’s called Even Start, and program director Laura Miner says the program will provide a number of benefits, including child care for parents who wish to finish high school, get their GED, learn English as a second language or simply learn about child-rearing.
There will be an Even Start open house today, Dec. 9 at 9:30 a.m. in the Family Resource Center, located behind the WCMS auditorium, to introduce the program. Refreshments will be served.
Even Start is a federally funded program that gives families access to training and support they need to create a literate home environment and to enhance the academic achievement of their children. The purpose of Warren County Even Start program is to provide a family literacy program that will improve the educational opportunities of participating families.
The program is designed specifically for low-income families who reside in Warren County. Families participating in Even Start must have a parent lacking a high school diploma, needing English as a second language, job readiness skills, or just brushing on basic skills, and have a child less than 8 years old.
Even Start has five basic components:
Adult Education ? The services consist of completing a high school diploma, completing a GED, English as a Second Language classes, computer skills, job readiness skills, and brushing up on basic skills.
Early Childhood Education ? The early childhood component includes children from 6 weeks old through age 7 and is based on developmentally appropriate activities.
Parent Education and Support ? This component provides time and a safe place to educate and inform parents, to provide opportunities for mutual support to offer advocacy services to families and to study particular topics related to being a parent.
PACT: Parent Child Activity Time ? The reciprocal learning that takes place during parent and child interaction offers both parties a chance to become true partners in their education.
Home Visits to Support Educational Programs ? The home visitor acts as a coach or mentor to guide the family in developing literacy-based family activities.
