Madison County Smart Start

CHILD CARE RESOURCE AND REFERRAL - Coordinated training for child care providers and parents of young children; Conducted early education trainings with 35 child care providers at 9 child care centers; Coordinated referrals for child care placements; Published and distributed parent newsletters; Provided on-site and virtual technical assistance to three child care centers.

SUPPORTING FAMILY CHOICES: KITH AND KIN CARE - Conducted group early childhood and parent support activities. 65 children participated in play and learn groups. Provided guidance and materials for child caregivers to use for in-home education.

PROGRAM COORDINATION - Provided progam planning, technical support and service monitoring for all activities and projects.

SMART REWARDS - Provided stipends to 6 employees of 3 child care facilities that are pursuing continuing education. Provided professional development counseling to 34 child care providers from 9 child care centers.

LITERACY, RAISING A READER - Promoted improved literacy development through book sharing between caregiviers and young children; Loans book bags containing high quality developmentally appropriate children's books to 75 children at 5 child care centers; Conducted parent workshops to train in book sharing strategies.

DOLLY PARTON'S IMAGINATION LIBRARY - Provided a free book each month to children ages birth to five living in Madison County.

REACH OUT AND READ - Established and maintained child-friendly areas in medical provider waiting rooms; Coordinated parent literacy with medical providers: Distributed age-appropriate books to children to encourage reading in their homes.

LENDING LIBRARY - MCPCF offers kits of early learning materials to parents and caregivers of children ages 0-5 to use in their homes. MCPCF also provided early childhood curriculum kits to 8 child care centers with 15 staff members to use with their weekly lesson planning.