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2005 Summer/Fall Newsletter |
 Starke Community, by Mitchell A. Markovitz, commissioned by the Starke County Community Foundation. Unveiled at the annual Fall Grants banquet on November 21, 2002, the poster is based on the Ludlow home in the historic 'Quality Hill' neighborhood in North Judson. For a closer look, and information on purchasing a copy, click here. part of the NICF family 
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Parents As TeachersStarke County promoting education for area familiesThe earliest years of childhood, before a child goes off to school, and even before attending kindergarten, are a critical formative phase for every child's development. An exciting new program, Parents as Teachers, (PAT) shows parents how to provide their preschool children with the kinds of early childhood experiences and activities that will ensure they achieve their full potential. With the support of the Starke County Community Foundation, the Parents as Teachers program will be helping families in Starke County as early as May 2005. The Parents as Teachers program is a proven approach to help families make their homes an environment that will stimulate and grow the eager young minds of their preschool children, and prepare them to be ready and receptive to learning, especially in core literacy skills including reading and writing.
The 4Community Grant Initiative. The decision to support bringing the Parents as Teachers program to Starke County was the product of a months-long process. The Starke County Community Foundation (SCCF) partnered with Starke United to launch the 4Community Grant initiative. The SCCF contributed $13,500 to help make this grant and its initiative a reality for Starke County The grant was made possible through the Indiana Association of United Ways (IaUW) with matching money provided by the Lilly Endowment Inc. The goal of the 4Community Grant initiative was to join together at least four community agencies to identify the county's most pressing need; one that, if addressed, would result in visible progress in the community. Additionally, the project should be sustainable and show measurable results by December 31, 2006. A grant of $35,000 would be given to the collaborative group, to defray costs incurred conducting the necessary studies, with $7,000 contributed by the local group. Upon completion of the study and selection of an appropriate project, a $50,000 contribution of local funds would become eligible for matching funds from the Lilly Endowment Inc., for a total budget of $100,000. Seven community agencies participated in the grant process and each contributed $1,000 so the $35,000 to start the project was available for planning and research. These agencies are, Starke United, the Starke County Community Foundation, Starke County Development Foundation, Starke Memorial Hospital, Knox Community Schools, Starke County Chamber of Commerce and Starke County Council on Aging. Once the initial funding was in place the job of hiring a "Project Leader" had begun. The target: improved education and literacy. Desila Rosetti, Executive Director of the Center for Management Development at Indiana University Northwest was hired to author the grant and to administer the focus groups so data could be collected for evaluation. Promotion of education in all ages was shown to be an area where the community could really use help, and an ideal way to get the message out. To achieve visible results, the aim was to focus on early childhood development. In reaching young children, their parents get involved too, and the message that the community cares about education and literacy resonates in two generations simultaneously. By building educational values into the family, benefits can continue for generations to come. Why 'Parents as Teachers'. PAT serves families through the entire process of pregnancy until a child enters kindergarten. A connection with young children and families was already in place through the Healthy Families program. Healthy Families is administered through Starke Memorial Hospital under the direction of Kathy Robb who will also be the director of Parents As Teachers. The PAT program will be a continuation of Healthy Families, a program for newborns through 3 months. PAT will reach onward into the crucial toddler and preschool age. Parents As Teachers is for families of all economic means and backgrounds. Children don't come with an instruction manual -- every parent can use some help to ensure they start their children with every possible advantage. Through hard work and a good plan the grant for the Starke 4Community grant was accepted and the program is able to begin with Starke United as the administrator. With remaining money from the $35,000 initial grant and additional funds given by the agencies involved, the Parents As Teachers program will soon be in place and start to touch the lives of children and families in Starke County. Additional funding is still needed to reach the $50,000 in matching funds, so if you are interested in helping through a donation, please contact Starke United Executive Director, MJ Zembala at 574.772.7506 or Kathy Robb at 574.772.2962. You can get more information about Parents As Teachers on their website. |
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