Committees
Smart Start-Centre County has several action committees, all of which are working on projects and programs.
All committees meet once a month to plan, implement, and evaluate activities related to their goals. Community members who are interested are welcome to join any committee! To find out more or get involved, email us at info@smartstartcc.org.
Current Committees and Goals:
Health and Nutrition
This committee is newly forming and does not have set times and locations for meetings.
Co-chairs: Kim Bahnsen kbahnsen@homenursingagency.com 942-1903 and Ann Keith AKEITH@HOMENURSINGAGENCY.com 342-6993
- Offer health and physical activity workshop for parents and children at Focus on Strong Families Conference in February
- Enhance health and nutrition focus at Countdown to Kindergarten event February
- Update and/or create new document on health and nutrition related services available in Centre County - post on website and make available to distribute at events
Early Care and Education
This committee usually meets the 4th Tuesday of each month from 8:30 – 10:30 AM at the Child Development and Family Council, 2565 Park Centre Blvd, Suite 100, State College.
Co-chairs: Amy Wible awible@cenclear.org 342-5678 x 246 and Paula Thornbloom pthornbloom@cdfc.org 238-5480 x 20.
- Countdown to Kindergarten annual event
- Transition to Kindergarten school district teams and activities – teams of parents, early childhood teachers, and school personnel who meet to learn about and plan activities to help children and families get ready for and have a smooth transition to Kindergarten
- Disseminate information about quality early learning opportunities and choosing quality care
- Increase communication with Centre County school district superintendents, school boards, and PTO organizations
Early Childhood Mental Health
This committee usually meets the 4th Thursday of each month from 9:00 - 10:00 AM at the Center for Child and Adult Development, 1315 West College Ave. Suite 303, State College.
Co-Chairs: Shirl Smith ssmith@cenclear.org 342-5678 x 262 and Wendy Whitesell wjw8@psu.edu 865-4057
- Offer ECMH Speaker Series workshops on Parent Child Interaction Therapy for parents, early childhood educators, teachers, and mental health providers
- Support and promote newly established mental health consultation services in early childhood pilot programs in Centre County
- Suggest topics and presenters on social/emotional skill development at annual parent conference (Focus on Strong Families) and annual provider conference (Early Years are Learning Years).
- Provide parenting information and resources through website, For the Children column, and e-newsletter articles, and at public events.
Parenting and Literacy
This committee usually meets the 1st Monday of each month from 12:00 noon to 2:00 PM at Schlow Library.
Co-chairs: Anita Ditz aditz@schlowlibrary.org 235-7817 and Connie Schulz ces11@scasd.org 231-1070.
- Promote parenting classes such as Tuning in to Kids to help parents become more effective first educators of their children
- Support One Book, Every Young Child annual activities
- Offer input to revision and support distribution of Smart Start publications such as the Pre-K Calendar, Babies Rock with Books, Baby's First Letter, Family Resource Directory, and others
To contact a committee co-chair or for more information, see “Calendar” for contact info and date/location of monthly meetings. ALL COMMUNITY MEMBERS ARE INVITED TO SHARE IN CREATING PROJECTS.