Monthly Report

May 2009

The ECMH Committee is campaigning to obtain funding for the Position of ECMH Consultant for Centre County. Community Care Office Representatives (Donna McDermott and Elisabeth Stiffler) presented the required parameters to apply for funding through Medical Assistance.
Tuning Into Kids is half-way through its six-week program. It is being taught by Wendy Whitesell, Rob Nix and Gail Guss for 25 families at the Bennett Family Center. The feedback so far has been very positive.

An initial proof of the 2009-2010 Pre-K Calendar has been reviewed and updated – now in the final stages of printing! Calendars should be distributed in the upcoming months. If you would like to request a copy/copies of the 09-10 calendar, please contact Smart Start-Centre County on 814-238-0331 or Deborah Berenson at deborah@smartstartcc.org
Committee member Meredith Rogers is implementing the First Book Program in Centre County. She will provide leadership for the group. If you would like to learn more about or be involved in First Book, please contact Meredith at; crm2826@bn.com

SS-CC has engaged in discussions with school districts regarding the Title I Stimulus package funding-allocations. Follow-up meetings with Superintendents are being scheduled for June.
The family-to-school subcommittee has been looking at the completed parent surveys. The information from the surveys has been compiled and used to assess successes and challenges in the transition to Kindergarten process in Centre County.
Final information is needed for the Transition Timeline; a new publication in development. Plan to attend the upcoming breakfast meeting, June 10, 8am at Bellefonte Family Resource Center to provide your input. RSVP to Sue Seely via email address below.

Committee members are asked to write to legislators, requesting support of Early Childhood as a priority in the State’s upcoming budget allocations.
The Communications and Advocacy committee has lots of ideas for outreach, and welcomes anyone interested in writing, communications, marketing, public awareness and advocacy. Please feel free to contact the co-chairs at your convenience if you would like to be involved.
Committee members attended Early Childhood Action Day on May 12 in the State's Capitol. Meetings were held with legislators to discuss the upcoming budget re-allocations. Legislators were left provided with a wealth of information and research supporting investment in Early Childhood.

As part of Penn State’s IST Senior program, students take part in an outreach project, developing network programs for local non-profit organizations. Smart Start-Centre County was one fortunate benefactor of this project. After several months of discussion and needs-assessment evaluations with PSU's IST students, Smart Start-Centre County is proud to announce the development of an online Project Management System. This system enables Smart Start committee members and volunteers to share information and progress reports regarding any given project, in an online, time-saving capacity. Smart Start hopes this system will become integral to project planning and development, improving our efficiency in project implementation
"A Night with the Spikes" Fundraiser tickets on sale now through Smart Start-Centre County office; $7 each.