NEWS/EVENTS
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SPC Will Offer Raising a Reader This Summer
This summer, Stokes Partnership for Children (SPC) will pilot a highly regarded children’s early literacy program that will reach children ages 3 to 4 years old who are residents of Stokes County. The program engages parents to help their children build, practice, and grow home literacy habits critical for a child’s success. Raising a Reader is a national nonprofit organization that has reached nearly 2 million families across the country during the past 25 years. Raising a Reader’s mission is to support families and inspire the development of literacy skills and a lifelong love of reading to help children attain brighter futures in which they can thrive and contribute in school, the workforce and society.
For six weeks beginning June 23rd, 15 children will be offered the opportunity to participate. Parents or caregivers will bring their children to meet the SPC program coordinator at their choice of either the Walnut Cove Public Library (Mondays) or the King Public Library (Tuesdays) at 11:15 AM, following the libraries’ summer programs, to receive a red book bag filled with four children’s books. The following week, families will return the books and book bag to receive a new set of books to enjoy together. There will be a celebration held on the final day of the program. Each child will receive their own blue book bag to use at their local library and the SPC KidSource Lending Library. Regular trips to the library expose children to a wide range of books and reading activities. Join us as we raise our next readers!
Registration is limited to 15 children and will be offered on a first-come, first-served basis. Parents ore caregivers must commit to participate for the entire 6 weeks. There is no cost to participate. 100% of the SPC cost for this program is provided by proceeds from BBQ for Books with a Side of Bluegrass, SPC's annual fundraiser held each year to raise money for underfunded early childhood programs. For more information, you may visit www.raisingareader.org. To register, go to the QR Code above or the online link found HERE or SPC’s Facebook page. Contact Jessicca Smith at jsmith@stokespfc.com or (336) 985-2676 x 145 for questions.
Community Needs Assessment Results Released
Lack of child care and social-emotional/behavioral (mental health) issues are two main themes that emerged.
Stokes Partnership for Children (SPC) recently requested input from the community to conduct an early childhood community needs assessment. The needs assessment was conducted in two phases in collaboration with an evaluation consultant, Justine A. Wayne, MSW, MSPH. Phase one involved collecting and analyzing various existing data from various sources. Phase two consisted of an online needs assessment survey. The primary target audience was parents, caregivers, and professionals who work with young children, however; high-quality feedback was requested from various community stakeholders. The survey results will be used as a tool to help identify the Smart Start funding priorities over three years (2025-28) for programs in Stokes County that support children from birth to age five, but not yet in kindergarten.
It is important to note that not all of the data directly relates to the mission of Stokes Partnership for Children or its funding sources such as Smart Start, therefore; SPC will focus mainly on the data that does directly relate to its core focus areas: early literacy, family support, health and early care and education. However, the data may be relevant and useful to other local agencies and the public. In summary, the following key needs were identified in the Needs Assessment:
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Expanded access to child care and Pre-K, through increasing availability and reducing parent cost.
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Support for behavioral and social-emotional (mental health) needs of children, both in the child care setting & directly for parents.
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Increasing child care provider pay (a living wage), access to health insurance, paid sick time; promoting child care providers as professionals.
To see the full report and supporting documents click on each below:
Sincerely,
Cindy S. Tuttle, Executive Director