EarlyHeadStartAnnual Report 2015 - 2016

Submittedby:BeckyNeff,Director

October2016

In compliance with the “Improving Head Start for School Readiness Act of 2007" requiring that all Early Head Start programs make an annual report available to the public.

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MISSIONSTATEMENTBasedonthefourcornerstonesofHeadStart—childdevelopment,familydevelopment,communitybuilding,andstaffdevelopment--ourmissionisto:• Promoteandenhancedevelopmentofthewholechild;• Empowerthefamilies,helpingthemtosetgoalsandcreateanurturing;environmentthatwill

provideafoundationforcontinuedgrowthandsuccess;• WorkcollaborativelywiththecommunitytodevelopacontinuoussystemofsupportforEarlyHead

Startfamilies;and• Employproficientstaffmembersandmaintain/enhancetheirskillswithongoingprofessional

trainingandreflectivesupervision.

PHILOSOPHYThe philosophy of AWARE Center for Early Childhood is founded on play-based, child-centered andindividualizedcurriculumtopromotedevelopmentinallschoolreadinessdomainswithastrongparentcomponent.TheAWARECenterforEarlyChildhood’steachingphilosophyalignswiththatoftheReggioEmilia approach. This approach is founded on the values of respect, responsibility, and communitythroughexplorationanddiscoveryinasupportiveandenrichingenvironmentbasedontheinterestsofthechildrenthroughaself-guidedcurriculum.THROUGHCLOSEOBSERVATION,childdevelopmentstafffacilitatesactivelearningwhichallowschildrentoexploreanddevelopattheirownpace.RECOGNIZINGPARENTSASTHECHILD’SPRIMARYEDUCATORS,AWAREteachersdevelopacollaborativerelationship with parents/guardians. Therefore, the program works in partnership with parents inbuilding strong relationshipswith involvement between the home and school to facilitate the child’sdevelopmentduringthiscrucialstageoflife.AWARE IS COMMITTED TO CULTIVATING PARTNERSHIPS WITHIN THE COMMUNITY. Through theestablishment of meaningful links with many local community organizations and agencies, AWAREensures that children and families receive an array of individualized services and that communityresourcesareusedefficientlyandeffectively.THE ENVIRONMENT IS THE THRID TEACHER. Teachers use the environments to guide and mentorchildren. The environment, filledwith natural light and beauty, has the potential to inspire curiosity,wonderandhandsonlearning.Theenvironmentwillgrow,changeanddevelopalongwiththechildrenandtheirexperiences.

WHOWEAREFounded in 1976, AWARE, Inc. is a statewide, private, non-profitcorporationprovidingcommunity-basedservicesto improve lifestylesandopportunitiesforMontananswithdisabilitiesormentalchallenges.Weofferavarietyofservicesinfullylicensedandnationallyaccreditedprograms.

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AllofAWARE’sservicesadheretoa“wraparound”philosophyofcare,whichmeanstheyarestrength-based,familycentered,andindividualizedforeveryclient,everytime.ThroughoutMontana,AWARE,Inc.,offersthefollowingservicesinfullylicensedandnationallyaccreditedprograms:

• MentalHealthServices• DisabilityServicesforChildren• DisabilityServicesforAdults• EarlyChildhoodServices

EarlyHeadStartbecamepartofAWARE’sservicestolowincomefamilies,targetingchildrenwithspecialneedsin1998.Thisyear,January2016,AWAREopenedAWARE’sCenterforEarlyChildhoodPreschool.AWAREEarlyHeadStart(EHS)isa12-monthfederally-fundedcomprehensivechilddevelopmentprogramprovidingcenter-basedandhome-basedservicestochildrenfrombirthtothreeyears.Theprogramfocusesonearlychildhooddevelopmentandeducation,parentengagement,age-appropriatescreenings,disabilityservices,familyandsocialservices,nutrition,social-emotionaldevelopmentandmentalhealth.TheprogramyearrunsfromJuly1throughJune30.AWAREEHShasearnedaStars2ratingintheMontanaSTARStoQualityProgram.TheEHSstaffincludesaDirector,AdministrativeAssistant,ChildDevelopmentSpecialist,HealthandWellnessSpecialist,FamilyAdvocate,HomeEducator,MentorTeacher,sevenTeachers,andtwoAssistantTeachers.Inaddition,therearethreefostergrandparentsservingtheButtecenter.AWAREprohibitsdiscriminationagainstitscustomers,employees,andapplicantsonthebasesofrace,color,nationalorigin,age,disability,sex,genderidentity,religion,reprisal,andwhereapplicable,politicalbeliefs,maritalstatus,familialorparentalstatus,sexualorientation,orallorpartofanindividual’sincomeisderivedfromanypublicassistanceprogram,orprotectedgeneticinformationinemploymentorinanyprogramoractivityconducted.(Notallprohibitedbaseswillapplytoallprogramsand/oractivities.)

AWARECenterforEarlyChildhoodparticipatesintheBestBeginningsSTARSto Quality Program. The Best Beginnings STARS to Quality Program is avoluntary quality rating improvement system that aligns quality indicatorswithsupportandincentivesforearlychildhoodprogramsandearlychildhoodprofessionals.WearecurrentlyaSTARLevel2goingforaSTAR3.

CENTER-BASEDPROGRAM(FUNDEDENROLLMENT30)Co-Teachersprovidecaring,consistentandindividualizedcaretoeightinfants/childreninfourclassroomsusingCreativeCurriculum.Thecenteroperates12monthsayear,Monday–Friday,from8a.m.to4p.m.Thisoptionmeetsthechildcareneedsofmanyparentswhoareworkingorattendingschool.HOME-BASED&PRENATALPROGRAM(FUNDEDENROLLMENT8,PRENATAL2)TheEarlyHeadStartHomeEducatorusestheevidencebasedParentsasTeacherCurriculumduringweekly90-minutevisitstothehometosupportearlylearningandtheparents’roleasthechild’sfirstteacher.MonthlyfamilyactivitygroupsareorganizedbytheHomeEducatorasspecialopportunitiesforhome-basedinfants/toddlersandfamiliestosocializeandlearntogether.Prenatalsupportandservicesarealsoofferedtoexpectantfamiliesaspartofourhome-basedservices.Curriculum

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PROGRAMGOALS1. Theprogramwillsupportstafftoensureresponsivecaregivingisprovidedtoallinfantsand

toddlersinourcare.2. Theprogramwillprovidehighquality,inclusiveenvironmentsforthechildrenservedinour

program.3. Theprogramwillsupportfamiliestobetterenablethemtocreatehealthandwellnessfortheir

entirefamily.4. Theprogramwillsupportfamiliestobelifelonglearners.5. Theprogramwillhelptodevelopskillsinfamiliestobecomeadvocatesandleadersfortheir

childrenandfamily.6. Theprogramwillenhanceitspartnershipswithkeycommunityagenciestoensurewemaximizethe

effectivenessofsupporttoourfamilies,particularlywithteenparents.

OURAWAREEARLYHEADSTARTSTAFF

Administrative EducationMelindaCorso,MA,AWAREEarlyChildhoodServices

DirectorBeckyNeff,MA,EHSCenterDirector

ChristinaFox,BA,ChildDevelopmentSpecialistKatieHarding,BS,HealthandWellnessSpecialist

KendraBroadhead,BS,FamilyAdvocateStephanieVargas,AdminAssistant

LucilleRiddle,CDA,MentorTeacherMarySeccomb,BA,HomeVisitorRaylenePopovich,CDA,Teacher

MaraCoyne,CDA,TeacherPearlCooper**,TeacherSallySchuff,AA,TeacherFranHarvey**,Teacher

ChenoaPopovich*,TeacherBrandiShorter**,Teacher

DanielleBrackett**,AssistantTeacherConniePansch,AssistantTeacher

*CompletingCDAPortfolio**EnrolledinCDAClasses

WHOWESERVEAWAREEHSserves40familiesinButteSilverBowCounty.IntheCenter-Basedprogramthereare30children6weeksto3yearsoldenrolledinafull-dayprogram.TheHome-BasedProgramserves10familieswithchildrenages0-3yearsandtwoHome-Basedfamiliesthatareprenatal.

245

0 5 10 15 20 25

1

TotalStaffComparedEHSParentsEmployeed

EarlyHeadStartParents TotalNumberofStaff

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Familyincome,basedonthefederalpovertyguidelines,isaprimaryfactorindeterminingprogrameligibility.Aminimumoftenpercent(10%)oftheenrollmentmustbeforchildrenwithidentifieddisabilities.Besidesfamilyincomeandanidentifieddisability,otherconsiderationsforenrollmentincludehomelessness,parentalstatus,referralfromDFSorthemedicalcommunity,fostercare,anddisabledparent(s).Parentalstatusincludesconsiderationforteenparentswhoarestudentsand/oremployed,singleparentswhoarefull-timeemployeesorstudents,andtwo-parentfamilieswhobothareemployedorattendingschool.

PercentageofEligibleChildrenServed:AccordingtotheU.S.Census,theestimatednumberofincome-andage-eligiblechildreninSilverBowcountyasofJuly1,2015,was187.Basedonthatdata,itisextrapolatedthat37%ofeligiblechildrenwereservedbyAWAREEarlyHeadStartin2015-2016.Enrollment:In2015-2016,weserved73individuals(58families)inButtemaintainingaconsistentmonthlyenrollmentof40.

Twenty-fivechildrenwereintheirsecondyear.Eightchildrenwereintheirthirdyear.Ofthe34childrenwholefttheprogram,twelvechildrenagedoutoftheprogram.Theremainingchildrenleftduetomoving,changeinparent’sworkschedule,orotherreasons.

61% 27%

8%

1% 3% PrimaryTypeofEligibility

43- Incomebelow100%offederalpovertyline

19- PublicassistancesuchasTANF,SSI

6- Statusasafosterchild- #childrenonly

1- Statusashomeless

3

31

27

12

ParticipantAgeatEnrollment

PrenatalWomen

Under1year

1yearold

2yearsold

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RaceandEthnicity

HispanicorLatinoorigin

Non-HispanicorLatinoorigin

AmericanIndianorAlaskaNative 1 2White 7 56

Biracial/Multi-racial 2 5ThePrimaryLanguageofallfamilieswasEnglish.

ChildrenwithDisabilities:During2015-2016,20ofthe70childrenenrolledinAWAREEarlyHeadStarthadIFSPs.PerformanceStandardsrequire10%.

3 4 36 15

Parent/GuardianEducation

Anadvanceddegreeorbaccalaureatedegree

Anassociatedegree,vocationalschool,orsomecollege

AhighschoolgraduateorGED

Lessthanhighschoolgraduate

20 50

28%ofChildrenhadIFSPs

ChildrenwithIFSP ChildrenwithoutIFSP

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HEALTHSERVICESAllchildrenenrolledinEHSCCPservices have access to acomprehensivearrayofservicesincluding health, nutrition,mental health, family services,disabilities,andeducation. Therelationship between staff andparents is central to the schoolreadiness of children. Ourapproach to service delivery isindividualized to support thestrengthsofeach familyand tobest meet the identified needsofthechildrenandfamilies.MedicalHome:Atenrollmentandattheendoftheenrollmentyear,all70childrenand3prenatalwomenhadasourceofcontinuous,accessiblehealthcare.Insurance:Atenrollmentandattheendoftheenrollmentyear,69childrenand3prenatalwomenwereenrolledinMedicaid.Onechildhadprivateinsurance.DentalExams:Eachfall,alocaldentistprovidesanexamforalloftheenrolleesinboththeButteandDilloncenters.Ifachildneedsfollow-up,heoffershisservicesatareducedcost.AudiologyExams:Eachfall,alocalaudiologistprovidesanexamatnocostforalloftheenrolleesinboththeButteandDilloncenters.WellChildExaminations:Atenrollment51childrenwereup-to-dateonascheduleofage-appropriatepreventiveandprimaryhealthcare,accordingtotheMontanaEPSDTscheduleforwellchildcare.Immunizations:Atenrollment,69childrenhadbeendeterminedbyahealthcareprofessionaltobeup-to-dateonallimmunizationsappropriatefortheirage.70atendofenrollment.MedicalTreatmentforChronicConditions:Allfivechildrendiagnosedwithachronicconditionreceivedmedicaltreatment.

0 0.5 1 1.5 2 2.5 3 3.5

TotalpregnantwomenservedPrenatalhealthcare

PostpartumhealthcareMentalhealthinterventionsandfollowup

SubstanceabusepreventionSubstanceabusetreatment

PrenataleducationonfetaldevelopmentInformationonthebenefitsofbreastfeeding

NumberofPregnantWomenWhoReceivedServices

99% 99% 83%

100% 99% 100%

19%

PREVENTIVEHEALTHCARE

UP-TO-DATEIMMUNIZATIONS

DENTALHOME MENTALHEALTHSERVICES

HealthIndicators

AtEnrollment AtEndofYear

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PARENTENGAGEMENTAWAREEarlyHeadStartprovidessomuchmorethanjusteducationforyoungchildren.Webelievethewholefamilyplaysavitalroleinachild’sdevelopment.Inconjunctionwithcommunitypartners,weareabletoprovideorarrangeforseveralparentinvolvementactivitiesaimedatbuildinghealthyfamiliesthroughastrength-basedapproach.Thisincludesthefollowing:• AWAREMentalHealthServices/Referrals• PositiveBehaviorSupport• PolicyCouncil• HomeVisits• IndividualParentConferences• FamilySocializations• ParentEducation• ParentCommittee• HealthAdvisoryCouncil• KindergartenScreening• FamilyGoalSetting• Volunteeropportunitiesinclassrooms• CPRandFirstAidtraining

0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35

Emergency/crisisinterventionsuchasmeeting…

Housingassistancesuchassubsidies,utilities,…

Mentalhealthservices

Jobtraining

Substanceabuseprevention

Domesticviolenceservices

Childsupportassistance

Healtheducation

Assistancetofamiliesofincarceratedindividuals

Parentingeducation

Volunteer/In-Kind

PolicyCouncil

FamilyServices2015-2016

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SCHOOLREADINESSAllHeadStartagenciesmustestablishprogramgoalsforimprovingtheschoolreadinessofparticipatingchildren,birthtofive(orbirth-to-three);andfollowstepstoachievethesegoals(45CFRXII1307.3(b)(1)&(2),asamended.

ThefollowinggoalshavebeenalignedwiththeMontanaEarlyLearningGuidelinesforInfantsandToddlers,CreativeCurriculumobjectives,andtheHeadStartEarlyLearningOutcomesFramework.

ApproachestoLearning:

1. Childrenwilldemonstrateinterest,curiosity,andeagernessinexploringtheworldaroundthem.2. Childwilldemonstratepersistenceinlearninganddiscovery.3. Childrenwilllearnandusewordstodescribewhattheyarethinkinganddoing.

CognitionandGeneralKnowledge:

1. Childrenwilllearnandbegintousemathconceptsduringdailyroutinesandexperiences.2. Childrenwillusealloftheirsensestoinvestigatetheirenvironmenttodiscoverwhatobjectsandpeopledo,

howthingswork,andhowtheycanmakethingshappen.3. Childrenbegintodevelopanddemonstratetheabilitytorememberandconnectnewandknownexperiences

andinformation.4. Childrenwillbegintodevelopcreativeself-expressionthroughart,music,anddialogue.

LanguageandLiteracyDevelopment:

1. Childrenwilldemonstratereceptiveandexpressivelanguageskillsandcommunication.2. Childrenwillunderstandandbegintouseorallanguageforconversationandcommunication.3. Childrenwillhearanddistinguishthesoundsandrhythmsoflanguage.4. Childrenwillbegintolearnanddemonstratehowprintworks.5. Childrenwillengagewithstoriesandbooks.

PhysicalWell-BeingandMotorDevelopment:

1. Childrenwilldevelopcontroloflargemusclesformovement,navigationandbalance.2. Childrenwilldevelopcontrolofsmallmusclesformanipulationandexploration.3. Childrenwilllearnandbegintodemonstratehealthyandsafehabits.

SocialandEmotionalDevelopment:

1. Childrenwilldevelopandengageinpositiverelationshipsandinteractionswithadults.1. Childrenwillbegintodeveloppersonalrelationshipswithpeers.2. Childrenwillbegintodevelopanddemonstratecontroloversomeoftheirfeelingsandbehaviors(self-

regulation).3. Childrenwillbegintolearnandinternalize(follow)rules,routines,anddirections.4. Childrenwillbegintodevelopanddemonstrateapositivesenseofself,competence,andanidentitythatis

rootedintheirfamilyandculture.

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*ChildrenenrolledinSummer2015andSpring2016forComparison

STRATEGIESFORSTRENGTHENINGSCHOOLREADINESS

Strategy Measurementdata OutcomesParentConferencesandHomeVisits(4total)

MeetingRecordsandLessonPlans

• UsingTeachingStrategiesGoldreports,teachersthenmeetwithfamiliesquarterlyaftereachcheckpointtodiscussprogressandtogetherdevelopstrategiesforimprovementifneeded.Thesestrategiesareintegratedintothechild’sindividuallessonplansandat-homeactivities.

FamilyPartnershipAgreement

AthomeIn-KindActivities • AspartoftheFamilyPartnershipAgreement,parentsareencouragedtoparticipateinat-homeactivities.Theactivitiesareindividualizedforeachchildwithemphasisonareasidentifiedasindividualgoals.

CreativeCurriculumTraining

50%ofcurrentTeachers(atleastoneperclassroom)andourmentorteacherattendedtraininginNovember2015.

●NewCCkitsinplaceineachroom●Intentionalplanningforchildgrowthanddevelopment–lessonplans,observations,individualization●ClearerunderstandingofrelationshipbetweencurriculumanddocumentationinTeachingStrategiesGOLD

TeachingStrategiesGOLDTraining

TheChildDevelopmentSpecialistattendedinJanuary2016

●ChildDevelopmentSpecialist’sknowledgeofTSGisguidingstaffmeetingsandsupervision●MoreconsistenceuseofTSGdatainlessonplansandprogramplanning

TSGInterraterReliabilityCertification

CompletedbyallTeachersinJanuaryandFebruary2016

●Providesconsistencyinhowwescorechildrencenter

wide

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ConsciousDisciplineTraining

AlleducationalStaffcompletedMarch2016

●Increasedknowledgeofsocialemotionaldevelopment●Increasedknowledgeofspecificstrategiesrelatedtosocialemotionaldevelopment

PyramidmodelTraining

AllbutoneteacherhascompletedthoughPyramidModelIII.TheoneteacheriscompletedthoughPyramidModuleII.

●Increasedknowledgeofsocialemotionaldevelopment●Increasedknowledgeofspecificstrategiesandactivitiesrelatedtosocialemotionaldevelopment●ContinuoustrainingopportunityforstaffthroughtheCDSandPracticeBasedCoaching

InfantToddlerEnvironmentalRatingScale

ITERSassessmentcompletedFebruary2016-Majorfindingswerethatweneededmorematerialsinacouplerooms,moreadultseating,culturaldiversityinpicturesandmusic,andartatchildlevelinacouplerooms.

●Evaluatequalityofenvironmentandsometeacherinteractions●DatatobeusedinReflectiveSupervisionandPracticeBasedCoaching

TIPITOSassessment TIPITOSassessmentcompletedMarch2016-Majorfindingwastheneedtoincreaseourcultureanddiversityacrossclassrooms

●BaselinetoevaluateprogressofprofessionaldevelopmentaroundthePyramidModelandviaPracticeBasedCoaching●DataforreflectiveuseinPracticeBasedCoaching

PracticeBasedCoaching

-TeachersLearningandCollaboratinggroupmeets2x’spermonth.-Peercoachingbetweenco-teachersgoesinroughlytwoweekcycles.

●OurChildDevelopmentSpecialistandMentorTeachercontinuestoworkwithanoutsideconsultanttosupporttheimplementationofPracticeBasedCoachingwhereourdataisusedtohelpteachersdeterminewhichteachingpracticestotarget

StaffingwithMentalHealthConsultant

Scheduledmonthlywithourhomeeducator,andasneededforCenterstaff.

●staffingassiststeacherwithtargetedteachingpractices,interventions,andreferralswhenneeded.

CollaborationwithotherOrganizations/Services

Invitetothecenter,ormeetasateam,withotherservicestosupportafamily.

●TheSchoolfortheBlindhasobservedacoupleofourstudentsthathavesomevisionimpairmentandmetwithteacherstogiveadviceonteachingpracticestosupportthem.●CollaborationwithmedicalprovidersatRockyMountainClinicandtheCommunityHealthCentertosupportfamiliesinsupportingtheirchild’shealth,development,accesstoservices,andattendance.●IFSP/IEPmeetingstoupdateandsupportgoalswithfamiliesandspecialists.

FamilyEngagementTraining

ScheduledforMay2016 ●EducateteacheronthePFCEFramework●Demonstrateandpracticestrategiesforengagingfamilyatparentconferencesandhomevisitstoparticipateingoaldevelopmentandplanningfortheirchild.●Demonstrateandpracticeskillsforengagingfamiliesintheclassroomandinsupportingat-homein-kind.

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SOURCESOFFUNDINGEHSfundingcomesfromtheOfficeofHeadStartandisawardedafterthegrantapplicationhasbeenapproved.ThefundingsourcesforfiscalyearJuly1,2015,throughJune30,2016,include:

Non-FederalFunds:

• Non-FederalShare(InKind)--EachHeadStartprogramisrequiredtomatcheachdollaroffederalfundswith20%non-federalshareorin-kind.AWAREEHSreceivesthemajorityofitsin-kindfromparentvolunteers,fostergrandparents,andparent-childhomeactivities.

• STARStoQuality—EHSearnedaSTARS2ratinginMarch2016.Byachievingthisrating,EHSwillreceivequarterlyincentivepaymentsof$1,250tobeusedforcontinuousqualityimprovementandcomplywiththeapprovedqualityimprovementplan.Theotherfinancialplusisa5%increaseinthestatereimbursementratesforChildCareSubsidyDollars.Anadditional$750wasawardedtoallSTARSparticipants.

• AdamsFamilyFoundation—forseveralyears,EHShasbeenarecipientofthegenerosityofthisfoundation.Theirmissionistosupportorganizationsthatservechildreninneed.

• ChildCareDollars—TheMontanaEarlyChildhoodServicesBureauoffersBestBeginningschildcaresubsidiestoqualifiedlow-incomefamilieswhosechildreceivescarefromalicensedchildcarecenter.

BUDGETARYEXPENDITURESANDPROPOSEDBUDGET

Expenses2015-2016Wages&Salaries $317,958

EmploymentRelated $66,406ProgramRelated $143,492RentandUtilities $70,733

Total $598,589

ComparisonofFundingSources 2015-2016 2014-2015 2013-2014

U.S.Dept.ofHealthandHumanServices $504,949 $504,949 $504,949Child&AdultFoodCareProgram $23,341 $21,095 $19,074

Non-FederalShare $126,438 $126,237 $126,237AdamsFoundation $2,500 $2,500 $2,500

ChildCareSubsidyDollars $21,465 $11,963 $6,384STARStoQuality $5,000 $7,500 $2,000

TOTAL $683,693 $674,244 $661,144

53%

11%

24%

12%

Expenses2015-2016

Wages&Salaries

EmploymentRelated

ProgramRelated

RentandUtilities

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TheincreaseinSalariesandWagesreflectssignificantvacancysavingsin2015-2016.WehavebeenabletopartnerwiththeChildCarePartnershipgranttobeabletoaddafamilyadvocatetoourstaff.WiththesupportofthePolicyCouncil,wehavecreatedaFoodService/Cookpositionsothatallfoodserviceproductioncanbemovedinhouse.WeexpecttheretobeanincreaseinHealthInsurance.Additionallya1.8%COLAwasgrantedforthe2016-2017programyear.AdministrativeCosts:HeadStartprogramsarerequiredtotrackadministrativeexpenses.Themaximumallowablecostforadministrationis15%ofthetotalexpendituresandin-kind.In2015-2016,EHSadministrativecostswere8.67%ofthetotal.

EarlyHeadStart406-782-0455237EMercuryButte,MT59701

$441,441.00

$152,602.00

$48,231.00

$387,441.00

$212,654.00

$56,724.00

WAGES&BENEFITS

PROGRAMEXPENSES

RENT&UTILITIES

ComparisonofExpendituresActual2015-2016toProposed2016-2017

Actual2015-2016 Proposed2016-2017

Audit:AnIndependentAuditor’sReportsubmittedbyAndersonZurmuehlenCPAsinMarch2016,concludedthattheAWAREfinancialstatementspresentfairly,inallmaterialaspects,thefinancialpositionofAWAREasofJune30,2015,andthechangesinitsnetassetsandcashflowfortheyearendedinaccordingwithaccountingprinciplesgenerallyacceptedintheUnitedStatesofAmerica.

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