Author: Kathleen Haggerty

NEWS & VIEWS

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER, 2018

The mission of Family Enrichment Network is to provide supportive services for the optimal development of children and families.
The vision is that all children, adults and families in our service area have the opportunity to grow and develop to their full potential.

24 Cherry St.
Johnson City
New York
13790
Phone:
607.723.8313
Fax:
607.723.6173

From the Desk of the
Executive Director

Darrell Newvine
Family Enrichment Network
Executive Director

As we close the year it is always good to look back and see all the good we have accomplished and new areas we need to look at in the coming year. We continue to grow and prosper. That is a very difficult task in the not-for-profit world today. We continue to look at what we have accomplished in the past and spend a considerable amount of time and energy looking to the future. We completed a new 3 Year Strategic plan to guide us in the future. That plan and our annual community assessment will help us streamline our program development to true needs, as they are now.
The Christmas Holiday season is a time for reflection. Here is what I see. Every program and service we provide is consistent with our mission and vision. We offer wonderful services through our CCR&R, Family Support Services, Head Start and Early Head Start, Housing and Community Services and Special Education Services. We need to continue to provide quality services in everything we do. We need to step up advocacy to increase revenue so we can increase salaries and benefits for our staff. We need to improve communications internally with staff and externally with the communities we serve. We need to find a way to attract more staff to our agency. Every little change we make, makes us stronger. We have to take risks, but calculated risks.
In the past week we have been awarded a Homeless Housing and Assistance Project to develop apartments in the city of Binghamton for homeless families in our community. This was a cooperative effort between our agency, the City of Binghamton and OTDA. This is an area that we will expand over the coming years. Also, this past year we purchased 29 Fayette Street, for those who remember this was the main site we were in before coming the Cherry Street, and is has been approved for child care by OCFS. Our plan is to serve some Head Start and Special Service classrooms in that building.
We continue to advocate for quality early childhood education. The most important job in the world, caring for our young children, should not be the lowest paid. In childcare, cheaper is not better. Cheaper results in poor quality, high staff turnover, and the number of people in general who want to work in child care decreases. The number of child care centers in the area that have closed or had significant issues this past year is a little disconcerting. There are still more centers that are on the brink of closing in the near future. The long-term answer continues to be a cooperative effort between government, not for profits and the business community
We have been very fortunate to have a tremendously supportive and talented Board of Directors, that coupled with a strong organization and a staff and a structure that has placed us in a great position for the future.
We thank you for your past support of our Agency and look forward to future partnership opportunities.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

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New Pathways for Fathers Program

New Years Resolution for Fathers (and kids)

When calendars change, many of us think about ways we would like to improve ourselves and our families. Whether you are big on resolutions or not, there are probably ways you can improve as a father and be a good role model for your children.
Here are some things you can do in 2019 to help your kids be successful:
Support what your children love to do; don't push them to do what you want them to do. No father wants his kids to make the same mistakes he made growing up, but remember you cannot fix your mistakes through them. Your kids’ biggest successes will come from doing what they love to do, what they're passionate about, not what they’re forced to do or pushed into doing.
Teach them to try new things. If they succeed it will give them confidence, but if they fail, they will learn even more. Let them make their own mistakes and learn to take responsibility for the outcome. I know it's hard to watch them try new things and come up short, but it's really important that they get used to that. And let them see you do the same. Let them see you as you are: human, genuine, and flawed.
Let them be kids. Social skills are critical for children to be successful. Sports, friends, relationships, parties, being out and about—it's all good. Sure, they'll make mistakes and occasionally do things you wish they wouldn't, but if you are open and encourage them to come to you with their problems, then you can mentor them on how to get along and learn from their mistakes.
Encourage their natural curiosity. Encourage your kids to seek out books, games, puzzles, whatever interests them. Video games can be a limited part of play time, but your children will learn more by creating and using their imagination.
Get healthy with your kids. Losing weight or getting fit is probably the most common resolution. but with rising obesity rates in America, it is more important than ever to (literally) take the first step toward wellness. Involve your kids in this process! From a walk around the block to playing in the park, there are plenty of things you can do with your children that will get you both active.
Make family dinners a regular part of your schedule. Fathers have a great influence on the foods their kids eat. In fact, one study showed that, “By far the biggest influence on how often children ate out was the number of times fathers did.” Although preparing food and setting the table after a long day at work can seem daunting, your family’s waistlines and mental health will thank you for it. Regular family meals have been associated with many positive outcomes for children. Beyond giving the family a space to talk freely without distraction, kids who ate with their parents were less likely do be involved with drugs and other destructive behaviors.
Respect their mother. If you are in a relationship with the mother of your children, or are co-parenting, your kids will develop more when both parents work together toward a common goal rather than struggling against each other. Your kids gain security, stability, and added perspective when you respect their mother.
Do something your kids will remember forever. When children are grown they do not look back and remember their father through toys and gifts, but the experiences they shared together. It can cost little or no money to create a memorable experience. Make 2019 a year that your kids will remember forever.
Talk to your kids. Do not be afraid to dig deeper than asking how your child’s day was or what they did in school. Even though it may feel awkward occasionally, your children need your presence, guidance, and wisdom. You will be glad you made the effort and your kids will love you for it!
Take a fatherhood class. A great way to learn new skills and meet other dads who have “been there, done that.” The next sessions of 24/7 Dad classes start on January 8, 2019, at 10:30am, and on January 9, 2019, at 5:30pm. Workshops are free and a meal is provided. Call today to register at 607-723-8313, ext. 838!

NEWS & VIEWS

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Parent Involvement in Head Start and
Early Head Start Programs
There are a variety of ways for all parents to get involved in the child’s Head Start or Early Head Start experience. Parents can participate in classroom activities or field trips; they can attend parenting, education, or other committees at the Head Start sites; they can fully invest in the family partnership process through their participation in home visiting; and/or they can serve as a member of a Head Start committee such as Menu Planning, Health Advisory, or Policy Council. The focus of this article is on parent involvement in Policy Council.
Head Start and Early Head Start programs are required by the federal government to establish and maintain Policy Council Groups. Policy Council members are responsible for governing our Head Start and Early Head Start program. Policy Council is involved in program planning and decision making. The Policy Council works in concert with the Agency’s Governing Board to ensure program goals are achieved
In January 2019, our Agency’s Head Start and Early Head Start Policy Council will begin their year. They will start by participating in the program’s annual self-assessment; they will take part in the Community Assessment; they will participate in Human Resources activities including interviewing and making decisions about program hires; and they will plan for the coming program year.
At November Parent Committee Meetings, new parent representatives were elected by their classroom’s parents to serve on the 2019 Policy Council. These new members will participate in their first meeting on December 11th. At that meeting, a slate of officers including Chairperson, Vice Chairperson, Treasurer, Recording Secretary, and Corresponding Secretary will be elected by the membership and the new Executive Committee will conduct their first meeting in January 2019.
If you would like to learn more about Head Start and Program Governance please contact Network offices at (607) 723-8313.

NEWS & VIEWS

A Message from the Health Office

Page 4

A Message from Nurse Michelle
Make it a Safe Toy Holiday!
Here are some tips from ToyInfo.org.for chosing children’s toys:
Closely follow the age guidelines indicated on toy packaging—because even a toy for a 3-year-old could have parts too small for a 2-year-old to handle properly.
Watch out for small parts. Use the toilet paper tube test—anything that can pass through the tube is too small to be given to a child under 3 years old. Marbles, coins and balls are common culprits. Also, make sure that any buttons, eyes and noses are tightly secured.
Check for parts of the toy that could be bitten off and swallowed. Little kids love to chew their toys, so avoid any toys that have small pieces that can be easily gnawed off.
Avoid toys with a string, ribbon, straps or cord longer than 7 inches or remove the strings to prevent strangulation.
Check to make sure the toy has a non-toxic, durable finish and check art supplies for the ACMI (Art and Creative Material Institute, Inc.) seal—this means its non-toxic.
Look for points, edges or breakable parts that could be sharp and avoid those toys for kids under eight.
Building sets, action figures, puzzles or dolls containing small, powerful magnets can be fatal if swallowed by children.
Fabric toys should be labeled as flame retardant or flame resistant. And
electrical toys with batteries or electric plugs pose a burn hazard so they should be avoided for kids under eight.
Ride on toys should bet sturdy and stable. The child should have all the proper safety equipment (helmet, kneepads, etc.) required to use it.
Toys that include any throwing or shooting projectiles should be avoided because they can cause injuries, especially to the eyes.
Check toys for questionable chemicals. Stricter standards are in place for lead and other potentially toxic chemicals. If you want to know about any trace amounts of these types of chemicals, look up levels for specific toys on HealthyStuff.org.
Always double check product recalls online at the U.S. Consumer Products Safety Commission before you wrap, especially if you purchased a toy months before the holiday.
Remember that toy safety doesn't end when you leave the store. Follow these tips to ensure kids stay safe from the moment they receive a toy to the day they're ready to give it up:
Remove and dispose of all unnecessary toy packaging and gift-wrap as soon as possible.
Piles of discarded gift-wrap can conceal sharp objects like scissors and the edges of hard plastic packaging that can cut small fingers.
Someone should always supervise children as they play.
Be a good role model and set rules and guidelines for safe play.
Keep toys organized.
Have easily accessible toy storage and keep a separate toy chest for older children whose toys may contain small parts not suitable for younger siblings.
Want more toy safety tips? Visit ToyInfo.org.

NEWS & VIEWS

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Family Child Care Providers Needed

There is a shortage of child care programs in our area! Family child care providers, providing care in your own home, who are registered/licensed with the state, are needed throughout Broome, Chenango, and Tioga Counties.
In New York State, if you provide care in your own home for more than 2 children who are unrelated to you, you MUST be registered/licensed with the state or you are providing ILLEGAL care.
Family Enrichment Network can help you with starting your child care business! We currently have grants available to cover the costs of the training and some supplies.
Call today to get information and assistance for opening your own family child care program!
In Broome County: Call Cathy at 723-8313 ext. 894
In Tioga County: Call Ann at 687-6721 ext. 1186
In Chenango County: Call Julie at 373-3555 ext. 1523

1 new child care program:
Broome Family Child Care: Ashley Bouchard

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WIC Help New York
In August, Family Enrichment Network received funding for a new program to increase enrollment for WIC (The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children)! The Department of Health along with Hunger Solutions NY has paired with other agencies to service multiple counties with low participation rates. Our service area will cover both Broome and Delaware counties.
WIC offers a variety of services to all participants to improve overall health and nutrition. The WIC program centers on helping families buy supplemental and healthy foods for young children. The food package for every participant is based off personalized nutritional needs and assessments. WIC offers so much more, too! Services such as nutritional education, breastfeeding support and education, and referrals to other programs based on the needs of the participant are just as big a part of the program.
As the WIC Help Specialist, I will be working closely with WIC clinics in the area to increase outreach and ultimately make referrals to the clinics themselves. I will be able to answer questions, explain the new eWIC system, prescreen for potential eligibility, help identify and gather necessary documentation for the initial appointment, and refer potentially eligible individuals to the proper clinics. Please call Family Enrichment Network’s new WIC Help Specialist, Callie Bullis for more information about the WIC Help New York Program at (607) 723-8313 x 1651.

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Family Support Services

Snow Paint Fun
From the Family Enrichment Network staff at the Broome County Courthouse Children’s Center
Snow Paint is not only a fun activity, but an easy way to keep your kids busy during the winter! It is so easy to make, you won’t believe your eyes!
You will need:
Spray bottles (one for each color)
Food coloring
Water
Directions:
Remove the tops of the spray bottles and fill with water.
Then, add enough dye to get the color you are after (20- 30 drops of food color).
Screw the lid back on the bottle, and give it a good shake.
Tips:
Make sure your children are wearing warm snow clothes! They will want to spend hours outside creating, coloring, and painting every inch of snow in your yard. You can adjust the nozzle to create a finer mist, or a more concentrated spray. You can mix colors, draw pictures, or even write out a friendly Holiday message to the neighbors.
The Courthouse Children’s Center is run by Family Enrichment Network and provides FREE drop in child care for any adult who has business in Family or Drug Court. For more information please call the staff at 607-240-5818

NEWS & VIEWS

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Employee Spotlight

April Ramsay has been with Family Enrichment Network for 10 years and is one of our agency’s senior staff members. April is our agency’s Director of Program Development. She is involved in many agency activities and is responsible for identifying and developing new programs and initiatives based on our agency and community’s needs. She is also responsible for identifying and writing grants to support existing and new programming. April is a global thinker and is passionate about meeting the needs of the community, fostering partnerships, and developing strategic goals. April holds a Master’s Degree of Public Administration (MPA) from Binghamton University and has over 15 years’ experience working in the nonprofit sector. When she’s not at work she is enjoying her time with her family and their beloved Rottweiler. April has two young children to keep her busy but in her spare time she enjoys drawing, dancing, hiking, kayaking and visiting the beach whenever possible!

Hard at Work…

NEWS & VIEWS

This year we celebrate our 40th
anniversary!
1978-2018

A special Thank You to all of our families, staff, and supporters for helping us fulfill our mission over these past four decades.
Together we are:
Enriching the Community &
Growing Tomorrow’s leaders… today!

24 Cherry Street
Johnson City, NY 13790

Associates of Psychotherapy Welcomes MaryLou Popielarski, LMHC
Specializing in children and family.
Serving Broome & Tioga counties
Counseling for individuals, couples, and families! A wide variety of insurances excepted, and convenient locations!
Call our office today for all your therapy needs! 607-768-8879

Advertising Space Available
Space is now available to send your valuable message to OVER 1,000 community members.
“Blocks” approximately 2 1/2” x 3 1/2” are now available, become an advertising partner of Family Enrichment Network for $15 per year, and receive 3 issues of “free” advertising.
For more information on available space or to set up your ad,
please call Laura at (607) 723-8313 Ext. 815.