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FOCUS AREAS OF NEED (ranked in order by the CSAC Needs Assessment Sub -Committee at <br />the completion of the Needs Assessment process and updated for clarity) <br />We all know that COVID-19 has had a large impact on our community. This year our particular <br />focus will be on areas that have been most impacted by COVID-19 such as trauma and mental <br />health of children, regression in school and increased substance use. We will prioritize evidence - <br />based programs that can address these challenges. <br />1. Early Childhood Development <br />This encompasses birth to age 5. For the younger children this would mean improving their <br />interactions with caregivers beginning at birth and with focus on physical, social emotional and <br />cognitive development. It would include improving the quality of childcare, Pre -K and Voluntary <br />Pre -K providers. Providers must complete developmental screenings at appropriate intervals and <br />make referrals where necessary. <br />Why: Research shows that the period 0-5 years is the most important time for brain development. <br />Physical, social emotional and cognitive skills can be significantly impacted during this time. <br />2. Quality remediation and enrichment. programs that include a meaningful component of <br />social emotional skill building and academic instruction <br />Programs should be free/affordable and accessible (transportation) to parents and children. They <br />should include quality instruction, be properly staffed and have enough dosing to make a <br />meaningful impact on a child. We hold agencies to a high standard of what constitutes academic <br />enrichment and intervention. Mentoring programs are included. <br />Why: Children need to develop positive in and out of school outlets that keep them engaged in <br />learning, promote their physical, emotional and mental health. There is a wealth of data supporting <br />quality.research-based intervention, extended day programs and extended year. <br />3. Build Parent Capacity <br />This encompasses improving parenting skills at every age of a child's life and providing support <br />mechanisms for parents, including the pre -natal period. Parents should be taught the importance <br />of wellness of the whole child (medical, dental, mental health and developmental) in addition to <br />meeting their basic needs. A priority would be new parents, first-time and single parents and those <br />in the poverty pockets. Additionally, parents need to be assisted in obtaining developmental <br />screenings at all stages of a child's development starting at 2 months. <br />Why: A parent is a child's first and most important teacher. We need to equip parents to be the <br />good parents they all want to be. <br />4. Programs that address risky youth behavior . <br />Evidence -based programs that help children and teens develop the tools to become productive, <br />healthy, law-abiding citizens and address risky behavior (e.g., chronic absenteeism, substance <br />RFP Instructions - 3 77 <br />