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Redlands Christian Migrant Ass(, , tion, Inc . /RCMA Whispering Pines Chia. ;development Center/Children Services Advisory Committee Indian River County C . PROGRAM DESCRIPTION (Entire Section C, I — 6, not to exceed two pages. Bonwill expand AN you 00) 1 . List Priority Needs area addressed . Increase childcare capacities and subsidies for underserved populations , the infant and toddler population ; improve the quality of childcare programs , and increase accessibility for children from lower income families . 2 . Briefly describe program activities including location of services . Whispering Pine Child Development Center — 10076 Esperanza Circle , Fellsmere, FL The services offered through the RCMA Whispering Pines Child Development Center incorporate the following : Education Program : This quality educational program is a Creative Curriculum and Creative Choices driven developmentally appropriate curriculum stressing language development and self esteem . These are barriers to our targeted migrant and rural poor population. Assessments : The on- going assessment scores as tracked in the Early Learning Accomplishment Profile assure appropriate individualization for each young child . The assessments also alert staff to developmental delays so the appropriate referral services will be received in a timely manner. Parent Support : Parent involvement is one of the keys to a child ' s educational success . Monthly parent meetings , support groups , parent trainings and volunteer activities are conducted and based on parent ' s requests and needs . Social Services : RCMA provides health and social services referrals and follow-ups , as well as , family needs assessments , with a limited home visit component . Basic Health Program : Includes daily health checks of children, child health referrals and prescription medications administered . Nutrition : A nutritious breakfast, lunch and snack are served to all toddlers with the menus approved by a registered dietician . Children sit together with their teacher and serve themselves family style . Infants use the Child Care Feeding Program and move from formula to toddler food as appropriate . 3 . Briefly describe how your program addresses the stated need/problem . Describe how your program follows a recognized " best practice" (see definition on page 12 of the Instructions) and provide evidence that indicates proposed strategies are effective with target population . There is national research which proves that high quality infant, toddler and preschool child care with a strong parent involvement component makes a significant difference in increased school success , decreased teen pregnancy, decreased juvenile delinquency and decreased special education placement . As quoted in Children in Need - Investment Strategies for the Educationally Disadvantaged , an effective quality child care program is one that emphasized " collaboration between teaching staff and parents as partners in the education and development of children, including frequent communication and substantive conferences at least monthly" . Preparing children for kindergarten , parenting and advocacy skills , are the major issues facing the successful development of these families . RCMA ' s additional goal is to help children be successful in public school and to help parents fulfill their role as their child ' s first teacher and advocate during their public school years . RCMA meets this need by offering a continuum of child care services beginning with infant and toddler care . 5