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