Projects

On this page you'll find information on:
School Readiness | Oral Health | Parent Kits | Home Visiting | PDP Program

School Readiness
Description: “Readiness” is a term used to describe preparation for what comes next! School readiness means that when children enter school, they are developmentally, physically and emotionally ready to learn. Research shows that a child’s brain develops rapidly during the first three years of life. Experiences that children have from conception until they enter Kindergarten play a significant role in brain structure and function, affecting cognitive, emotional and social capacities throughout life.

In 1990 the National Education Goals Panel identified school readiness as a national priority. The definition of school readiness covers three key areas: 1)Children’s readiness for school 2)Schools’ readiness for children and 3)Family and community supports and services that contribute to children’s readiness for school success.

Parents, pre-K teachers, schools, and community programs working together provide the best base for children’s success in school. School Readiness Programs are currently available at the following elementary schools in Inyo County:

Big Pine Unified School District: Big Pine Elementary
Lone Pine Unified School District: Lo-Inyo Elementary; Olancha Elementary

For current information on this program please download the School Readiness Fall 2004 Newsletter

Additional Information:
     Parent and Family Education Activities
     First 5 Inyo County - School Readiness Initiative (337kb)
     Big Pine Unified School
     Lone Pine Unified School
     Raising a Reader

Community Oral Health Initiative
(a funding partnership between The California Endowment and First 5 Inyo County)
Description: Dental caries is the most common chronic condition among our nation's children - five times more common than asthma, according to the US Surgeon General. Fortunately, tooth decay is a preventable disease. It can be prevented by good oral health habits and prevention services, and can be controlled with early dental treatment. A caries prevention initiative is the most cost effective way to meet the oral health needs of children in Inyo County.

The Inyo Children’s Oral Health Initiative is a community-based, community-driven strategy designed to meet the special dental needs of children throughout the county. It is 3-year project funded through a partnership between The California Endowment and First 5 Inyo County. The program is linked with communities and elementary schools in Inyo County to provide oral health outreach, education, and prevention to parents/caregivers, children and teachers. This is accomplished through visits to the homes of all families with children 0-5 years of age, and through Dental Health Fairs and Sealant Days format targeting children in elementary school (grades K through 6), with linkages to dental case management. Sealants are second only to community water fluoridation in the prevention of tooth decay. School-based sealant programs have proven to be one of the most effective methods of reducing tooth decay among children.

The Initiative links with the Commission-funded IMACA home visitation, school-based dental health fairs, dental case management, and a dental sealant program. The purpose of the initiative is to improve oral health access through community-based primary prevention and case management for children in Inyo County. The majority of services are provided via grants to subcontractors for specific services. The First 5 Inyo County Commission serves as lead on the Initiative. The Inyo County Office of Education (ICOE) is responsible for school-linked strategies, using Dental Health Fairs and Sealant Days format targeting children in elementary school (grades K through 6). The University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) School of Dentistry assists with paraprofessional training, and oversight of the sealant program. Inyo Mono Advocates for Community Action (IMACA) conducts home-based strategies, including visits to the homes of all families with children 0-5 years of age. The County of Inyo Health and Human Services, Dental Case Manager, provides dental case management. All of the oral health strategies provide for linkages to dental case management.

For more information about the Initiative, including how to get services for your child, please call the Commission Office at (760) 872-0925.

Additional Information:
     IMACA
     Inyo County Office of Education

Parent Kits
Description: Having a child is a 24-hour-a-day commitment filled with joy and exhaustion, love and hard work. Being a parent is an exciting journey. Children need our love and attention to develop their intelligence, confidence and character. As they grow and learn, we grow and can learn with them.

This parenting resource presents a comprehensive resource for new and expecting parents that translate emerging science about the importance of the early years into practical information parents can incorporate into their daily lives. Good health, loving relationships and frequent learning opportunities are some of the topics covered. It is available free, and is full of easy-to-understand information, including a Parent Guide produced by UC Berkeley, a children’s book, six videos, and parenting brochures complementing the video information.

Parent Kits are available from Inyo Mono Advocates for Community Action by contacting them at 760 873-3021 or info@imaca.net.

Additional Information:
     IMACA

Home Visiting
IMACA Parents as Teachers (PAT)
Description: Babies are born to learn, and parents are their first teacher. Parents as Teachers (PAT) is a nationally recognized home visiting program providing education and family support. Program staff provide the information, support and encouragement parents need to help their children develop optimally during the first five years of life. PAT serves families throughout pregnancy until their child enters Kindergarten. PAT services are free, regardless of income or immigration status.

Personal Visits
A Certified Parent Educator will visit families in their home monthly, to share age-appropriate child development information, help parents learn to observe their children, address parenting concerns, and do play activities with parents and their child. Visits will be directed by parents and their growing child’s needs. Visits are available in Spanish and English.

Group Meetings
Parents enrolled in the program meet once per month to share information about parenting issues – and learn from and support each other.

Screenings
Developmental, health, dental, vision and hearing screenings will be offered, and referral for follow up services made as needed.

Parent Kits
Includes six videos, children’s books, hand puppets, and much more.

Resource Networking
Information and referrals are provided on different program available to meet participating families’ needs and interests.

To enroll in PAT or for more information, call IMACA at (760) 873-3021.

Additional Information:
     IMACA
     Parents as Teachers

Professional Development Program
Description: The Inyo County Professional Development Program is a retention incentive and reward program that rewards applicants for their education, training, and longevity, and encourages enrollment in additional coursework, unit-based as well as non-unit based. The program encourages license-exempt providers to complete the licensing process, particularly targeting the School Readiness Communities where licensed homes are especially needed. The Commission partnered with the Inyo County Local Child Care Planning Council through local and state funding to implement this program for a third year.

A total of approximately $19,043 in stipends was awarded to 17 licensed child care providers in Inyo County. Stipends ranged from $350 to $1,900. Six of the applicants were family childcare providers, 10 were center-based staff, and one was the director of a childcare center. Return applicants numbered 11, with 6 new applicants. Here’s what some of the participants had to say about the program: “Allowed me to purchase some of the much-needed supplies to improve the quality of my childcare,” licensed family childcare provider, and “Encouraged me to take classes I might not otherwise have taken,” center-based provider. When participants were asked, “If this Program was continuously offered, would it influence your decision to remain in the field of early care and education,” 72% answered “yes.”

In addition to stipends, Inyo County Local Childcare Planning Council staff administers an educational scholarship program made available to reimburse childcare providers and center-based staff for books, courses, workshops, etc. The Office of Education Child Development Division houses a Lending Library for all parents and providers, and also offers a mobile Lending Library for providers within Inyo County.

For more information on this program, please call the Inyo County Child Care Planning Council at (760) 873-5123.

Additional Information:
     Inyo County Office of Education

 

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