Head Start/New York State Collaboration Project Receives Funds for AmeriCorps Project
The New York State Council on Children and Families' Head Start/New York State Collaboration Project recently received an AmeriCoprs grant to develop Collaborative Family Literacy/Employment Readiness Projects in five high-need communities. Twenty-five AmeriCorps team members, five for each five communities, will be selected to participate in this initiative.
The goals of the project are to:
- provide developmentally appropriate early childhood services to improve the school readiness of young children;
- increase the educational achievement of adults who lack basic academic skills;
- enhance job readiness skills of participating adults; and
- develop the citizenship and skills of AmeriCorps members.
These services are currently being delivered by different agencies and developed in isolation from one another. This project will integrate existing services into a comprehensive program which will result in greater gains for participating children and adults, as well as offer an exiting and meaningful community service experience for AmeriCorps members.
The project will also strengthen ties among community organizations, For New York State, collaboration among community organizations was identified by the State Commission on National and Community Service as a priority area. This priority will be addressed by establishing local Advisory Councils to collaboratively develop AmeriCorps Family Literacy/Employment Readiness Projects unique to the needs, resources, and priorities of the communities. Advisory Council members, program staff, and AmeriCorps members will receive training on the principles of family literacy and effective family literacy models. A statewide advisory council will be established to ensure that coordination efforts occur on both the State and local level.
AmeriCorps members will assist program staff in developing children's emergent literacy skills; working with parents on life skills, employability skills, and basic educational needs; and preparing and participating in parenting skills sessions and intergenerational activities.
For additional information, contact Carolyn Egas, Project Director, Head Start/ New York State Collaboration Project, New York State Council on Children and Families, at (518) 473-3652.