Jefferson County Committee For Economic Opportunity
Child Development Services Division
Newsletter For and About the JCCEO Head Start-Early Head Start Program and Its Families
Volume 9913, Issue 4
May 2014
From the Director
Dear Parents and Staff:
Patricia A. Schmidt
Interim Director
As this program year draws to a close, let’s wish our children moving on to
kindergarten happy memories of their time in Head Start, and the same for
those Early Head Start children moving up to Head Start. And let us not forget our wonderful parents with whom we have formed relationships— some
for years, and others whom we have known just this year. You help us to be
the wonderful program that we are. We wish that you would continue to
grow, and use the tools you got from our program to make a better life for
yourself and your family.
Parents, continue to work with your children over the summer using the Transition Packets from
Head Start so your children will be ready and eager for kindergarten to begin.
Staff, I hope you all have a safe, restful, and wonderful summer. As many of you know, we will be
replacing the classrooms we lost during Sequestration, so we will hit the floor running in August.
Parents and staff, please remind those you know who have age eligible children to get their applications in as soon as possible. Children must apply for our program before they can enroll.
The new program year for children will begin August 25th. Nine-month staff will return to work for
Pre-Service on August 11th.
Have a Wonderful, Safe Summer!
JCCEO Mission Statement
JCCEO provides comprehensive social and child development services to the low income citizens of Jefferson County, Alabama. Our goal is to
reduce poverty by assisting families and individuals to meet current needs and become self-sufficient through the effective, flexible, and innovative
use of all available resources.
H
ello Parents,
The end of the school year is upon us. It seems we just got started!
This time of year is busy with spring events, year-end preparations,
and preparations for summer.
This Spring has been active and exciting for parents, as well as staff.
The Parent Café for parents of children with disabilities was rich with
laughter and learning. Over 25 parents and 29 children attended. The
Parent participated in a team building activity
Annual Health Fair was held at Festival Center in April, and it was a
at the Child Abuse Prevention event hosted by
JCCEO in partnership with the Alabama Mental
great success. We hosted 20 vendors and served over 150 parents.
Health Goal Group. They were making a house
Parents won gift cards and T-shirts, got BMI, blood sugar, and sickle
out of straws.
cell tests. Thanks to all vendors and a special thanks to Center Manager, Mr. Williams, the cooks, and the rest of the staff at Festival Center for making it such a successful activity.
Men, if you missed the Male Involvement Retreat you missed a wonderful event. Over 50 dads, uncles,
granddads, and other male caregivers came out for dinner; then returned the next day to interact with other
dads and gain valuable information on parenting, legal issues, relationships, and other relevant topics. It is
an annual event, so plan to attend next year. The Retreat is always a unique experience.
We extend a special thanks to our parents who have attended parent meetings throughout the year. Parent
meetings are a valuable way to engage in the Head Start experience. Our hope is that returning parents will
continue to attend next year, as well as, volunteer in other ways with Head Start. Your volunteer hours become matching federal dollars for your Head Start program. Those dollars enable us to continue providing
quality services to children and families in the Jefferson County community.
Hats off to our parent officers at each site. Thanks for a job well done. And to our Policy Council, we are
grateful for your service and sacrifice—but remember you are still active over the summer. Your voice and
presence are needed until the next council is elected for program year 2014-15. All of you make JCCEO
Head Start a program of excellence.
It is my hope that each of you has a safe and happy summer. We anticipate you returning in the Fall, ready
to work, play, and grow.
Live Strong,
Michelle McAlpine, M.Ed., LPC
Parent Engagement and Social Services Coordinator
327-7570
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Health Fair
Vendors
The JCCEO Head Start-Early Head Start Program takes this opportunity to acknowledge and thank all of our
parents for the volunteer work they do. You each get a gold star.
Marielo Comacho, Ana
Mondragon, and Norma Morales
decorate classroom door for
Spring at St. Francis Center.
Sherman
Heights
Center dad
Cleophus
Armstrong
poses with
his son
Caiden,
who won
the Easter
basket at
the center
Easter Egg
Hunt.
Teacher,
Dianne
Wilson
serves
families
attending
the Parent
Appreciation Breakfast at
Calloway
Center.
Toya Scott, mother of Taaron and Taya,
(Kingston), who graduated from the Birmingham Drop Out Recovery Program and is now
a high school graduate.
GOOD FOR YOU,
to all of our new homeowners!
Tamara Berry, Jemeka‟s mother (Festival
Center)
Alexis Smith, parent of Mikhail (St. Francis)
who graduated from UAB and will enroll in
medical school at Howard University.
Shan’torria Douthard, JaiTorrian‟s mom
(Festival Center)
Dominique Toney, Michaela‟s mother, (St.
Francis) who graduated from Miles College
with a BS degree in criminal justice.
Stephanie Turner, Iyanna‟s mom (St. Francis) who received her BS degree in English
from Miles College in May.
Frederica Webster, Kobi‟s parent (St. Francis) who graduated from ITT with an Associates degree in criminal justice.
Latanya Wilson, mother of Devontae and
Javontae, who earned a degree in criminal
justice from Faulkner University.
Moesha Wright, Justin‟s mom (Kingston) who
earned a Bachelor‟s degree in Health Care
Management from UAB.
Latia Young, Javon‟s mother, (St. Francis),
who passed her certification test and is now a
certified pharmacy technician.
LaKendra Foster, Kourtney‟s mother
(Festival Center)
Kionna Moss, KonQuorius‟ mom (Kingston
Center)
Reginald Bland, Kendall‟s father
(Festival) has a new job in the Piggly
Wiggly grocery store warehouse.
Tonya Kennan, mother of Marquise
and Macareaus (Kingston), who is
working as a Home Health Aide at
Alexti Home Care.
Wilnesha Rodgers, Kenyius’ mom
(St. Francis) ,who has a new job at
Home Depot Warehouse.
Kenneth Taylor, Khamron‟s dad
(Arrington) who was hired as a truck
driver at Armstrong Relocations.
COMMUNITY DAY. Help GBM celebrate 45 years of service by donating non-perishable food
items and volunteering to get out the vote. Greater Birmingham Ministries. May 24.
[email protected]
FAMILY FISHING RODEO. Have fun and teach „em to fish. Eastlake Park, 7am- 12 noon,
June 7. 254-2391 for more information. Free
BIRMINGHAM BARONS BASEBALL. Catch the game and learn about railroad safety with
Operation Lifesaver. Regions Park.
June 6. 7pm. $7
SAVE GAS, GET PAID!!
LITERACY ELEMENTS. Reading for
COMMUTE SMART BIRMINGHAM
grown folks... and more! Birmingham
CONTACT JENIESE HOSEY,
Public Library Adult Summer Reading
205-264-8406
program. www.bplonline.org
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Sherman Heights
Eastern Cluster
Seals and Gardens: Ms. Reese
and Mr. Harris‟ class at Center
Point Center send a huge “THANK
YOU!” to Officer Dan Seals for
spending a special day reading the
book Police Officer to his child,
Bunny Hunt: Teacher
and Aide Ms. Davis and
Ms. Booker-Byrd celebrate with their preschool class all of the
eggs they found at the
Easter Egg Hunt.
Safe-T: Bubba T. Bear poses
with Ms. Portis and Ms. Thomas’ toddlers. He is the
safety bear who visited the
center from the Boys and
Girls Club.
Baby Talk: Home Based participants and
home visitors posed for picture following Socialization session at Sherman Heights Center.
D‟Ante‟s class,
and talking
about his job.
The class also
enjoyed learning about
plants, insects,
and birds during their field
trip to the Birmingham Botanical Gardens.
Fairmont Cluster
Mom, Baseball, and Dinosaurs: The Arrington Center Pre-K class took several wonderful field trips this Spring. On April 25 they visited the Museum of Natural History in
Anniston, Alabama., and on May 14 they visited Region‟s Park to see the Birmingham
Barons play baseball. The children in Ms. Dowdell and Ford‟s aftercare class made
Mother‟s Day cards to give to their moms. (pictured, Reagan and Christian display their
Mother‟s Day crafts.)
Reporters, Cynthia Austin, FSW, and Parent Committee President Mary Hayes
Festival Cluster
You Are Appreciated: Parent‟s showed their gratitude on Teacher Appreciation Day
with a luncheon on May 9. The Explorers in Ms. Bearden‟s Pre-K class are closing out
the year with a field trip to Desoto Caverns. They will learn about genealogy, artifacts,
and archeology. Everyone is very excited.
Pause Puzzle: Parents do an activity about Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention during Parent Meeting, led by Family Services Worker, Brittney Hunter.
Reporter, Sonya Henry, Teacher Aide
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Kingston Cluster
Happy Earth Day!: Head
Start children Jordan,
Kaedynce, and Gabriel assisted Driver/Janitor Mr.
Mumford and teacher aides
Ms. Wheeler and Ms.
Peebles, in planting trees at
the center to honor of Earth
Day.
Raising the Flag:
A flag dedication
ceremony was held
on May 1 at the
center. Children
watched as the flag
was raised and
then everyone said
the Pledge of Allegiance
Calloway Cluster
Magic Kingdom: The annual Family Day was held on May 9. Parents
and children enjoyed softball, volleyball, and badminton outdoors. Inside
the gymnasium activities included the moonwalk, face painting, and
bingo, and feasting on
cotton candy and snow
cones. Area vendors were
also on hand with valuable
resources and information
for families; among them
were Regions Bank, and
Alabama Public TV. It was
great!
Reporter, Cassandra Frazier, Clerk Typist
Louie Luau: Kingston Center celebrated
spring’s arrival with a luau. The children
wore tie dyed t-shirts and leis as part of the
festivity. Even our infants Genesis,
Raelyn, Ma’Kya and Da’Rell joined in the
fun.
What a Month!: April was a busy month for visitors.
Charles Huffman brought along McGruff from the Birmingham Police Department and gave each child a
badge. JCCEO Education Coordinator Carmelita
Poindexter read a story to the children. And Ronald
McDonald performed his famous magic rope tricks.
Many thanks to them and everyone who supported our
Week of the Young Child activities.
Daddy Do’s: Fredrick Hilliard from the Family Guidance
Center conducted a series of workshops for our dads
March 4 through April 15. He taught fathers how important it is to be involved and active in the lives of their children.
Scouting Out: Daisy Girl Scouts went to Camp Coleman on May 6. Their leaders are teacher aides Monica
Thomas, Carmesha Thedford, and LaTasha Davis. The
girls made their own potted plant from newspaper. Then
placed a tomato plant in their homemade pot to plant and
raise at home for delicious tomatoes all summer long.
Reporter, Blanche Townsend, Teacher Aide
Give a Hand: Children made
hands poster as part of Autism
Awareness activity, here with
Teacher aide Erma Jordan.
Tale of the Tape: Antonio Gipson,
assists his son in learning who to use a
tape measure during field trip to the
McWane Science Center.
Safe Seats: SafeKids and Children’s of
Alabama came to the center on May 14
to discuss car seat safety with parents.
Each parent received a car or booster
seat and was shown how to use the
seat to keep their children safe while
riding in the car.
Pictures by Veronica Minor, Teacher
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EDUCATION
SERVICES
By Carol Montgomery,
PNC Project Coordinator,
327-7591
What a great year the teachers,
students , and parents had participating in the PNC Grow Up
Great initiative! In conjunction
with ChildCare Resources,
JCCEO, and McWane Science
Center, everyone had a fun-filled
year. Teachers were given excellent training on using the
inquiry science method in working with young children. The
field trips to McWane Center,
Science Family Nights, and visits
from the portable planetarium
got everyone who attended excited about science. Throughout
the year, children were given
experiments to do at home with
a parent and asked to report
back to the center with a sheet
detailing their work. Parents
provided feedback to questions
such as “What did you like or
dislike about the experiment?,
and “Was it a good experience
for your child?” This feedback
helped us to make the take-home
experiences more rewarding.
Teachers displayed take-home
activities and projects in classrooms, and encouraged children
and parents alike to talk about
their discoveries. Because of
this project children, families,
and teachers have become more
comfortable with science subjects and activities.
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Un Dia Muy Especial
By Aisha Abdullah, Center Manager &
Laura Ruiz, Teacher Aide
The St. Francis Center had a very special Cinco de Mayo day celebration on
May 5. Our Hispanic parents worked
with staff and other parents to create a
one of a kind experience for everyone.
Thank you, to everyone who organized
the festivities. We had a great time
sampling the foods, dancing, and of
course, breaking the piñata!
Anna Mondragon, Norma Morales, Early Head
Start daughter Allison, and Mariela Camacho
clay pottery
costume doll
small blanket
hot sauce bowl
tortillas presser
blanket
Teacher, Ms. Reedy carried the welcome banner.
Children wore ponchos and headdresses they
made out of paper bags. Table displays included ethnic foods and popular household items.
By Blanche Townsend, Teacher Aide
Calloway Center preschoolers took a special field trip to Hudson Elementary School on May 5. They toured the school with their Head Start teachers and got
to meet all of the kindergarten teachers. They heard a lot about what to expect, and what
will be expected of them. They learned that there are some similarities between preschool
and Head Start. For example, they will still have take-home activities and assignments.
But a lot of things will be different. They will not have centers in the classroom—no dramatic play, no block area, no sand and water table. They learned that family style eating is
not a part of public school. Instead, they will put a number in the computer to obtain their
lunch, and carry their own lunch tray. They will walk to the school library which houses a
lot more materials. And they will have access to various types of computers. The visit was
very enjoyable and educational.
Editor’s note: Parents, make time to step out on your own and visit the environments where
your child will be next year. Talk to the new staff, and learn more about the new curriculum.
Take your child along on your visits. The more familiar you both are with the new place, the
less stressful it will be. You and your child can hit the ground running in the Fall, and be well
on your way to another great year.
Early Childhood Mental Health
Better
Bodies
Many of us react with apprehension, whenever we hear the term “mental health” mentioned. Understanding “what early childhood mental health is” and “why it is important”, perhaps may change our
perceptions of the term.
“What is Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health?”
Dr. Crystal Spivey,
Infant and early childhood mental health refers to the ability of babies and very young children to experi- JCCEO Health Coordinator, here with Greg
ence emotions, develop relationships, and learn. This is also referred to as social- emotional developTownsend, JeffCo.
ment in children birth through age 5.
“Why Is It Important”
Mental health is closely tied to the relationships infants and young children have with their parents and
other primary caregivers. Through these important relationships in their lives, they learn how to effectively express emotions, make friends and explore the world around them.
Some potential “red flags” that a child and family need help (not a confirmation) are:.
Infants
As parents and caregivers, nurturing and positive interactions help
infants and very young children to thrive. Children‟s and families‟ menLimited or no interest in things or
tal health needs are best addressed when they are identified early.
people
Parents and caregivers must be observant and proactive beginning at
Consistent strong reactions to
birth in recognizing potential signs that their child may need additional
touch, sounds, or movements
care. By doing so, they are increasing their children‟s chances at being healthy and successful in school. www.challenging behaviors;
Toddlers
Unable to calm self
Excessive fearfulness or excessive sadness
Preschoolers
Consistently prefers not to play
with others or with toys
Limited use of words to express
feelings
“Parents have become so
convinced educators
know what is best for
children that they forget
that they themselves are
really the experts.”
„Marian Wright Edelman
Dept. of Health representative and member
of the Alabama Mental
Health Goal Group that
co-sponsored the Child
Abuse and Neglect Prevention Event held at
JCCEO Headquarters
on April 12. The event
“In Loving Hands, Children Blossom” featured
talks by local mental
health professionals and
breakout sessions for
small group discussions
and activities.
www.ecmha.og, www.waimh.org, www.zerotothree.org
“Water is so
important for
many reasons.
It’s easily
accessible and
adding a slice of
lemon or
cucumber adds
variety and extra
benefits!”
Kelly Grantham,
JCCEO Head Start
Nutrition Services
First Lady Michelle Obama Launches
Water Campaign
We all know that good nutrition is essential for our mental health. Poor diet
is associated with a number of mental
health conditions including depression
and attention deficit disorder; while a
good diet can help to balance our
moods and affect our behavior. One of the easiest and
cheapest ways to a healthy diet is to drink more water.
That’s why the First Lady’s Let’s Move! initiative has
joined Partnership for a Healthier America in the Drink
Up! campaign. According to the Centers for Disease
Control, one in four children does not drink any water on
a given day. Sometimes we just forget about it. So
look for the logo and remember, drink more water for
better mental health. www.YouAreWhatYouDrink.org
Page 7
JCCEO Head Start-Early Head Start-Pre-K Program
Start Your ENGINES!
Teacher aide and volunteer Daisy
Scout leader Tena Sales conducts
activity with the girls in St. Francis Cluster, drawing things from nature.
Calloway Center hosted the Annual Pinewood Derby
model car race on May 9. The event was co-sponsored by
the Birmingham District, Boy Scouts of America under the
leadership of Brian Wilson. Thanks to all of the volunteers
who made this a fun-filled activity for our children and families.
Derby Winners:
1st Place—Jakayla Woods
2nd Place—Alejandro Martinez Garcia
3rd Place—Justin Harvey
4th Place—Marquis Maze
Coolest Car: Kasha Wilson (Pink Panther)
Coolest Name: Jaylon Harvey (A-Jay)
Congratulations to Head
Start West Center Street
Center which earned
reaccreditation from the
National Association for the Education of Young Children this
spring. Accreditation is NAEYC‟s
stamp of approval for having a
high quality program, and is good
for 5 years. All eligible programs
at JCCEO are accredited. Visit
www.naeyc.org to view the
Monthly Newsletter for Families.
This month learn more about
finger sucking habits, what they
mean and what to do about it —
or just ignore.
You can view available
positions and apply for jobs at
JCCEO by going on-line to
www.jcceo.org.
Family Services
Resources for
You
Click on the Jobs icon.
If it feels like a FRAUD, and talks like a FRAUD, chances are…
Bilingual Counseling Services: Inexpensive counseling for
individuals or families. Action Counseling and Consulting.
John Ocampo, Licensed Professional Counselor. 205-2497475.
They come in every type and variety, from Pyramids to Ponzis: somebody trying to
get your money by promising high returns or quick riches. Anyone can fall victim too,
from first time investors to old pros. Here are some popular frauds to watch out for…
GED Online: Adult education offered by Lawson State Community College and the Family Guidance Center‟s Center for
Families-Jefferson County. Call 929-6481 for more information.
Affinity Fraud: targets members of identity oriented groups like church members or
ethnic minorities. They take advantage of friendships and trust by recruiting trusted
leaders to spread the word about an investment opportunity - that does not really
exist.
Employment Opportunities: Open an account with Alabama Local JobNetwork to get listings of jobs you qualify for.
Job openings will be sent directly to your email address as
new openings are announced. To set up your personal account, call 877-343-8181 or go to
www.metrobirminghamjobs.com for more information.
Mother’s Hope. Substance abuse treatment program for
pregnant and post partum mothers. Alethia House, 324-6502
Advance Fee Fraud: Asks for payment up front before a deal can go through. An
official sounding person promises high profits for your help in moving money from one
place to another. go to www.feedthepig.org to learn more about these and other
schemes. Better yet...
Learn More About How to Handle Your Business
JCCEO is offering FINANCIAL LITERACY classes to improve your knowledge about banking, credit, buying a home, starting a business, and managing your money.
The Promise of Community Action
Community Action changes people’s lives, embodies
the spirit of hope, improves communities, and
makes America a better place to live. We care
about the entire community, and we are dedicated
to helping people help themselves and each other.
A series of 4 workshops. Attend any one, or all four.
5:30 to 7:30 p m. June 2, 9, 16, & 23.
Call Pat Hatcher 205-201-7555 ext. 6316, for more information.
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