The Partnership talked about the strives it made during 2008 and 2009 at the organization's annual dinner and board meeting held this week.
The Partnership was established in 1998 to help improve the quality of child care, make child care more affordable and accessible, provide access to health services and offer family support.
"The Scotland County Partnership for Children faced many changes during 2008-2009," Executive Director Anita Riojas Mayers said in the report. "It was during these series of events that the Partnership board members took the opportunity to evaluate progress and made thoughtful funding decisions not only for 2008-2009 but also for 2009-2010."
Riojas-Mayers said the partnership saw a 8.9 percent reduction in state funding from Smart Start which caused cutbacks in local programs.
She added that two grants supporting the Adolescent Pregnancy Prevention Program also ended in May.
"As we look toward the future, we are committed to continuing to provide services which result in real change in the the lives of Scotland County's children," Riojas-Mayers said. "Continuing to invest in quality high impact programs, we will use our limited resources to obtain big results for children and families.
Some of those results highlighted in the report include:
— Having 455 children helped by the local early childhood initiative last year;
— Having 81 three-and four-year-old children participate in the WINGS school readiness program;
— Having 654 children received free books to encourage reading;
Having the number of nationally accredited child care facilities increase from zero to six since 2002;
— Having the the county average star rating for quality child placement in regulated child care increase from 2.17 to 3.20;
— Having 49 percent of county child care facilities have a license with three or more stars.
For child care provider Cynthia Nwachukwu, the work of the Partnership was about more than facts and figures.
Nwachukwu, who owns and operates Jehovah Christian Academy in Laurinburg, said she would have been unable to open the center without the Partnership's assistance. She said the agency helped her with everything from inspections to regulations and contracts.
"From A to Z, you were there for me," she told Partnership officials. "It would have been impossible to do something like this alone. I applaud you for the excellent service your provide to child care providers like myself."
The meeting was also used to honor volunteers who have contributed a total of 446 hours of service to the partnership. Recipients were: Ron Sapp, Gene Smith and members of the Christian Home Educators of Scotland Area.
The volunteer each donated a week's time and are called "Champions for Children."
Smith, the Partnership board's outgoing president, also received a special plaque for his service to the organization. Smith has served as president for three years, but has been with group since it began.
"We feel like we have a program of quality, quantity and substance for Scotland County," Smith said. "I also want to thank all of you for making a significant difference in the lives of children."
County Health Department Director Ron Sapp replaces Smith as board president.
"I know I have a hard task ahead of me following Gene Smith, " he said. "The dedication and commitment he gave as board chair can not be easily matched, but I'll try my best.
"As we look forward, let us continue to build on our county's strength in combining our ideas, our energy and our financial resources to create opportunities for children and families that none us could do alone."
Post a Comment
