AlPI Frostproof Child Development Center

Summer issue 2016
In This Issue
FCDC Annual Parent Orientation....................... 1
CSBG Sends Students to Universal Studios..... 2
Polk State College Alumni Spotlight.................. 2
Staff Appreciation Luncheon.............................. 3
Closing Out the Year with a Bang...................... 3
LIHEAP Energy Fairs......................................... 4
Alpi Frostproof Child
Development Center
A n n u a l Pa r e n t O r i e n tat i o n
Funds Used for Critical Situations.................. 4
Summer Feeding and Work Experience............ 5
CAT Program Featured in Radio Interview..... 5
FSSP is Changing Lives.................................... 5
CEO’s CORNER
Family
Empowerment
Initiative
The NAACP and the National Head Start
Association have joined forces in a memorandum of
understanding aimed at empowering the country’s
most vulnerable families by facilitating voter registration, health care enrollment and fair housing advocacy
at Head Start centers across the county. Since its
creation in 1965, Head Start has improved the lives of
32 million at-risk children and their families, laying the
foundation for lifelong success.
NAACP President and Head Start alumnus Cornell
William Brooks revealed the Memorandum of Understanding, which focuses on three core directives: Voter
Registration, Healthcare/Affordable Care Act and
Housing Advocacy.
Through the partnership, the NAACP will provide
parents access to tools and information, including
voter guides with state-specific information on how
to register and vote. Providing families with tools they
can use to ensure fair housing and stability in the home
is a key part of the partnership. Valuable information
about healthcare and insurance enrollment information
will also be provided. See http://www.naacp.org/pages/
civic-engagement-resources for details.
The Agricultural and Labor Program has joined
forces with its Regional Advisory Councils, office of
the Supervisor of Elections and other local partners to
promote this partnership initiative to expand CIVIC
ENGAGEMENT OPPORTUNITIES for our parents and community members. The challenge is on and
our children are counting on all of us to do our part to
collectively promote a civic engagement agenda to help
families to help themselves and each other.
F
rostproof Child Development Center’s
Early Head Start Program held its
annual “Parent Orientation” for the 20162017 school year on July 30, 2016. Parent
Orientation welcomes new parents and
returning parents into the program by
providing the history of ALPI and an overview of EHS program policies, procedures,
program governance, center activities and
family engagement. In addition, parents
had an opportunity to meet some local
partners like the Polk County Sheriff’s
office (provided car seat training), Heathy
Families & Healthy Start (provided health &
nutritional information), CareerSource Polk
(assisted with resume writing and employment searches via
their Mobile Unit),
and Central Florida
Health Care (provided dental screenings). The event was
well attended and
parents are very
excited about the
upcoming
school
year!
Deloris Johnson
Chief Executive Officer & Editor
ALPI Community Action Partnership
1
Summer 2016
Alpi BIDS FAREWELL TO 5 YEAR PARTNERSHIP WITH
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
Five years ago, global education
leader Houghton Mifflin Harcourt (HMH)
announced the launch of a long−term
collaborative partnership with Florida’s
St. Lucie County School district to build
a world class community of learners.
The partners would work together to
fundamentally improve the way teachers
educate, students learn and parents involve
themselves in the educational process. The
five−year agreement was unanimously
approved by the St. Lucie County School
Board on March 22, 2011 and ALPI joined
the partnership.
The partnership addressed several
of the most critical challenges faced by
educators, students, and parents throughout
the district. Initiatives included the creation
of a St. Lucie County Parent Academy,
enhancement of early childhood education,
development of a comprehensive science,
technology, engineering and mathematics
(STEM) curriculum, and expanded access
to information technology and the internet
for all students to help bridge the digital
divide within the district.
The Agricultural and Labor Program,
Inc. wishes to thank HMH for their
commitment to an incredible partnership that
brought with it a new level of quality to early
childhood education (including teaching,
learning, and parental involvement) in the
Saint Lucie County community.
The world’s largest provider of educational products and solutions for pre-K–12
learning and with origins dating back to 1832, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
develops and delivers interactive, results-driven learning solutions that
advance teacher effectiveness and student achievement.
Alpi’s CSBG Program
Sends Students
to Universal
Studios Orlando
ALPI’s CSBG program
recently assisted five students from High School High
Tech attend the “Behind the
Scenes Tour” of Universal
Studios Orlando. The HSHT
program provides opportunities for
high school students with disabilities
to explore careers in the sciences and
technology fields. HSHT includes work
experience opportunities and specialized support in their curriculum to better
prepare young people with disabilities
for life after high school. The program
ALPI Community Action Partnership
is spearheaded and funded by the Able
Trust in collaboration with the Center for
Independent Living In Central Florida,
Inc. and the Polk County Public Schools
system. By bundling services with partnered agencies, ALPI’s CSBG program
was also able to pay for summer internships for all five students.
2
Polk State College
Alumni Spotlight
Christine Stephens Samuel
In May of this year Christine Stephens
Samuel was selected by Polk State College as
it’s Distinguished Alumna Award recipient,
an honor Ms. Samuel was very pleased to
accept.
Christine Samuel is the Director of Human
Resources for the Agricultural and Labor
Program, Inc. (ALPI). She has been associated
with ALPI in various capacities since 1979. Her
association with the Agricultural and Labor
Program, Inc. began with the CETA Program,
where she worked as an assistant area manager
in a temporary position. The organization was
so pleased with her work that they created a
full-time permanent position. In 1991, while
working for the ALPI, Ms. Samuel was
recruited to work with the Eckerd Youth and
Family Alternatives Program. She spent time
as the human resources director, and was then
promoted as the center director of the Eckerd
Youth Challenge Program.
After working in this capacity, Samuel
moved to G4S Youth Services as a facility
director for troubled youth. During this time,
she created her own consulting company, DES
Consulting. Between 1992 and 2013, Samuel
continued to be involved with the ALPI, serving
on the Regional Advisory Council and Board
of Directors. She currently serves as the ALPI
Director of Human Resources and is the liaison
for the Eastern Region Advisory Council.
In addition to her public service, Samuel
has served as the National Youth Coordinator
for her church, House of God Saints in Christ,
Inc. since 2007. She is also the president of her
church’s board of directors.
Samuel’s commitment to the community has
also led her to serve on the board of Girls, Inc.
of Winter Haven, where she has held the positions of treasurer, vice president and current
president. In 2011, the organization recognized
her with the She Knows Where She’s Going
Award. She has also participated as second vice
president on the executive board for the local
chapter of the NAACP.
ALPI’s
2016 Staff
Appreciation
Lunceon
This year’s Staff
Appreciation Luncheon
was held at the Havert
L. Fenn Center, in Ft.
Pierce, FL. The event is
a special time set aside
annually to thank the
staff and acknowledge
their dedication and
commitment to the
mission and goals of the
Agricultural and Labor
Program, Inc. This year’s
theme was: “ALPI is
Groovin’ to Greatness”.
Theme development
competition winners were
George W. Truitt Family
Services Center (first
place) and ALPI Eastern
Administration Office
(second place). Staff
were warmly greeted by
William Holt, ALPI Board
Chairman. Mistress of
Ceremony for the event
was Christine Samuel,
Human Resources Director.
Award presentations and
closing remarks were made
by Deloris Johnson, ALPI
Chief Executive Officer.
.
.
Mommy & Me
1st Annual
Fashion Show
F r o s t p r o o f C h il d D e v e l o p m e n t C e n t e r
Frostproof CDC recently welcomed
all future models to this fun-filled
event! The show was designed to
get parents actively engaged with
their children and recruit new families
to the center.
Needless to say, the models were all
super cute and could barely contain
their excitement! They sashayed
down the runway with enthusiasm
and joy, as their parents, friends and
staff looked on proudly. It was a
great time for everyone.
Closing Out the Year with a Bang!
On Wednesday, June 29, 2016 FCDC held its 1st Alumni Picnic and
End of the Year Program where children displayed the skills they learned
throughout the year. Program speaker and Frostproof CDC Alumni,
Beatrice Garcia, talked about how her parents moved to this country
without knowing any English, but yet managed to enroll her and her
siblings in ALPI’s Head Start program in Frostproof, FL. Beatrice Garcia is
employed by the Polk County School Board as a Family Services Worker.
Ms. Garcia went on to discuss the level of success she and her siblings have
attained (attorney, a general in the military, educators, and a Director for
Duke Energy) due in large part to the level of care and education they first
received in the ALPI Head Start program. Among other visiting VIP’s was
Retired Yankees baseball player, Thomas Gordon, who stopped by to share
in the day’s festivities. Other activities included back to school haircuts,
Polk County Sheriff’s Department deputy teaching summer safety, and a
visit from the Fire Department for “FCDC Wet Day.”
3
Funds Used for Critical Situations
Produce Life Changing Outcomes
A
recent settlement was reached with Chase Bank USA N.A. and 48
attorneys general, the District of Columbia, and the Consumer Financial
Protection Bureau. Florida received the largest remedial payment of
any state in the settlement, with $15.3 million going to 47 non-profit
organizations across the state (Glades, Hendry, Highlands and Polk counties
only) to be used for legal services, financial literacy, and other programs
related to assisting Floridians with managing debt.
As early as February of this year, ALPI’s CSBG department has been
contacting and establishing partnerships with organizations in the four
allowed counties in order to reach out to communities and people in need.
The partnerships now include: Clewiston Goodwill Industries, Goodwill
Industries of Moore Haven, LaBelle United Way, Clewiston Public
Library, LaBelle Public Library, various places of worship, community
organizations, and public and governmental entities.
Through the many established partnerships ALPI has been able to
assist clients in need of reinstatement of utilities, monthly rental payments,
security deposits, and mortgage assistance. More specifically, ALPI has
been able to completely resolve the following issues: tenant placed in a
nursing facility that was not able to return to her apartment due to unsanitary
and unsafe conditions, homeless single parent with 6 children living with
a relative in an overcrowded dwelling, a widowed senior citizen with no
relatives in the area that faced foreclosure due to unexpected expensive car
repairs, a victim of identity theft facing eviction due to stolen funds from her
bank, a domestic violence victim and single mother of 3 children received
an eviction notice, and a homeless mother of 6 children. Recently, a group
of tenants (pictured above) residing in an unsafe and unhealthy dwelling
were evacuated by Code Enforcement/Fire Department and escorted
out by the Glades Sheriff’s Department. All were left homeless within
45 minutes. With assistance from the CSBG team, this group of tenants
also received critical assistance and were successfully placed into safe,
affordable housing.
Chase Settlement Grant funds are for the provision of financial
literacy and other related program services including, but not limited to:
crisis intervention, budgeting, basic financial management workshops,
emergency assistance to assist families in managing debt to realize financial
sustainability and family self-sufficiency.
LIHEAP ENERGY FAIRS
The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) helps keep families safe and healthy through
initiatives that assist families with energy costs. Through this program, ALPI helps provide federally funded
assistance in managing costs associated with home energy bills and energy crises.
BARTOW, FL: (June 15, 2016)
FT. PIERCE, FL: (July 13 and 14, 2016)
The Energy Fair held at the Polk Street Community
Center was yet another successful outreach to the
local community by ALPI LIHEAP staff. Over
170 families were served. Participating vendors
included Clarke’s House, Early Learning Coalition
of Polk County, Amerigroup RealSolutions,
Central Florida Health Care, Office of Economic
Self-Sufficiency, ALPI Central Region Advisory
Council, and ALPI Community Services Block
Grant (CSBG).
The Energy Fair was held at the ALPI Queen
Townsend Head Start Center II. This marks the
second energy fair held at this location. Once again,
the turnout was well beyond what was predicted,
proving that the need for assistance is great. Over
635 families were served. Participating vendors
included Gertrude Walker, St. Lucie County,
Supervisor of Elections, DCF (Department of
Children & Families), Treasure Coast Food Bank,
Florida KidCare, Enroll Treasure Coast, United
Against Poverty, and SAFER St. Lucie (Support
Alliance for Emergency Resiliency).
4
ALPI’s ANNUAL
Family
Picnic
ALPI’s annual family picnic is a
special day designated for family
fun. The picnic is an effort to
rejuvenate and motivate both staff
and Board members with a much
needed break. This year’s picnic
was held on June 25, 2016 at
Clewiston Park in Clewiston, Florida.
Despite the summer heat and a few
occasional clouds, the casual event
proved to be just the thing to refresh
staff, Board members, families and
friends. Everyone enjoyed a funfilled day, along with delicious food,
entertainment and games.
Summer 2016
Collaborative Partnerships and Community Relations:
2016 Summer Feeding &
Work Experience Program
The ALPI Child Development and
Family Services Division and Community
Services and Economic Development
Division continue to collaborate with the
Polk County School Board to provide
services to the community of Frostproof
through the Summer Feeding and Work
Experience Program. The Summer Feeding
and Work Experience program provided
much needed services to the children of this
economically challenged community over
the summer break. This year, the program
was located at the ALPI owned Lakeview
Community Center and operated from
June 8 through July 29, 2016, from 8 a.m.
to 4 p.m., providing breakfast and lunch to
children in the community. The program
provided meals to children between the
ages of 1 and 18 years of age and served
over 2,600 meals daily.
Adequate
supervision
and
fun
educational, age appropriate activities
were coordinated by ALPI Child
Development Services staff between
meals and throughout the day. Activities
included sports, arts and crafts, and
presentations from community providers.
Through the Summer Work Experience
program the agency was able to employ
youths and provided hands on work
experience assisting with feeding the
children and activities at the center. The
program provided summer activities in a
safe environment, nutritious meals, and
employment for young people who may
not otherwise have had an income over the
summer. This was an excellent opportunity
for the youths in the community to be
mentored and develop skills for today’s
workforce. In addition, participants
received regular informative visits from
the Sheriff’s Department discussing
different relevant topics, weekly visits
from the Polk County Title I Books Bridge
Bus, professional haircuts by volunteer
barbers from Faded Fresh Barbershop in
Lake Wales, FL and much more.
ALPI CAT
PROGRAM Featured in Radio Interview
On July 20, 2016 The Children Services Council of St. Lucie County hosted a radio
show interview with students enrolled in the ALPI Computer Assisted Tutorial (CAT)
Program. This was a very exciting moment for the students and for the program. Students
were able to speak about the impact the program has made in their lives and the different
activities they have experienced. They also had a parent participate in the radio interview.
Through a partnership with local radio station 104.5 The Flame, the Children’s Services
Council presents a weekly radio show called Community Connections. Executive
Director, Sean Boyle and Communications Coordinator, Ashley Mock host the show
each Sunday morning at 10am. The goal of the show is to connect children and families
to resources that they may not know are available to them in our community.
Sean Boyce Executive Director
and Ashley Mock Communications
Coordinator conducted the interview.
FSSP: Changing
Lives Thru Practical
Case Management
Susan Henson was a single Head Start parent
raising two boys, one of whom attends the ALPI
Frostproof CDC. After deciding she needed to
change the direction of her life, she enrolled in
the ALPI Family Self-Sufficiency Program (FSSP)
in order to obtain her Practical Nursing license.
Interestingly, while gathering information, Susan
shared with her
case manager (CM)
that she too was
a Head Start child
and had attended
the Frostproof CDC
as a child.
Susan was
accepted into the
LPN Program in
March 2016, but
there were no seats
available. However,
after receiving a call
from South Florida
State College on August 19, 2016 she learned that a
seat had become available and she was on the list!
Susan then began her journey through the nursing
program with assistance along the way from ALPI.
Assistance consisted of help with tuition, books,
scrubs and medical supplies, along with gas cards
to attend school and complete her clinical rotations
and child care fees.
Its important to note that while Susan was enrolled
in school, she continued to volunteer at Frostproof
CDC. She believes that its important to give back
to the community and to those that help others.
On July 28, 2016, Susan’s case manager, Sheila
Armstead, attended her graduation ceremony at
South Florida State College in Sebring!
Congratulations Susan!
ALPI
2017 Annual Corporate
Meeting & Luncheon
Rosen Centre Hotel
9840 International Drive
Orlando, FL 32819
Students, parent and staff included:
Da’nijah Mike Student
Roscoe Minnis, Jr Student
Antonio Smith Student
Tiffany Minnis Parent
Kevin Singletary
ALPI Program Coordinator
Saturday, Jan. 21, 2017
Look for more information @
www.alpi.org later this year
5
Summer 2016
Contact Information
P.O. Box 3126
Winter Haven, Florida 33885
(863) 956-3491
(863) 956-3357 Fax
[email protected]
Executive Office
Deloris Johnson
Chief Executive Officer
Extension 206
[email protected]
ADMINISTRATION AND
OPERATIONS QUALITY
CONTROL DIVISION
COMMUNITY SERVICES AND
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
DIVISION
Operations and Quality Control
Twila Smith, Director
Extension 204
[email protected]
Albert Miller, Deputy Director
Extension 212
[email protected]
Budget and Finance
Dennis Gniewek, Director
Extension 210
[email protected]
Human Resources
Christine Samuel, Director
Extension 202
[email protected]
PROGRAMS AND SERVICES ARE FUNDED IN PART BY:
United Way of Central Florida and United Way of St. Lucie County
Elizabeth Young, Deputy Director
Extension 215
[email protected]
Eastern Region
Administration Office
2202 Avenue Q
Ft. Pierce, Florida 34950
(772) 466-2631
(772) 464-3035 Fax
LIHEAP / Community Services
Cheryl Burnham, Director
Extension 224
[email protected]
CSBG / Economic Development
PaHoua Lee-Yang, Director
Extension 218
[email protected]
SAVE THE DATE
CORPORATE OFFICE
CHILD DEVELOPMENT AND
FAMILY SERVICES DIVISION
Head Start / Early Head Start
Program Operations (St. Lucie Co.)
Myrna Rodriguez, Director
(772) 466-2631 - Extension 11
[email protected]
Early Head Start Program
Operations (Polk Co.)
Aletta Stroder, Director
(863) 635-3396 - Extension 40
[email protected]
BOARD MEETING
September 24, 2016
Saturday
Chain O’ Lakes Complex
210 Cypress Gardens Boulevard
Winter Haven, FL 33880
Note: No permission is required to excerpt
or make copies of articles, provided they are
distributed at no cost. For other uses, please send
written permission requests to ALPI’s Corporate
Office. Copyright ©2016 by The Agricultural
and Labor Program, Inc
The ALPI Newsletter is a quarterly publication designed
to inspire and inform all employees, volunteers, parents,
partners, and supporters of ALPI who have helped us
through the years to grow the organization into what it has
become today. We welcome your suggestions, comments,
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(refer to Contact Information).
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