From the Director
Greetings!
I don‟t know where to begin, so much has happened since December. Calloway
Center had two classrooms to participate in the PNC Grow up Great Guinness World
Book Event, it was a tremendous success! We made it into the Guinness World Book!
We are excited to partner with the Alabama Department of Human Resources to pro-
vide Early Head Start services to children in the Elyton and Cooper Green Housing
communities, the YWCA and one faith based child care facility.
This grant will provide 88 children with early care, 0 -2 years of
age. The program will begin June 1st, information about the rib-
bon cutting will be forthcoming! I am excited and look forward to
expanding the services to the children and families here in Jeffer-
son County!
Recruitment is taking place for the next program year, if you
have not registered your child/children, please contact your Fam-
ily Services Worker to see what you need to do.
We would like to welcome all our new staff members to our
JCCEO family, we look forward to working with you and watching
you reach new heights.
Spring is here which means summer is just around the corner.
We are looking forward to celebrating “Family Day” at the various
centers as well as the closing celebrations. Thanks for allowing us to be part of your
child‟s educational experience. We are so happy you have allowed us to give them the
“Head Start” they deserve!
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 9914, Issue 3 March 2015
JCCEO
Mission Statement
JCCEO seeks to reduce
poverty and help low-
income citizens of Jef-
ferson County, Ala-
bama to meet critical
needs and become self-
sufficient.
Executive Director
Dr. Marquita F. Davis
Associate Director
Patricia A. Schmidt
Carmelita Poindexter
Director, Child Development Services
U.S. Congresswoman Terri Sewell visited
JCCEO earlier this year. She talked with
the management staff and read a story to
the children in the Arrington Center.
Submitted by Hollis Johnson
Family Engagement Specialist
Your Child Needs You to Be an Active Father Fathers play a critical role in the
development of their children. The
latest research indicates that fa-
thers who are actively involved in
raising their children can make a
positive and lasting difference in
their lives. In contrast, this same
research reveals a number of po-
tentially negative outcomes for
children whose fathers are not
involved. Below are reasons why
your child needs you to be an ac-
tive father. Being an active father:
*Lets your child know that you love
them
*Provides your child with greater
financial resources
*Provides your children with a posi-
tive male role model.
*Helps your child learn important
life skills. Excerpt from The Fatherhood
Movement by Wade Horn, et. al.
Financial Literacy Classes
Mar 16, 23
GEMs Support Group Mtg
Mar 19, Apr 9
Health Services Ad-visory Mtg
Apr 9
Health Fair Apr 10
Male Involvement Retreat
TBA
Week of the Young Child
Apr 12—18
Cluster Transition to Kindergarten Mtgs
Mar & Apr see center calendars
Hello Parents,
Spring is just around the corner and Recruitment Sea-son is already upon us! There is activity throughout the program as we continue to provide quality services for our families and recruit new families for the coming year.
We want to extend a sincere thanks to our community partners who provided Christmas gifts for many of our families.
In January we hosted “An Evening Out with Dad”; even though the weather was cold, we had a few brave dads to bring their young ones out. We really had a good time. Thanks dads for stepping up!
In February we celebrated Healthy Marriage Week with banners at each site and a Healthy Relationship Seminar featuring our own Executive Director, Mar-quita Davis, Ph.D., who chatted with our parents over dinner about healthy communication and “Love Notes”. Thank you Dr. Davis for sharing with us in such a fun and personal way.
We also introduced our Parenting Campaign with weekly handouts distributed agency-wide on topics such as Praise, Single Parenting, and others. One of our community partners, the Family Guidance Center, began facilitating Parenting Sessions in February that will extend through April at every Cluster. Amy McDuffee, the facilitator, will be providing incentives for perfect attendance!
Transition Workshops have begun for those who are transitioning from Head Start to Kindergarten. Don‟t miss the upcoming Parent Meetings; representa-tives from the local school systems will be there to provide essential information and answer your questions about transitioning.
Mr. Williams and Mr. Johnson are preparing for the Male Retreat. Watch for the upcoming dates. The Retreat is always a rich experience for dads, uncles, granddads, and other male role models in our children‟s lives.
The Annual Health Fair will be held on April 23 at the Kingston Center. Every-
one is invited to come. We have great fun every year.
So you see, there is a lot of activity going on. There are so many opportunities for you to be a part of your child‟s Head Start experience. Don‟t miss out on all the fun! We need you to assist with the planning and implementation of all events. Your voice is most important as we explore ways to serve your educa-tional, social, and other needs and interests.
Michelle McAlpine, M.Ed., LPC-S Parent Engagement-Social Services Coordinator, 327-7570
“Most of the es-
sential life skills that children need to survive are learned within the home. Fathers have a unique op-portunity to teach their children valu-able skills that will enable them to grow up to be healthy and pro-ductive adults.”
Page 2
THE JCCEO HEAD START-EARLY HEAD START PROGRAM TAKES THIS OPPORTU-
NITY TO ACKNOWLEDGE AND THANK ALL OF OUR PARENTS FOR THE VOLUNTEER WORK THEY DO. YOU EACH GET A GOLD STAR.
ShaKendra Watt, mother of Kameron (Sherman Heights Homebased), who is study-ing to be a Dental Hygienist at Fortis Institute. Veronica Ochoa, Jeremy’s mother (Festival) is doing her clinical at Kirkland Clinic. She is a recent graduate of Brown Mackie College CCMA program.
Tamica Jones, Je’Kiahra’s grand-mother and Anita Jones, god– mother of Kamayah at Festival Center are two faithful, industrious volunteers, and we are very appreciative of their support.
Parent Meeting at West Center Street Center was extra special in
February. The American Heart Association and Birmingham Chap-
ter of Links, Inc. came together to
share some interesting recipes de-
signed to tickle the tastebuds and
support good health. Using the
theme “Healthy Eating: Founda-
tions to Healthy Hearts and Healthy
Minds,” parents were encouraged
to get their munchings on with
cooking demonstrations and snack
tastings. How does a smoothie
made with bananas, pineapple,
celery, and spinach sound?
Not too good, but it tasted
delicious! Each parent re-
ceived a gift bag of assorted
nutritious foods, recipes, food
coupons, and gift cards to
take home. Thanks to the
Links Club and American
Heart Association for a great
program!
Kiara Ortiz, mother of Brooklynn (Sherman Heights Homebased), on her new job has a
cashier at McDonald’s restaurant
Courtney McGhee, mother of Charles (Sherman Heights Homebased), on her new job as a cashier supervisor at Western Super-
market.
Summer Ross, Kemari’s mom (Sherman Heights Homebased), on her new job as a
cashier at Big Lots.
LaKeisha Little, Kentrell’s mother (Sherman Heights Homebased), on her new job as a
sales representative at Business Acquisitions.
Karisma Owens, Isaiah’s mom (Festival) has a new job as a cashier at McDonald’s restau-
rant.
Ferlandria Parker, mother of Cardarius (Kingston) on her new job in Housekeeping
Services at Spring Hill Suites and Inns.
Ms. Ellington helped her son Eric and his class make a Gingerbread House at Calloway Center.
West Center Street Parent President April Gaston and Valine Thompson assist with preparation.
Parents sample vegetable smoothie.
Parents received nutritious gift bags for participating.
Page 3
Program co-sponsors members of the Links Club
Parent-Child
School Readi-
ness: Wow!
Look what the
parents and
children are
doing. Par-
ents are help-
ing their chil-
dren learn to
get prepared for home-
work in elementary
school. In Ms. Smith
and Ford‟s class, chil-
dren decorated sea
horses and other ocean
animals during the
theme on „Oceans‟.
They also made their
favorite pets during the
theme on „Pets‟. Many of the children drew a pattern of
their own dogs and cats and cut them out to post on the
wall.
Valentine’s Day: Children, staff and parents celebrated
Valentine‟s Day with classroom parties. Children and
staff wore red and white. Every child received a bag of
goodies to take home.
Happy Birthday, Dr. Seuss: Ms. Watts and Davis‟ class
toured the North Birmingham Public Library wearing their
Dr. Seuss sweatshirts, designed by Ms. Davis (picture on
pg 6). They enjoyed ice cream and cake upon returning
to the center.
!00 Days: Calloway Center celebrated one hundred days
of school on February 11 with songs, rhymes, math, sci-
ence, music and movement activities. Each class dis-
played a 100 day project outside the classroom.
Reporter Blanche Townsend, teacher aide
Calloway
Cluster
Shush: Ms. Hunting-ton, Shades Cahaba Elementary School librarian, visited Ms. Peterson’s Head Start class to do several activities with the children. First she read a story. Then, she did a listening skills activity with them. The children enjoyed her very much.
Science Education: Dennis Deloach, education specialist, visited the Apple Learner’s in Ms. White and Ivy’s class to conduct an experiment with the children making gases.
Reporter Sonya Henry, teacher
Festival
Cluster
Miranda Thomas, mother of Makenzie invited Doc McStuffing to the Calloway Center as a special birthday treat for Makenzie to enjoy with her class. West Center
Street Cluster
Teacher Ms. Minor and children mak-ing a Gingerbread house.
Page 4
Yea!: The
month of
February
was busy for
the Kingston
Center. We celebrated our NAEYC
Accreditation and had our Valen-
tine‟s Ball on February 12. The chil-
dren also had an enjoyable visit to
the Birmingham Museum of Art.
Reporter Cassandra Frazier, Off. Mgr.
Kingston
Cluster
EHS teacher Ashley Woods dances with Marquise, Elijah and Za’Riyah
Center Manager Ingrid Davidson proudly hoists the NAEYC accreditation certificate during the celebration.
College Trainees: Dr. Guy and her students from Law-son State Commu-nity Col-lege visited the Fair-mont Cen-ter for the 100th Day of School celebra-tion.
Fairmont
Cluster
Scout Representatives: Daisy Scout Jah’nira Cummings was the lucky winner of two tickets to attend the Girl Scouts Women of Distinc-
tion Luncheon at the Harbert Cen-ter. She was accompanied by her mom and Daisy Scout leader, Head Start teacher Shaneal Fuller.
Page 5
St. Joseph’s
Cluster
Blackness:
Without Black
people the world
would be a very
dark place is
what the dra-
matic play at Sherman
Heights Center showed us
during the annual Black His-
tory Month Program. Chil-
dren and staff took on roles to talk about different
inventions and the African Americans who invented
them. The play described what life would be like
without the contributions of people like William Pur-
vis, who invented the fountain pen, or Alexander
Miles, who invented the elevator.
Be Mine: The center also hosted a Val-
entine‟s Day festival in the cafeteria.
Activity stations were set up for children
to enjoy including, make and take arts
and crafts,, face painting, nail polishing,
sticker station and Spin Art. Everyone
had a great time!
Reporter, Nakia Linson-Gaddis, FSW
Sherman
Heights
Historians: Sherman Heights Head Start chil-dren Kyana, Darius, and Amadou play their parts in the Black History program with the help of teacher Ms. Tate; Center Manager Cotelia Hill discusses the play with the children.
Spin Art: Selena used pink paint to create a pretty picture.
Face Time: EHS teacher Kim Thomas paints a valentine on Selena’s face at the Valentine’s Day event.
Our Teachers Are Parents, Too!
Belinda Ramos, Early Head Start and Head Start
program parent, was recently hired as a Head Start
teacher aide. Ms. Ramos has one son, Lowrenzo,
in the Early Head Start program and one son, Mi-
guel, in the Head Start-Pre-K program at the King-
ston Center. She is currently pursuing her CDA,
Child Development Associate credential.
Healthy teachers are a critical component of high quality early childcare programs. JCCEO supports and encourages teach-ing staff to take good care of themselves through regular check-ups. Here, Pharmacist Allana Alexander, a graduate of the Samford University McWhorter School of Pharmacy, secures a cup on the arm of Head Start teacher Louvenia
Hunter to check her blood pressure during a visit to the C. J. Donald Center.
Happy Birthday Dr. Seuss!
Page 6
West Center Street Policy Council rep. Lola Sterling and children
(top and top right) Ms. Calton Watley, Jeremiah’s grandmother, read to children in Ms. Burroughs and Ellis’ class at West Center Street Center.
(top) Health Dept. rep. Barbara Newman at Calloway Center. (right) Ms. Davis’ special tee shirts at Calloway Center.
Center Point Center learn about lights and shadows from McWane Center rep.
By Kelly Grantham,
Nutrition Coordinator
327 –7500
Nutrition News
WHAT IS SIDS?
Dr. Crystal Spivey
Health Coordinator, 327-7530
Sudden Infant Death Syndrome
(SIDS) is the sudden and unexpected
death of an infant younger than 1 year of age for which no exact
cause of death can be determined. Because most SIDS deaths oc-
cur while infants are sleeping in a crib, SIDS is commonly referred to
as “crib death.” However, cribs do not cause SIDS.
Approximately 3,000 babies die of SIDS each year. Even though
researchers don‟t know the exact cause of SIDS, they do know:
Most SIDS deaths occur when a baby is between 2 and 4 months of
age.
African American babies are twice as likely to die of SIDS as other
babies.
More boys die of SIDS than girls.
A SIDS death happens quickly, with no signs of suffering.
More SIDS deaths occur in the colder months.
What You Can Do to Reduce the Risk
of SIDS The Safe Sleep campaign began in 1994
advocating the back sleep position as the
safest position to reduce the risk of SIDS.
Since the campaign was initiated, the num-
ber of infants dying from SIDS decreased
from more than 5,000 to fewer than 3,000
deaths. Below is a list of recommendations
to reduce the risk of SIDS.
Always place your baby on his or her back
to sleep, for naps and at night.
Place your baby on a firm sleep surface,
such as on a safety-approved crib mat-
tress, covered by a fitted sheet.
Keep soft objects, toys and loose bedding out of your baby’s sleep
area.
Do not allow smoking around your baby.
Keep your baby’s sleep area close to, but separate from, where you
and others sleep.
Think about using a clean, dry pacifier when placing the infant down
to sleep.
Do not let your baby overheat during sleep.
Avoid products that claim to reduce the risk of SIDS.
Do not use home heart or breathing monitors to reduce the risk of
SIDS.
Reduce the chance that flat spots will develop on your baby’s head
by providing “Tummy Time” when your baby is awake and someone
is watching.
Finally, remember that most babies are born healthy and stay that
way as they grow. Using these risk-reduction practices helps reduce
your concern about SIDS so you and your family can enjoy your new
baby!
Source: http://www.nichd.nih.gov/SIDS; Safe to Sleep Campaign 1-
800-505-2742
Better Bodies
Therapist Jackie Carr participated in the Read Across America event at Arrington Center, celebrating the 111th birthday of Dr. Seuss.
JCCEO is partnering with the Colgate Bright Smiles, Bright Futures program during National Nutrition Month. Be on the look out for activities and materials at your centers to learn more about Healthy Drinks and Snacks that pro-tect your body, teeth, and gums.
March is
National Nutrition Month!
Page 7
Willie Pearl Glass
Disabilities Coordi-
nator, 327-7506
FunkFest 2015: Rand B concert May 2,
Legion Field. For ticket information go to
www.funkfesttour.com.
Youth Summer Camps: Birmingham
Parks and Recreation, June 8-July 31.
Call 254-2391 for more information.
Youth First NOBESITY: Expo and 5k
For Kids Race. Race, fun run/walk,
Zumba, children‟s activities and more.
March 21, Regions Field. Co-sponsored
by the Birmingham Junior League. Call
Mayor‟s Office Division of Youth
Services for more information.
By Julia Brown Home Based Home Visitor
Children are just like springtime A breath of fresh air Sunshine Can leave you breathless Cause they are helpless Growing like the flowers Beautiful Children are a gift Wrapped in the finest selection and bows Glowing, shining, warm and carefree Let them grow Nurture their spirit Renew their heart With unconditional love Don‟t Stifle them Allow them to grow, discover With soothing hands, open arms EMBRACE...
The Promise of Community Action Community Action changes people’s lives, embodies the spirit of hope, im-proves communities, and makes Amer-ica a better place to live. We care about the entire community, and we are dedi-
cated to helping people help themselves and each other.
Page 8
JCCEO Head Start-Early Head Start-Pre-K Program
Family Services Resources for You
Going Somewhere? Beginning in 2016 you must have a STAR ID driver’s
license or STAR ID non driver identification card to board commercial flights in
the United States. If you do not have a STAR ID card an unexpired passport is
acceptable. Go online to http:// www.dps.alabama.gov, or call 877-567-1045
for more information.
GED Online: Adult education classes are offered by Lawson State Community
College and the Family Guidance Center for Families in Jefferson County. Call
929-6481 for more information.
Employment Opportunities: Open an account with Alabama Local JobNet-
work 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 FYI.
Birmingham Healthy: 107 Days, a plan for
good health including Zumba line-dancing, aero-
bics, cooking, and financial management activi-
ties sponsored by the Birmingham Parks and
Recreation Board and radio 107.7 FM. Call 254-
2391 for more information.
100% of JCCEO centers are NAEYC accredited. Visit www.naeyc.org to learn more about best practices in childcare for young children.
SAVE GAS, GET PAID!!
COMMUTE SMART BIRMINGHAM
CONTACT JENIESE HOSEY, 205-264-8406
FREE CREDIT REPORT?
(Or is it)
You are entitled to three free credit reports each year (one from each reporting
agency). Make sure you go to annualcreditreport.com to get your free reports. Just
doing a general search online could direct you to one of many copycat sites that will
try to charge you. Although a site may be advertised as “free”, you have to dodge
the “special offers”. Remember, you do not have to provide a credit card number to
get your free credit report. If your credit card or bank account information is re-
quired interpret that as “They are going to charge me for something later”!
Annualcreditreport.com is the only website authorized to fill orders for the free
credit reports you are entitled to by law.
(Consumer.ftc.gov)
Throughout the month of April JCCEO will celebrate National Financial Literacy Month. Check JCCEO.org for a list of events or
Darlena Battle (205) 201-7555 Ext 6316/ [email protected].