2008-2009 Community Report Card

Early Care and Education Initiative: Report to the Community

Our Mission: Mission: To educate, assist and involve Clinton County families, businesses and communities in understanding and valuing the important role quality early care and education plays in determining future success.
Our Vision: High Quality Early Care and Education is a valued priority
There are 2,055 children from birth to age five living in Clinton County. Children are at High Risk of school failure in Clinton County. 30.4% of children under the age of 5 participated in publicly funded quality early education programs
Risk Factors affecting Children’s Success in School: Family & Community factors affect how well young children, learn, leaving our at-risk children behind. Research has shown that children affected by risk f actors such as poverty, family status, or poor school system, are more likely to enter school behind their peers, struggle in school or drop out altogether. Risk factors like those are listed below can hurt a child’s chances of doing well in school.
In Clinton County:
• 52% of children under the age of 5 live in low income families
• 21.3% of births are to mothers with less than a high school education
• 35% of 3rd graders scored below proficient on the 2008 PSSA reading test
Research has shown that at-risk children who receive quality early education can catch up to their peers before kindergarten.
How many children were served?
• 94 served by the Early Intervention Program
• 102 special needs children served at the Infant Development Program
• 20 autistic children served in special programs
• 97 children served by Head Start
• 42 children served by PA Pre-K Counts
• 750 children enrolled in licensed daycare/preschool programs
Our Outreach Events: Fall Family Festival, Children’s Festival, Clinton County Expo, Community Fair at Hoberman Park, LHU health fair, School Open Houses, Legislative Brunch, Business Breakfast, PA One Book, Child Care Provider Appreciation Day, Maintain Community Engagement Website (added a podcast feature), Kindergarten registration information, Family nights at local elementary schools and Head Start/PA Pre K Counts recruiting and enrollment
www.clintoncountychildcare.org
This website is designed to assist the early care and education community and parents on finding the most up to date information on emerging issues related to early education. There is statistically information about the county and our risk to our children, as well as CEG meeting minutes, upcoming professional development opportunities for educators and families. There is also a podcast feature in which participants can listen to up to date information on upcoming events. A childcare blog is also being developed and linked to the website in which families and providers and exchange ideas and suggestions.

For more information about the CEG, please contact Laurie Welch at 570-726-0022 or law27@psu.edu.