Project REACH

Anita Hampton, Early Childhood Specialist

319-385-8126

anitah@iastate.edu

Improving the quality of child care and children's readiness for school by providing caregivers with:

Education

Support

Individualized assistance

Opportunities for professional development

Henry County's Project REACH was started in August of 2000 and has become a major support for over fifty child care programs in every incorporated town in the county. This project, supported by Healthy Henry County Communities and Iowa State University Extension, offers ongoing, comprehensive, and individualized training to home or center providers so the quality of childcare improves quickly and can be maintained over time.

Sound parenting practice, quality early care and education, and health care are essential to a child's healthy growth and development. Project REACH establishes links between child care providers and existing services to insure all children receive a solid foundation for success in school and life.

Project REACH has proven that supporting early care and education practitioners enriches the lives of young people in rural communities by increasing the quality of care and learning experiences they offer.

Project REACH offers support and information on a wide variety of topics, as well as on-site visits and regular group support workshops. This assistance is provided on-site and at group support workshops at no cost.

Project REACH Goals

To increase the knowledge, understanding, skills, and positive attitudes of child care providers living in rural Henry County.
To enhance the overall development and readiness for school of children attending child care programs.
To provide professional support to the childcare provider.
To increase awareness and utilitization of existing community resources for child care providers, children, and their families.
To build networks of communication and support among child care providers, parents, and community early childhood professionals.
To increase over-all professionalism within the child care industry and thereby advancing the value of the industry to society as a whole.

An Early Childhood Specialist (ECS) provides:

Professional development for child care providers.
Opportunity for improved quality of child care.
One-on-one consultations with child care providers on site.
Star*REACH for centers and child development homes (in depth studies over time).
Children ready for school/schools more ready for children.
Developmentally appropriate play with children during which provider participates and gains understanding of best practice and child development.
Series of workshops throughout the year.
Program for Infant/Toddler Care (PITC).
Information to the public about early childhood issues.

This is an Empowerment funded program. Through state and federal funding, our Empowerment area supports programs for families in Henry County with children 0-5 years of age. The Empowerment mission is to ensure that every child, beginning at birth, will be healthy and successful.