DEPC Jennifer Hammett laughs with her sons Ryan, left, and Kyle as they read ‘The Treasure of Pirate Island’ during National Summer Learning Day at the Down East Partnership for Children’s Discovery Park.
The Down East Partnership for Children since its inception has “committed to launching every child as a healthy, lifelong learner by the end of the third grade.” However, COVID-19 has made fulfilling that mission challenging. The pandemic has forced partnership
to adapt, persevere and continue to build
is a 16-week program that fosters healthy
resilience to move forward individually and as
development
a community dedicated to equity.
strengthening parenting skills and promoting
in
young
children
by
staff and clients to adapt the way they live,
In order to continue to support the
children’s academic, social and emotional
work and play. Executive Director Henrietta
communities it serves, the Down East
skills. To continue to support parents during
Zalkind said the theme for 2020 was “moving
Partnership for Children developed new
this time, the series has been offered virtually.
forward” no matter the obstacles that stood
programs and revamped current ones to
in their way.
practice social distancing.
Zalkind said she has been determined
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The Incredible Years Parenting Program
Although not in a face-to-face setting, meal gift cards and gas cards and play incentive pick-ups are still awarded to participants. In
