REGION VII HEAD START SAND BOX MAGAZINE — FALL 2018

Fall 2018

HEAD START

SAND BOX

Where Young Learners Play to Learn

Treasure Trove

Starting Young

CARS FOR HEROES

... and more.

On the Road to School Readiness www.R7HSA.com 1

Region VII Head Start Sand BoxTM | Fall 2018

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“Keeping EVERY CHILD safe, secure, and feeling loved EVERY MOMENT while in our care, is foundational to Head Start and Early Head Start programs.”

ANN LINEHAN Deputy Director

Administration for Children and Families U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Head Start (OHS)

The Region VII Head Start Association has created an awareness campaign to help support programs’ efforts to ensure an environment of love and safety for children, families, and staff.

With full support of the Office of Head Start, we have created a collection of visual reminders to be displayed prominently throughout Head Start and Early Head Start programs, as well as the community.

Learn more at R7HSA.com/SafeinHand

No matter your HS/EHS role, some aspect of a child’s life is in your hands. Keep them safe!

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Region VII Head Start Sand BoxTM | Fall 2018

Thank You

TO OUR CONTRIBUTORS!

CHERYL SEVERANCE

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MELISSA LEYEN

Outcomes Officer Blue Valley Community Action Head Start Fairbury, NE

Head Start Coordinator Des Moines Public Schools Des Moines, IA

SARA BISHOP

SCOTT HANSON

Communications Coordinator Community Action Partnership of Lancaster and Saunders Counties Lincoln, NE

Marketing Communications Specialist The Family Conservancy Kansas City, KS

THERESA ZARUBA

KATHY HUNT, RDH ECPII

Family Development Advocate Leavenworth County NEK-CAP INC. Head Start Leavenworth, KS

Program Director for Kansas Cavity Free Kids at the Kansas Head Start Association Kansas Head Start Dental Hygienist Liaison Region 7 Dental Hygienist Liaison Topeka, KS

NANCY SCHNURR

KIMBERLY SHINN-BROWN

SCICAP Head Start/Early Head Start Director Chariton, IA

Head Start Director Ozarks Area Community Action Corporation Bolivar, MO

Region VII Head Start Sand BoxTM | Fall 2018

WHAT ARE YOU THANKFUL FOR?

Fall 2018

Family. Friends. Health. Future possibilities. These are a few things that make each new day an exciting opportunity for me. Hopefully you have a list of what makes your day special, too!

What’s Inside?

I want to take a moment to thank our contributors whose stories and contributions crafted this issue into a wonderful picture of who Region VII Head Start is, and the lasting impact your dedication has on the community.

From outdoor classrooms, to working with and honoring U.S. Military Veterans, this issue has it all. As you read the inspiring stories in this issue, I encourage you to take a moment to reflect on the importance of what you do each day.

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I also want to thank our dedicated business partners who chose to invest their marketing dollars in the production of this publication. They too, believe in what you do, and they want to be a part of it. Their ongoing support of Region VII Head Start makes this powerful publication possible, by offsetting much of the production cost associated with the copy you are holding right now, and the hundreds of copies making their way around the region and nation. I encourage you to reach out to these wonderful organizations and learn more about the products and services they provide to Head Start programs.

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My Dream Job

14

Starting Young

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Cars for Heroes

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Sip All Day — Get Decay!

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Working with Military Veterans

If you have an idea for a story for a future issue of the Sand Box, please let us know! We would love to hear from you.

Safe in HandTM

6 Contributors 8

A Treasure Trove

10 Nature ExploreTM Outdoor Classroom

22 New OACAC Head Start Center Opens in Bolivar, Missouri

Inspired by you,

Mike Baugher D irector of Executive Services,

and Publisher of the Region VII Head Start Sand Box TM magazine

Contact us at: R7HSA, 312 SW Greenwich Dr., Ste. 105, Lee’s Summit, MO 64082 Phone: 816.550.6388 Email: mikebaugher@r7hsa.com | R7HSA.com The Region VII Head Start Sand Box™ Magazine is published by Region VII Head Start Association. Articles and advertisements do not necessarily reflect R7HSA’s opinions. No portion of this magazine may be reproduced in any form without written consent. R7HSA does not assume responsibility for statements made by advertisers or editorial contributors. Information in the Region VII Head Start Sand Box™ Magazine is gathered from sources considered to be reliable, but the accuracy of all information cannot be guaranteed.

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A TREASURE TROVE INSPIRED BY TIFFANY (and reflections on 30+ years with Head Start)

By Cheryl Severance, Outcomes Officer Blue Valley Community Action Head Start, Fairbury, NE

I

n 1987, I began to receive treasures from Head Start children. The first treasure I thought to save was a little card signed by Tiffany. Her mom said that Tiffany told her what to write. Tiffany wanted to sign it herself. With my heart full, I thumbtacked it to a tacky corkboard above my desk.

After that, I started saving pictures that children drew “just for you, Ms. Cheryl” in the classroom or on home visits. They started on my corkboard, then moved to a file, and finally to a box.

Among my favorites of many saved were: “Our Playground” by Troy, age 3, and Nathan, age 4 (drawn after a new playground was built by Kiwanis), “A Boat in the Sea” by Kyle, age 4 (he liked to go fishing with Grandpa), “A Self-Portrait” by Jennifer, age 4 (she really did have long eyelashes!), and “Our House” by Shawn, age 3 and his sister Jody, age 7 ( On a home visit, we always included everyone!).

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After I became Education Coordinator, I used my treasures often in training with teachers and home visitors. Though I didn’t call them indicators or use phrases like developmental progression in the 80’s and early 90’s, we could see how details change as children grow and have more experiences in life and with materials. We didn’t have an Early Learning Outcomes Framework to tell us what was next, but we had real life examples and experiences to show us.

I didn’t call my collections “work sampling” or the files “portfolios” back then. They were, however, a Treasure Trove. Now that I’m working more with data and outcomes, I sometimes feel removed from helping children and families engage successfully. But every so often, I take out my Treasure Trove…and Tiffany, Troy, Nathan, Kyle, Jennifer, Shawn, Jody, and many more—I will never forget you!

“A boat in the sea” by Kyle, age 4 (He liked to go fishing with grandpa.)

“Our house” by Shawn, age 3, and his sister Jody, age 7 (On a home visit, we always included everyone!)

“Our playground” by Nathan, age 4 (Drawn after a new playground was built by Kiwanis.)

A self-portrait by Jennifer, age 4 (She really did have long eyelashes!)

“Our playground” by Troy, age 3 (Drawn after a new playground was built by Kiwanis.)

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Community Action Head Start Celebrates Completion of Nature Explore® Outdoor Classroom

by Sara Bishop, Communications Coordinator Community Action Partnership of Lancaster and Saunders Counties Lincoln, NE

C

laire, a 4-year-old enrolled in Community Action Head Start in Lincoln, Nebraska, wanted her playground to have a place for her to paint. And thanks to many community partners, she got just that in her new Nature Explore® Outdoor Classroom.

The new outdoor classroom, named “Apples Way Playground” in recognition of a generous lead contribution made by Lincoln-based business, Apples Way, is intended to integrate nature into children’s daily learning. It is designed to support children’s learning in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics; as well as language/literacy, the arts, and social/emotional development. The space contains

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lush raised bed gardens where children are able to get hands-on experience growing fruits and vegetables, as well as numerous themed sections including music and movement and nature art areas.

Dimensions Educational Research Foundation led the process of designing and constructing the outdoor classroom using input from teachers and children along the way. Dimensions also brought in additional partners, Community Health Endowment of Lincoln and Campbell’s Nurseries, to bring the vision to life.

Kind volunteer groups from various local businesses spent many hours during the hot summer months assisting with installation.

“The completion of our beautiful new outdoor classroom is a reminder of the important role community plays in preparing our children for success,” expressed Vi See, Executive Director of Community Action. “We thank the donors and volunteers who gave of their time, talents, and financial resources to give our children not just a great new space, but an opportunity to learn and develop to their fullest potential.”

Community Action Head Start is fortunate to have a supportive community that supports the learning and development of its enrolled children. For more information about Community Action Head Start, visit www. communityactionatwork.org.

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Juli Bretz greets a family arriving to school at Jesse Franklin Taylor.

I Am in My Dream Job

by Melissa Leyen, Head Start Coordinator Des Moines Public Schools

J

uli Bretz, a full-time early childhood nurse with Des Moines Public Schools, is in her fourth year of working in her selfproclaimed, dream job. In her dream job, Juli is the building nurse at Jesse Franklin Taylor School in Des Moines, Iowa. Juli works in a school that serves both preschool students and middle school alternative students: four of the ten preschool classrooms she serves are Head Start classrooms—two full-day rooms, and two half-day Head Start/ECSE-integrated rooms.

Juli’s love for early childhood education began when her own daughter attended Head Start in the Des Moines metro area. This peaked her interest enough that she then began working at an area daycare. She moved from there to work at Des Moines Public Schools, the largest, most diverse school district in the state. She started as a substitute, was hired as a Head Start associate, and later worked as a Head Start family advocate for many years. Juli says her favorite part of being a family advocate was helping families set and meet their goals. It brought Juli great joy to “help empower parents that were illiterate realize they could still read to their

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own children by talking about the pictures in books.” During her time as a family advocate, Juli was able to get to know an early childhood nurse, Kathy Lehman, and from then on, Juli aspired to be like Kathy. In Juli’s words, “The kids just loved Kathy; she knew just what she was doing and was so organized and crucial to the families.”

In 2009, Juli started nursing school and became an RN and worked for several years at a local Des Moines hospital in the operating room and in labor and delivery and then eventually became a pediatric health coach. Juli intentionally moved to become a pediatric health coach with the intent of coming back to work with families in a school district. In 2015, Juli finally landed her dream job at Jesse Franklin Taylor School, as a full-time nurse in early childhood. Juli has since finished her B.S. degree in Human Services. Juli finds her role vital for families, especially those families whose first language is not English. She explains, “It can be lifesaving when teaching bi-lingual families how to give the correct dosage of medicine or how to properly use an inhaler.”

Juli loves working with her team to support families and is part of a powerful Head Start team at Des Moines Public Schools, serving 420 Head Start families, as well as 1,400 other preschool students. Recently, Juli attended training on leading a Health Care Institute and looks forward to leading that with families this school year.

Melissa Leyen, the Head Start Coordinator at Des Moines Public Schools says, “Juli is such a perfect fit for our program because of her strong background working with young children and families. They are her passion. You can see it every day when she stands at the front door and greets every single parent, student, or staff that enters. Juli is always optimistic, upbeat, and ready to help anyone in any way she can. We are extremely fortunate to have Juli in Head Start.�

Bretz helps a Head Start child learn to use his new inhaler.

Visit Facebook.com/R7HSA and follow us today!

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STARTING YOUNG Addressing Child Care Challenges in Wyandotte County

By Scott Hanson, Marketing Communications Specialist The Family Conservancy, Kansas City, KS

W

hen high-quality child care is accessible, parents can go to work with peace of mind—knowing their child is safe, happy, and receiving support that will prepare them for success in school and beyond. However, with many communities facing extreme child care shortages, accessing high-quality care can be difficult. For many parents, even when they can find a program that meets their needs, paying for it can be a serious challenge.

In Wyandotte County, Kansas, The Family Conservancy (TFC), a nonprofit serving at-risk children and families throughout the Kansas City Metro area, has launched a three-year pilot project called Start Young. Start Young will address some of the most difficult child care-related challenges—the affordability and availability of care, the retainment of teachers, and the quality of programming.

“We are very excited to embark on this transformative project for Wyandotte County. Currently, the county only has the capacity to meet 40 percent of the child care needs of working families with young children. Many of the programs that are available do not meet working families’ needs for full-day, full-year programs.

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“Start Young will address these immediate concerns, and it will do more than that,” said TFC president and CEO Dean Olson at a recent press conference for Start Young.

MAKING CHILD CARE WORK The child care industry is often misunderstood. Judging by the price tag many parents pay, it’s understandable to assume the market is lucrative. However, even at the most basic level, child care is a labor intensive and costly service to provide. The high-quality care children need is even more expensive. For many families, it’s outright unaffordable.

“Many providers, especially those serving low-income families face a difficult dilemma. Parents cannot afford to pay the true cost of care. Providers are forced to cut corners to reduce rates.

This often results in low teacher pay, high staff turnover, and many other issues that prevent programs from providing the high-quality service children need,” explained Olson.

The child care programs who have signed on as Start Young partners serve children from families with low incomes. These families rely on the state subsidy for their child’s care. While subsidy helps, there is often a significant additional expense, and many families are not able to pay the difference. Centers are faced with a difficult dilemma—providing care at the subsidy rate, often at a loss, or refusing children and facing the resulting unfilled openings.

Over the course of three years, Start Young will address these issues while improving the quality of child care. The program will create new child care spaces, provide salary supplements to teachers, and improve the quality of existing programs by providing professional development and coaching to teachers and administrators. The project will also help families afford care by helping them access the state child care subsidy and providing partial scholarships.

A COLLABORATIVE APPROACH TFC will lead the project, but it’s far from an individual effort.

In addition to the community child care providers, many of which are also Head Start providers, there are five direct service partners committed to the project: Mid-America Regional Council, United Way of Wyandotte County, USD #500, Juniper Gardens Children’s Project, and Child Care Aware of Kansas.

Funding for Start Young is provided by Kansas Children’s Cabinet and Trust Fund through Communities Aligned in Early Development and Education and matched with funds from the private sector.

THE BIG PICTURE: HAPPY, HEALTHY, EDUCATED CHILDREN “The importance of high-quality, accessible child care cannot be overstated for the success of Wyandotte County. Kindergarten readiness, workforce participation, and even community health outcomes can all be enhanced by the availability of high-quality child care,” commented Olson.

While Start Young can drive short term economic growth and improve health and happiness for families in Wyandotte County, the most significant return on investment may materialize as this generation comes of age.

The first five years of life are critical to a child’s healthy development. Quality interactions, developmentally appropriate activities, positive emotional connections to parents and caregivers, and healthy nutritional habits prepare children be physically, mentally, and emotionally prepared for kindergarten—setting the stage for success in school and in life.

The Start Young project’s ability to address the immediate need for child care while focusing on improving the entire system makes it a true present and future solution to many of Wyandotte County’s most dire needs.

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Nancy and her granddaughters standing beside their new vehicle.

CARS FOR HEROES

BY Theresa Zaruba, Family Development Advocate Leavenworth County NEK-CAP INC. Head Start Leavenworth, KS

S

elfless...a word I rarely use, but in this case, there is not an adjective more fitting to describe this woman. Unfortunately, challenges have never come sparingly for Nancy. Throughout the years, she has experienced some of the most testing, heart wrenching, and life-altering situations and has still found a way to remain positive.

Shortly after getting married in 1976, Nancy’s late husband joined the United States Navy in California. Beside him she stood, supporting him through his journey and tending to the family they lovingly created together. As a unit, they resided on base with their four children, two boys and two girls. For about the next seven years, her husband served honorably. As the years passed and the children grew, Nancy eventually obtained a job when they moved to Leavenworth, KS at a local bank. For the past 141/2 years, she was a dedicated customer care employee when suddenly Nancy’s life took a turn.

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She learned that her beloved daughter lost her life. As you can imagine, this tragedy was anything short of horrific. Staying on her feet, Nancy picked up the pieces and stood tall to be strong for her family. Her granddaughter (late daughter’s child) continued to reside full-time with Nancy as she had for her entire life (age 9). Shortly after, Nancy was hit with yet another catastrophe, the death of her second daughter. Not only did she lose a daughter, but another young child was left without a mother. Without hesitation, Nancy rushed to become a temporary foster parent for her infant granddaughter, Jada.

Upon receiving temporary custody, Jada was diagnosed with two ear infections. Several trips to the doctor and substantial time missed at work resulted in Nancy being let go from her hardearned position at the bank. Job searching had to be put on the back burner as Jada’s ears were still of concern and had failed to improve. Eventually, tubes were placed into Jada’s ears and she was left with some hearing loss.

Despite having lost two daughters and a job all in the span of 18 months, Nancy once again stayed strong. Not only does she raise Jada and help raise her other granddaughter every other weekend, she also cares for her elderly mother who resides in the home as well. Not for one moment has Nancy stopped fighting to keep her family together and well taken care of.

When she expressed to me that her car had finally conked out, I instantly wanted to help her. Nancy desperately wants to get back to work so she can start providing for her granddaughter. A donated car would not only help her job search and meet basic needs like grocery shopping, as she relies on neighbors now to take her, but it would also ensure that Nancy could get Jada to her doctor’s appointments with her otolaryngologist who is located in Lawrence. Jada’s health is incredibly important (especially to Nancy) that I would hate to see it slip away due to inadequate transportation.

Now is the time for someone to help Nancy as she has always helped others. Diligent, altruistic, supportive, and optimistic are just a few attributes that suit Nancy. I hope you will consider Nancy as an ideal candidate for Cars 4 Heroes. Please help me lift some weight off of her “oh-so-heavy” shoulders!

called Nancy up on stage and, along with Terry, awarded her keys to her new vehicle. As you can imagine, Nancy was shocked and overwhelmed with gratitude.

About a month has passed since Nancy received her vehicle and she is still in shock. Theresa Zaruba has visited with her about the changes that her new vehicle has made in her life. She stated that, “It gets us where we have to go.” Nancy spoke about how nice it is to know that she will always have a ride where she needs to go without having to depend on others. Something as simple as a trip to the grocery store no longer feels like a burden to Nancy. She is able to hop right in the car and drive to the store when the family runs out of milk, or is missing ingredients for dinner.

“I’m not big on asking others for help; the car is a wonderful blessing,” Nancy said as she followed up with how wonderful it is that Jada is always able to make it to her doctor’s appointments.

Health can be a priority for the family without it being a struggle to get from point A to point B. Nancy is also able to pick up her other granddaughter from school so she does not have to walk over a mile home every day. She expressed to me that she has been wishing she could do this for a long time now, and it tickles her to know that she finally can!

Shortly after submitting Wherever you are, whoever the above nomination, you are, you can make a Nancy got a call—a call change. Not everyone can that forever changed receive a car free of charge, her life. Terry Franz, the but everyone can receive founder of Cars 4 Heroes your sincerity, patience, gave her phone a ring to and effort. NEK-CAP, Inc. see if she was interested strives to serve everyone in in meeting him for an the community, and they are interview for a free car. doing just that. Nancy needed Without a second thought, assistance and NEK-CAP, she said, “Yes!” The next Inc. saw this, reached out to day Family Development community resources, and Advocates Theresa helped make a change that Zaruba and Teresa Cox will allow Nancy to start her Moments after Nancy received her new vehicle. (Pictured left to right, Cars 4 Christmas accommodated Nancy and founder, Terry Franz, Theresa Zaruba, Jada, Nancy, and Abbey.) life again. According to the her granddaughters to her Community Action Promise, interview. The advocates drove her to a local fair in Ottawa, KS community action changes people’s lives, embodies the spirit of where the so-called “interview” was taking place. Little did Nancy hope, improves communities, and makes America a better place to know that this was not an interview at all, but rather the moment live. With a little bit of empathy and exertion, we can do so much that she would be receiving her new vehicle from Cars 4 Heroes. for others!

Upon arrival, Nancy met with Terry on the bleachers that were overlooking country singer, Travis Martin’s concert. They spoke for about 15 minutes and got to know one another. Terry then said that he “had to move on to his next interview” to keep Nancy from becoming suspicious. In the meantime, Travis Martin announced that he was going to be taking a break and would return shortly.

Before he left, he shared some special news with the audience. He

Nominated By: Theresa Zaruba, Family Development Advocate Leavenworth County NEK-CAP INC. — Leavenworth County Head Start 2940 Ralph Bunche Drive, Leavenworth, Kansas 66048 Office: (913) 651-5692 • Cell: (913) 547-1689 • Fax: 913-651-1018 tzaruba@nekcap.org

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SIP ALL DAY, GET DECAY

by Kathy Hunt, RDH ECPII, Dental Project Director Kansas Head Start Association, Project Director, Kansas Cavity Free Kids National Center on Early Childhood Health & Wellness, Head Start DHL for KS ORAL HEALTH KANSAS, INC., Topeka, KS

I

t’s no secret there is a strong link between the frequent use sugary drinks and getting more cavities. 91% of children in the United States drink sugary beverages daily. In the last decade, the calories consumed from sugary beverages have jumped 60% in children. At the same time, 30% of children now have cavities by the time they reach preschool age.

Soft drinks tend to get all the media attention, but fruit juices are not a better option. Parents, childcare providers, and kids are drawn to the convenience of the small 6.75-ounce juice boxes. The boxes are attractive–bright colors with promises of 100% real juice and vitamins give people the idea that juice is a healthy choice. In fact, even though they have more nutrients, they contain just as

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much sugar and calories as soft drinks. Extra sugar consumption has been linked to high levels of obesity, cavities, asthma, and risk factors for heart disease later in life.

What are sugary drinks doing to your child’s teeth?

Drinking juice, soda, or sports drinks may help wash down a meal or help quench your thirst, but they leave unwanted sugar behind on teeth. Tooth decay is caused by bacteria in the mouth using sugar from foods and drinks to produce acids that dissolve and damage the teeth. Each acid attack lasts for around 20 minutes. Every time you take a sip of a sugary drink, the acid attack begins all over again.

Stay hydrated the right way Our bodies need water to function properly. Did you know lack of water can make a person feel tired? Next time you or your child start to feel sluggish or cranky, reach for water. Tap water is free and easy! Just turn on the tap. If the water in your area is fluoridated, there is the added benefit of protecting teeth from cavities. It’s good for your whole body and won’t damage your teeth like sugary drinks.

Here are some other benefits families get from drinking plenty of water: • Washes out leftover food and cavity-causing bacteria in the mouth.

• When chosen over a sugary drink, it is healthier and more filling which can prevent overeating that leads to obesity.

• Prevents dehydration which causes tiredness and lack of energy • Flushes out toxins that can lead to illness

Fun and easy ways to get kids to drink more water There is a growing number of early childcare programs making drinking water always available to young children to drink whenever they wish. The goal is to increase water consumption each day and reduce children’s dependence on juice or sweet beverages for hydration. Kansas City Kansas Community College’s Child Care Center, for example, offers water in pitchers at every meal, allowing the children to pour it themselves. While at school, some children drink two cups of water at the meal and have water fountains available at all other times throughout the day.

Here are tips for encouraging children to drink fluoridated water during the day.

• Make it fun: Drink from single-use bendy, silly, or colored straws, or children can choose their favorite cups or water bottles.

• Keep it portable: Water bottles that can be carried anywhere and refilled with tap water are great.

• Flavor it: Children used to drinking juice, juice drinks, or pop (soda) may think water is too plain. Add a lemon, lime, orange slice, or fresh mint leaves to the water. Or add fruit like blueberries, raspberries, or strawberries.

• Ice it: Serve water with ice cubes or crushed ice. Look for ice cube trays in fun shapes like dinosaurs, letters, or animals.

• Make it available: Set up a station where children can get a drink of water whenever they are thirsty. It can be as simple as keeping a non-breakable water pitcher on a low counter or a chair where young children can reach it.

• Model it: Young children learn by watching. Be a good role model by drinking water instead of drinks that have sugar.

Feel free to enjoy the occasional sugary drink as a treat. Here are some ways to reduce the amount of sugar in beverages that children and their families are drinking: Plain white milk can be a healthy option at meals, but flavorings add a lot of sugar.

Look at the packaging on juice to make sure there is no added sugar.

If you are in a fast food restaurant, ask to replace the default sugar-sweetened beverage with water.

Give your child a water bottle to take to day care or preschool that they can refill throughout the day.

When other people look after your child, such as grandparents or babysitters, ask them to give your children low-fat milk or water rather than other drinks.

Be creative and come up with some other fun ideas! Helping children make smart choices early on will result in a longer life with good oral and overall health.

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WORKING WITH AND SUPPORTING MILITARY VETERANS

by Nancy Schnurr BS/MA/Ed SCICAP Head Start/Early Head Start Director Chariton, IA

SCICAP Head Start is working hard to ensure that we are working with and benefiting the military men and women currently serving, as well as supporting veterans in our five county areas. This year, we are noticing that we have more military veterans who are filling out applications for their children. We would like to share about one of those military veterans whose family we are currently serving.

Before school started, we had the privilege of taking an application for a disabled veteran who had returned to his hometown after deployment to find himself homeless and parenting his two young daughters by himself. Shelby brought his oldest daughter in to sign her up for the program. He was very well prepared, and throughout the application process, we were able to see the amazing bond he shares with his daughter.

While his daughter played with various toys, he was able to get the application completed, along with the other necessary paperwork for us to complete the application.

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Shelby is a thirty-five-year-old male who happens to be a veteran dealing with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) from serving overseas. He also has some physical disabilities to overcome resulting from various tasks he performed while overseas. He remembers all the grueling jobs he has had to do and admits that being in the army is definitely not easy on the body.

Shelby enlisted in the army on September 18, 2012. Six short months later, he had graduated from basic training, and his unit was then stationed in Texas. In 2014 and 2015, Shelby served overseas in Sinai. Shelby’s wife was pregnant with their oldest daughter at the time of his deployment. When Shelby returned home from serving, his daughter was three months old. He reflects on the first time he held her saying, “My daughter was three months old before I even got to touch her.” Shelby’s second daughter was born ten months after he returned home, and she was two months premature.

Shelby — U.S. Army Veteran and Head Start Dad.

“

“My daughter was three months old before I even got to touch her.” ~ Shelby, U.S. Army Veteran

Shelby likes having his parents close by for added support, and he loves having his children build such a close relationship with their grandparents. Shelby puts his two daughters first and is doing everything possible to give them a head start in education so that they will be school-ready by kindergarten.

Shelby is very happy with Head Start and states that when his youngest daughter is ready to enter pre-school, he wants her to attend Head Start. Shelby states the application process is easy and Head Start is very accommodating to his needs. He exclaims, “It has been great!” Shelby mentioned that he feels like he is welcome to help with things at the site whenever he can. He has helped one of our teachers change the light bulbs in the classroom and is eager to continue to help at the site whenever needed.

JOIN US IN THE SAND BOX! To find out how to advertise or include a story in upcoming issues of the Region VII Head Start Sand Box magazine, send an email to mikebaugher@r7hsa.com.

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OACAC staff cut the ribbon to open the new center.

Photos courtesy Bolivar Herald Free Press.

New OACAC Head Start Center Opens in Bolivar, Missouri

by Kimberly Shinn-Brown, Head Start Director Ozarks Area Community Action Corporation Bolivar, MO

O

n Wednesday, August 29, 2018, Head Start families, community members, and OACAC staff attended a ribbon cutting ceremony to commemorate the completion of a new OACAC Head Start Center. The center, located at 1500 E. Broadway in Bolivar, will open to children on Tuesday, September 4. The new facility includes two specialized classrooms, an industrial kitchen, two therapy rooms, and two large playgrounds.

The Early Head Start classroom will serve eight children from birth to age three, while the Head Start classroom will serve up to 20 preschool children, ages three to five.

A child’s early years are very important to their learning and development, and children learn best when they are active. As a federally funded, comprehensive child and family development program, Head Start prepares children for success in school and in life by teaching them how to learn, not just in preschool, but throughout their lives. In addition to high-quality education

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and child development services, children benefit from health, nutrition, and social-emotional screenings, supports, and services.

Parents benefit from individualized support services in areas of parenting and family relationships, self-sufficiency, education, and employment. The goal of the program is to strengthen families as we work together to help their children be ready for success in school and life.

“This has been quite some time in the making. We’ve actually been looking for space for five years or more, really searching for the right place,” said Kimberly Shinn-Brown, Head Start Director.

“While our other facility was wonderful for lots of years, we had outgrown it and the program had changed, so we were really thrilled when we met J.C. Meador, and he was willing to think about how this space might be used to serve children and families in the community.”

JC Meador was a successful businessman and quiet philanthropist.

Community Members Ribbon Cutting: Community members tour the new facility during Bolivar Broadway Head Start’s ribbon cutting.

J.C. Meador believed in the importance of giving back to the community and helping to make sure children had what they needed in order to be successful. His values aligned with OACAC’s mission, making the project a perfect partnership. After his passing earlier this year, Mr. Meador’s family honored his wishes and completed the project.

“I think he (J.C. Meador) would be incredibly proud of how everything turned out and I’m really grateful to his family and to him, and I’m sure we’re going to honor his legacy by providing exceptional services to children and families in this location,” remarked ShinnBrown.

Meador Family Ribbon Cutting: OACAC Head Start staff pose with the Meador family during the ribbon cutting. Pictured are, from left front row – Sara Lipsey, Mollie Carr, Jill Pierce, Martha Gilliam, Arlene Wrinkle, and Timi Heaton; back row – Diane Bauer, Kimberly Shinn-Brown, Teresa Dickey, Carl Rosenkranz.

OACAC is a non-profit organization working toward alleviating the causes and conditions of poverty in Barry, Christian, Dade, Dallas, Greene, Lawrence, Polk, Stone, Taney, and Webster counties in Missouri.

For more information about Head Start and other OACAC services, visit www.oac.ac.

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