Shauna Matelski, Ed.D. Head Start Director
It is our hope that you had a safe and happy summer and the children are ready to begin school! Hopefully, you have received all the information you need concerning your child’s center, classroom, orientations and health screenings. If not, please call the center and speak with a staff member who will be happy to assist you. There have been many projects that began last year and have continued throughout the summer. I am happy to report that we have a new center in downtown Lorain at 1949 Broadway Ave., Central Plaza. We have three classrooms which provide room for a total of 60 children enabling us to extend our partnership with Lorain City Schools. The lead staff for each classroom will be an LCS teacher and LCCAA Head Start will provide the assistant teacher. We were thrilled to welcome the public into this incredible, historic space during our June open house. My thanks to United Properties’ Jon Veard, Jon Veard Jr. and everyone who made our move and our event a great success. Work continues on the relocation of our kitchen from Kennedy Plaza to 8th Street as well as the creation of a new Early Head Start Center in south Elyria. Please stay tuned for updates on these exciting projects. As you know, the more things change, the more they stay the same. Our staff remain dedicated to your children and to providing them the very best learning environment. This program year is pivotal in that we are finally seeing normalcy back as we come out of the pandemic. While it may not look like pre-pandemic normalcy, we can be grateful that we have learned many things during this time, and continue to work toward greater things. We look forward to a wonderful year filled with learning, activities, participation, and great outcomes!
News from Lorain County Community Action Agency Head Start • Sept. 2022 Head Start Works! 1-888-245-2009www.lccaa.net Head Start Family News Director’s Corner
Welcome families and thank you for choosing Head Start!
Let’s have a great year!
New Year Begins with New Spaces
During the height of the pandemic, Head Start programs nationwide reduced their enrollment to protect our families. As the country continues to recover, full enrollment becomes our goal again.
X Receiving SSI (Supplemental Security Income)
The knowledge of Head Start staff is crucial to supporting the health, learning and development of children as well as their families’ strengths, needs, and parenting skills. No professional can do this without building their awareness, skills, and competencies through professional development.
The best recruitment tool for our program is our existing and past families. If you know someone interested in a Head Start, send them our way!
X Receiving TANF (Temporary Assistance to Needy Families)
Family Service staff must have, within 18 months of hire, a credential or certification in social work, human services, family services, counseling or related field.
LCCAA Staff Highly Qualified
Head Start Performance Standards lay out the training and qualification requirements for all levels of staff. In many cases, LCCAA Head Start staff exceed these requirements. For example, staff members are required to complete at least 15 hours of training per year. In 20212022, the average number of hours completed by LCCAA staff was 29. LCCAA Head Start’s key management staff exceed requirements to hold positionrelated degrees. Home Visitors, Assistant Teachers and Early Head Start Teachers must at least have the national Child Development Associate (CDA) credential or be in the process of earning it.
Both Head Start and Early Head Start use 100% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL) for priority placement. In addition, the programs can serve 35% of families whose income is between 101 and 130%. Ten percent of families can exceed 130% of the NewFPL. in 2022, families receiving food stamps or the Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program (SNAP) are automatically eligible. Families in the following situations are also automatically eligible:
Bear Hunt Winners Recognized
Refer a
Many have the Family Development Specialist (FDS) certification which renews annually.
Friend to Head Start
Head Teachers must have at least an associate’s degree in child development or early childhood education. Among all the head teachers, at least 50% must hold a bachelor’s degree.
X Homeless, Foster Care or Kinship Care According to our Community Needs Assessment, more than 4,200 children in Lorain County are being raised by their grandparents. If you know someone in that situation, Head Start might be able to help. Applications are taken year round on our website at https://www. lccaaforms.net/.
Congratulations to our Bear Hunt winners! Daniel Gomez from Griswold and Aurora Sherrard from Wellington won the drawing for summer gift LCCAApacks.
Head Start invited families to go on a Bear Hunt this summer by looking for bears at LCCAA partners and organizations. Families who found five bears and took pictures with them were entered into the drawing. Bears were posted at public libraries, food banks and more in the hope that families would also learn about resources available in their communities.
Carroll will work under the Head Start management team, but women do not have to be in Head Start or Early Head Start to call upon her.
How to Adjust to a New School Year
“We’re expanding our footprint by serving all families,” said Assistant Head Start Director Stefanie Drew. “What’s wonderful is her having such great experience and knowledge base and working with this diverse community. Everyone she will serve will come in at a different time in their pregnancy with different needs.”
X Set a consistent bedtime routine. X Wake up at the same time each morning. X Use picture schedules to show routines and encourage selfhelp skills. X Lay your child’s clothes out the night before. X Set a positive and calming tone each morning. If it’s chaotic, then children feed off that energy.
The Pregnancy Support Services will be available to everyone in the county with no income qualifications for participants. Women can reach out to Carroll at any stage of their pregnancy and regardless of how many children they already have.
is also critically important in our quest to build lifelong learners. Preschool is a time for building the social, emotional, cognitive and language skills needed for school readiness. Many of these skills build on one another, so absent children may miss the foundational skills needed for the next skill. Additionally, following a predicable daily routine helps to build confident and eager learners. Here are some tips to help your child become a lifelong learner and get him or her to school each day on time!
X Leave early enough in the morning to get to school on time.
Head Start Launches Pregnancy Support
LCCAA Head Start will offer Pregnancy Support Services to the community this year with a newly hired Community Health “BothWorker. maternal and infant mortality rates are extremely high in the United States,” said Melissa Carroll, who will run the program. In partnership with Lorain County Public Health, Carroll will focus on supporting African American mothers and reducing the startling rate of infant mortality. In Lorain County, 13 out of every 1,000 Black or African American infants die in their first year of life. The rate for white infants is 4.5.
Carroll’s role is to improve those outcomes by supporting women during and after their pregnancies. One goal is to reduce premature births by making sure women have access to quality health care and avoid high blood pressure and diabetes.
“I’ve walked with women throughout their pregnancies, attended their births and offered post-partum care,” said Carroll, who has a background as a doula and childbirth educator. “I bridge between women and their health care providers. Many women don’t know what questions to ask and they get a lot of information they don’t understand.”
From the moment your child steps into his or her Head Start classroom, the day is carefully planned to maximize learning. A healthy meal and a class meeting are two ways teachers prepare students for the day ahead. Being on time and present for both of these important daily components is key to a successful day in Regularschool.attendance
Instructions:
1. Preheat oven to 425. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper or foil.
On Sept. 20, classrooms will receive whole vegetables.
1. Plan an outing. Whether it’s a day at the beach, a picnic, or a movie, an outing with your family is a surefire way to enjoy some quality time. Pick an accessible activity everyone can enjoy and share a day of reconnecting. 2. Pick up your phone. Not to worry if you and your family are not in the same state or country — modern technology makes it easy to connect! Call each other or use a video chatting app to check in with distant relatives. 3. Plan a game day. Games are a super fun way to bond with family. Whether your family is into board games, puzzles, card games, or sports, a little healthy competition will energize your family time. Plus, the winner has bragging rights — until the next game day.
Familiesmeaningful.come in many forms and sizes and under different circumstances, but they all share unconditional love and support for those growing on the same family tree. From nuclear family units to extended clans, families can drive us crazy and make life worth living.
Take some time today to appreciate the special folks in your life — give them a call, take them out to lunch, or send them a note to let them know you’re thinking of them!
X Create a home where healthy choices are available and Makeencouraged.itfunforyour children by: X Playing a game of tag. X Cooking healthy meals together. X Creating a rainbow shopping list to find colorful fruits and vegetables. X Grow a family garden.
For another year, LCCAA Head Start Nutrition Staff has created a Try Day calendar to introduce new foods to students and their families.
X Grated parmesan cheese for garnish (optional)
Ingredients: X 2 medium zucchini X 2 medium yellow squash X 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil X 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning X 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt X 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
5. Garnish with parmesan if desired and serve Leftoversimmediately.can be stored in an air tight container in the refrigerator for up to three days. Because these vegetables have a high water content, freezing is not recommended. Reheat in a skillet, microwave or air fryer.
Healthy Active Living Tips for Families
Seasonal Try Day Kicks Off School Year
2. Quarter the zucchini and squash then slice into one inch pieces. Arrange in a single layer on the baking sheet. Drizzle olive oil over the vegetables and toss to coat.
First on the menu for the year is summer squash and zucchini - two vegetables home gardeners seem to have in abundance this time of year.
National Family Day, celebrated on September 26, puts the spotlight on the people who make our lives
3. Sprinkle evenly with Italian seasoning, salt and pepper (more or less to your taste).
Try Day is traditionally a multi-sensory experience with teachers capitalizing on kids’ curiosity to create lessons. Roasted zucchini and summer squash will be served at lunch on Sept. 22 using the recipe below.
4. Roast squash for 12 to 15 minutes tossing with a spatula halfway through to ensure even browning.
To help children live healthy active lives, parents can: X Be role models themselves by making healthy eating and daily physical activity the norm for their family.
August was Children’s Eye Health and Safety Month during the Year of Children’s Vision. LCCAA Head Start staff receive training every year from Prevent Blindness to conduct vision screenings for all Head Start students.
visits include the following: X Measuring height, recording weight. X Measuring head circumference and/or blood pressure depending on age. X Vaccinations. X Physical exam. X General discussion regarding findings during exam and general counseling
and
Reminder: Turn your child’s physical into your FSA by Sept. 30.
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Making sure your child sees their doctor for well-child visits is of best things you can do to child. also protect your community that easily Annualspread.well-child about health well being. current medications and medication history. Refills of maintenance medications pertinent to Additionally,care.
Vaccinations
X
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Don’t Skip Your Child’s Well Checkups
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X Update
The income eligibility requirements are based on family size and total family income. Participants must be living at or below 200 percent of the Federal Poverty Line ($55,500 for a family of four in 2022).
X They are enrolling in PIPP Plus for the first time.
By Car Partnership Adds Benefits
For more information, contact Bobby Taylor, Planning and Community Services Director, at btaylor@lccaa.net.
LIH-WAP, the Low-Income Household Water Assistance Program, can provide up to $1,500 to income eligible Lorain County residents who need help paying their water bills. Households must be living at or below 175% of the Federal Poverty Level or actively receiving assistance from TANF, SNAP, or SSI.
X They are an existing PIPP customer in Appointmentsdefault.arerequired for the emergency program and are only available to residents who meet one of the criteria.
Appointments can only be made at the agency’s website. All appointments are being conducted over the phone. In person services are being offered for seniors only in partnership with the Lorain County Office on Aging.
Income can be earned from employment, self-employment or a combination. Begin the process by calling OMJ at After440-324-5244.saving$2,000 to put down on a car and completing the Financial Literacy Class at LCCAA, you will be able to purchase your car. Participants completing their purchase also receive one year of car insurance paid, up to $2,500.
X They are trying to establish new service.
Customers with questions about the program can call 440-245-1870 during regular business hours. LCCAA also allows a limited number of people in its lobby to ask questions at the service window.
X They are age 60 or over. X They have a documented medical condition worsened by extreme heat.
The program will run through Sept. 30 this year. For additional details, please visit www.lccaa.net.
Summer Crisis Open Through Sept. 30
As always, the primary qualification for the program is a gross annual income at or below 175 percent of the Federal Poverty Line ($48,563 for a family of four in 2022). Residents at that poverty level qualify for help if they also meet at least one of the following criteria:
Water Help Ongoing
You can apply through energyhelp.ohio.gov or the LCCAA website.
LCCAA’s By Car program has partnered with OhioMeansJobs Lorain County to increase the maximum match and provide funds for insurance.
OMJ matches participants funds 3 to 1 (match ceiling is $6,000). Participants attend a one-time financial literacy course as well as review the costs of owning a vehicle and the value of continued savings.
You must also have a residential account and either be in arrears or disconnected. If you are disconnected, the program can also help with reconnect fees. Your municipality or water company must agree to participate. Payment is made directly to them.
X Their electric service has been disconnected or they have received a disconnect notice.
Lorain County Community Action Agency’s Summer Crisis Program can help qualifying residents pay their electric bills as they keep cool in the summer heat. Air conditioners, fans and limited help with central air conditioning repairs are also available.
1/2 cup 1/2 cup 1/2 cup 1/2 oz. 1/2 cup 1/2 cup 1/2 cup 1/2 oz. Cooked/Dry Beans/Peas
WG Cheerios Cereal, Pineapple Tidbits WG Cavatappi Mac-n-Cheese MixedBroccoliFruit
WG Mini Bagel w/ Strawberry Cream Cheese, Applesauce Bosco® with Marinara, Tossed Salad with Toppings: Cheese, Croutons, French or Ranch Dressing, Tropical Fruit Diced Pear WG Educational Crackers Yogurt, Strawberry & Granola HomemadeParfait
LCCAA
WG Blueberry Waffle Apple Danimals®DicedBellMeatballSlicesSub,Peppersw/RanchPearsYogurt,Fresh
Servings)(PortionsLunchComponentsProtein&
1/2 serving, 1/4 cup Ages 3-5 3/4 cup 1/2 cup 1/2 serving, 1/2 cup, 1/8 cup 3/4 cup 1 1/2 oz. 3/8 cup 1/4 cup each 3 T 3/4 oz. 3/4 cup 1/2 serving, 1/4 cup Fluid MeatFruitVegetableMilkorCheese
Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday 5 7 2019 8 1312 6 26 27 21 1514 22 28 29 1623309
Peanut Butter, Nut/Seed Butters Nut and/or Seeds Yogurt
Healthy Snack Tips from LCCAA To lead a healthy, active lifestyle families can strive to reach these goals: X 5 fruits and vegetables a day X 2 hours or less of screen time (TV, computer, video games) per day X 1 hour of physical activity a day X 0 sugar-sweetened drinks In addition, make small changes in your routines to help everyone lead healthier active lives. Try: X Regularly eating meals together as a family. X Preparing food at
Fluid Milk Fruit or Breads,VegetableColdCereal, Granola Fluid Milk Meat or VegetablesCooked/DryCheeseBeans/PeasandFruits(1 each)
LSB No School Yogurt, Berry & Granola OrangeParfait Chicken, Brown Rice, Stir Fry Veggies, Watermelon Banana, WG Goldfish Crackers WG Banana Muffin Diced HomemadePeachesWG Mac-n-Cheese Steamed Broccoli Mango Chunks Local Apple, WG Pretzels
WGMango-PeachSaladApplesauce,Cheez-ItsWGCinnChexorCinnToastCrunch,PineappleTidbitsGeneralTsoBeef,WGBrownRice,SteamedBroccoli,DicedPearsTurkeyStick,WGSaltinesWGCheeriosCereal,PineappleTidbitsWGFrenchToastSticks,Sugar-freeSyrup,ChickenSausagePatty,TaterTots,TangerineMango-PeachApplesauce,WGCheez-Its
WG Banana Bread, Apple Slices Build a Tortilla: WG Tortilla, Seasoned Chicken, Cheese, Lettuce, Salsa; WGClementineGraham Crackers Sun Splash Veggie Juice WG Mini TeriyakiCantaloupeWheatsBeefDippers, Teriyaki or Sweet/Sour Dip, WG Fried Rice, CheeseCarrotsPineappleTidbitsPeas,withRanchStick
Sloppy Joe, Maple Cinnamon Carrots, Diced Pears WG Tortilla Chips, Salsa WG Blueberry Waffle Apple Slices
Orange Purple Daze Smoothie, WG Bunny Grahams BBQ Chicken Drumstick, Cheese Cubes, Carrots & Green Beans, WG Cornbread, Tropical Fruit WG Flatbread WOWBUTTER®Round,andJelly
LSBLSBLSB
Peanut Butter, Nut/Seed Butters Nut and/or Seeds Breads/Grains,Yogurt
Build Your Own Nachos: WG Tor tilla Chips, Seasoned Beef, Black Beans, Salsa, Cheese; Mango Danimals® Yogurt, Fresh Orange Purple Daze Smoothie WG Bunny Grahams BBQ Chicken Sandwich, Cole WOWBUTTER®WGMandarinSlawOrangesFlatbreadRoundand Jelly WG Banana Muffin Diced Peaches WG Spaghetti w/Meatballs, Roasted Zuccini & Squash, WG Breadstick, Fresh Fruit Salad Local Apple, WG Pretzels Yogurt, Strawberry & Granola TurkeyParfait w/Gravy, Mashed Potatoes, WG Dinner Roll, Honeydew Banana, WG Goldfish Crackers WG Banana Bread Apple Slices Build a Burger: WG Bun, Cheese, Pickle Chips, Ketchup; Baked Beans, Apricots WG Graham Crackers Sun Splash Veggie Juice WG Mini WGMapleBraisedWatermelonWheatsChickenThigh,CinnamonCarrots,Cornbread,Clementine Broccoli and Cauliflower w/Ranch Cheese Stick WG Mini Bagel w/Strawberry Cream Cheese, Applesauce Beef & Veggies w/Gravy, Mashed Potatoes, Diced Peaches; WG Garlic Twist Diced Pear WG Educational Crackers Yogurt, Strawberry & Granola WGParfaitRavioli, Steamed Green Beans, Diced Pears WG Tortilla Chips, Salsa Head Start Menu for September 2022
1/8 cup 1 T 1/2 oz. 1/4 cup 1/8 cup 1 T 1/2 oz. 1/4 cup Breads/Grains, Pasta 1/2 serving, 1/4 cup 1/2 serving, 1/4 cup home
as a family. X Eating a diet rich in low-fat calcium and high in fiber.
WG = Whole Grain. Milk is served daily at breakfast & lunch. Children less than 2 years old are served whole milk. When a specific food allergy is identified, appropriate food substitutions will be provided. Menu items are subject to change due to food availability or unplanned school closings. Menus are reviewed & approved by M. Robison, MPH, RD, LD. Equal Opportunity Provider.
Meal Food Components Ages 1-2 (PortionsBreakfast & SnackServings)(Portions & MustServings)Select Two Different
Pasta 1/2 cup 1/4 cup 1/2 serving, 1/2 cup, 1/8 cup 1/2 cup 1 1/81/4oz.cupcupeach2T1/2oz.1/2cup
*Sept. 9: Home-Based Head Start Socialization, 10:30 a.m.
*Sept. 16: Home-Based Early Head Start Socialization, 10:30 a.m.
Don’t Be Scared to Volunteer for Policy Council
Children enjoy the books in this series because they are silly and one thing always leads to another. The cliffhanger at the end leaves you thinking that the whole series of events will start again!
Upcoming Events at LCCAA Head Start
*Sept. 14: Hopkins-Locke Parent Meeting, 9 a.m.
Stephanee Koscho served as Vice President of the Council last year and as the first representative from Firelands Head Start. Head Start requires convening of a Parent Policy Council for each program throughout the country. Parents are encouraged to participate to help make decisions about the program. “It gives them an opportunity to help us make decisions that are going to be right for the program and for their child,” said Head Start Director Shauna Matelski, Ed.D. “So Head Start has always placed an emphasis on the Parent Policy ParentsCouncil.”areelected by their centers to serve on the council and the president of the council holds a full, voting seat on the LCCAA Board of Directors.
Starting school can be both exciting and scary for preschoolers. Talking positively about school and discussing their day helps children adjust. If You Take a Mouse to School by Laura Numeroff and Felicia Bond can be one way to reinforce postiive attitudes toward school.
*Sept. 13: Griswold Parent Meeting, 10 a.m.
*Sept. 13: Wellington Parent Meeting, 10 a.m.
*Sept. 23: Home-Based Head Start Socialization, 10:30 a.m.
*Sept. 15: Firelands Parent Meeting, 10 a.m.
*Sept. 22: Policy Council, 5:30 p.m.
Koscho shared her thoughts during a Firelands parent meeting toward the end of the school year. “I really enjoy it. I get to learn about the other classrooms and telling all the great things happening in Firelands,” she said. “It made me feel more a part of my son’s classroom.”
*Sept. 13: LaGrange Parent Meeting, 10 a.m.
Koscho added that Policy Council was not only a great learning experience, it was an easy and fulfilling process.
Attend your center’s parent meeting to be elected to serve on Policy Council!
Book of the Month: If You Take a Mouse to School
Children can begin to retell the story themselves by looking at the pictures because it has a predictable series of events. Visit the public library to find If You Give a Pig a Pancake, or If You Give a Dog a Donut and even more of these unforgettable stories.
“Policy Council is not scary.”
*Sept. 30: Home-Based Early Head Start Socialization, 10:30 a.m. *Indicates a virtual event.
