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Keystone Star Participants Recognized The child care facilities in Warren and Forest Counties that
participate in the Keystone STARTS program were recognized during
the Week of the Young Child at the Provider Participation Dinner
held at the Warren Area Elementary Center. Keystone STARS is a voluntary program that recognizes Department
of Public Welfare (DPW) regulated child care providers, including
home providers and centers, who exceed state health and safety
certification requirements. Keystone STARS is a quality rating
system based on staffing qualifications, environment, and how
a facility runs their business. Enrolled facilities earn a STAR
One, Two, Three or Four based on levels of achievement. Each STAR
designation has its own research-based performance standards or
benchmarks that are linked to improving outcomes for children.
This program was established to promote the improvement of the
early learning environments. Start with STARS participants in Warren and Forest Counties are
JoAnn Gazdak, Lisa Jordan, Lucinda Benner, Pam Dickey, and Sandra
Benedict. STAR 1 participants are Jefferson DeFrees Family Center,
Kid's Choice Community Learning Center, Marina Yeager, Rhonda
DeSimone, Rita Kelly, Susan Nielsen, Warren County YMCA Center,
and First Presbyterian Church Day Care Center. STAR 2 participants
include Henry R> Rouse Children's Center and Russell United
Methodist Church Day Care Center. May 10, 2006 EOC's Early Care and Education Coalition urges parents and community
members to honor and thank the people who care for our children
on May 12, National Providers Appreciation Day. Providers Appreciation Day is a special day to recognize child
care providers, teachers and educators of young children everywhere.
Providers Appreciation Day was started by a group of volunteers
who saw the need to recognize the work and dedication of those
who work with young children. The first even was held in 1996
and support for this annual day of recognition has been growing
every since. A recent nationwide study sponsored by the National Child Care
Association shows that there are at least 2.8 million people who
earn their money by teaching and caring for young children or
by working in directly related jobs. While the child care profession
is one of the most underpaid occupations in the country, early
childhood is the most critical developmental period for all children. Parents and community leaders are encouraged to show their appreciation
of child care providers, Head Start, pre-K intermediate unit staff,
preschool teachers, and kindergarten teachers on Friday, May 12,
2006. Need ideas of ways to honor the providers" Here is
a list of suggestions: get together with other parents to create
a surprise, send flowers, cards or a handwritten not of appreciation,
bring breakfast or lunch for your provider and for the children,
work with your child to create a special remembrance, or say THANK
YOU. The Week of the Young Child celebration planned by EOC's Early
Care and Education Committee was held the week of April 2-8, 2006.
Activities included a workshop for parents of Pre-K children,
free sundaes at McDonald's for children under 12, free cookies
at Subways in Forest County, an Appreciation Dinner, the Children's
Fun Fair, and Community Readers visiting Pre-K classrooms. Community Readers volunteered to visit area Pre-K classrooms
in Warren and Forest Counties to read and discuss the book Inside
Mouse, Outside Mouse to the children. Many thanks go out to the
38 readers who visited approximately 50 classrooms. Sue Kibbey, a Warren County School District Kindergarten teacher,
provided the workshop for parents of Pre-K children to learn how
to integrate learning into daily activities in the home using
household items. Learning begins the day a child is born, and
it is important to nurture them as they grow and develop. Research
is showing that 90% of brain development occurs before a child
enters school. The Appreciation Dinner was held on Thursday, April 6 at the
Warren Area Elementary School with 120 early care and education
providers in attendance along with other community officials.
The purpose of the evening was to recognize the importance of
the work that is done by the early care and education providers.
They play a significant role in the lives of our children each
day. Recognition was given to the providers in Warren and Forest
Counties who participate in the Keystone STARS program. Keystone
STARS is a quality rating system for providers based on staffing,
environment, and how a facility runs their business. A Children's Fun Fair was held on Saturday, April 8 at the Jefferson
DeFrees Center as part of the Week of the Young Child celebration
for Warren and Forest Counties. Area early educators and social
service agencies provided many activities such as face painting,
planting flower seeds, dancing with DJ Marty Loomis, finger printing,
climbing on a fire truck, and visiting with the New Hope Assistance
Dogs. Over 225 children attended the Fun Fair. It was a great
opportunity for the young children in our community to take part
in a variety of fun activities and for parents to learn about
programs available in Warren and Forest Counties. EOC's Early Care and Education Coalition would like to thank
the area businesses, organizations, and clubs that made Week of
the Young Child a huge success: Highmark, McDonald's, Subway of
Marienville and Tionesta, Jefferson DeFrees Family Center, Warren
Public Library, Henry R. Rouse Children's Center, Forest-Warren
Human Services Early Intervention, Forest-Warren LICC, EOC's Head
Start, North Warren Presbyterian Day Care, Youngsville First United
Methodist Preschool, Beacon Light, Achievement Center, Warren
YMCA, Sue Kibbey, 4-H After School Forestry Program, WIC, Marty
Loomis, Warren Fire Department, New Hope Assistance Dogs, Cooperative
Extension, Don Mills Achievement Center, PA Department of Health,
Warren County State Health Center, Grace United Methodist Preschool,
Erie Shriner's Club, First Presbyterian Day Care, Ruth M. Smith
Day Care, Warren City Police, South Street Early Learning Center,
Warren Area Elementary Center, Whirley Industries, Nutrition Inc.,
Forest County Commissioners, Warren County Commissioners, Warren
County Career Center, WNAE 1310 AM Radio Station, American Legion
Post 135, Betts Industries, Ed Shults of Warren, Exchange Club,
Huber Blacktop, IOOF #339, Superior Tire and Rubber, United Refining,
Warren Pediatrics. The 2007 Week of the Young Child is scheduled for April 22-28,
2007. April 29, 2006 The Week of the Young Child celebration planned by EOC's Early
Care and Education Committee was held on April 2-8. Activities
included a workshop for parents of pre-kindergarten children,
free sundaes at McDonald's, an appreciation dinner, a children's
fun fair, and community readers visiting pre-K classrooms. Community readers volunteered to visit classrooms in Warren and
Forest Counties to read and discuss the book "Inside Mouse,
Outside Mouse" to the children. Thirty-eight readers visited
approximately 50 classrooms. Sue Kibbey, a Warren County School District kindergarten teacher,
provided the workshop for parents of pre-K children to learn how
to integrate learning into daily activities in the home using
household items. Learning begins the day a child is born. Research
is showing that 90 percent of brain development occurs before
a child enters school. The appreciation dinner was held April 6 at the Warren Area Elementary
Center with 120 early care and education providers in attendance
along with other community officials. The purpose of the evening
was to recognize the importance of the work that is done by early
care and education providers. They play a significant role in
the lives of our children each day. Recognition was given to the
providers in Warren and Forest Counties who participate in the
Keystone STARS program. Keystone STARS is a quality rating system
for providers based on staffing, environment, and how a facility
runs their business. A Children's Fun Fair was held on Saturday, April 8 at the Jefferson
DeFrees Family Center as part of the Week of the Young Child Celebration
for Warren and Forest Counties. Area early educators and social
service agencies provided many activities such as face painting,
planting flower seeds, dancing with disc jockey Marty Loomis,
finger printing, climbing on a fire truck, and visiting with the
New Hope Assistance Dogs. More than 225 children attended the
fair. It was a great opportunity for the young children of our
community to take part in a variety of fun activities and for
parents to learn about programs available in Warren and Forest
counties. The following area businesses, organizations and clubs contributed:
Highmark, McDonald's, Jefferson DeFrees Family Center, Warren
Public Library, Henry R. Rouse Children's Center, Forest-Warren
Human Services Early Intervention, Forest -Warren LICC, EOC's
Head Start, North Warren Presbyterian Day Care, Youngsville First
United Methodist Preschool, Beacon Light, Achievement Center,
Warren YMCA, Sue Kibbey, 4-H After School Forestry Program, WIC,
Marty Loomis, Warren Fire Department, New Hope Assistance Dogs,
Warren Cooperative Extension, Don Mills Achievement Center, PA
Department of Health, Warren County State Health Center, Grace
United Methodist Pre-School, Erie Shriner's Club, First Presbyterian
Day Care, Ruth M. Smith Day Care Center, Warren City Police, South
Street Early Learning Center Warren Area Elementary Center, Whirley
Industries, Nutrition Inc., Forest County Commissioners, Warren
County Commissioners, Warren County Career Center, WNAE 1310 AM
Radio Station, American Legion Post 135, Betts Industries, Ed
Shults of Warren, Exchange Club, Huber Black top, IOOF #339, Superior
Tire & Rubber, United Refining, Warren Pediatric Associates. The 2007 Week of the Young Child is scheduled for April 22- 28.
Learn to Save $ With the Family Savings Account Program The Warren-Forest Counties Economic Opportunity Council office
located on 1209 Pennsylvania Ave. West, Warren, PA. The Family Savings Account Program is a community building initiative
established for the purpose of promoting self-sufficiency for
lower income Pennsylvanians through a matched savings program.
Based on an approved plan, the matched savings can be used to
help finance the purchase of a new home or home repair, pay for
education expenses, start a small business or purchase a car for
employment and/or education. The Family Savings Program stimulates economic self-sufficiency
by helping participants focus on long- and short-term financial
skills as it encourages savings and asset development that empower
individuals as well as economically strengthening communities
in Pennsylvania. Program participants save a minimum of $10 a week for a one or
two year period. Family Savings Account program will match the
participant's savings dollar for dollar or 100%. Program participants will attend four general workshops. Workshops
will cover such topics as personal management training, budgeting
and credit repair, loans and grants resource development, and
personal financial planning i.e. savings and investment, insurance,
wills and tax planning. Enrollments in the Family Savings Account Program will be accepted
through June 30, 2006 on a first come first served basis. If interested in the Family Savings Account Program, please contact
E.O.C. Community Services for eligibility requirements at 814-726-2400
x 3030. April 1, 2006 Celebrate Week of the Young Child, April 2-8 The Warren County Commissioners and the Forest County Commissioners
have joined forces with EOC's Warren -Forest Early Care and Education
Coalition and have signed a proclamation declaring April 2-8 Week
of the Young Child. The purpose of the Week of the Young Child
is to recognize the needs of young children and thank educators
and child care providers that are involved in building better
futures for the children of our community. Week of the Young Child
is celebrated across the country by hundreds of organizations
working to improve opportunities for all young children. A wide variety of activities are planned for the Week of the
Child in Warren and Forest Counties: Tuesday, April 4 - Parent Workshop; Early Learning Begins at
Home A free school readiness workshop will be offered to explain why
early learning is important and provide information and examples
of how parents can work with young children in their daily routines. Wednesday, April 5 - Free Sundaes at McDonald's for children
under 12. Thursday, April 6 - Appreciation Dinner. A dinner will be held at the Warren Area Elementary Center for
all early care and education providers and kindergarten teachers
in Warren and Forest Counties to recognize the significant role
they play in the lives of the children of our community. Early
care facilities that participate in Keystone STARS will be recognized.
Local businesses that support the activities of the Warren-Forest
Early Care and Education programs, including Week of the Young
Child, will be honored at the dinner as well. Sunday, April 8 - Children's Fun Fair, 10 a.m. - 2 p.m., Jefferson
DeFrees Family Center - Free and open to the public. A Children's Fun Fair will include hands-on activities, New Hope
Assistance dogs, DJ Mary Loomis, Tae Kwon Do demonstration, SPARK
activities by the YMCA staff, fire truck tours, fingerprint and
photo identification kits, art activities, gift bags and more.
It is a great day for families to come out and enjoy an afternoon
of activities and fun for the children. Monday - Friday, April 3 - 7 - Community Readers Community readers will visit 40 Warren and Forest child care
centers, Head Start classrooms, kindergartens, IU Pre-K classrooms,
and family child care homes to read to children. At each site,
the book Inside Mouse, Outside Mouse will be read and a copy of
the book will be donated to the site. The readers include business
owners, directors of agencies, library directors, school principals,
and many more! Young children and their families depend on quality education
and care, which help children get a great start, and bring lasting
benefits for our society as a whole. Week of the Young Child is
a time to recognize the people, programs, and policies that are
helping to build better futures for all children. Come out and enjoy the celebration of the children of our community
and the early care and education providers by attending the events
scheduled for Week of the Young Child! Week of the Young Child activities are made possible by contributions
and support from: Highmark, Cooperative extension Better Kid Care,
Betts Industries, United Refining, Ed Shults of Warren, Huber
Blacktop, Exchange Club, Warren Pediatrics, Superior Tire, IOOF
#339, American Legion, McDonald's, Warren County School District,
Warren County Commissioners, and the Forest County Commissioners,
Warren-Forest EOC, and Warren-Forest Early Care and Education
Coalition. March 24, 2006 Brian Ferry Savings plan through EOC helps families Hopefully, Randy Ishman will be able to negotiate his unsafe
stairs for a few more weeks. Ishman is only the second graduate of the Warren Forest Economic
Opportunity Council's Family Savings Account Program. The program, in its second year, encourages people to save money
toward a goal. If the participant reaches that goal, EOC will
match the saved amount dollar for dollar. "When they reach
the savings goal we'll match what the goal was one hundred percent,"
Community Services Director Patricia Lobdell said. The maximum
match is $2,000. Participants may save to buy a home or a car, make home improvements,
pay for education, or open a business. Ishman heard about the program and decided to give it a try. He decided his biggest need was a new stairway in his house.
The top and bottom steps are about half as high as the rest of
the steps, he said. "I don't know how many times I've almost killed myself on
that staircase," he said. "Replacing them will include removing steps, stringers,
kickboards and all," he said, adding that expects materials
and construction to cost approximately $2,000. Following program guidelines, Ishman saved $40 each month for
two years. Ten dollars a week is the minimum amount and two years
is the maximum term allowed under the program. The EOC gets statements
and reports and always follows up if something isn't right. "They let you know when you miss a payment," Ishman
said. "Nobody's perfect." Lobdell agrees, but for the purposes of the program, all payments
must be made promptly. Savings wasn't always easy for Ishman. His other expenses were
winning the race with his income. "There were times I was flat broke," he admitted. But he stuck with the program. After several weeks of putting
away the required amount as soon as he got his paycheck, Ishman
said he didn't notice so much. Most of the time, "it was pretty easy to do," he said. Not always. His dedication was tested. "That account looked pretty juicy at times," he said.
"I could have dived in to that at any time, but I decided
I was going to make it. If you jump on that savings account for
any reason, it's over." "When his car broke down, he needed a replacement. But he
didn't dip into the account. "I left it there and found another
way to get the car," Ishman said. He had another temptation toward the end of the second year.
A few weeks ago, in the depths of winter, Ishman's furnace blew
up into what he describes as a "pile of slag." The boiler
is still covered by the warranty, he said, but the company that
made it and gave the guarantee is no longer around. He has temporarily solved that problem and the EOC is working
to help him find a long-term solution. Armida McCall is a case manager for the program and it's her
job, among other things, to help when the hard times hit. "They
do have some support once they're in the program," she said.
If problems do come, there may be other ways around." McCall said participants in the program may, at the end of the
first year, change their goal. Ishman didn't do that, though he had some good options. Sticking to the original play was worth it and the money has
already been put to its use. "I'm going to get the materials
today," he said. "I hate that stairway." Lobdell is pleased, too. "I am very excited to have someone complete the program,"
Lobdell said. Some find it too difficult. With two graduates and nine still
in the program, more people gave up than kept on. "We had
people who started saving and then pulled out for one reason or
another," Lobdell said. But she's looking for more folks who want to try. "We have 17 openings left for people to enroll until the
end of June," Lobdell said. "We're hoping to fill all
the spots-otherwise that money goes back to the state." There are income and asset restrictions for joining the program.
Lobdell said the income restrictions are at a higher level than
those of most other assistance programs. There are no age limitations,
students whose families fall within the guidelines may participate.
Lobdell hopes that students will take advantage of the program
in order to help pay for further education. In addition to gaining practice with savings, the program requires
participants to attend four economic workshops and an individual
budget session. "It was great," Ishman said. "I learned a great
deal about finances." The next financial literacy workshop, Know Your Credit, will
be held from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday, March 30. It is open to the
public as well as participants in the program. Lobdell asks that
interested people pre-register by calling 726-2400 ext. 3030.
In addition to receiving the matching funds, Ishman received
a certification from the EOC. But the lessons he learned may be
the most valuable. "It teaches financial responsibility," he said. Although
he was no longer required to contribute to the savings, "I
did put some in this month, and I'm probably going to continue
to save." That's the idea. "The program helps people build good savings
habits," McCall said. And it gets Ishman's stamp of approval. "Join the program,"
he said. "It's a good program and you save money." February 16, 2006 Victoria Barone Cold nights ahead? While the cost of home heating rises, money for heating assistance
programs generally has not, creating a difficult situation at
best and a worse one ahead, according to Robert Raible, director
of the Warren-Forest Counties Economic Opportunity Council (EOC). This year's federal budget had reduced funds for LIHEAP, which
provides financial assistance to low-income seniors and families.
Pennsylvania recently put additional money into the state's heating
assistance program in response to high gas bills. "They saw
that the need was so great and that the federal government was
not coming through with enough" to even catch up from last
winter's costs, Raible said. "We've had some more people apply (for assistance), but
the biggest things that we're seeing is the increase in our bills,
and our money has stayed consistent, so…our money is just
about gone," Raible said. If it had been a typical winter, instead of substantially warmer
one, Raible added, EOC's heating assistance funds would have been
depleted by now. "I think February's going to hit us hard,"
he said. "We can access the Neighbor for Neighbor program,
but that has specific guidelines for it." To qualify, a recipient of the Neighbor for Neighbor program
must be at least 55 year old or have someone in the household
with a medical situation, documented by a physician, that qualifies. He also noted that President Bush plans to cut funding in 2007
to a federal home weatherization program. Is there any light at the end of the tunnel? "Actually,
it's getting darker, because a new state law went into effect
last year," Raible said. People whose income falls below 250 percent of the poverty line
cannot have their heat shut off for non-payment during the winter
months. But once that defined period is over, the heat can be
shut off for falling behind with payments. "What's going
to happen once they're allowed to shut those people off?"
Raible asked. In addition to paying the amount in arrears, a customer must
pay the current bill, a reconnection fee and possibly a security
deposit. For people who couldn't even keep up with a regular payment,
finding all of that money will be a serious challenge, according
to Raible. "We're going to have people without service all
summer and in September, with the first cold spell, it will be
a mess," he said. Raible went on to say that one of the problems is that "we
can't help anyone unless we can ensure utility continuation. We
can't pay unless we can be sure they're not going to be shut off.
People come to us with these large bills, and we can't help them." February 1, 2006 Focus on Forest's Future, Inc. Conducts Long-Term Sustainability
Plan Focus on Forest's Future, Inc. (FFC) has recently conducted a
long-term financial sustainability plan to assist in diversifying
key community leaders involved with the planning process, establish
a financial future, and to move closer toward accomplishing the
mission, "Enhancing the Quality of Life for All Children
and Families." FFF was formed in 1995 as a result of the "Family Service
System Reform" and the "Communities that Care"
Initiatives. It is in its tenth year as a recipient of the FSSR
grant monies. Since its inception, FFF has been selected as a
Head Start State Collaboration pilot county, Communities that
Care site, State Health Improvement Plan partner, a member of
the Western Pennsylvania Partnership, and most recently a Children's
Trust Fund recipient. The Community Collaboration Board, which is comprised of approximately
130 community members, meets bi-annually. Initially, 17 individuals
were chosen to serve on the FF Board. Recently, the existing FFF
Advisory Board has evolved into a Non-Profit Board of Directors.
The Board of Directors is comprised of a retired State Health
Nurse, Director of the Industrial Development Corporation, Administrator
of Forest County Children & Youth Services, Director of the
Forest County Department of Public Welfare, Forest County Schools
Superintendent, Forest County School Guidance Counselor, Childcare
School Readiness Coalition, Forest County Clergy, Forest County
Commissioner, Forest County Law Enforcement, six Forest County
youth, and representatives of the community. As a result of this transition, the board has assumed more responsibility
and has become more vested in the mission, "Enhance the Quality
of Life for Forest County Children and Families." Because
FFF has retained the majority of original board members, a continuity
of experience has been beneficial to our success in identifying
gaps and reforming the county service system. As a result of FFF evolving from under a public non-profit entity
under the umbrella of County government to a stand-alone non-profit
organization, it has been necessary for FFF to secure an assortment
of insurances ranging from Director's and Officer's Insurance
to Program Liability Insurance. It was also necessary to formalize
the relationship between County government and FFF as two distinct
legal entities. The relationship needed to define the disposition
of cash and assets held by the County on behalf of the FFF. A
framework for the cooperative joint venture as partners working
on behalf of our community's children and families had to be developed. Prior to July 1, 2004, the Executive Director and Administrative
Assistant were engaged as independent contractors; as of July
2004, they became employees. In response to the change from contractors
to employees, the Executive Board of the Board of Directors (Chair,
Vice Chair, Treasurer, and Secretary) has developed policies and
procedures to govern employee practices. The Non-Profit Executive
Board has facilitated much of the process involved with becoming
a non-profit board. The importance of the Countywide Board, the Board of Directors,
and the Executive Committee cannot be minimized, as they have
been an integral part of our success. Also crucial to the success
of FFF's ability to re-structure itself was a solid, professional
relationship with local government. The evolution of FFF from
a public to a private non-profit entity helps to strategically
position the organization such that it might benefit from private
contributions, foundation resources as well as governmental funds,
enhancing future sustainability. During the process, FFF has taken
care in preserving the collaborative "roots" which help
to provide local ownership, credibility and support. December 13, 2005 EOC provides skills for financial security Saving up for a future goal may seem like an impossible dream
to someone who is up to their eyeballs in bills. But it is possible, according to the Warren-Forest County Economic
Opportunity Council (EOC). You just need the right skills. The EOC, in partnership with Northwest Savings Bank, is holding
a series of workshops to show people how to get on track when
it comes to their finances. It's called "financial literacy." The first workshop,
Dec. 15 from 6-8 p.m. at the EOC, 1209 Pennsylvania Ave. W., will
cover a range of subjects" how to select a bank, choosing
and keeping a checking account, how to make a credit card work
for you, banking services, why you should save and your rights
as a consumer. The workshops are open to the public and people
are asked to reserve a spot in advance by calling the EOC at 726-2400
ext. 3030. The workshops are provided as part of the Family Savings Account
Program-a program that EOC community services director Patricia
Lobdell calls "the best deal in town." The program matches dollar for dollar what an individual invests-up
to $1,000 a year. Participants must meet income eligibility requirements.
And it's not just for low-income families. People who earn a moderate
income can also qualify. To open a savings account, the individual must have a goal to
achieve through the savings account. Approved goals are homeownership,
post-secondary education, microenterprise, and purchase of a car. The goal of the Family Savings Account program is to encourage
self-sufficiency, encourage regular savings and asset development.
Family Savings Account participants are required to attend financial
literacy workshops. "It makes people not so intimidated," said Lobdell
of the program. "For people who don't know the ins and outs, there's someone
there guide them," she added. Lobdell describes the program as a learning process where a person
can learn the importance of budgeting and saving money toward
something. EOC Community service case manager Armida McCall said the program
can build someone's self-esteem as they see how it is possible
to save and "see how it could make their life better." Lobdell said the Family Savings Account is one of several program
available at EOC that can work in conjunction with each other
to help someone on the "road to self-sufficiency." People can apply for an account by setting up an appointment
with McCall to determine their eligibility. They must fill out
an application. Students, parents, grandparents, and prison inmates, and individuals
wanting to start a business or own a home are all people who can
enroll if they meet income and asset eligibility. June 30 is the
deadline to apply for an account, but there are limited slots
available. While Lobdell acknowledges there is sometimes a negative stigma
attached to assistance programs, this is one that requires a personal
commitment and a program "people shouldn't embarrassed to
sign up for." November 2, 2005 Victoria Barone Senior citizens getting hot over prospects of being cold this
winter After listening to a presentation by the Warren Forest Counties
Economic Opportunity Council (EOC) on rising utility costs, Marvin
Wagner shook his head. "In a country as rich as this is supposed to be, why are
our elderly and our children going cold and hungry?" he asked. Community service case managers Donna Swan and Armida McCall
discussed rising utility costs with the senior citizens and also
explained programs designed to assist those who quality, during
a visit to the Warren Senior Community Center. Many of those listening were dissatisfied with the rules for
qualification. "I feel that at this point in my life, I shouldn't
have to cold, and I am," Donna Hartman said. "I'm not
poor and I'm not rich, so I qualify for nothing." On Tuesday, Pennsylvania's National Fuel Gas customers were hit
with a 22.8 percent increase in fuel costs. The quarterly rate
increase is only the latest in a series of rate hikes. The price
of natural gas is now $16.99 per thousand cubic feet, a record
high. Additionally, Pennsylvania has some of the most lenient
laws in the nation in terms of shutting off natural gas customers. Gov. Ed Rendell is one of 28 state governors who have asked Congress
to increase funding for the Low Income Energy Assistance Program
(LIHEAP). LIHEAP is one of the programs that help qualified residents
pay their winter heating bills. There are also plans designed
to assist with electric bills, such as First Energy's WARM program,
which provides numerous tips for conserving energy. Examples are
lowering water heating thermostats to 120 degrees Fahrenheit,
using cold water when possible for laundry, setting refrigerator
temperatures from 38 to 40 degrees and turning off appliances
when not in use. Columbia Gas of Pennsylvania has Universal Service Programs designed
to help make monthly payments more affordable. The federal Family
Savings Account Program helps low income families and individuals
through a matched savings program. And there are many others as
well. But many believe that the programs do not address the needs
of those in the middle income range. As one man in the audience put it, "We are not poor enough." But money is tight enough to make the high utility bills a real
difficulty, according to a number of seniors. They have responded
by doing what they can to lower costs, like installing new windows,
new furnaces, and using energy conserving tactics. I haven't turned down the heat yet, but if it gets really bad,
I will," Elsie Bosko said. June 16, 2005 The Warren/Forest EOC Child Care/School Readiness Coalition has
honored Open Court Reading Pre-K with the first-ever Family Friendly
Everybody Wins Award. The award was given in appreciation for SRA/McGraw-Hills' support
of early care and education in the Warren-Forest community when
Open Court Reading Pre-K was implemented in all of the area day
care centers, thanks to an Early Care in Education grant. "Open Court Reading is used in the local district's elementary
schools, and this will help our children get an early start in
reading," Tish Montgomery, director of the Warren-Forest
Child Care/School Readiness Coalition. "SRA was very generous,
cooperative, and helpful in getting the program started in our
preschools, and we have been truly thankful. SRA/McGraw-Hill Open Court Reading is a comprehensive reading
and language arts program for Pre-K through Grade 6. "We thank the Warren-Forest Child Care/School Readiness
Coalition for this honor. We strive to make our customers happy,
and this is the best testament that we are meeting that goal,"
said Sue Andrews, marketing manager for Open Court Reading. "We
also applaud the coalition's efforts to educate young children.
We share the belief that starting as early as preschool helps
tech children the skills needed to succeed in life." May 24, 2005 Child care, education advocates honored The EOC's Warren-Forest Child Care/School Readiness Coalition,
our region early care and education committee, announces its 2005
Everybody Wins Coalition Special Recognition Awards, bestowed
in honor of the recipients' "dedication to collaboration
and partnerships and their willingness to go past the call of
duty to ensure that the people in our community who care for our
children and informed, educated, and included." Cindy Yeagle, executive director of the Forest County Assistance
Office. "Cindy Yeagle has served on almost every committee that
we have formed this year, and when she has not served in person,
she is always ready to help me vet committee recommendations,
and shape projects. In her work, she shows herself to be a child
advocate who moves in ways that we do not always see," said
Tish Montgomery, coalition project coordinator and the EOC's child
care information services director. Kelly Kelley, the EOC's child care information services specialist.
"Kelly does what she does for the kids and families of our
community because she cares. She has assumed the burden so many
times in so many of our projects. She is an awesomely talented
graphic who has enabled our public communications. I honestly
do not know what this Coalition would do without her generous
talents and incredible giving support," Montgomery stated. The Warren Neighborhood Partnership and its members and supporters
Ann Buerkle, Susan Anderson, Kelly Kelley, Sue Kibbey, Laurie
Meyers, Pam Nassman, Wendy Wilcox, Kathy Hurst, Linda Gilson,
Suzanne Painter, Lisa Steffy, and Lorraine Smith. Montgomery said, "This partnership has brought to us a pre-k
assessment document, our school readiness checklist, and the training
that goes along with that. They get things done! They meet on
a regular basis and directly address and answer community needs.
They bring us projects and good works. This is a caring and compassionate
collection of early caregivers and educators." The 2005 Coalition Everybody Wins Appreciation Awards, "in
honor of the recipients' profound willingness to provide and advance
community awareness of child care and school readiness issues
by active participation and leadership." The recipients are: Duane Vicini, Forest Area School District Superintendent; Susan Anderson, Associate Executive Director, Jefferson DeFrees
Family Center; and Rosemarie Green, Warren County School District Supervisor of
Federal Programs. "These people are our concerned and dedicated stakeholders.
They believe in quality, seamless, early education and care, and
they work hard to promote our efforts. We are honored and grateful
for their dedication," said Montgomery. The 2005 Everybody Wins Child Care/School Readiness Partnership
Awards, "in honor of the recipients' profound commitment
to support quality child care and school readiness in our community." Warren County School District; Warren County Cooperative Extension,
Better Kid Care; and the Jefferson DeFrees Family Center. "These agencies are incredibly generous with their space,
resources, staff, and more. They understand resource sharing.
They are incredible partners, and we are so pleased to be able
to honor them," said Montgomery. In addition to the formal awards, the coalition also recognized
its sponsoring organization, the Warren-Forest Counties Economic
Opportunity Council, for "its four years of patient, reliable,
and steady support." The EOC is the Coalition's lead agency,
a role it accepted in 2001 and has worked to carry out since that
launch year. The coalition also honored Head Start for its 40th anniversary,
Kids' Choice Learning Center in Marienville for its launch year,
and the Rouse Children's Center for its 10-year anniversary. The Rev. Dr. David Leininger, pastor of the Warren First Presbyterian
Church, and John Bowler, Warren Health and Human Services, were
awarded the Coalition "Quill Awards" for "Their
editing, proofing, and polishing" of all coalition documents
and press releases. Montgomery said that the children and working families of Warren
and Forest Counties are "the true benefactors of the work
of these people and agencies. With help and support from these
significant stakeholders, we are entering our 5th year of service
with enthusiasm and a series of goals and tasks that will positively
impact our quality of life, our workforce, and our efforts to
promote seamless education." April 20, 2005 Coalition Honors Businesses For Family Friendly Practices "We believe that by working together we can make changes,
lift awareness about services, and help families and child care
providers foster school readiness," is the message the EOC's
Warren-Forest Child Care/School Readiness Coalition delivered
to the business community during the week of the Young Child,
according to Tish Montgomery, the EOC's Warren-Forest Child Care
Information services director and Coalition member. In partnership with the Warren-Forest Economic Opportunity Council
and the Forest Industrial Development Corporation, Forest, Warren,
regional and national businesses that have "informed"
and "supported" the Coalition's work since its inception
four years ago were given the 2005 Family Friendly-Everybody Winds-Business
Awards. Montgomery said that when quality child care is readily available
and affordable, the employee and the employer win. The Coalition's focus on "community awareness of family
needs in terms of child care and school readiness has been so
significantly supported by those businesses," said Ms. Montgomery.
"Our motto, 'With Quality Child Care, Everybody Wins,' is
truly understood by so many of our local employers So many of
them have gone out of their way to open doors, to offer collaboration,
to partner, and to help us achieve our goals and tasks." "Providing this Coalition with the resources they need to
help us get our kids ready for school is a win-win," explained
Robert Raible, Executive Director of the EOC. "Studies show
that investments in early care can really positively impact a
community's overall quality of life. Paybacks are incredibly beneficial
and end up saving taxpayers money-as well as enriching children's
lives." The Coalition recently completed a review of projects, plans,
and accomplishments. "In looking over all that we have worked
toward these past years, we came to realize that our employers
have really stepped up to the plate. They are interested in helping
us address family and child needs, and we are so grateful for
that," said Kathy Hurst, Russell Day Care Center director
and Coalition member. "Community support for school readiness
is fundamental to our projects and work." Mrs. Hurst said that in addition to the honored businesses, many
non-profit organizations, the school districts, and local and
regional agencies have supported the Coalition efforts. A representative of the IDC attended the Sunday, April 3 Week
of the Young Child kick-off event at the Kids' Choice Learning
Center to present the awards. Commissioner James Parrett attended
to read the official Week of the Young Child proclamation. Kids'
Choice and Choice Enterprises, Inc. supplied refreshments and
hands-on activities for children. Businesses that were not present
will receive mailed certifications. The following for-profit Forest County businesses received their
first-ever Family Friendly EVERYBODY WINS Business Awards: The Forest Press Denise Storer, director of the Kids' Choice Learning Center in
Marienville and Coalition member, said that in addition to for-profit
businesses, many Forest County agencies and organizations helped
during the Week of the Young Child Celebrations. She said that
the Forest County Assistance Office, Forest Area School District,
the Highmark Foundation, the EOC and EOC's Child Care Information
Services, Penn State Cooperative Extension, Head Start, the Jefferson
DeFrees Family Center, Focus on Forest's Future, and the Forest
County Commissioners "all helped support our work, and we
are very appreciative." In addition to the kick-off, the week was marked with a series
of celebrity readers who visited area child care centers and homes,
as well as classrooms and read to children Monday-Friday. On Friday,
April 8, Forest county early educators and child care providers
were treated to a complimentary dinner and presentation by Pennsylvania
Deputy Secretary Harriet Dichter, director of the Office of Child
Development. "We are grateful to the employers and agencies of Forest
County for helping us make this year's Week of the Young Child
a true celebration," said Mrs. Montgomery. April 15, 2005 Coalition honors businesses for family friendly practices "If you think supporting child care means starting an on-site
day care, think again," is the message of the EOC's Warren-Forest
Child Care/School Readiness Coalition delivered to the business
community during the Week of the Young Child, according to Tish
Montgomery, the EOC's Warren-Forest Child Care Information Services
director and coalition member. In partnership with the Warren-Forest Economic Opportunity Council
and the Warren County Chamber of Business & Industry, Warren,
Forest, regional and national businesses that have "informed
and supported" the Coalition's work since its inception four
years ago were given the "2005 Family Friendly-Everybody
Wins!" business awards. "New on-site child care isn't our goal," Montgomery
explained. "we simply believe that by working together we
can make changes, lift awareness about services, and help families
and child care providers foster school readiness." She said
that when quality child care is readily available and affordable,
the employee and the employer win. The coalition's focus on "community awareness of family
needs in terms of child care and school readiness has been so
significantly supported by these businesses," said Montgomery.
"Our motto, 'With Quality Child Care, Everybody Wins,' is
truly understood by so many of our local employers. So many of
them have gone out of their way to open doors, to offer collaborations,
to partner, and to help us achieve our goals and tasks." "Providing this coalition with the resources they need to
help us get our kids ready for school is a win-win, " explained
Robert Raible, executive director of the EOC. "Studies show
that investments in early care can really positively impact a
community's overall quality of life. Paybacks are incredibly beneficial
and end up saving taxpayers' money-as well as enriching children's
lives." Montgomery explained, "When we began our work, for example,
The Warren Times Observer helped us by donating a full page of
space. Last year, Osram Sylvania helped us fund a training collaborative
committee that has helped us combine training resources for early
education teachers and child care providers. Those are only two
examples of the kind of support we have received from our business
community." The coalition recently completed a review of projects, plans
and past accomplishments. "In looking over all that we have
worked toward these past few years, we came to realize that our
employers have really stepped up to the plate. They are interested
n helping us address family and child needs, and we re so grateful
for that," said Kathy Hurst, Russell Day Care Center director
and coalition member. "Community support for school readiness
is fundamental to our projects and work." Hurst said that in addition to the honored businesses, many non-profit
organizations, the school districts, and local and regional agencies
have also supported coalition efforts. The following for-profit businesses for its first-ever Family
Friendly Everybody Winds business awards: Forest County: The Forest Press, Snyder Memorial Health Care
System, The Bucktail Restaurant, the Kelly Hotel, Baughman's Market,
Tionesta Grocery, Mark Kingston Landscaping. Warren County: Times Observer, PNC Bank, Northwest Savings, Osram
Sylvania, The Warren Mall, McDonalds Restaurant, Catering Plus,
The Warren Holiday Inn, The Valley Voice, Steppin' Out, The Guide,
Sturdevant Signs, Thorne's Bi-Lo, Quality Markets, Borger and
Horsley, Kinzua Broadcasting Company, The House of Printing, Carter
Communications, Heaven Sent Flowers & Gifts, Blair Corporation,
Nutrition, Inc., Burger King, Dairy Queen, Whirley Industries,
Waldenbooks, Wendy's, State Farm - Mark Phillips, Mark Evans,
Value Home Center, Monroe Muffler and Brakes, Little Caesar's
Pizza, Mark Loomis - Bubble Gum DJ, PNC Bank, New Hope Service
Dogs. Regional: Star 104, KDKA 1020. WKSN, WPSB-FM, 90.1, WLMI-FM,
The Clarion News, The Oil City Derrick, WestPA.net, All Sound
Recording. National: McGraw Hill, Scholastic Books. Provider Appreciation Dinner The WOYC committee announces that there are 10 open community
seats for the 2005 Provider Appreciation Dinner at Russell Elementary
from 6 - 8 p.m. on Friday, April 8. People who work and care for
our community's children-including parents and grandparents, as
well as those who watch children on a regular basis for working
parents-are cordially invited to call the CCIS office at 726-1361
by noon, Monday, April 4, to reserve a seat. The complimentary
dinner includes a speech by Pennsylvania Deputy Secretary Harriet
Dichter, director of the Office of Child Development. April 1, 2005 Providers appreciation The WOYC committee announces that there are 10 open community
seats for the 2005 Provider Appreciation Dinner at Russell Elementary
from 6 - 8 p.m. on Friday, April 8. People who work and care for
our community's children-including parents and grandparents, as
well as those who watch children on a regular basis for working
parents-are cordially invited to call the CCIS office at 726-1361
by noon, Monday, April 4, to reserve a seat. The complimentary
dinner includes a speech by Pennsylvania Deputy Secretary Harriet
Dichter, director of the Office of Child Development. March 31, 2005 Ice Cream Bonanza! Warren McDonald's, 11 Market St., is offering children 12 years
old and younger who are accompanied by an adults free sundaes
all day Monday, April 4, in support of the EOC's Warren-Forest
Child Care/School Readiness Coalition's Week of the Young Child
Celebration. McDonald's has also donated free fry coupons for
Coalition distribution to area child care providers to help honor
their role in caring for our community's children. This is the
third consecutive year the restaurant has partnered with the Coalition.
March 30, 2005 Coalition, Partners Bring It Up A Notch The big news is Pennsylvania Deputy Secretary Harriet Dichter
is coming to town. Dichter was appointed by Pennsylvania Secretary of Public Welfare
Estelle B. Richman to direct the new Office of Child Development-an
initiative that links the Department of Public Welfare and the
Department of Education-in September 2004. She works to ensure
coordinated leadership on children's issues and to raise the priority
level concerning issues of child development, early care, and
education. The formation of this office with Deputy Secretary Dichter at
its helm is "a major victory for early childhood education
in Pennsylvania," Dichter said. "We have struggled for
years with oversight among so many state entities. We now, for
the first time, have a single Commonwealth office devoted exclusively
to the educational needs of young children." "I am delighted to have been invited to visit Forest and
Warren counties to help celebrate the Week of the Young Child.
The efforts of the local Coalition are commendable and valuable.
I am honored to have been invited," Ms. Dichter said. She accepted the invitation to help mark Week of the Young Child
by attending many local events, including an event at Kids' Choice
Learning Center in Marienville at 2:15 on Friday, April 8. Area Week of the Young Child events are sponsored by the Economic
Opportunity Council's Warren-Forest Child Care/School Readiness
Coalition, our early care & education committee that is, in
turn, sponsored by Pennsylvania's Child Care Resource Developers. The Forest Area School District, Kids' Choice Learning Center,
Warren-Forest Head Start, the Forest County Assistance Office,
the Forest IDC and many others partnered to plan these events: Saturday, April 2: A pre-Week of the Young Child celebration
is set for the Warren Mall. Sponsored by the Warren Kiwanis, the
Local Interagency Coordinating Council, and many other area agencies,
this event is a family-friendly celebration that will offer the
public a wide array of information relevant to caring for and
educating young children. It is free and open to the public. Sunday, April 3, 2 p.m.: The Forest County Week of the Young
Child Kick-Off is 2-4 p.m. at the Kids' Choice Learning Center
in Marienville (next to the car wash). Commissioner James Parrett
will kick off the week by reading the official Week of the Young
Child Proclamation. Fun for the full family is the plan for the
day, with lots of hands-on, free activities. The Forest IDC and
the EOC will distribute the first annual Family Friendly-Everybody
Winds!-Business Awards, and there will be complimentary refreshments
from Choice Enterprises. Grandparents and others who care for
relative children are cordially invited to attend. Children do
not have to be enrolled at the center to attend-and kids of all
ages are welcome! Various agencies-Penn State Cooperative Extension,
Head Start, the schools, and others-will have information available
for one and all! Sponsors include Choice Enterprises, Forest IDC,
Penn State Cooperative Extension, Forest Area School District,
the Forest County Assistance Office, the EOC's Warren-Forest Child
Care Information Services. In Warren, a simultaneous celebration
will occur at the Jefferson DeFrees Family Center, Second Avenue. Monday-Friday, April 4-8, 10 a.m. and 1 p.m.: "Celebrity"
readers will visit the Forest child care center, family day care
provider homes, Head Start classrooms, kindergartens, and IU pre-K
classrooms, to read to children! More than 20 local readers are
participating! Friday, April 8: Pennsylvania Deputy Director Harriet Dichter,
director of the state's new Office of Child Development, will
be present to meet the public and to speak with anyone who works
with our young children, at 2:15 p.m. on Friday, April 8, at the
Kids' Choice Learning Center. Ms. Dichter will read to the children
at the center (and any others who would like to visit) as a WOYC
"celebrity" reader. Grandparents with their little "charges,"
others who care for children are cordially invited to this very
special story time! In addition, folks who work with and care
for our children and would like to meet Ms. Dichter are very welcome!
On Friday evening, Ms. Dichter is the guest speaker at the Warren-Forest
Child Care Provider/Early Educator Provider Appreciation Dinner.
Her speech is entitled, "Children's Opportunities-Our Responsibilities."
Warren County School District, Forest Area School, Highmark, Blair
Corporation, McDonald's, Penn State Cooperative Extension, Warren
Zonta, Farrah Grotto, and others are co-sponsoring this event.
Child Care providers, pre-k teachers and kindergarten teachers
who have not yet been offered complimentary tickets are invited
to call Kelly Kelley at the CCIS at 726-1361. Saturday, April 9: A no-stops, fun-filled FREE Children's Fair
with more than two dozen area agencies and early care and education
stakeholders are sponsoring hands-on activities for kids is the
bang-up closing event. Attractions include the Warren firefighters
and a fire truck; face painting; KidCare photo ids and fingerprint
kits; Bubble Gum DJ Marty Loomis, Head Start, Keystone Stars,
and Pennsylvania Health Department information; child care provider
art projects; a school readiness info table sponsored by PNC Bank-and
more! Warren Youth Volunteer Corps is assisting the Coalition
at the event at the Jefferson DeFrees Family Center, Second Ave.,
Warren. The fair is free and open to all residents and families
of Warren and Forest counties! Ms. Dichter has expressed her appreciation of the recognition
Warren and Forest agencies and businesses are giving the Week
of the Young Child. "Pennsylvania is building a network of
early care and education that will serve our families and children
in this and future generations. The grassroots, ambitious, collaborative
approaches your community as taken to develop Seamless Education
will serve your children well," she stated. March 23, 2005 Forest County Celebrates Week of the Young Child Events for the Week of the Young Child will begin with a kick-off
celebration, Sunday April 3 form 1-3 pm at Kids' Choice Learning
Center in Marienville. The community is invited to participate
in the FREE and fun official Week of the Young Child. A Forest
County dignitary will be on hand to read an official proclamation.
Children and families are invited to enjoy refreshments and hands-on
activities. Several for-profit businesses will be given Family Friendly Appreciation
Awards by the Warren-Forest Child Care/School Readiness Coalition
and the Warren Forest Economic Opportunity Council. Choice Enterprises
is supplying the refreshments, and many local agencies are offering
information for families. Monday-Friday, April 4-8: "Celebrity" readers will
visit Kids' Choice, Head Start. The pre-k Intermediate classrooms
and our family day care provider homes to read to the children!
The invited readers include the commissioners, Duane Vicini, Forest
Area School District superintendent; Mrs. Cindy Yeagle, Director,
Forest County Assistance Office; Nancy Cherico, Principal, West
Forest Elementary; Mike Hardy, Principal, West Forest High School;
Supt. Raymond J. Sobina, SCI Forest; Robert Raible, Executive
Director Warren-Forest EOC; Roxanne Carifo, Director Warren-Forest
Head Start; Tish Montgomery, Director Warren-Forest CCIS; Farley
Wright, Forest IDC' Ginger Schaffer, Timberwood Realty; Allegheny
National Forest District Ranger Leon Blashock; Joseph C. Collins,
director, Cornell Abraxus; Kathy Culver, Editor, The Forest Press;
The Honorable Paul H. Millin, Judge; District Attorney Barbara
C. Litten; Public Defender Elizabeth Ziegler; Sheriff Robert Wolfgang;
Judith McDaid, Focus on Forest's Future; and Harriet Dichter,
Deputy Secretary, Pennsylvania Office of Child Development. Additional activities for the week include a child care provider/early
educator appreciation dinner at the Russell Elementary School,
Friday April 8 from 6-8 pm. Keynote speaker for the evening will
be Harriet Dichter, Director of the Office of PA Child Development.
A Children's Fun Fair will be held from 10 am - 2 pm at the Jefferson
DeFrees Family Center, 207 Second Street, Warren. A variety of
hands-on activities will be available throughout the day including
face painting, KidCare photo id's and fingerprint kids, Bubblegum
DJ Marty Loomis and information materials for parents. Sponsors for the week include the Zonta Club of Warren, Better
Kid Care, Penn State Cooperative Extension, Warren and Forest
School Districts, WCCBI and Warren-Forest School Readiness Coalition.
For more information or to become involved in the weeklong celebration
contact Warren-Forest EOC Child Care Information Services at 726-1361.
March 23, 2005 EOC, WCCBI, Coalition to Honor Businesses for Family Friendly
Practices If you think supporting child care means starting an on-site
day care, think again" is the message of EOC's Warren-Forest
Child Care/School Readiness Coalition is delivering to the community
this Week of the Young Child, according to Tish Montgomery, the
EOC's Warren-Forest Child Care Information Services director and
Coalition member. "New on-site child care isn't our goal," Montgomery
explained. "We simply believe that by working together we
can make changes, lift awareness about services, and help families
and providers foster school readiness." She said that when
quality child care is readily available, the employee and the
employer win. The Coalition's focus on "community awareness of family
needs in terms of child care and school readiness has been so
significantly supported by these businesses," said Ms. Montgomery.
"Our motto, 'With Quality Child Care, Everybody Wins,' is
truly understood by our local employers. Many of them have gone
out of their way to open doors, to offer collaborations, to partner,
and to help us achieve our goals and tasks. "Providing this Coalition with the resources they need to
help us get all our kids ready for school is a win-win,"
explained Robert Raible, Executive Director of EOC. "Studies
have shown that investments in early care can really positively
impact a community's overall quality of life. Paybacks are incredibly
beneficial and end up saving taxpayers money." "When we began our work, for example, the Warren-Times Observer
helped us administer a community survey by donating a full page
of space. Last year, Ohram Sylvania fund a training collaborative
committee that has helped us to be able to combine training resources
for early education teachers and child care providers. These are
only two examples of the kind of support we have received from
our business community," Montgomery explained. The Coalition recently completed a review of projects, plans
and past accomplishments. "In looking over all that we have
worked toward these past few years, we came to realize that our
employers have really stepped up to the plate. They are interested
in helping us as we work together to address family and child
needs and we are so grateful for that," said Kathy Hurst,
Russell Day Care Center director and Coalition member. "Community
support for school readiness is fundamental to our projects and
work." Hurst said that in addition to the honored businesses, a wide
array of non-profit organizations, school districts, and local
and regional agencies have also supported Coalition efforts. The following for-profit businesses are the winners of the first
Family Friendly Everybody Wins Business Awards: The Times Observer, the Warren Mall, Warren McDonald's Restaurant,
Osram Sylvania, AllSound Recording, Charter Communications, Northwest
Savings Bank, Catering Plus, The Valley Voice, Steppin' Out, Surdevant
Signs, Quality Markets, Bilo, Snyder Memorial, PNC Bank, The House
of Printing, The Warren County Guide, Heaven Scent Florist, Star
104, KDKA 1020, WKSN/WHUG, WJT, Kinzua Broadcasting (WNAE 1310
AM, WRRN 92 Gold - 92.3 FM, and WKNB Kinzua Country 104.3 FM),
WPSB-FM 90.1, WLMI (FM), Beech Tree Broadcasting, The Clarion
News, The Oil City Derrick, WestPAnet Inc, McGraw Hill, Open Court/Pre-K
SRA, Scholastic Books, Allegheny Valley Landscaping, The Bucktail
Restaurant, The Kelly Hotel, The Forest Press, and Baughman's
Market. Awards will be presented to these businesses on Saturday, April
3, in both Warren and Forest Counties at 2 p.m. during the official
Week of the Young Child Kick-Off celebrations. In Warren, the
celebration is at the Jefferson DeFrees Family Center, Second
Avenue, and in Forest, the event is at Kids' Choice Learning Center
in Marienville. The public is cordially invited to attend. March 23, 2005 Local businesses receive awards "If you think supporting child care means starting an on-site
day care, think again" is the message of EOC's Warren-Forest
Child Care/School Readiness Coalition is delivering to the community
this Week of the Young Child, according to Tish Montgomery, the
EOC's Warren-Forest Child Care Information Services director and
Coalition member. "New on-site child care isn't our goal," Montgomery
explained. "We simply believe that by working together we
can make changes, lift awareness about services, and help families
and providers foster school readiness." She said that when
quality child care is readily available, the employee and the
employer win. The Coalition's focus on "community awareness of family
needs in terms of child care and school readiness has been so
significantly supported by these businesses," said Ms. Montgomery.
"Our motto, 'With Quality Child Care, Everybody Wins,' is
truly understood by our local employers. Many of them have gone
out of their way to open doors, to offer collaborations, to partner,
and to help us achieve our goals and tasks. "Providing this Coalition with the resources they need to
help us get all our kids ready for school is a win-win,"
explained Robert Raible, Executive Director of EOC. "Studies
have shown that investments in early care can really positively
impact a community's overall quality of life. Paybacks are incredibly
beneficial and end up saving taxpayers money." "When we began our work, for example, the Warren-Times Observer
helped us administer a community survey by donating a full page
of space. Last year, Ohram Sylvania fund a training collaborative
committee that has helped us to be able to combine training resources
for early education teachers and child care providers. These are
only two examples of the kind of support we have received from
our business community," Montgomery explained. The Coalition recently completed a review of projects, plans
and past accomplishments. "In looking over all that we have
worked toward these past few years, we came to realize that our
employers have really stepped up to the plate. They are interested
in helping us as we work together to address family and child
needs and we are so grateful for that," said Kathy Hurst,
Russell Day Care Center director and Coalition member. "Community
support for school readiness is fundamental to our projects and
work." Hurst said that in addition to the honored businesses, a wide
array of non-profit organizations, school districts, and local
and regional agencies have also supported Coalition efforts. The following for-profit businesses are the winners of the first
Family Friendly Everybody Wins Business Awards: The Times Observer, the Warren Mall, Warren McDonald's Restaurant,
Osram Sylvania, AllSound Recording, Charter Communications, Northwest
Savings Bank, Catering Plus, The Valley Voice, Steppin' Out, Surdevant
Signs, Quality Markets, Bilo, Snyder Memorial, PNC Bank, The House
of Printing, The Warren County Guide, Heaven Scent Florist, Star
104, KDKA 1020, WKSN/WHUG, WJT, Kinzua Broadcasting (WNAE 1310
AM, WRRN 92 Gold - 92.3 FM, and WKNB Kinzua Country 104.3 FM),
WPSB-FM 90.1, WLMI (FM), Beech Tree Broadcasting, The Clarion
News, The Oil City Derrick, WestPAnet Inc, McGraw Hill, Open Court/Pre-K
SRA, Scholastic Books, Allegheny Valley Landscaping, The Bucktail
Restaurant, The Kelly Hotel, The Forest Press, and Baughman's
Market. Awards will be presented to these businesses on Saturday, April
3, in both Warren and Forest Counties at 2 p.m. during the official
Week of the Young Child Kick-Off celebrations. In Warren, the
celebration is at the Jefferson DeFrees Family Center, Second
Avenue, and in Forest, the event is at Kids' Choice Learning Center
in Marienville. The public is cordially invited to attend. March 22, 2005 Week of Young Child April 3-9 It's big news to area educators: Deputy Secretary Harriet Dichter
is coming to town and will be visiting both Warren and Forest
counties, before providing the keynote address at an appreciation
dinner for early childhood educators Friday, April 8. Dichter was appointed by Pennsylvania Secretary of Public Welfare
Estelle B. Richman to direct the new Office of Child Development-an
initiative that links the Department of Public Welfare and the
Department of Education-in September 2004. She works to ensure
coordinated leadership on children's issues and to raise the priority
level concerning issues of child development, early care and education. The formation of this office with Deputy Secretary Dichter at
its helm is "a major victory for early childhood education
in Pennsylvania," Richman stated. "We have struggled
for years with oversight of early care and education divided among
so many different state entities. We now, for the first time,
have a single Commonwealth office devoted exclusively to the needs
of young children." "I am delighted to have been invited to visit Warren and
Forest counties to help celebrate the Week of the Young Child.
The efforts of the local coalition are commendable and valuable.
I am honored to have been invited," Ms. Dichter said. She accepted the invitation to help Warren and Forest Counties
mark the Week of the Child by attending many local events, including
the keynote address at EOC's Warren-Forest Child Care/School Readiness
Coalition's Provider Appreciation Dinner on Friday, April 8. The week's full schedule includes these events: Saturday, April 2: A pre-Week of the Young Child celebration
is set for the Warren Mall. Sponsored by the Warren Kiwanis, the
Local Interagency Coordinating Council, and many other area agencies,
this event is a family-friendly celebration that will offer the
public a wide array of information relevant to caring for and
educating young children. It is free and open to the public. Sunday, April 3, 2 p.m.: Simultaneous kick-off celebrations are
occurring in Warren and Forest Counties. Mayor Mark Phillips will
read the official proclamation in Warren at the Jefferson DeFrees
Family Center, 207 Second Avenue. Representative Kathy Rapp will
begin the weeklong celebrity reading series by reading a story
to young children. Several for-profit businesses will be given
Family Friendly Everybody Wins Awards by the Coalition, the Warren
Chamber of Business and Industry, and the Warren-Forest County
Economic Opportunity Council. In addition, the 40th anniversary
of Head Start will be recognized. Refreshments have been donated
by Thom's Bi-Lo. Forest County's kick-off is at Kid's Choice Learning
Center in Marienville and is open to the public. Sponsors include
Choice Enterprises, Forest Area School District, Forest County
Assistance Office, and the EOC's Warren-Forest Child Care Information
Services. Monday-Friday April 4-8, 10 a.m. and 1 p.m.: "Celebrity"
readers will visit Warren and Forest child care centers, Head
Start classrooms, kindergartens, IU pre-K classrooms and family
child care homes to read to children twice a day! More than 70
local readers have been invited to participate. The readers include
business owners, CEOs, politicians, executive directors of agencies,
church pastors, library directors, and many, many others! Friday, April 8: Dichter will attend a luncheon meeting of the
Warren-Forest School Readiness Coalition, read to children as
a celebrity reader at the Jefferson DeFrees Family Center; read
to children as the celebrity reader at Kid's Choice in Marienville;
attend a pre-dinner Education Policy session with school district
officials, Head Start, and CCIS, and speak at the Provider Appreciation
Dinner. Her speech is entitled, "Children's Opportunities-Our
Responsibilities." Warren County School District, McDonald's,
Penn State Cooperative Extension, Zonta Club of Warren, Farrah
Grotto, the WCCBI, and others are co-sponsoring this event. Child
Care providers, pre-K teachers who have not yet been offered complimentary
tickets are invited to call Kelly Kelley at the CCIS at 726-1361.
Saturday, April 9: A no-stops, fun-filled FREE Children's Fair
with more than two dozen area agencies and early care and education
stakeholders are sponsoring hands-on activities for kids is the
bang-up closing event. Attractions include the Warren firefighters
and a fire truck; face painting; KidCare photo id's and fingerprint
kits; Bubblegum DJ Marty Loomis; Head Start, Keystone Stars, and
Pennsylvania Health Department information; child care provider
art projects; a school readiness info table sponsored by PNC Bank-and
more! Warren Youth Volunteer Corps is assisting the Coalition
at the event at the Jefferson DeFrees Family Center. The fair
is free and open to the public! Dichter has expressed her appreciation of the recognition Warren
and Forest agencies and businesses are giving to the Week of the
Young Child. "Pennsylvania is building a network of early
care and education that will serve our families and children in
this and future generations. The grassroots, ambitious, collaborative
approaches your community has taken to develop Seamless Education
will serve your children well," she stated. Dichter is a policy advisor for the Pennsylvania Department of
Education and has been instrumental in launching Pennsylvania
BUILD. Pennsylvania is one of only five states selected to participate
in this nation initiative which focuses on Building an Early Childhood
Education & Care Professional Development System. Pennsylvania
officially began participating in the national BUILD initiative
in August 2003 and it made substantial progress in key priority
areas through December 2004. Specifically, Harriet Dichter has
had a leading role in: Development of the Governor's Early Learning Team as the state
interdisciplinary team to lead and coordinate the Commonwealth
work on early learning; Establishment of the Early Learning Standards for pre-kindergarten
children as the first step in establishing standards for birth-age
8 across all settings; Creation of the DPW Office of Child Development; Surveying of professional development needs for early learning
programs, culminating in the creation of a new professional development
system; Exploration of financing need which resulted in increased subsidy
reimbursement rates such that the ceiling rates for all counties
are now at least between the 50th and 55th percentile; and Addressing of a number of other issues related to developing
a comprehensive early learning system, such as improvements to
Keystone STARS, increased funding for Head Start, and the use
of the Education Accountability Block Grants for early childhood
initiatives. Dichter is the co-author of Financing Child Care in the United
States: An Expanded Catalogue of Current Strategies (2001). She
is a former Children's Policy Director for the City of Philadelphia.
She also served as deputy director at the Philadelphia Citizens
for Children and Youth, an independent children's public policy
and advocacy organization. In that capacity, she leads the public
policy and advocacy work for Child Care Matters. She previously
served as program officer for The Pew Charitable Trusts, where
she worked closely on issues of child care policy and financing;
directed the Maternal and Child Health Office of the Philadelphia
Department of Public Health, and worked as a legal services attorney.
She is a graduate of Yale University and the University of Pennsylvania. March 16, 2005 Plans Underway for Week of the Young Child Celebration Planning is underway for the "Week of the Young Child"
celebration to be held in Warren and Forest counties April 3-9.
The Week of the Young Child is a time to ensure that children
experience the type of early environment-at home, at child care,
at Head Start, at school, and in the community-that will promote
their early learning. Members of the committee, along with Julie
Hamilton and Andrew Egger are shown reviewing plans for the week-long
celebration. Activities will include a kick-off celebration and
inviting local celebrities to read to children in preschools,
child care centers, Head Start, and schools. An appreciation dinner
for early childhood educators will be held on Friday, April 8,
beginning at 6 p.m. Harriet Dichter, director of the Office of
Pennsylvania Child Development, will be the keynote speaker. She
works to ensure coordinated leadership on children's issues and
to raise the priority level concerning issues of child development,
early care and education. On Saturday, April 9, the Jefferson
DeFrees Family Center will host a Children's Fun Fair from 10
a.m. until 2 p.m. Children will participate in hands-on activities
while parents learn about community resources for children. For
more information about the fun fair or to participate call the
JD Family Center at 723-6350. March 10, 2005 Week of the Young Child Planning is underway for the "Week of the Young Child"
celebration to be held in Warren and Forest counties April 3-9.
The Week of the Young Child is a time to ensure that children
experience the type of early environment-at home, at child care,
at Head Start, at school, and in the community-that will promote
their early learning. Members of the committee, along with Julie
Hamilton and Andrew Egger are shown reviewing plans for the week-long
celebration. Activities will include a kick-off celebration and
inviting local celebrities to read to children in preschools,
child care centers, Head Start, and schools. An appreciation dinner
for early childhood educators will be held on Friday, April 8,
beginning at 6 p.m. Harriet Dichter, director of the Office of
Pennsylvania Child Development, will be the keynote speaker. She
works to ensure coordinated leadership on children's issues and
to raise the priority level concerning issues of child development,
early care and education. On Saturday, April 9, the Jefferson
DeFrees Family Center will host a Children's Fun Fair from 10
a.m. until 2 p.m. Children will participate in hands-on activities
while parents learn about community resources for children. For
more information about the fun fair or to participate call the
JD Family Center at 723-6350. March 10, 2005 Programs awarded funds Warren County has been chosen to receive $13,855 to supplement
emergency food and shelter programs. The selection was made by the national board that is chaired
by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). A panel of
local representatives will determine how the funds will be distributed
among the emergency food and shelter programs run by local service
organizations. Public and private voluntary organizations interested in applying
for Emergency Food and Shelter Program funds must contact Robert
Raible at 726-2400, extension 3021 for an application. The deadline
for applications is March 18. March 9, 2005 Funding Awarded to Warren-Forest Counties Economic Opportunity
Council Rep. Kathy Rapp (R-Warren) and Sen. Mary Jo White (R-Forest)
have announced that the Warren-Forest Counties Economic Opportunity
Council (EOC) has been awarded a grant from the Department of
Community and Economic Development (DCED) totaling $54,750 under
the Family Savings Account Program. "For nearly 40 years the Economic Opportunity Council has
been working hard within our communities to mobilize resources
to help thousands of our neighbors throughout Warren and Forest
Counties become self-sufficient and offer invaluable information
assistance to numerous others," said Rapp. "I am confident
that this funding will provide the EOC with even more opportunities
to move forward with its mission of helping people and changing
lives." Savings accumulated through the Family Savings Account program
enables participants at the end of two years to finance a $50,000
home, tuition at a Pennsylvania community college, or provide
equity in a business or assist in obtaining a loan. "Promoting economic independence is always important,"
said White. "The Family Savings Account Program goes beyond
that by providing not only the funds but the education to help
residents strive for the own betterment and that of the community
as well." March 5, 2005 Funding awarded to Warren-Forest EOC The Warren-Forest Economic Opportunity Council (EOC) has been
awarded a grant from the Department of Community and Economic
Development (DCED) totaling $54,750 under the Family Savings Account
Program, according to Rep Kathy Rapp (R-Warren) and Sen. Mary
Jo White (R-Forest). The Family Savings Account program is designed to promote economic
self sufficiency for lower-income Pennsylvanians through specialized
education, counseling and structured savings plans. These savings
can be used to help finance the purchase of a new home, pay for
education expenses, day care to enable job training, start a new
business or other activities with the approval of DCED. Savings accumulated through the Family Savings Account program
enables participants at the end of two years to finance a $50,000
home, tuition at a Pennsylvania community college, or provide
equity in a business or assist in obtaining a loan. March 1, 2005 *** The funds will be used to provide an average of $2,500 in assistance
for roughly families, said [Commissioner John] Bortz. The motion
to request the funds will be acted upon at next week's meeting. News Release EOC reminds low-income residents to apply
for energy assistance programs Congress urged to increase funding for winter
energy help Warren, PA, 11/5 - With cold weather tightening its grip and
heating costs on the rise, the Warren-Forest Counties Economic
Opportunity Council (EOC) reminds area low-income residents
help is available and urges Congress to pass increased funding
when they return to Washington, D.C. "The northeast accounts for 90 percent of the home-heating
oil used in the United States," Raible said. "With skyrocketing
home heating costs and a colder-than-normal and lengthy winter
projected, demand for the funding will be high." A federally funded program, LIHEAP monies for Fiscal Year 2005
have yet to be allocated. The House-passed LIHEAP funding is at
$2.2 billion. An additional $22 million to be shared with another
program was also allocated for the program. The Senate will continue
consideration of the bill when Congress returns to session Nov.
16. Pennsylvania does not have a state program to augment the
assistance provided by LIHEAP. "When LIHEAP as we know it began in 1982, Congress provided
$1.87 billion in funding," Raible said. "Congress is
considering $2.2 billion in funding for 2005 while cost of living
has increased 102 percent during that same period. We need Congress
to fully fund this vital program and even consider provide additional
monies for our neighbors in need." "Our low-income seniors, families and disabled cannot be
left out in the cold," Raible said. In celebration of the Week of the Young Child, April 18-24, the
Warren-Forest EOC's Child Care/School Readiness Coalition
is honoring Warren County School District, Forest Area School
District and two distinct administrators with its annual Partnership
Awards. This year, the Week of the Young Child, "is a time to recognize
that children's opportunities are our responsibilities, and to
recommit ourselves to ensuring that each and every child experiences
the type of early environment - at home, at child care, at school,
and in the community - that will promote their early learning,"
according to organizers at National Association of Young Children. Rosemarie Green, WCSD supervisor of federal programs, and Duane
Vocini, Forest Area Superintendent, are the individual recipients,
honored for their "willingness to promote and advance community
awareness of child care and school readiness issues by active
participation and leadership." "These people and are schools are true partners. Duane and
Rosemarie are dedicated members of our region's public school
system. They have worked very hard to welcome early care and education
providers by sharing school readiness information, supporting
coalition projects and trainings, and generally just paving the
way for good things to grow," said Tish Montgomery, CCIS
director and coalition member. Vincini has helped the group focus on employer outreach, technological
networking, Act 48 coordination of credit, and other coalition
strategies and plans. "He has the absolute best wishes for
the families and children of Forest County in his heart and mind.
He knows and understands that quality child care helps children
get ready for school, and he is dedicated to helping that happen,"
said Cindy Yaegle, Forest County Assistance Office executive director
and coalition member. Forest Area School District has offered space and technology
sharing, Forest Area Partnership formation, as well as school
readiness collaboration. Green helped support and shape the Warren Partnership for Seamless
Education, a 10-member community think tank with a hands-on neighborhood
focus. In addition, she has opened the door and led the way for
Warren County literacy collaboration by advocating the sharing
of the district's reading program, Open Court, with area child
care providers. "Rosemarie understands the recent findings
in early brain development research compels all of us to share
resources, knowledge, goals, and strategies," said Barbara
White, R.N.C., of the Warren State Health Center and coalition
member. Montgomery said the individual recipients are "giving, dedicated,
professional creative and generous resources for our coalition
and our regional community." The school districts and "these administrators are exemplary
models of how districts can and should interact, support and collaborate
with a community's early care and education system. The prototype
that these folks have built in Warren and Forest counties could
serve as a pilot for other projects anywhere in the state,"
said Robert Raible, EOC's Executive Director. Commissioners Say Time is Key to Development * * * [Commissioner David] Bauer said the Warren Anthems project has
been a goal of the Warren-Forest Economic Opportunity Council
for several years to provide housing for people "really in
need." Penn State Cooperative Extension agent Phyllis Wright is the
recipient of the 2004 Warren-Forest Child Care/School Readiness
Special Recognition Award. "Phyllis Wright is a real pro. She makes every effort to
network, share, and facilitate the efforts of our coalition as
we work to address child care and school readiness needs,"
said Tish Montgomery, EOC's Warren-Forest Child Care Information
Services director and Coalition member. "If there is
a way to get something done, Phyllis is ready to help find it." The coalition issued Wright its first appreciation award at a
special luncheon on March 23 at the Livery Street Café.
Cindy Yaegle, Forest County CAO executive director, a member
of the coalition's nominating committee, said, "Our award
to Phyllis was by unanimous decision. There was simply no discussion.
Phyllis Wright is a credit to our entire regional community as
we all work to share resources, professional insight and knowledge.
The coalition extends to her our congratulations and our sincere
thanks." Other members of the committee included Kelly Kelley, CCIS
referral specialist; Randy Teska, Warren County Assistance
office supervisor; Rev. David Leininger, EOC board and
pastor of First Presbyterian; Kit Jaskiewicz, CHIP outreach educator;
and John Bowler, Children and Youth, Warren County Department
of Human Services. George Wilcox, County Executive director, said that he and Wright's
co-workers value her veteran experience and enthusiastic work
ethic. "Phyllis is firmly committed to families and children, something
we all recognize and value at Warren's Penn State Cooperative
Extension. We are very pleased for her, and we are not at all
surprised. She deserves the recognition." The coalition is the region's Early Care & Education Committee
and is sponsored by the Warren-Forest EOC. It will award
this year's community partnership awards during the Week of the
Young Child, April 18-24. Income eligible persons can have their savings matched up to
$2,000 over a two-year period by the state of Pennsylvania. The Warren Forest Economic Opportunity Council will hold
an informational open house at 6 p.m. Tuesday, March 23, at 1209
Pennsylvania Ave. W. for anyone interested in opening a Family
Savings Account. For more information, call the EOC at 726-2400, extension 3030. In collaborative effort to facilitate school and reading readiness,
the EOC's Warren-Forest Child Care/School Readiness Coalition
has purchased and is giving away components of a research-driven,
highly respected pre-k reading program that has direct connection
to Warren County kindergartens and elementary classrooms. The Coalition, sponsored by Warren Partnership for Seamless Education
and the Coordinated Training Committee, developed a project that
will help child care providers, preschool teachers and others
to lay the groundwork for literacy, said Tish Montgomery,
the EOC's Child Care Information Services Director. "When we asked Warren County School District to help us
understand their reading program and to weight whether or not
it would be beneficial to involve child care providers, we were
given immediate professional advise and support" by Rosemary
Green, supervisor for WCSD federal programs and curriculum; Ann
Buerkle, Market Street principal; and Warren kindergarten teachers
Lisa Steffy and Linda Gilson, Montgomery said. The Open Court Reading Program has been in use in Warren County
schools for several years. The company's pre-k program introduces
younger children to the same phonemic awareness. According to a paper by Marilyn Jager Adams of the Harvard University
Graduate School of Education, "For 40 years, Open Court Reading
has steadfastly structured its curriculum on the strongest lessons
research could offer. For 40 years, as literacy research has grown
in power and scope, Open Court Reading has been augmented and
tuned or changed accordingly. For 40 years, Open Court Reading
has demonstrated that lessons based on tested, research-based
practices get results. Over and over, the achievement of students
who have been taught with Open Court Reading has been shown to
be exceptional on state-mandated tests, national standardized
tests, district tests, and a host of more specific measures." The use of Open Court pre-k flashcards "in early learning
environments is incredibly important to our teachers," said
Green. "If a kindergartner can walk into his new classroom
and see similar graphics and characters he met in preschool or
in child care, that child has an immediate connection. That is
an immediate plus for the child and the kindergarten teacher." "Continuity in education, especially in reading, is very
important for children. In our modern day life of multiple transitions
and busy-ness, anything that we can give to kids that will help
them transition from their pre-kindergarten experience into school
is a magnificent plan," said Roxanne Carifo, the EOC's
Warren Forest Head Start Director. Coalition member Susan Anderson, assistant director of the Jefferson
DeFrees Family Center, said the support from the district has
been significantly appreciated by area providers. "The Warren
County child care community is very excited about this project." Osram Sylvania funded the effort with a $2,000 grant. The funding
was used to purchase one complete program and 30 sets of sound/alphabet
cards, which have been distributed for free to area providers.
Warren-Forest Head Start partnered with the purchase of reading
strips that were distributed with each set of cards. The strips
are used to set up literacy centers in preschools and child care
settings. Penn State Cooperative Extension Better Kid Care offered a training
session led by Steffy, Gilson and Phyllis Wright, Penn State Cooperative
Extension agent, this past week. Thirty-six providers attended
the 2-hour session. Miss Wright said the information and training
led by the kindergarten teachers "gives our child care providers
an open door to understanding early literacy. Their professional
sharing is of great significance to us." The Coalition and numerous guests attended a meeting with a reading
consultant from Open Court this past week. "We have many
plans - more Penn State/PA Pathways training sessions, more card
and materials purchases, and more community networking,"
said Montgomery. The coalition is seeking funding for the purchase of more materials,
including cards. Contact Montgomery at 726-2400, ext. 3018, for
more information. Land Deal Paperwork Wrapped Up * * * Groundbreaking is planned for this summer, said Raible. County grants administrator Lori Dunlap said the $50,000 will
come from the county's Act 137 trust fund. The fund uses fees
collected on deeds and mortgage transactions to support programs
such as housing rehabilitation and first-time homebuyer assistance. Dunlap said of the EOC housing, "This is a perfect project"
to utilize the fund. Open Court. School Readiness. It's not legal jargon. It's a method of teaching language and
reading skills to preschoolers and kindergartners, according to
Phyllis Wright, Warren County Cooperative Extension educator.
Lisa Steffey of Market Street School and Linda Gilson of Jefferson
Street School will show home and center based child care providers,
Head Start aides, school aides and preschool teachers how to teach
preschoolers to recognize letters and their sounds, print letters
and begin to read. Thanks to a grant from OSRAM, each site will
receive Open Court Cards that are used for these learning skills.
The session will be held from 6:30 to 8:30 Wednesday, February
18, at Market Street School, 120 Market St. Warren. Steffey and Gilson will also teach motions and games to reinforce
the literacy and language skills. They will describe the Dibles
test given to determine literacy and language levels of a kindergarten
child. There will be a checklist for school readiness and hints
on organizing folders with games for literacy learning activities. To register, contact Warren County Cooperative Extension, 609
Rouse Ave. Youngsville, call 563-7288, or fax 563-7288. Cost will
be $5 per person. The deadline is Feb. 13 or the first 25 persons
who have paid registration. Those having a Warren County School
District Act 48 account will receive two hours. Pennsylvania Pathways
DPW will issue 2 credits. This school readiness program is sponsored by Pennsylvania Pathways,
Warren County Cooperative Extension, the Warren Forest EOC's
Child Care/School Readiness Coalition and the EOC's Warren
Forest Child Care Information Services. February 6, 2004 The state has earmarked $7,000 for five Warren County residents
enrolled in a special savings program offered by the Warren-Forest
Counties Economic Opportunity Council (EOC). The Economic Opportunity Council's Family Savings Account Program
will match up to $2,000 over a specified period of time for the
first qualified 50 savers. According to the EOC staff, there's more state-matching money
and savings slots available before the June 30, 2004 enrollment
deadline. Five Warren County savers have already combined to save over
$1,200 in the first year of the program. Their savings plans,
once completed, could garner over a combined $7,000 match. Their
savings goals include saving for a new home and a job-related
auto purchase. Qualifying individuals or families can earn a dollar-for-dollar
match on a special savings plan offered by Warren County's Community
Action Agency, which is the Economic Opportunity Council in both
Warren and Forest Counties. The Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development
(DCED) awarded the EOC $100,000 in 2003 to match savings deposits
for a five-year program. The program is designed to encourage
financial responsibility and build community assets. Once matched, the savings must be used for one of several pre-approved
goals, including the purchase of a home, repair of an existing
home, post-secondary education, starting or expanding a business
or buying a car to get to work. At this time, only five local savers have enrolled since the
program opened a year ago. Individuals or families making 200 percent or less of federal
poverty income levels must agree to put at least $10 a week into
a savings account program for one or two years. Deposits may be
made weekly, monthly or quarterly. By enrolling, clients can earn up to $1,000 match in year one
and a $1,000 match in year two adding up to a $2,000 match for
$2,000 saved in two years. In addition to working toward one of the pre-approved goals for
using the money, clients must attend four Family Savings Account
economic workshops over their enrollment period and complete the
entire program before accessing the matching money. For information, call the EOC at 726-2400 and ask for a Family
Savings Account case manager. Lawmakers Secure $729,813 Grant People with chronic illness in need of housing and low-income
families having a hard time paying heating bills will get a boost
from a $729,813 grant announced Wednesday by state lawmakers representing
Warren and Forest counties. The Department of Community and Economic Development award will
fund a newly constructed eight-unit housing project in Warren
County for individuals with chronic illness. That grant for $295,652
comes along with $434,161 to both counties to minimize the adverse
effects of high-energy costs on low-income families, to be administered
by Warren-Forest Counties Economic Opportunity Council.
The awards garnered by state Rep. Jim Lynch, state Sen. Mary
Jo White and state Sen. Joe Scarnati, "demonstrates the success
of two counties working together to improve our communities,"
White said Lynch said the grants "will be put to good use improving
the lives of the less fortunate." Scarnati agreed, saying,
"It makes all the hard work worth it when I see people in
my district who need it most." |
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Warren -Forest Counties Economic Opportunity Council 1209 Pennsylvania Avenue West · Warren, PA 16365 814.726.2400 · 800.231.1797 E-Mail: eoc@wfcaa.org Copyright © 2002 |
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