Volunteer Experience

This week I was involved in several components of my volunteer experience. I was in the classroom and it was more productive than in past weeks. The children were calmer and the teacher was able to implement learning sessions. One student was sent home because of behavioral problems. I was able to work one on one with the students who are struggling. There were 3 of these students. We sat at a separate table and I did the same learning activity with them. At times it was difficult because they had a short attention span. I had to keep redirecting them back to the activity. I am trying to learn innovative ways to do this such as guiding with counting blocks. Many of these children cannot write their numbers and I have been trying to give them easy ways to do this. I also have been working with the lead Kindergarten teacher on my CAP project. They have so many needs and I will continue to work with her.
Robin

Head Start Committee Meeting

I attended the meeting for the Brevard County Head Start program. This was the first time since last September and we are in desperate need of community involvment for providing health and nutrition wellness for our at risk population. In order to attain this we need to implement a plan that will draw the interest of our local pediatric healthcare community. As a committee we tried to collaborate ideas with the program manager to help him be successful in gaining this support and moving forward. Last year it seemed we had more support and the program was gaining ground but at present we are going backwards. This needs to be resolved for health and welfare of our at risk children and families. We had some excellent ideas and are moving forward with them.

This week I will be attending a meeting for our local chapter of Head Start. I am a member of the Health Services Advisory Committee. We are a resource for organizations to establish, maintain and advance health care needs of the community. We have 2 main concerns for the children. One is dental care. It is so important for the children to get dental care early but the problem we have been addressing is the parents or caregivers responsibility in getting them to their appointments. At one time we had a van pick them up but with funding and insurance issues this had to be deleted. It was also expressed that the parent needs to take some responsibility in getting their child to the appointment. Another concern is nutrition. Head Start has a nutritionist on staff and works within the community for school lunches ect. This will be our first meeting since last August. I am hoping that we are moving forward and the children are benefiting from these services.