December 2006
WCPFS AWARDED $3M GRANT, LAUNCHES NEW “SPIRALS” PROGRAM
Waldo County Preschool and Family Services has been awarded a $3 million grant from the federal Early Reading First Program. This is the second ERF grant for WCPFS, following a $2 million award in 2002, the program's inaugural year. The agency is one of only three ERF-1 grantees nationwide to receive a second round of funding, and its early reading initiative in the mid-coast has been hailed as a national model. Through its first ERF grant, WCPFS guided hundreds of children in developing crucial literacy skills. With this new grant, the agency plans to bring these benefits to hundreds more over the next three years, and—through SPIRALS' curriculum- and professional-development initiatives—to many more into the future. Click here for full press release.
November 2006
WCPFS awarded United Mid-Coast Charities grant!
Waldo County Preschool & Family Services receives a $32,000 donation from United Mid-Coast Charities! The funds, received October 31, will support high quality, affordable childcare and early education for low-income and at-risk infants, toddlers and preschoolers attending Early Childhood Programs in Belfast , Searsport, Unity and Rockland , Maine. Click here for more info.
October 2006
WOW- we are REALLY growing!
Waldo County Preschool & Family Services announces the following new positions serving Knox and Waldo County families beginning October 2006:
Assistant Executive Director, SPIRALS Project Coordinator, SPIRALS Curriculum Coordinator, SPIRALS Project Assistant, Intensive Reuinification Supervisor, Intensive Reunification Workers (2), Children's Case Manager,
Community Relations Coordinator, Developmental Therapist,
Day Habilitation Field Supervisor and more.
Be part of a vibrant team of professionals working to make a real difference
in the lives of children and families.
Great working environment, competitive salary and comprehensive benefits.
Please click here for full details.
Waldo County Preschool & Family Services in the News
Waldo County Preschool & Family Services Executive Director,
Ruth Southworth, is featured in the current issue
University of Maine Alumni Magazine!
SPIRALS
Supporting Preschoolers In Reading and Language Success
Waldo County Preschool & Family Services (WCPFS) is thrilled to announce- SPIRALS-
an exciting new Early Reading First project that will enrich children’s preschool experience at centers in Knox and Waldo County.
SPIRALS will build confidence and strong pre-reading skills to ensure that children enter kindergarten ready for a lifetime of success. SPIRALS is a collaborative project of WCPFS, its Mid-Coast Children’s Services program and Waldo County Head Start.
For more information, please contact Deb Hensley, acting Project Director at 338-2200 Ext 112.
A MESSAGE FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, RUTH SOUTHWORTH
Dear Parents,
If your child is 3, 4 or 5 years of age and enrolled in our program, he/she is about to embark upon the opportunity of a lifetime! The federal government, through a competitive application
process, has chosen Waldo County Preschool & Family Services (WCPFS) as one of only 32 programs nationwide to receive an Early Reading First (ERF) Literacy and Language grant. ERF funds are given to only the finest classrooms in the country to provide these remarkable programming opportunities. This ERF project, entitled SPIRALS, is a unique collaboration between WCPFS, its Mid-Coast Children’s Services program and Waldo County Head Start.
During the months ahead, we will be enriching your child’s language and literacy development through the highest quality activities you’ll find anywhere. We guarantee the program will be wrapped in a developmentally appropriate curriculum full of fun, challenge, new adventures and excitement. The end result will be that your child will develop a love for learning and readiness skills that will carry with him/her into kindergarten.
We will keep you informed about your child’s classroom experiences. We’re sure that you will begin to see amazing progress. Congratulations on choosing the WCPFS SPIRALS Program. We are so excited to share these next few months with you and your child.
Sincerely,
Ruth Sourthworth
WCPFS Executive Director
September 2006
Taste of Waldo County & Annual Auction an Overwhelming Success!
This year's Taste of Waldo County was the best ever. The event raised almost $18,000 for crucial services for at-risk children and families in Waldo County. Over two hundred people attended. Thank you to all of our supporters including our event's generous sponsors: Camden National Bank, County Copy, Moss Inc., Village Soup Citizen, Atlantic Insurance & Benefits, Belfast Pediatrics, Jaret & Cohn Real Estate, MacLeod Furniture, R.K. Lindell & Company, TD Banknorth, Viking Inc.
July 2006
Mark your calendars today for Wednesday, September 13th!
Taste of Waldo County & Annual Auction
Be sure to join us at the Blue Goose Center in Northport on Wednesday, September 13th for our Third Annual Taste of Waldo County and Fabulous Auction.
The festivities will begin at 5:30 PM . For more information, or to purchase tickets, call 338-2200. Tickets are $25 and include wonderful selections from over twenty fine area restaurants.
Please visit our event sponsors (below) and let them know you appreciate their support for Waldo County Preschool & Family Services.
Gold Level Sponsor
Camden National Bank
Silver Level Sponsors
County Copy
Moss Inc
Village Soup Citizen
Bronze Level Sponsors
Atlantic Insurance & Benefits
Belfast Pediatrics
Jaret & Cohn Real Estate
MacLeod Furniture
R.K. Lindell & Company
TD Banknorth
Viking Inc.
March 2006
UMaine Study: Early Reading First increases kindergarten readiness
Early Reading First has made a difference for children and families in Waldo County, according to the University of Maine Center for Research and Evaluation's (CRE) recent Kindergarten Screening De-Segregation Study. CRE analyzed data for kindergarten students in SAD 34, comparing scores of children in Early Reading First to the entire group screened. The results exceeded expectations.
"When compared to the entire group screened for kindergarten, children who had attended Early Reading First classes scored 0.933 points higher," said UMaine researcher Brian Doore. "… This is especially significant as this means the ERF children's scores are coming in above the kindergarten population, and because ERF is targeted to serve at-risk children, the expectation would be for (ERF children) to score lower." Full press release
This Month's Training and Support Opportunities for Families and Professionals
For Families
March 8th Monthly Support Group for Parents of Children with Special Needs
(2nd Wednesday each month, 6- 7:30 PM. Call for location.)
This month's topic: Supporting your child in a successful transition to kindergarten
For more information: Please contact Kate Quinn Finlay (kquinnfinlay@wcpfs.org) at 338-2200 ext. 103 or Cindy Seekins (GEAR Parent Network) at 1-800-264-9224 for more information.
For Professionals
March 22 Emotional & Behavioral Difficulties of Children: Helping Families Cope
8 AM to noon at Belfast Free Libray Presenter: Carrie Horne of NAMI Maine
Click here for full workshop description and registration details.
APRIL 1, 2006**19th ANNUAL CHILD AND PARENT DAY** APRIL 1, 2006
Save the Date 
Save the Date
Child and Parent Day will be celebrated on Saturday, April 1st at the Waldo County YMCA from 10 am to 2 pm with craft making, movement activities and good food for all. No admission charge, just plan to come and have fun. For more information, contact Patrick Walsh at 338-2200 Ext 109.
February 2006
Fabulous Food Fare Raises $46,000 for Early Childhood Programming in Knox County
This year's 20th annual Fabulous Food Fare and Silent Auction was the best ever!
Over 400 people attended and almost $46,000 was raised to support programs for young children at Mid-Coast Children's Services' Rockland center. Thank you to the scores of hard-working volunteers, restaurants and auction donors for making this year's event a rousing success!
January 2006
February 8th -- Save the Date!
Fabulous Food Fare and Silent Auction
at the Samoset Resort
Tickets are $45.00 per person and are available by contacting
Mid-Coast Children's Services' office at 594-8474.
Mid-Coast Children's Services' 20th Annual Fabulous Food Fare and Silent Art Auction will be held on Wednesday, February 8 from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the Samoset Resort in Rockport. This event is not only the agency's largest annual fundraiser, but over the past 20 years it has become a Valentine's Day season tradition in mid-coast Maine.
MCCS, a program of Waldo County Preschool & Family Services, is a private, nonprofit provider of preschool and social service programs for children (birth through age seven) with special needs and their families. Based in Rockland , MCCS also welcomes and serves many typically developing children in its inclusive pre-school environment. All funds raised at the Fabulous Food Fare will be used for programs and services at the Rockland facility. (Click here for more information and full press release.)
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What do you do when your child nags or cries? How do you react when your child hits other children? Are you doing all the thinking for your child? Consider another option…
New Parent Training Beginning This Month
Teaching Young Children How to Resolve Everyday Conflicts and Get Along with Others:
A parent training series using the successful “Raising a Thinking Child” program by Dr. Myrna Shure. Enrollment limited to 15 parents. Children's program available with pre-registration. Snacks provided.
- Who: Parents of children aged 3-6 years
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- What: A parent training program proven to be successful
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- Where: Belfast Methodist Church Fellowship Hall on Mill Lane
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- When: Thursdays, 6-8 PM
- January 26th , February 2nd , 9th and 16th
- with follow-up sessions on March 9th and 16th
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For More Information or to Register: Contact Patrick Walsh at 338-2200 Ext. 109 or pwalsh@wcpfs.org.
Please visit this link for a full press release.This project is supported by a grant from the Juvenile Justice Advisory Group.
