1 PASSAIC FAMILY HEAD START, Inc.

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Passaic Family Head Start, Inc. Annual Report

PASSAIC FAMILY HEAD START, Inc.

Annual Report 2014

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Passaic Family Head Start, Inc.

Annual Report 2014

Board of Directors

Rev. Juan Colon, President Michael Shafrin, Vice President Waynet Ramos, Secretary Margie Semler, Treasurer Ray Carrera Maribel Roman Mildred Ventura Thomas Kobylarz Carol Rossmer Theodore Kyles Derek Rue

Dr. Lillian M. Ramos, Executive Director Mrs. Robin Nayda Burgos, Program Director

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Report of the Director Passaic Family Head Start, Inc. has built its reputation for excellence throughout all of its varied programming. High quality is seen throughout the education, health, special needs, social services, nutrition, food services, administration, maintenance, home visiting and collaboration components. Our commitment is seen in the joy of our students and the satisfaction of our parents. It is a testament of our success when parents enroll their younger children and refer other family members and friends to our program. Passaic Family Head Start, Inc. is at the forefront of providing outstanding quality education to its students and services to the families of Passaic. The school year 2013 marked the completion of 40 years of service to the community and family of Passaic. In 1974, the Passaic Family Head Start, Inc. opened its doors to 30 children from the city of Passaic. In 2013 we served 255 children within three sites (Highland, Third and Aspen) and one collaboration. Our families are all from the lowest economic strata within the city - all are below the Federal Poverty guidelines. Average monthly enrollment was 255. We strive to be at 100% enrollment every month and have been successful at maintaining that level of service. The program has a total of 14 classes which run for 10 months. Children’s Day Nursery, our collaborative partner has 3 classes with 45 Head Start children. 100% of eligible children were served during 2013. Children receive screenings throughout the year consisting of hearing, vision, dental, podiatric and chiropractic. Parents are given assistance with applying for NJ Kid Care medical insurance and are assisted with finding a medical and dental home for their children. Children’s immunizations are checked to make sure they are up to date. Parents also receive a myriad of services through our Social Services component. Parents are informed of program services, services available within the community and family/parenting programs and activities available to them. Information regarding literacy programs within the program and community is also provided, along with an array of workshops throughout the year. All of the children served received medical and dental exams and were found to have a medical and dental home. Children with known special needs as well as those that demonstrate a need to be evaluated are provided with services on site and referrals as needed. School Readiness Goals were implemented this year with the input of the teaching staff, Education Advisory Committee and parents. These goals are being reviewed and aggregated 4 times a year and are implemented throughout the year. The goals will be revised on an as needed basis. Individualized goals are formulated by teachers for each child and are reflected in the method which the teacher utilizes to help the child achieve and meet the goals. School Readiness Goals, along with our transition process into Kindergarten, make it a smooth process for the child, parent and new Kindergarten teacher to understand and better accommodate the child leaving Head Start.

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Parents are offered workshops throughout the year regarding areas of interest to them. These include: Immigration, Child Support, Child Abuse, Labor & Rights, Nutrition, Education & Children, Transitioning to Kindergarten, and a host of others. Parent Involvement activities include a host of activities including monthly meetings with the Center Committees. Parenting Classes have been provided. A Male Role model day was held last year and another is scheduled for this spring. Dads were invited to a breakfast and to do a manual activity with their child. In the spring they put together a bird cage and this fall they put together a mini tool box. The child was able to decorate it and take it home. Literacy Classes are being held to support parent with their own literacy skills, a Community Resources Workshop is held yearly along with a resource booklet which is given out to the parents. Parents also enjoy our yearly International Festival where they bring cultural foods, dress, dances poems and share customs. Parents participate throughout the year on the Policy Council, Parent Center Committee, Annual Self Assessment, Review of Component Plans, and volunteer throughout the program year. A volunteer awards program was held recognizing parent and community volunteers. Parents participated in our annual International Festival. The program consists of 52 staff members who include the executive director, program director, managers, specialists, family workers, secretaries, cooks, teachers, teachers assistants, fiscal officer, bookkeeper, substitute assistants, and maintenance. Staff receives training before the start of the school year as well as throughout the year. Staff development is an on-going process. The more trained our employees are the better equipped they will be to serve our children and families. Development needs and training opportunities are reviewed and provided for all staff from maintenance to accounting to the director. Maintaining a staff that is trained, educated and given an opportunity to become leaders in their field is tantamount to the success of the program. The future for the program is very bright. Staff are qualified and committed to serving our children and families. Almost half of the staff has been employed with the agency for over 10 years. Funding is steady and promises to increase at both the federal and state levels. This past year we were impacted by the congressional sequestration defunding. Due to the lost in revenue we had to close our Aspen site which included two classrooms. We lost 30 slots, reducing our enrollment to 225 children. We had to lay off four staff members and reduce salaries to several of our employees. We are committed to seek continued funding to bring quality programming, improve services, and meet the ever present needs of our children and families and to improve the quality of life for those whom we serve, who work for us and the community we serve. Dr. Lillian M. Ramos, Executive Director

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Results from the Last Tri-Annual Review

The last Tri-Annual review from the Federal Head Start Office was held in April 2013. The review looked at all components of our program including, fiscal, education, safety, health, special needs, mental health, social services, enrollment, eligibility, nutrition, planning, monitoring human resources, curriculum, classroom quality, staff qualifications, program governance, parent participation, community partnership and resources and the overall functioning of the program. The review determined that our Head Start program is in compliance with all applicable Head Start Program Performance Standards, laws, regulations, and policy requirements. Accordingly, no corrective action is required.

Building a Strong Program

Over time, we have been able to transform our program from a struggling program to a leader within the community that knows how to meet new opportunities in the midst of challenges. This remains true today. Overall programming, services and program income has increased within the past ten years. This growth has been challenging, yet has helped our program to develop a strong infrastructure and leadership within the program.

Positioning Through Partnerships The Passaic Family Head Start, Inc. Program has established itself as a leader and a solid program by developing strategic partnerships within the City of Passaic, the County level and within the State of New Jersey. We have a strong collaboration with Children’s Day Nursery Preschool. This collaboration began in 1998. It has been a solid and successful partnership. We will look to expand services in the future if funding becomes available. Last year we also entered into a new partnership with William Paterson University in order to start a new Home Visiting Initiative offered by the state of New Jersey. This partnership has been exciting and fruitful. Building strong relationships with our partners is a key and essential component to our program. Our partners provide key services and expertise that goes beyond our abilities and enhances the quality of what we do and offer within our program. The result is an enduring partnership which benefits both partners and best of all our children and families. These relationships and connections continue with our families even after they have left our program. These partnerships also foster a sense of community knowledge and resources our parents can count on.

Infrastructure Maintaining a solid infrastructure is vital to the existence and growth of the program. We have purposely positioned ourselves to grow in every aspect of the program, including enhancing and developing our current infrastructure.

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Our facilities are well maintained and are constantly being reviewed for repairs, upgrade and improvements. Hand in Hand with our facility is the mechanical infrastructure of our facilities which includes heating and air conditioning. These are reviewed for their efficiency and life span. We look not only at this current year’s needs but plan for replacement needs for the future which in most cases will be at great financial cost. We look to use and introduce new technology to the program that will improve services, programming, improve overall quality to the program and show a cost savings down the line. We have been awarded technology services through the Federal E-rate program. This program has allowed us to improve our technology infrastructure and to reduce costs at the same time. In the coming years we will look at replacing a few of the boiler units, look at installing solar panels and replacing the last HVAC unit not replaced. We will also make some facility upgrades to keep us in compliance with the American Disabilities Act (ADA) at both Highland and Third Street. We will continue to seek funding to build additional classrooms at Highland. In October 2012, Hurricane Sandy hit New Jersey. Our two facilities suffered wind damage on the roofs. At the Third Street site a tree from the neighboring property lost a large branch that crashed through our roof, creating water damage inside the building and two of our classrooms. We submitted a claim to our insurance company along with a request to the Head Start Regional Office for funding to repair the roof and place full building generators. They have notified us that our request will be approved.

Non Discriminatory Policy

The Passaic Family Head Start, Inc Program in its operation of program and services does not discriminate against anyone because of race, color, national origin, disability, age or sex.

Financial Position In 2012 -13 the Passaic Family Head Start, Inc. Program was primarily funded with federal Head Start funds from the Department of Health and Human Services ($2,218,107). The local in-kind match (non-federal share) was $554,527. It also received a substantial amount of “Abbott” (preschool) funding from the New Jersey State Department of Education ($1,307,880). The program receives funding from other sources including USDA ($181,939) for its food program, $26,663 from the New Jersey Health and Human Services and $215,290 from the NJ Department of Children and Families. In total we received $3,949,879 from different funding sources to serve 255 children. The anticipated funding for 2013-14 is from the Department of Health and Human Services ($2,102,607), (non-federal share) was $525,652, “Abbott” (preschool) funding $1,356,840, USDA ($170,758) for its food program, $26,663 from the New Jersey Health and Human Services and $195,000 from the NJ Department of Children and Families for an anticipated total of $3,851,868.

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The financial position of the agency consists of grant funding. This funding has maintained a solid base during the life of the agency. A yearly audit is completed by the agency to review its financial position, activities, and accounting practices. The completed audit for fiscal year ending June 30, 2012 did not show any deficiencies, reportable conditions or material weakness. The audit for fiscal year ending June 30, 2013 is in progress at this time. Internal controls are constantly being reviewed and improved to maintain general accounting standards and practices.

Leadership in Challenging Times Our program has faced many problems and challenges in the past, we successfully faced those challenges as we reorganized ourselves. It was the strong vision and leadership of the program that made it possible. The Board holds our leaders to a high standard of accountability but also allows room for creativity and for true leadership to take place. Having well educated, capable and trained leaders has made the program successful and we are confident they continue to secure the continued growth of our agency. Staffing At the heart of Passaic Family Head Start, Inc. lies a dedicated staff constantly striving to improve the standards and quality of the education provided to children and services provided to families. When improvements are made and goals are reached, the staff does not stop there. They continue with new goals, measures of improvement, ideas, all with the shared commitment to provide a quality program for all who are served including those who work here. Our employees are some of the most qualified and dedicated staff available. All of our teachers have their bachelor’s degree and our teacher assistants have their CDA’s (Child Development Associate Certificate). Historically we have very little staff turnover.

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Of 52 staff members, 8 have worked over 20 years, 4 have worked over 15 years, and 7 have been here over 10 years. Twenty nine individuals have been here 7 or less years. We have had a number of our seasoned employees retire within the past few years. As you look at the constitution of our staff, almost half are seasoned staff. This shows highly qualified individuals with degrees, experience and continuity despite all the changes to the programs. The other portion of the staff is young or newly hired. This provides a good balance with our seasoned employees and our younger staff. New ideas and experience is readily shared within our program. Over a quarter of our staff have been program parents. Parents are encouraged to develop goals and to volunteer in the program. This has made for a good combination. As parents receive support and are encouraged they are willing to develop goals that will qualify them for new employment opportunities. We have benefited from this philosophy.

Mission Statement:

The mission of the Passaic Family Head Start, Inc. Program is to provide an early quality educational opportunity to three and four year old children from low-income families within the City of Passaic and neighboring communities. In addition, it is the Passaic Family Head Start’s mission to help Head Start eligible families become self-sufficient and productive members of society through educational, health, social services, parent involvement, emergency, and advocacy support.

Vision for the Future

The Passaic Family Head Start Program has served children and families from the City of Passaic since 1974. Over 5,275 children have been educated within our institution. With excitement and joy we are welcoming new generations of Head Start families into our program. The program has been challenged to the core of its existence for the past 10 years. These times have been challenging yet have made the program stronger. The program has always seen itself as a leader within the City of Passaic in pre-school education and in providing services to its families. We see our role as educators and as advocates for families in need and for the voiceless. To that end we continue to forge forward looking to meet the needs of our families whatever they may be. In the past our parents went from a home based program to a part day program to a full day program. We have established ourselves purposely in the last few years to allow for continued growth of our program. We have accomplished this through the acquisition of properties that lend themselves to continued expansion. In 2006 we purchased a facility with 24000 square feet. We presently are utilizing 12,000 square feet of this facility. Leaving a great deal of room to build additional classrooms as funding becomes available.

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In 2009 we purchased the Third Street facility we have been in since 1986. We have made this our facility our own. We have made many enhancements and improvements throughout the years. We will continue in our endeavors to upgrade the facility to make it a better facility for teaching and learning. Last year we remodeled a new classroom, allowing us to expand services. We plan to position ourselves to grasp every opportunity that will allow us to continue to grow. We envision adding new classrooms at Highland Avenue. We plan to continue to make improvements to the physical plants to enhance teaching and learning. As funding becomes available we will seek to add additional components to our programs, such as literacy classes, other classes and programs available to our community. We will attempt to bring them to our facility. We will also seek to build our Social Services into a unit that serves families from the community beyond our Head Start Families. Partnering with community and State agencies will make this possible. In 2013 the State of New Jersey funded the Passaic Family Head Start Program to begin a Home Visitors Program for first time pregnant moms and infants. This program is collaboration between us and William Paterson University. The program will provide services to 60 families enhance the quality of life for and bring new services into our community.

Services to Parents

ESL classes Food Clothing Parenting classes Mental Health referrals Nutrition Classes Special Needs referrals Nutrition referrals Health service referrals Adult literacy classes

Women’s Support Group/DV GED referral preparation LIHEAP application assistance Legal Services referrals Job training/employment resource Notarization of documents Parenting classes & skill training Transportation to community agencies Assist thru process of services Board of Social Services referrals

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Passaic Family Head Start 2012-13 School Readiness Goals COR-Item

evel Jan 2013

Jun 2013

School Readiness Goals for 3 year olds Level Jan

2013 Jun 2013

School Readiness Goals for 4 year olds

B 4 17% 55% Child tries two ways to solve a problem with materials 5 11% 19%

Child tries 3 or more ways to solve a problem with materials

D 4 67% 45% Child identifies the need for a tool and uses it independently to accomplish a personal goal 5 20 % 55%

Child helps another child in a self care activity or program routine

E 1 100% 100% Child participates in a conversation initiated by a familiar adult 4 66 % 90% Child sustains an interaction with an adult

F 2 87% 94% Child ini1tiates an interaction with another child 5 7% 34% Child shows loyalty to another child

H 1 100% 100% Child expresses an emotion 5 25 % 64% Child identifies an emotion and gives a reason for it

J 3 100% 100% Child draws or paints something and explains what it stands for. 4 45 % 85%

Child draws or paints a picture that includes four or more basic parts

K 3 60% 81% Child uses both words and actions to portray a role, situation, or setting 4 14 % 64%

Child engages in role play with two or more other children

M 3 60% 94% Child coordinates both hands to manipulate one or more objects 4 1 1% 52% Child dribbles a ball.

O 2 87 % 94% Child imitates others as they move to music 4 25 % 71%Child creates and repeats a two movement pattern to music

Q 3 40 % 71% When listening to a story, rhyme, or narrative, child comments on or asks a question about it. 4 34 % 59% Child contributes to an ongoing conversation

R 3 40 % 87% Child uses vocabulary related to a particular subject 4 34 % 72% Child uses two or more words to describe something

S 2 60 % 90% Child uses a sentence of 4 or more words 3 55 % 97% Child uses two or more simple sentences in a row

U 3 20 % 68% Child asks another person to read a book to him or her 4 29 % 86%

Looking at the pictures in a book, child tells the story or makes up a story related to the pictures

V 3 13% 23% Child makes the sound of a letter in a word he or she is looking at, writing or typing 4 27 % 62% Child names 10 or more letters over time

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COR-Item

Level Jan 2013

Jun 2013


Level Jan 2013

Jun 2013


Y 3 30% 81% In sorting, child groups objects that are the same in some way but different in others 4 14 % 50%

In sorting, child groups objects that are the same in some way and identifies the similarity

Z 2 30 % 78% Child arranges four or more objects in a repeating series 4 52 % 74%

Child arranges three or more objects in a graduated series

AA 2 47 % 81% Child describes contrasting objects using a word and its opposite 4 32 % 74%

Child uses comparison word to describe the difference between two objects

BB 3 23 % 87% Child counts or responds to a request for 5-10 objects 4 50 % 72%

Child uses a comparison word to describe the difference between two objects

CC 2 70 % 90% Child uses a position word. 3 45% 71% Child uses a direction word.

EE 1 93% 94% Child identifies a property of an object 1 100% 100% Child identifies a property of an object

FF 2 43% 90% Child performs an action helpful to plants or animals 3 50% 85% Child characterizes something as living or non living.

GG 3 28% 69% Child uses some English phrases. 4 60% 73% Child uses some English sentences.

HH 4 45 % 90% Child responds to spoken English verbally in own language 5 67% 77% Child responds to spoken English in English

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Dr. Lillian M. Ramos – Executive Director 973 365-5808

Robin Nayda Burgos – Program Director

973 292-0900

Nicole Kimble – Education Manager Gertrudi Cruz – Education Specialist

973 365-5808 Third Street 973 272-0900 Highland Avenue

Evelyn Zenquis – Family Partnership Manager Scarlette Tache’ – Social Service Specialist

973 365-5808 Third Street 973 272-0900 Highland Avenue

Miriam Padilla – Health & Special Needs Coordinator Jessica Lopez – Health Specialist

Carmen Cancel - Health Assistant 973 365-5808 Third Street

973 272-0900 Highland Avenue

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Building a castle with magnet tiles Fake snow Liberty Science Center

Playing with Real snow Dad modeling how to write Parents writing with student

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Reading using play dough Mrs. Sonia, Ms. Francesca, Ms Jessica reading Children reading a book together

Parent Reading to Class Male Role Model Activity Day Mom Reading to Class

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This is the way to make snowflake cookies

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68 Third Street Passaic, NJ 07055

973 365-5808

91 Highland Avenue Passaic, NJ 07055

973 272-0900

1 PASSAIC FAMILY HEAD START, Inc.

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