Annual Report: program year-end report 2020-21

HEADSTART Year-End Report | 2020-21 school year

HAPPY TO SEE YOU! Garden City, Kan. -February 2021- KCSL CEO Gail Cozadd is greeted with hugs from Head Start children while visiting one of our early learning centers.

OUR MISSION: to protect and promote the well-being of children

LETTER FROM THE CEO & BOARD CHAIR Dear KCSL Friends and Colleagues, What a year! It was a year of rapid changes pivoting to meet the growing needs of children and families in Kansas. KCSL maneuvered through continuous challenges to the way we do work while ensuring the children, parents, professionals and our employees remained physically safe from the COVID-19 virus, which was the headliner in 2020.

The pandemic required us to learn a lot about protecting and promoting the well-being of children remotely. We remained steadfast in our vision that every child is raised in a loving family and lives in a safe, nurturing community. We stayed connected! KCSL’s Head Start and Early Head Start programs utilized Zoom, MeetMe, Skype and Google to connect with families. Our staff delivered weekly activity packets to families’ porches and dropped off gift bags with homemade caps to celebrate Head Start graduates. Staff continued to engage families through the pandemic by delivering tomato plants with directions and support cages; hosted Park Nights with games and activities while maintaining social distancing; and organized regular parent-child bonding activities through Zoom that families could do at home like arts and crafts, therapy projects and fun competitions.

We're so proud of all the creative ways staff pivoted to ensure parents were supported and children remained safe.

As a nation, we were reminded the struggle with racial injustice continues. Many of the families served through programs at KCSL are racially and ethnically diverse. They experienced further unrest during 2020, and yet once again KCSL was there to support them. We listened to their concerns, fears and frustrations. We committed to helping families gain access to resources despite living in child care, food or health deserts. We helped families continue their education. We helped families become more self-sufficient.

We also saw a great division across political views, yet KCSL continued to receive bi-partisan support for the work we do. Our direction and focus to prevent child abuse ensures parents have the support they need now to be successful in order to break cycles of neglect, abuse and trauma. Our programs help both children and parents develop skills for success in their families, schools and workplaces. That is a universal mission.

So while 2020 was a year of continuous change, we know stronger families started here because of KCSL's ability to pivot. Thank you for your outpouring support for the children and families we serve as well as our employees.

Your kindness during a year that was a strain on everyone has not gone unnoticed or unappreciated.

Sincerely,

Gail Cozadd CEO

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Zachary Schultz Board Chair

2020-21 BACKGROUND Head Start & Early Head Start

LOCATIONS CIMARRON

KCSL served 464 individuals in 10 southwest Kansas counties during our Head Start and Early Head Start program year.

PREGNANT WOMEN |

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464

252

600 N 2nd St. 620-855-3889 GARDEN CITY

CHILD CARE 23 | KANSAS PARTNERSHIP CHILDREN

2 Administration:

2111 E Labrador Blvd.

620-276-3232

EARLY HEAD 62 | KANSAS START CHILDREN

HEAD START | CHILDREN

1 Center-Based:

3

4 Center/Home-Based:

603 E Cedar 620-272-9611

5 Center-Based:

4101 E Hwy 50, #531 620-276-4323

6 Center-Based:

4101 E Hwy 50, #620 620-277-7148

TOTAL # OF INDIVIDUALS SERVED

HEAD 119 | EARLY START CHILDREN

7 Center-Based:

121 W Walnut 620-805-1460 HUGOTON

8 Home-Based:

507 S Madison St. 620-544-4334

HOME-BASED

CENTER-BASED

ADMINISTRATION

LEOTI

9 Home-Based:

108 W Broadway 620-375-4933

Jefferson

Leavenworth Wyandotte

Shawnee

Johnson

Leoti

Wichita

9

Osage

Scott

Garden City Ulysses

14 15 Kearny 16 Stanton

Grant

Stevens

Hugoton

Finney

Gray Haskell

Cimarron

Liberal

Seward

Rice

McPherson

2 Pawnee 3 4 5 6 7 Stafford

1

10 11 12 13

Miami

Lyon

Barton Marion

Chase

Sedgwick

Butler

Greenwood

Bourbon

836 S Jordan 620-626-5339

Neosho Crawford

13 Center-Based:

Allen

Wilson

Sumner

Home-Based: 105 E 11th 620-604-5020

12 Center-Based:

Coffey

Harvey

Reno

LIBERAL

10 11 Administration/

MontLabette Cherokee gomery

50 Village Plaza 620-624-9220 ULYSSES

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14 15 Center/Home-Based:

CENTER-BASED PROGRAMING offered in 4 out of 10 counties

HOME-BASED PROGRAMING offered in 10 out of 10 counties

837 N Baughman, Room E 620-424-4320

16 Center-Based:

921 N College 620-356-4180

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2020-21 ENROLLMENT “Pivot. Don’t panic,” -John Acuff

HEAD START

EARLY HEAD START

CENTER & HOME BASED COMBINED ENROLLED # of students

% OF FUNDED ENROLLMENT

August 2020

132

37%

September

177

October

CENTER & HOME BASED COMBINED ENROLLED # of students

% OF FUNDED ENROLLMENT

August 2020

61

72%

50%

September

74

88%

186

53%

October

79

94%

November

187

53%

November

75

89%

December

190

54%

December

76

90%

January 2021

215

61%

January 2021

77

91%

February

223

63%

February

82

97%

March

224

64%

March

85

101%

April

222

63%

April

84

100%

May

219

62%

May

86

102%

June

219

62%

June

83

98%

July

217

62%

July

82

97%

MONTH

MONTH

Our program was originally funded for 350 slots. Due to the pandemic, it was necessary to reduce the number we served to 224 slots.

NOTE: In June and July, we only served home-based children for Head Start.

FAMILY ENGAGEMENT: World’s Finest Chocolate Fundraiser In April 2021, parents and volunteers partnered with River City Fundraising to raise money for KCSL’s Head Start and Early Head Start programs in western Kansas. They sold over 12,000 bars of World’s Finest Chocolate and raised over $18,000! Parents received various prizes such as day passes to the Garden Rapids at the Big Pool in Garden City, gift cards and other fun gifts. Nearly 20 different businesses in Ulysses, Garden City and Dodge City helped parents with chocolate sales to make this first-time fundraising activity a success!

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ENROLLMENT, continued KANSAS EARLY HEAD START Funded by the Kansas Department for Children and Families

ENROLLED # of students

% OF FUNDED ENROLLMENT

August 2020

23

27%

September

30

36%

October

36

43%

November

55

65%

December

54

64%

January 2021

57

68%

February

59

70%

March

60

71%

April

60

71%

May

58

69%

June

54

64%

July

53

63%

MONTH

VOLUNTEER SPOTLIGHT: STEVE HARKNESS Meet Steve, one of our newest members and chair of KCSL’s Community Leadership and Development KELSIE & STEVE HARKNESS WITH THEIR Council in DOGS MILO & MYA Garden City.

Steve works for Western State Bank. He and his wife, Kelsie got married in June 2020 and have two 100-pound dogs that they love. Steve started volunteering at KCSL last year right as the COVID-19 pandemic hit Kansas. But that didn’t stop him from making a difference in his community.

WHY DO YOU VOLUNTEER? For me, it’s a way to give back to the community. Even if it’s just something small.

HOW WAS VOLUNTEERING DURING THE PANDEMIC? I just joined KCSL’s Community Leadership and Development Council in 2020— that was not a great first year to join something!

I was able to join KCSL in helping with the United Way’s Stuff the Bus event in the summer, though.

That was the first time I had done anything like that in the community, and it felt good. But I look forward to what I can do to help KCSL in the future.

WHY WOULD YOU ENCOURAGE OTHERS TO VOLUNTEER AT KCSL? Try not to think so much about yourself but about the kids and families who need help. It’s important to help people in your community or local town. There are people who are in need that you may even know.

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2020-21 OUTCOMES “A pivot is a change in strategy without a change in vision,” -Eric Ries

CENTER & HOME BASED SERVICES FALL 2020 REPORT

SPRING 2021 REPORT

Average level of Learning Progression* based on age range

8 7 6 5 4 3 2

EARLY HEAD START

ys Pe ica rce l & pt Mo ual, to r So cia lF ou nd ati on s

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n/ itio gn Co

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Co

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Ma

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Sc

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ien

ati

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1

HEAD START

[Pre-K 3-4 years old]

[Infant-Toddler]

*According to the Frog Street curriculum, Learning Progressions are specific signifiers of knowledge and skills essential for kindergarten associated with an age range. For children ages 0-30 months (Early Head Start), target levels are 1-4. For children ages 30 months-4 years (Head Start), target levels are 5-6.

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COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT Foundation provides affordable lead testing for families Western Kansas Community Foundation (WKCF) awarded KCSL with a grant in 2020 year to purchase a lead testing machine for our Head Start and Early Head Start services in southwest Kansas. Due to the counties KCSL serves in the area primarily being rural, families often have difficulty receiving health services; most doctors’ offices send patients to local health departments for lead screening. This poses an issue for many working families who are unable to take time off work or lack access to transportation. The machine will allow staff to test blood lead levels for children enrolled in our services on-site saving families time and money.

Community partners help KCSL families for Thanksgiving Convoy of Hope and First Assembly GC church in Garden City donated enough food to provide a bag of groceries to each family KCSL serves in southwest Kansas. Along with the food, staff delivered hand sanitizer and safety tips on Nov. 23-25, 2020. Thank you, Convoy of Hope and First Assembly GC for your support during the holiday season!

Funding in Ulysses helps provide nutritious meals to children in our care As part of our early childhood education services, we ensure each child receives two meals and a snack per day making up 2/3 of their recommended daily nutrition.

In March 2021, the Grant County Community Foundation awarded KCSL $3,000 to help pay for these meals.

Thank you to the foundation for their support of making stronger families in Western Kansas!

Grant provides needed tech to KCSL families In September 2020, the Kansas Children’s Cabinet and Trust Fund awarded KCSL with Technology for Families

grants for two different programs including Early Head Start. Funds were used to purchase mobile devices such as smartphones and tablets, data plans and hotspots for families who lack necessary tools to receive services virtually during the pandemic. Staff distributed tablets and smart phones with up to six months of prepaid data.

This kind of support helped families participate in virtual home visits as well as have ongoing internet access, which many did not have. Families have appreciated the opportunity to not only participate more fully in KCSL’s services but also connect with other community resources, apply for jobs and access online educational materials for their children.

Library works with KCSL teachers to provide reading material for classes We want to give a special thank you to the Finney County Public Library for offering so much support to our Garden City staff. Throughout the school year, the library has provided bags upon bags of books for our

early education teachers to use for lessons. We couldn’t do the work we do without community support. Thank you for partnering with us to help our local children and families succeed!

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CLASS OBSERVATIONS “Pivoting is not the end of the disruption process, but the beginning of the next leg of your journey,” -Jay Samit The Classroom Assessment Scoring System (CLASS) is an observation instrument developed to assess classroom quality in pre-school programs. The CLASS dimension are based on developmental theory and research suggesting that interactions between students and adults are the primary mechanism of student development and learning.

CLASS AVERAGES FOR 2020-21 DOMAINS

PROGRAM

NATIONAL

Emotional Support

5.70

6.03

Classroom Organization

4.90

5.78

Instructional Support

2.04

2.94

SCHOOL READINESS GOALS KCSL’s Head Start has developed school readiness goals for children birth to 5-years-old. Goals are based upon the Head Start Early Learning Framework, Kansas Early Learning Standards and the program curriculum. Feedback from stakeholders, local school districts, KCSL Head Start staff and parents was obtained.

APPROACHES TO LEARNING Children will increasingly demonstrate ability to regulate themselves in order to persist at tasks; they will demonstrate independence, initiative and creative imaginative expression.

SOCIAL & EMOTIONAL DEVELOPMENT Children will interact through cooperative play and develop personal relationships with other children; they will learn to manage emotions and will engage in problem solving and conflict resolution with peers; they will express empathy; they will show a positive sense of self and of belonging to a family, a community and other groups.

LANGUAGE & LITERACY Children will be able to communicate needs and wants and demonstrate ability to use increasingly complex language.

Children will engage with books and music and build written communication skills; they will demonstrate that the spoken language is composed of smaller segments of sound and begin identifying letters of the alphabet. Dual Language Learners will demonstrate increased competency in their first language while developing skills in English.

COGNITION Children will demonstrate an increasing knowledge of recognizing simple patterns and shapes. Children will use their senses to seek answers through investigation and exploration and communicate results. Children will develop an understanding of family and community and how each fits into a larger world.

PERCEPTUAL, MOTOR & PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT Children will begin to use motor skills to accomplish tasks. Children will develop personal care skills and increase knowledge of healthy eating habits and general safety.

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HEALTH SERVICES IMMUNIZATIONS

239 157

HEAD START CHILDREN UP TO DATE EARLY HEAD START CHILDREN UP TO DATE

DENTAL

220 90

HEAD START CHILDREN UP TO DATE EARLY HEAD START CHILDREN UP TO DATE

DISABILITY SERVICES

35 26

HEAD START CHILDREN (IEP) EARLY HEAD START CHILDREN (IFSP)

KCSL WELCOMES NEW DIRECTOR At the beginning of 2021, JANENE RADKE started as KCSL’s new Head Start director.

A Liberal native, Radke earned her bachelor’s degree in women’s studies from Wichita State University and returned to southwest Kansas with her family in 1997. Radke comes to KCSL with more than 10 years of experience managing and leading a nonprofit social service agency in Garden City. Radke has served as a member of USD 457 Board of Education since 2019. She is also a Leadership Garden City graduate and master trainer of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs).

She believes her experience has given her an understanding that allows her to recognize different walks of life with empathy.

“I take people as they are in times of struggle or challenges,” said Radke. “I love to watch people grow and be successful.

Watching others thrive brings me great joy whether it’s parents, children, or staff. I’m most excited to provide opportunities for everyone to grow.”

In addition to her trauma-informed advocacy efforts, Radke enjoys spending time with her family and dogs in her downtime.

Individualized Education Program (IEP) | Individual Family Service Plan (IFSP)

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FINANCIAL INFORMATION

funding from the Office of Head Start FEDERAL FUNDS 2020-21 Grant Year OBJECT CLASS

HEAD START

EARLY HEAD START

TRAINING & TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE

NON-FEDERAL MATCH

CARES ACT

Personnel

$2,145,905

$544,185

$176,568

$18,624

Fringe Benefits

$632,931

$164,247

$42,926

$1,603

TOTAL $2,885,282 $841,707

Travel

$0

Equipment

$0

Supplies

$59,725

Contractual

$35,697

$21,778

$85,989

$61,648

$1,417

$229,140 $37,114

Construction

$0

Other

$612,037

$123,881

Indirect

$409,873

$100,433

Total

$3,896,168

$954,524

$21,792

$243,100

$14,688 $11,337

$21,792

$550,000

$107,900

$1,015,498 $521,643 $5,530,384

Non-federal share resources are provided through the generosity of local donors, businesses, foundations and volunteers. Contributions toward the non-federal share came from: • Community and parent volunteers providing valuable service hours assisting in the classroom and working with parents (approximately 40 percent); and • Community grants and donations (20 percent).

In addition, local service providers offer professional services at a discount to our Head Start children and families. KCSL’s program would not be as successful without the investment from communities.

THANK YOU CONTRIBUTORS & VOLUNTEERS! 10

FINANCIAL INFORMATION, continued funding from the State of Kansas

KANSAS EHS HV, KANSAS ELC & KANSAS EHS CCP FUNDS 2020-21 Grant Year OBJECT CLASS

KANSAS EHS - HV

KANSAS ELC (KHSA)

KANSAS EHS - CCP

TOTAL

Personnel

$198,447

$19,345

$149,277

$367,069

Fringe Benefits

$54,470

$0

$49,830

$104,300

Travel

$2,546

$0

$1,419

Equipment

$0

$0

$0

Supplies

$8,148

$0

$3,735

$11,883

Contractual

$1,795

$0

$59,872

$61,667

Building

$19,970

$0

$24,492

$44,462

Training

$2,371

$0

$2,245

$4,616

Other

$2,674

$0

$2,936

$5,610

Indirect

$12,197

$0

$33,288

Total

$302,618

$19,345

$327,094

$3,965 $0

$45,485 $649,057

It’s always rewarding seeing KCSL kids grow up to succeed.

Blake was in KCSL’s early childhood education classes in Cimarron years ago. Now 17 years old and part of the Future Farmers of America (FFA) organization, he was our guide during a visit to the farm.

“It was nice to have Blake there since I was with him the first time he took this same field trip as a child,” said Marca, KCSL’s family engagement coordinator in Cimarron.

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Kansas Children’s Service League is the Kansas chapter of Prevent Child Abuse America and Circle of Parents, a Kansas multi-site system of Healthy Families America® and a member of the United Way.