2020-2021 Impact Report: Martin-Pitt Partnership for Children

2020-2021

IMPACT REPORT

MARTIN-PITT PARTNERSHIP FOR CHILDREN 111 Eastbrook Drive, Greenville, NC 27858

www.mppfc.org

415 East Boulevard, Williamston, NC 27892

252.758.8885

WHAT’S INSIDE

3

FROM THE BOARD CHAIR

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PARENTS AS TEACHERS

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ABOUT OUR PARTNERSHIP

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QUEST

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YEAR IN REVIEW

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RAISING A READER

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CHILD CARE HEALTH CONSULTANTS

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REACH OUT AND READ

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CHILD CARE RESOURCE & REFERRAL

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CHILD CARE SUBSIDY

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COMMUNITY OUTREACH

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WAGE$

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DOLLY PARTON’S IMAGINATION LIBRARY

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OUR IMPACT — PROGRAM STORIES

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HEALTH SOCIAL BEHAVIOR INITIATIVE

22

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

11

INFANT/TODDLER PROJECT

23

EXPENDITURES

12

NURSE-FAMILY PARTNERSHIP

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FROM OUR BOARD CHAIR Dear friends, The Martin-Pitt Partnership for Children, along with all mission-based organizations and businesses, faced unprecedented obstacles during the 2020-2021 fiscal year. We are, after all, in the people business, and it has been challenging to connect with the people we serve.

Our mission is to make meaningful and measurable investments in young children that will enable them to achieve their full potential.

The Partnership focuses on the first 2,000 days of a child’s life — from birth to kindergarten — when nearly 90 percent of brain development occurs. This period is when they are building the foundation of their futures.

Despite the headwinds caused by the pandemic, Partnership staff have continued to demonstrate their commitment to the families, caregivers, children, and child care providers in our community because our children are indeed our future. They are the next generation of entrepreneurs, tradespeople, leaders, visionaries, and shapers of policy in the places where we live.

It is critical that we invest in them and give them the love, nurturing, and education that puts them on the path to a productive life.

And despite the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Partnership has found ways to be successful in fulfilling its mission. We’ve adjusted to virtual trainings, created a curbside service system for Resource Room members, and served families and providers via Zoom, text messages, phone calls, and more. It hasn’t always been easy, but our successes have been undeniable.

During the 2020-2021 fiscal year, the Partnership invested more than $2.6 million dollars into the children of Martin and Pitt Counties through family support, health, literacy, and early childhood programs.

Here are just a handful of the accomplishments the dedicated staff members have achieved over the last 12 months: • 22.3% increase in the number of volunteer hours donated

• 28.5% increase in the number of DPIL books mailed to children in both counties • 21.3% increase in the number of parents participating in routine home visits with the Parents as Teachers (PAT) program • 23.3% increase in the number of families connected with community resources through PAT • 54.5% increase in the number of children impacted by the technical assistance provided by the QUEST team • 261.7% increase in the number of licensed child care providers receiving technical assistance • 13.1% increase in the number of Reach Out and Read books distributed at wellchild visits • 45.9% increase in the number of children who received funding to attend highquality child care programs • 61.5% decrease in the turnover of WAGE$ participants We purchased a van, installed two new lending libraries — one in Martin County and one in Pitt County — and became more connected with our own families due to the increase of time spent at home with one another. After all, having strong families is what we are all about!

As board chair of the Partnership, I would like to thank all of the board members and staff who have dedicated themselves to this meaningful and important work. I would also like to thank the many partner organizations that support us and the children and parents we serve — we could not do this without you. Finally, if you are passionate about early childhood development and education, then I encourage you to reach out and get involved. Join us in creating a bright future for every child in our communities.

Jason Semple Board Chair PAGE 3

ABOUT OUR PARTNERSHIP

The Martin-Pitt Partnership for Children is a non-profit agency located in Eastern North Carolina that funds programs in quality early child care and education, assistance finding child care, parent and family support, health care, child care provider trainings, and early literacy initiatives during the first 2,000 days of a child’s life.

Founded in 1998, the Partnership’s mission is “to make meaningful and measurable investments in young children to enable them to achieve their fullest potential.”

At the Martin-Pitt Partnership for Children, we know that raising a child is a big job, especially during a global pandemic. But parents and caregivers aren’t alone. We’ve adapted to the ever-changing world and have continued to offer programs that will help families every step of the way — from pregnancy until the time their child enters kindergarten.

The Martin-Pitt Partnership for Children is one of 75 Smart Start partnerships in our state.

Our agency works to support parents, child care facilities, and educators through collaborative programs, all aimed at doing everything possible to ensure that the children in our community

arrive for kindergarten ready for a life of success.

Ninety percent of brain development occurs before a child reaches kindergarten. The experiences our children have during their first five years build the foundation for their future. Our goal is to ensure that every child in Martin and Pitt Counties has the opportunity to experience a quality early childhood education.

Studies show that children who are exposed to high-quality early childhood experiences have better language, math, and social skills, better cognitive and sensory skills, and better preparation for school readiness.

Quality early childhood experiences increase high school graduation rates and college enrollment reducing teen pregnancy, unemployment, crime, and dependence on social programs.

During the 2020-2021 fiscal year, the Partnership invested over $2.6 million dollars into the children of Martin and Pitt Counties through family support, health, literacy, and early childhood programs.

With your support, we will continue to work towards the brightest future for our communities — one young mind at a time.

A bright fut ure for every child in our community.

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OUR YEAR IN REVIEW Even though our fiscal year was anything but ordinary, our dedication to serving the families and caregivers in our community was as powerful as ever. Our staff celebrated some incredible accomplishments this year, and a few of our most memorable moments are highlighted here.

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6 (1) This year, we received a donation of custom, handcrafted lending libraries to install in our communities. With the help of our spring intern Yanett, we installed two lending libraries — one at the Housing Authority in Ayden and one at the Housing Authority in Williamston. (2) The pandemic didn’t stop us from connecting with our Parents as Teachers’ families. Our parent educators set up a drive-in story time with the help of our early literacy coordinators.

(3) Our CCR&R staff brainstormed new and exciting ways to connect with parents and child care providers while providing hands-on and developmentally appropriate activities. Each month, our staff helped put together hundreds of activity bags to distribute throughout Martin and Pitt Counties. (4) During the holidays, we partnered with the daughter of our infant/toddler specialist for a toy drive for our local children’s hospital. (5) The Partnership started a health and wellness committee, and made getting our steps in a priority! (6) While working at home, we welcomed honorary staff members, including the daughter of our regional consumer educator. (7) After years of research and hard work, our executive director finally saw her dream of owning a van for the Partnership come true. Of course she had to check the oil and windshield wiper fluid to make sure everything was up to her high standards.

54% INCREASE IN TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE EVENTS FROM THE PREVIOUS FISCAL YEAR

“They gave me perfect advice. I felt their first concern was with the absolute safety of my children. They were knowledgeable about procedures we could put in to place to keep every child safe and yet continue to provide safe daycare services for the children of working parents. They handled every aspect exactly right and knew exactly what to do. I hope they realize how much they are appreciated.”

100% OF SURVEY RESPONDENTS SAID THEY FELT THE CCHCs ADDRESSED HEALTH AND SAFETY CONCERNS IN THEIR FACILITY AND THAT THEY FELT COMFORTABLE CONTACTING CCHC STAFF.

CHILD CARE HEALTH CONSULTANTS The Child Care Health technical assistance (TA) to Consultant (CCHC) program child care facilities through operates in Martin and phone calls, emails, and short, Pitt Counties through a on-site visits. CCHC staff also partnership between the continued their response to Martin-Pitt Partnership for COVID-19, which accounted Children and the local health for 68% of all technical departments. Consultants assistance events (641 of 937 work with child total) during the care providers to year. The program “They went promote effective also experienced above and health and safety a 54% increase in beyond to walk practices through technical assistance us through different COVID technical assistance, events from the scenarios and trainings, and handsprevious year (502 truly were a on activities. to 937 total). life saver in the Whether someone CCHCs also crazy mess.” is opening a new provided 24 child care home or is trainings, 13 of the director of an established which were virtual. The center, the Partnership’s Child trainings included Triple P, Care Health Consultants COVID Vaccine 101, can provide health Emergency “All of services related trainings Preparedness and are a great help. such as ITS SIDS, Response, and ITS Just knowing Emergency SIDS. your services Preparedness, In addition to are available is a Medication their regular duties, comfort for the Administration, Pitt County’s center.” and Food Allergies CCHCs served on to meet state a multidisciplinary requirements. team at the Pitt County Consultants also assist Health Department to providers with strategies to continue to provide the most supply healthy, cost effective current COVID-19 guidance, snacks and fun physical including revising the Health activities, help staff develop and Safety tool used by child an execute emergency care directors. They also preparedness plans, and more. served on a statewide team to pilot a new online health and ANNUAL UPDATE safety and encounter tracker During the 2020-2021 tool. The tool went live during fiscal year, the Child Care the first week of July and is Health Consultant program now being used by CCHCs provided training and across the state.

1,629 TOTAL VISITS WERE MADE BY PARENTS, PROVIDERS, AND STUDENTS TO THE RESOURCE ROOMS

8,039 TOTAL CHILDREN WERE IMPACTED

BY THE TRAININGS PROVIDERS ATTENDED

CHILD CARE RESOURCE & REFERRAL SERVICES The Child Care Resource & Referral (CCR&R) program provides resources to parents, child care providers, and early childhood education students in Martin and Pitt Counties.

the quality of teaching they receive.

The Partnership provides trainings to child care providers and community members on a variety of topics relating to early childhood education.

CHILD CARE REFERRALS The Partnership maintains a list of all licensed child care facilities in Martin, Pitt, Lenoir, Greene, Carteret, and Jones Counties, and can provide a free and confidential list of the facilities to parents and caregivers based on star rating, hours of operation, transportation availability, full or part-time care, and more.

Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, staff provided child care referral assistance to families across North Carolina through the state’s referral hot-line.

RESOURCE ROOM & LENDING LIBRARY Parents and caregivers of children birth through five years old can receive a free membership to our on-site Lending Libraries. During non-COVID times, members are able to borrow books, toys, games, puzzles, puppets, and more for up to three weeks at a time. The Resource Room also helps child care providers create the best classroom learning environment possible by providing access to bulletin board paper, die cuts, lamination, and book binding.

Although we were closed to the public, our staff worked diligently to provide materials to child care providers via curbside service.

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT The most important factor contributing to a student’s success is

DETAILED PROGRAM OUTCOME BREAKDOWN Lending Library & Resource Room: • The Resource Rooms received visits from 172 total members, including 16 parents/caregivers and 156 child care providers.

• Resource Room members represented 65 child care facilities.

Child Care Referrals (Martin/Pitt Counties only): • 108 families with 211 children received child care referrals.

• 496 families with 636 children received consultations.

• 604 families received consumer education services.

847 TOTAL CHILDREN WERE IMPACTED

BY CONSUMER EDUCATION SERVICES

Professional Development: • The Partnership offered 88 training sessions throughout the year.

• 601 individual child care providers participated in trainings, 394 from licensed child care centers and 19 in licensed family child care homes.

• 558 people attended trainings offered through the Partnership.

• 99% of participants surveyed reported feeling confident in their ability to apply the knowledge and skills they gained through the trainings.

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39 NEW MEMBERS JOINED THE RESOURCE ROOM DURING THE FISCAL YEAR

COMMUNITY OUTREACH The role of the Community Outreach program is to help build partnerships between education, business, media, faith, civic, social, and health organizations, host and participate in community events, and publicize the work of the Partnership within the community.

The Community Outreach program is unique in that it works in one way or another with every program within the

Partnership. Examples include designing flyers and social media posts, photographing activities at the Partnership, assisting with grant writing, designing marketing materials, networking with organizations and businesses to ensure brochures are readily available in locations frequented by local families, updating the website, and advising staff on communication best practices.

DETAILED PROGRAM OUTCOME BREAKDOWN

$104,053 THE VALUE OF IN-KIND HOURS DONATED OVER THE 2020-2021 FISCAL YEAR

• The Partnership website received 27,221 views from 9,570 people, 9,490 of who were new users.

• 39 new members joined the Resource Room.

• $6,887.20 was raised through the Nearly New Fish Benefit Sale.

• More than 250 Greenville Baby books were distributed to parents and caregivers through a partnership with Greenville Pediatric Services.

• The Partnership’s Facebook posts reached nearly 74,000 people.

• Volunteers donated more than 2,700 in-kind hours, totaling $104,053.

Selection of community meetings attended: • Martin County Collaborative • BRACE • PIMPAC • Child Abuse & Neglect • Pitt Community Collaborative Prevention Collaborative • Pitt Partners for Health • ECRC (Martin County) • Healthy Beginnings Community • Pitt Resource Connection • READ ENC Leadership Council Advisory Board New lending library locations installed & maintained:

2,700 HOURS DONATED BY VOLUNTEERS TO ASSIST THE PARTNERSHIP WITH FULFILLING OUR PROGRAMS

Ayden, NC Housing Authority

Williamston, NC Housing Authority

1,605 REGISTRATIONS WERE RECEIVED DURING THE FISCAL YEAR FROM CHILDREN LIVING IN PITT COUNTY

DOLLY PARTON’S IMAGINATION LIBRARY Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library is a book gifting program that mails free, high-quality books to children from birth until their fifth birthday, no matter their family’s income.

In 2017, the North Carolina state legislature funded the program across the state through the North

Carolina Partnership for Children.

Thanks to a partnership with the United Way of Pitt County and the diligent work of our Martin County staff, our communities have seen steady growth in registrations as well as in awareness of the importance of early literacy programs.

DETAILED PROGRAM OUTCOME BREAKDOWN

87,691 BOOKS WERE MAILED TO CHILDREN IN MARTIN & PITT COUNTIES DURING THE 2020-21 FISCAL YEAR

132 CHILDREN LIVING IN MARTIN COUNTY WERE REGISTERED DURING THE 2020-21 FISCAL YEAR

Martin County: • 732 children in Martin County received books through Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library.

• 9,875 books were mailed to children living in Martin County.

• 132 registrations were received for Martin County children.

Pitt County: • 6,293 children in Pitt County received books through Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library.

• 77,816 books were mailed to children living in Pitt County • 1,605 registrations were completed for children in Pitt County.

(TOP) 132 children living in Martin County signed up to receive books during the fiscal year. The majority of children lived in Williamston (79), with Jamesville (26) and Robersonville (18) coming in second and third.

(BOTTOM) 1,605 children living in Pitt County signed up to receive books during the fiscal year. The majority of children lived in Greenville (976), with Winterville (303) second, Ayden (88) third, and Farmville (71) fourth.

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13 TRAININGS WERE OFFERED BY THE HSB ON TOPICS INCLUDING BRAIN ARCHITECTURE, SOCIAL EMOTIONAL SKILLS, & MORE

7 COUNTIES ARE SERVED

BY THE PARTNERSHIP’S HEALTH SOCIAL BEHAVIORS SPECIALISTS

HEALTHY SOCIAL BEHAVIORS INITIATIVE The Healthy Social Behaviors (HSB) Initiative was established in July 2005 to address behavioral issues in young children by offering services designed to identify, prevent and modify challenging behaviors with a goal of reducing exclusion practices and promoting social-emotional development of children in NC licensed child care centers. The program works to: • Provide specialized consultation, technical assistance, and training focusing on identifying, preventing, and addressing challenging behaviors of young children in child care.

• Reduce the use of exclusion practices in licensed child

care, including suspension and expulsion.

• Promote social competencies in all children in child care centers.

• Help teachers determine strategies to teach children socially appropriate behaviors.

• Work with teachers to enhance classroom management techniques and promote childcentered learning activities that promote pro-social behaviors.

• Provide educational resources through articles and training events to others in the community interested in promoting the social emotional health of our state’s young children.

DETAILED PROGRAM OUTCOME BREAKDOWN • 17 classrooms within 10 child care facilities received services through the Social Behaviors Initiative.

• 34 child care providers received technical assistance.

• The Partnership’s Healthy Social Behaviors Specialist completed 259 total visits during the fiscal year, providing over 3,690 hours of technical assistance services.

• Staff provided 13 trainings to child care staff on various topics.

• 198 child care providers attended a training with HSB staff.

COUNTIES RECEIVING TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE

198 CHILD CARE PROVIDERS ATTENDED A TRAINING WITH HEALTHY SOCIAL BEHAVIORS STAFF

Our Infant/ Toddler program worked with two other specialists to create a pilot program called Leading The Way. This three-part training component discusses evidencebased practices and policies that support high quality child care environments, how these environments support children and caregivers, and how different programs can approach implementing these practices.

“I have been able to participate in several professional development opportunities that have provided me with new tools and to becoming a better coach for providers.”

Kim Peele, Infant/Toddler Specialist

REGIONAL INFANT/ TODDLER SPECIALIST In 2004, the state of North Carolina, through the NC Division of Child Development funding, established a statewide Infant and Toddler Quality Enhancement Project. The project’s goal is to improve the quality and availability of infant/toddler care in North Carolina.

The project team serves all 100 NC counties through infant/toddler specialists housed in regional lead child care resource and referral agencies.

The infant/toddler specialists offer assistance in classrooms in a variety of ways, including providing technical assistance for the Toddler Environment Rating Scale (ITERS), resources on positive guidance for infants and toddlers, and Ages & Stages child development information.

ANNUAL UPDATE Despite facing everyday challenges presented by the pandemic, the Infant Toddler Quality Enhancement Project has remained busy and productive during the last fiscal year.

Throughout the pandemic, we have consistently provided virtual technical assistance/ coaching to programs as well as virtual trainings to child care providers across my region. In addition, we’ve partnered with three other regions to implement a new way to offer technical

assistance and coaching sessions to providers. Once a month, we offer an hourly session where we discuss any needs, interests, and concerns our providers have.

Another wonderful opportunity we’ve offered to administrators over the last year is a Community of Practice program titled Leading the Way. A Community of Practice is an organized group of people who have a common interest in a specific area. The group collaborates regularly to share information, improve their skills, and actively work on advancing people’s general knowledge of the topic. In partnership with two other infant/toddler specialists, we created the Leading the Way program to help support high quality infant/ toddler care practices in child care facilities. This threepart training component discusses evidence-based practices and policies that support high quality child care environments, how these environments support children and caregivers, and how different programs can approach implementing these practices. The program also involves a coaching component and rolls out as a pilot program in September of 2021.

We look forward to being able to help administrators become more effective leaders for their programs.

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25 BABIES WERE BORN TO MOTHERS IN THE PROGRAM DURING THE FISCAL YEAR

“Thanks to the program I felt supported because any doubt no matter how small the nurse was always there to support us. There were days we did not have someone to take us to the pediatrician and she was always there to support us with that.

She was always making sure we had enough income for diapers and everything related to the little one ...”

NURSE-FAMILY PARTNERSHIP Motherhood can be an overwhelming time, but the Nurse-Family Partnership (NFP) program is here to help. NFP serves as a support system for low-income, first-time parents whose babies face risks such as low birth weight and premature birth.

NFP works by having specially trained nurses regularly visit young, first-time moms-to-be, starting early in the pregnancy, and continuing through the child’s second birthday.

The expectant moms benefit by getting the care and support they need to have a healthy pregnancy. At the same time, new mothers develop a close relationship with a nurse who becomes a trusted resource they can rely on for advice on everything from safely caring for their child to taking steps to provide a stable, secure future for them both.

Through the partnership, the nurses provides new moms with the confidence and tools they need not only to assure a healthy start for their babies, but to envision a life of stability

and opportunities for the overall success of themselves and their families as a whole.

The goals of the Nurse-Family Partnership program are: • To improve pregnancy outcomes by helping women engage in preventive health practices, including getting prenatal care from their healthcare providers, improving their diet, and reducing their use of cigarettes, alcohol, and illegal substances.

• To improve child health and development by helping parents provide responsible and competent care.

• To improve the economic self-sufficiency of the family by helping parents develop a vision for their own future, plan future pregnancies, continue their education, and find work.

NFP of Pitt County is partially funded through the Martin-Pitt Partnership for Children, as well as through other community organizations, grants, and the NC Department of Health and Human Services.

DETAILED PROGRAM OUTCOME BREAKDOWN

40 FAMILIES PARTICIPATED IN WEEKLY VISITS FROM A REGISTERED NURSE

• 70 parents/guardians participated in the NFP program.

• 40 families participated in weekly home visits conducted with participating mothers.

• 282 participating children were up-to-date on immunizations.

52 CHILDREN RECEIVED AN ANNUAL DEVELOPMENTAL SCREENING THROUGH THE PROGRAM

28 PARENTS/GUARDIANS ATTENDED A GROUP CONNECTION EVENT

PARENTS AS TEACHERS Parents as Teachers (PAT) builds strong communities, thriving families, and children that are healthy, safe, and ready to learn by matching parents and caregivers with trained professionals who make regular personal home visits during the child’s earliest years in life.

There are four dynamic components to the Parents as Teachers model: personal visits, group connections, resource network, and child development screenings.

Together, these four components form a cohesive package of services with four

primary goals: • Increase parent knowledge of early childhood development and improve parent practices.

• Provide early detection of developmental delays/ health issues.

• Prevent child abuse and neglect.

• Increase children’s school readiness and success.

Throughout the pandemic, Parent Educators remained in ouch with families through Zoom, phone calls, text messages, and porch drop-offs for activities.

DETAILED PROGRAM OUTCOME BREAKDOWN • 57 parents/guardians participated in routine home visits with a trained Parent Educator.

• 53 parents/guardians received referrals or were linked to other community resources.

• 69 children birth to five years old participated in the PAT program, including home visits with a Parent Educator.

• 28 parents/guardians attended a Group Connection event.

• 52 children received an annual developmental screening.

TYPES OF REFERRAL SERVICES PROVIDED

57 PARENTS/GUARDIANS PARTICIPATED IN ROUTINE HOME VISITS WITH A TRAINED PARENT EDUCATOR

• Community centers, libraries, and museums • Community/group participation programs • Dental services • Employment resources • Food/nutrition resources • General child care/preschool info • General parenting support • Housing and utilities • Immigration application • Legal services • Medical services • Preschool, Head Start, Early Head Start

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129 CLASSROOMS RECEIVED TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE FROM QUEST STAFF

1,854 CHILDREN WERE IMPACTED BY THE TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE STAFF

QUALITY, EDUCATION, SUPPORT, & TRAINING Our Quality, Education, Support, and Training program, also known as QUEST, provides free assistance to child care providers with the North Carolina Department of Child Development and Early Education’s star rated licensing applications and environment rating scales, resources on child care rules and regulations, positive guidance techniques, and curriculum.

Quality enhancement specialists work one-on-one with child care facilities to help promote quality care through consultations, quality improvement plans, and professional development assistance. The staff also offers trainings and referrals to community services to their network of child care providers.

In addition, QUEST assists those opening a child care program with the necessary policies and procedures to become licensed.

During the pandemic, quality

enhancement specialists remained in touch with child care providers in the community, ensuring that questions were being answered and assistance provided. One of the most important duties the QUEST staff provided during this fiscal year was helping providers work through paperwork and grant applications. Our QUEST staff remained available via phone, email, text message, and Zoom to assist providers in filling out forms for financial assistance, connecting them to specialists at the health department to answer COVIDrelated questions, and assisting with curbside pick-up of materials from the Resource Room.

QUEST also continued to serve participants in its Help Us Grow grant program. Despite the challenges of the pandemic, child care facilities were still able to grow on-site gardens to encourage healthy eating and environmental awareness in the children they serve.

DETAILED PROGRAM OUTCOME BREAKDOWN

944 LICENSED PROVIDERS RECEIVED TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE FROM QUEST STAFF

• 26 child care programs received technical assistance, 23 programs in Pitt County and 3 programs in Martin County.

• 36 family child care homes received technical assistance visits, 29 in Pitt County and 7 in Martin County.

• 129 classrooms received technical assistance, 23 in Martin County and 106 in Pitt County.

• 1,854 children were impacted by the technical assistance staff.

• 944 licensed providers received technical assistance, 797 in Pitt County and 147 in Martin County.

407 FAMILIES PARTICIPATED IN BOOK ROTATIONS, INCREASING THEIR CHILD’S EXPOSURE TO READING

437+ CHILDREN BENEFITED FROM BOOK ROTATIONS IN THEIR CLASSROOMS

RAISING A READER Participating in early literacy activities is critical for young children and their families to help ensure they enter kindergarten ready to succeed.

Through the Raising A Reader program, early childhood professionals are assisted in creating literacy-rich environments by rotating books into student’s homes over the course of the school year.

Parents participate by attending events, reading with their child, and taking their child to the local library to check out books.

In August, each classroom teacher and/or assistant teacher chooses the books for their classroom. Each classroom receives 25 red bags, each containing four books, that begin rotating home with the children in October.

The bags continue to rotate home with the children through early May, with the hope that by the end of the program, each child in the classroom will have brought home 100 different books throughout the year to share with their families.

DETAILED PROGRAM OUTCOME BREAKDOWN • 30 classrooms at 10 different child care facilities participated in the Raising A Reader program, with 407 families receiving books.

• More than 437 children benefited from book rotations.

• 46% of parents surveyed reported an increase in library visits.

• 60% of parents surveyed reported reading to their child four or more times each week.

• 94% of parents surveyed believed their child had increased access to books after participating in the program.

• Early literacy coordinators made 303 visits to child care facilities to deliver story time kits.

• 8 family literacy events and parent workshops were conducted.

94% OF PARENTS SURVEYED BELIEVED THEIR CHILD HAD INCREASED ACCESS TO BOOKS AFTER PARTICIPATING IN THE PROGRAM

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250+ BABY BOOKS WERE DISTRIBUTED TO PARENTS AT CHILDREN’S HEALTH SERVICES

4,077 BOOKS WERE DISTRIBUTED TO CHILDREN DURING WELL-CHILD VISITS

REACH OUT AND READ It’s vital that children benefit from reading and other language-rich experiences starting at birth. Reading together furthers language acquisition, promotes brain development, and provides an opportunity for families to build powerful, lasting bonds.

Reach Out and Read is an early literacy initiative that pairs reading with health and wellness. The program works with local pediatricians to promote early literacy and school readiness in patient exam rooms by providing children’s books and advice to parents about the importance of reading aloud during wellchild visits, beginning at six months and continuing until the child reaches kindergarten.

Reach Out and Read builds on the unique relationship between parents and medical providers to develop critical early reading skills in children, beginning in infancy.

As recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics, Reach Out and Read incorporates early literacy into pediatric practice, equipping parents with tools and knowledge to ensure that their children are prepared to learn when they start school.

Reach Out and Read families read together more often, and their children enter kindergarten with larger vocabularies and stronger language skills.

During the preschool years, children served by Reach Out and Read score three to six months ahead of their nonReach Out and Read peers on vocabulary tests. These early foundational language skills help start children on a path of success when they enter school.

Martin-Pitt Partnership for Children partners with Children’s Health Services in Greenville for the Reach Out And Read program.

NUMBER OF BOOKS DISTRIBUTED BY AGE GROUP

38.6% OF CHILDREN WHO RECEIVED BOOKS WERE UNDER ONE YEAR OF AGE

4,591 TOTAL CHILDREN WERE SERVED IN MARTIN AND PITT COUNTY CHILD CARE FACILITIES DURING JUNE 2021

1,649 CHILDREN RECEIVED FUNDING TO ATTEND HIGH-QUALITY CHILD CARE PROGRAMS

CHILD CARE SUBSIDY The Child Care Subsidy program uses state and federal funds to provide subsidized child care services to eligible families. Smart Start funding is designated from each local Partnership agency to help subsidize the cost of child care for working caregivers who chose care in 4- or 5-star rated licensed facility. Eligible parents pay a reduced fee for child care based on family income and the star-rating of the child care facility.

Families who meet the following criteria may be eligible to receive child care assistance: • You are working or are attempting to find work.

• You are in school or in a job training program.

• Your child is receiving child protective services.

• Your child needs care to support child welfare services or if your family is experiencing a crisis.

• Your child has developmental needs.

MARTIN COUNTY PROGRAM OUTCOMES • The families of 178 children received funding to enroll their child in a high-quality child care program.

• 100% of children whose families utilized subsidy in Martin County were enrolled in a 4- or 5-star rated facility.

• On average, children on subsidy in Martin County were receiving care in a facility with a 4-star rating.

PITT COUNTY PROGRAM OUTCOMES • The families of 1,471 children received funding to enroll their child in a high-quality child care program.

• On average, children receiving subsidy in Pitt County were enrolled in a facility with a 5-star rating.

100% OF CHILDREN RECEIVING SUBSIDY IN MARTIN COUNTY WERE ENROLLED IN A 4- OR 5-STAR RATED FACILITY

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84% OF PARTICIPANTS HAD AN ASSOCIATES DEGREE OR HIGHER, OR WERE COMPLETING THE COURSEWORK DURING THE YEAR

WAGE$ The Child Care WAGE$® Project is an education-based salary supplement program for teachers and family child care providers that is provided thanks to a funding partnership between Smart Start, the North Carolina Division of Child Development and the Office of Early Learning.

The program education, position, and work schedule for each applicant are assessed to determine the annual award.

To encourage consistency, installments based on half of the annual award are issued after each six month period the participant completes in the same child care program.

DETAILED PROGRAM OUTCOME BREAKDOWN

78 CHILD CARE PROVIDERS RECEIVED SUPPLEMENT PAY FROM THE PROGRAM

“It motivates teachers to continue in child care, and it makes teachers feel appreciated.”

Pitt County, Teacher

• WAGE$ participants had a 5% turnover rate through June, far less than the program’s goal of 25% and the state’s rate of 31%.

• 84% of active participants had permanent levels on the education scale (AAS ECE or higher) or submitted education during the year to document additional coursework.

• 78 child care professionals were issued supplements, with a six-month average of $756.

QUOTES FROM LOCAL WAGE$ RECIPIENTS “(WAGE$) is important because working in an early childhood program is challenging and important, but the staff is severely underpaid. To attract highly competent and qualified candidates, you have to be able to offer a competitive wage, especially when teachers are licensed and hold a bachelor’s degree. I have been in the field for over 20 years, and it is becoming harder and harder to attract highly qualified candidates.”

Pitt County, Director “The WAGE$ supplement is so important because it has helped with staff retention. Our workers deserve to be paid so much more, and for the teachers receiving WAGE$, I am so grateful.”

Martin County, Director “It helped me catch up on bills.”

5% TURNOVER RATE OF PARTICIPANTS (THE PROGRAM GOAL IS 25% AND STATE RATE IS 31%)

Pitt County, Teacher

“It helps us with our bills to remain open, and it helps to put food in our child care children’s mouths in so many ways. It is a blessing.”

Pitt County, Family Child Care Home Provider

OUR IMPACT STORIES FROM OUR PROGRAM STAFF COMMUNITY OUTREACH How to create engaging events during a pandemic isn’t something they teach you in school. The last year has challenged us in ways we never could have imagined, but our partnerships with other community organizations and the creativity and talent of our staff has helped us continue to reach families, caregivers, and child care providers throughout our community.

During the 2020-2021 fiscal year, the Community Outreach staff installed two new little lending libraries full of age-appropriate children’s books in our communities — one at the housing authority in Williamston and one at the housing authority in Ayden. The books include titles in English and Spanish as well as bilingual options.

Our staff also continued to reach caregivers and community members through our website and social media channels. The Partnership’s Facebook posts reached nearly 74,000 people over the course of the fiscal year, and the website received 27,221 views from 9,570 people, — 9,490 of who were new users.

Although nearly all of our events were canceled or postponed due to the Pandemic, our staff was still able to participate in the semiannual Nearly New Fish Benefit Sale. Over the course of the two sales, the Partnership raised $6,887.20, all of which will be directly invested back into our communities to support early childhood education.

Volunteers and interns are the backbone of our agency’s success. Each year, our organization is asked to meet an in-kind match that includes volunteer hours, grants, and donations. Without our countless volunteers, this match would never be possible. During the 2020-2021 fiscal year, volunteers donated more than 2,700 in-kind hours, totaling $104,053 in service hours as calculated by Smart Start.

This past fiscal year had many exciting successes to celebrate. However, few were as monumental as the purchase of the

Partnership’s first transit van. After casually searching for years, the Partnership made the purchase of a vehicle a priority. Thanks to the incredible staff at CarMax, we were able to purchase a Ford Transit Van this spring. The van will be used to deliver materials to child care providers in rural parts of our community, transport staff to conferences and events, and serve as a mobile advertisement for the Partnership’s services.

As we continue to adjust to the changing landscape of the world, we’re more prepared than ever to succeed at whatever challenges life throws at us.

NURSE-FAMILY PARTNERSHIP This story comes from one of the women served by the Nurse-Family Partnership program and is published in English and Spanish.

Three years ago I arrived to the United States.

From the moment I arrived on American soil I met excellent people. My entry into NFP (Nurse-Family Partnership) was on December 15, 2018. I believe the nurse and I will never forget how we met each other. I did not know that I had been qualified to join the program, but I thank God and the social worker that sent my documents, because I met a wonderful (CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE)

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person that helped me and still helps since the first moment that we started this journey of maternity.

During my pregnancy it was very supportive to have a qualified nurse by my side and especially with a lot of humanity. The best part is that (the nurse) speaks Spanish because I do not speak English. During my pregnancy, she taught me relaxation exercises, meditation, and every appointment we spoke about how I felt changes in my body, how the baby was growing. She was there in every moment of those months helping me to understand each change there was and the best topics that we dealt with were about the baby, how the first days would be as mom.

The great day came, the birth of the baby, and she was attentive to us by telephone and 5 days after the baby was born she came to the house to meet her, weigh her, measure her, and began to give us information about how the first days at home would be.

Thanks to the program I felt supported because any doubt no matter how small the nurse was always there to support us. There were days we did not have someone to take us to the pediatrician and she was always there to support us with that. She was always making sure we had enough income for diapers and everything related to the little one, but it was only a few months that she was able to come to the house after the baby was born because in 2020 the pandemic began. But she continued to be there for us by telephone about the baby’s growth, her feeding, everything. It was a very helpful program for my family, especially for the baby. She would get happy to see her nurse Liz. We consider her part of our family because she was with us despite the pandemic of course by telephone, but it was special to wait for that call, the conversations about everything especially with this pandemic that we are living in worldwide. She was always attentive to the baby. It was very sad to not see her at home during the last visits, but that’s how we ended the program. 2021 was sad, but there was a lot of happiness because there will continue to be new generations in this program. May God always bless the workers of this beautiful program.

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Hace tres años que llegué a Estados Unidos desde el momento que llegué a tierras estadounidenses me encontré con gente excelente.

Mi ingreso al programa nurse family partnership fue un 15 de diciembre del 2018.

Creo que la enfermera y yo jamás olvidaremos como nos conocimos. Yo no sabía que había sido calificada para ingresar al programa pero agradezco a dios y ala trabajadora social que mando mis documentos por que conocí una persona maravillosa que me ayudó y sigue ayudando desde el primer momento que empezamos esté camino de la maternidad.

Durante mi embarazo fue de mucho apoyo tener a mi lado una enfermera capacitada y sobre todo con mucha humanidad y lo mejor que habla español por que yo no hablo Inglés.

Durante mi embarazo ella me enseñó ejercicios de relajación, meditación, y sobre todo cada cita hablábamos de cómo sentía cambios en mi cuerpo de como la bebé iba creciendo. Estuvo en cada momento de esos meses ayudándome a entender cada cambio que había y sobre todo los mejores temas que abordadamos era sobre la bebé, y de como seria los primeros días. Como mama, se llegó el gran día del nacimiento de la bebé y ella estuvo al pendiente de nosotras por teléfono y alos 5 días que nació la bebe ella bino a casa para conocerla, pesarla,medirla y para empezar a darnos más información de como serian los primeros días en casa. Gracias al programa me sentía apoyada por que cualquier duda tan pequeña que haya sido la enfermera siempre estaba para apoyarnos. Hubo días que no teníamos quien nos llevara al pediatra y ella siempre estaba para apoyarnos en eso. Siempre al pendiente si teníamos suficientes ingresos para pañales y lo relacionado ala pequeña, pero solo fueron unos pocos mese que pudo estar asistiendo a casa después de que nació la bebé por que para el 2020 empezó la pandemia. Pero ella como siempre al pendiente de nosotras por teléfono del crecimiento de la niña de su alimentación, y de todo. Fue un programa de mucha ayuda para mi familia, y sobre todo para la bebé. Ella se ponía feliz de ver a Liz, su enfermera.

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Nosotros la consideramos parte de nuestra participating in routine home visits with their familia por que estuvo con nosotros a pesar parent educators. We’ve also seen an increase de la pandemia, claro por telefono pero era in the number of families referred to community especial esperar esa llamada. services this year.

“One of my families has a Esas platicas sobre todo con Being able to connect with 2-year-old son whose doctor esta pandemia que estamos families, albeit virtually, viviendo a nivel mundial, y ella remained a constant this year, suspected that he could have siempre estaba al pendiente and we’re so proud of the autism. I have a background de la bebé. Fue muy triste no commitment our families made in working with children with volver a verla en casa todas to participating in the program. autism spectrum disorder. las siguientes citas pero así Even with feeling a bit more I provided the family with terminamos el programa que settled into the virtual service resources for his possible fue maravilloso lleno de tantas delivery world, our Parents diagnoses and tips to help the cosas que siempre se guardarán as Teachers program is really mom with any difficulties or en el corazón y en la mente. El looking forward to getting questions regarding her child. programa llego a su fin el 18 de back to in-person activities, After the family received the junio del 2021 fue triste pero starting with socially-distanced mucha alegría por que seguirán diagnosis, I was able to assist outside visits (in accordance generaciones nuevas con este with health and safety the mom with understanding programa recommendations). that it is okay. I affirmed to the Que dios bendiga siempre a Although we’ve changed the family it is beneficial that their todos los trabajadores de este way we’ve offered our services, son’s diagnosis was made at an hermoso programa. we’ve remained consistent with early age because of the many establishing and building upon benefits of early intervention.” connections with our families.

PARENTS AS TEACHERS It has been 16 months since Teneshia Webb Our program has continued to the COVID-19 Pandemic Parent Educator offer regular group connection events, usually on a monthly began, forcing the Parents as basis, in a virtual format during the pandemic.

Teachers (PAT) program to change its service In June of 2021, the PAT program was thrilled delivery from in-person to virtual (including to offer their first in-person telecommunication and “One of my families brought group connection in 16 months! video conferencing). For the The event occurred outside and most part, our families have their newborn daughter home continued participating in all recommended COVID-19 from the hospital the day our virtual visits at the expected protocols were followed, state went into full shut-down frequency and seem to look including temperature checks, mode. I have watched this forward to our time together. masks, and small groups to child grow, development, and While there has been a huge ensure appropriate social celebrate her 1st birthday all learning curve, we have enjoyed distancing space was available. through video conferences.” watching families and children Our families seemed to be very grow, develop, conquer excited about the opportunity Laurie McPhillips difficult diagnosis, and even Parent Educator to get out, see their Parent celebrate birthdays in a virtual Educators in-person again, environment. and to spend time with other One of the highlights of serving families families. There was a wonderful turn out, virtually was the increase we saw in the families with approximately 30 families attending the attending home visit meetings. Compared to sessions over two days. As we work to establish the previous fiscal year, the PAT program saw a “new normal,” we look forward to everything a 21.3% increase in the number of parents the new year has to offer.

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BOARD OF DIRECTORS THANK YOU TO OUR 2020-2021 BOARD MEMBERS EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE Jason Semple CHAIR | MARTIN COUNTY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION

Leah Arnold VICE CHAIR | LEGAL AID OF NC — GREENVILLE

Ginger Little TREASURER | CENTURYLINK

Dwain Cooper SECRETARY | UNITED WAY OF PITT COUNTY

BOARD OF DIRECTORS Brian Barnett

Rochelle Brown

PITT COUNTY GOVERNMENT

REP EXPRESS

Rev. Dr. Rodney Coles Sr.

Dr. Augustine Frazer

CHURCHES OUTREACH NETWORK

PITT COUNTY DEPT. OF SOCIAL SERVICES

Wes Gray

TD Gribble

MARTIN-TYRRELL-WASHINGTON DISTRICT HEALTH

EAST CAROLINA UNIVERSITY

Michael Pichan

Juvencio Rocha-Peralta

KELLER WILLIAMS REALTY

AMEXCAN

Wanda Yuhas RETIRED, PITT COUNTY DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION

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EXPENDITURES Child Care & Quality Education

Child Care Subsidy

Administration

Family Support & Early Literacy Health

Program Support

Administration, $234,013 Child Care Subsidy, $1,072,928 • Martin County DSS Subsidy • Pitt County DSS Subsidy Child Care & Quality Education, $580,862 • ChildLinks • QUEST • WAGE$

Health, $202,973 • Martin Co. Child Care Health Consultants • Pitt Co. Child Care Health Consultants Family Support & Literacy, $375,734 • Nurse Family Partnership • Parents As Teachers • Raising A Reader Program Support, $194,508 • Community Outreach • Program Evaluation

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A bright fut ure for every child in our community.