Page 17 - Scene Magazine January 2024 4901

Education Scene
BY ALYSIA TALAMANTEZ
Community Action is a human service organization that offers many essential programs and services to low-income families across multiple counties in South Central Michigan. Our comprehensive services are offered to residents in Barry, Branch, Calhoun, Kalamazoo, and St. Joseph counties. Community Action offers services based on specific community needs in each county. They include services related to education, emer- gency services, food and nutrition, housing and support services, and senior services. In 2022, we served 12,000 clients through our various programs.
to help children grow emotionally by providing opportunities for parents/ caregivers to participate in both group and individual sessions with a contract- ed Mental Health consultant.
6.03. This means that our classrooms are providing an environment that is supportive for the children and where they feel safe, and can leam how to self-regulate. This is especially im- portant as we recover from the effects of the pandemic where most of the children in the program had little to no opportunities to socialize.
What sets Community Action’s Education and Children’s Services program apart from others? Community Action is very family ori- ented and understands that parents are their child’s first teacher. We continue
What else would you like to share about the Education and Children’s Services department? The ECS program uses the Classroom Assess- ment Scoring System (CLASS) as a way to measure quality programming in classrooms. CLASS has a maxi- mum score of a seven. Our qualified teaching staff have eamed our program a score of 6.22 in emotional support, which is above the national average of
Community Action is currently hir- ing for various positions. Apply to be a part of our growing team at caascm. org/careers.
Community Action Serving Families
We had a great turnout for this opportunity, which allowed parents
to learn coping skills and discuss concerns in a safe environment. In addition, we are excited to say that our male involvement in the ECS program more than tripled in the last year!
Community Action’s Early Head Start, Head Start, and Great Start Read- iness Programs (GSRP) are looking for individuals who are interested in work- ing with children birth to five-years old in a classroom supporting creativity and learning as a lead or assistant teacher. This is a great opportunity for you to make an impact on children who need you!
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