Calendar of Events
Dubuque County Empowerment Board Meeting
Tuesday, September 23, at 12:00 p.m.
Keystone AEA, 2310 Chaney Road, Dubuque
Announcements
Empowerment Announces 2007 “Child at Heart” Awards
Dubuque County Empowerment has selected Chris McCarron, Principal, Prescott Elementary School, as the Dubuque County recipient of the 2007 "Child at Heart" Award. Chris also was the Iowa winner for this award. The state-level honor is given annually to one individual who is a champion for children and who has implemented innovative approaches to help others take leadership roles for families. Each Empowerment area in the state is allowed to make one nomination. The award was bestowed by the Association for Iowa’s Children on November 14 at the Early Childhood Congress in Ames.
Chris McCarron has devoted her life to children and their individual learning needs. She has worked as a special education teacher and principal at three elementary schools. Chris is a champion for children’s rights and a creator of opportunities for them to reach academic success in spite of factors that might limit outcomes. She has created structures that did not previously exist and worked with local, regional, and national organizations to advocate for and provide experiences to stretch and strengthen children’s learning. In words and actions, Chris lives out her belief that all children have greater potential and possibility than we can know. For her, the finest teaching, strongest parent connections, and most collaborative community partnerships are needed to help children become all that they can be.
Dubuque County runners up for the award included Jane Steele and Arnie Honkamp. Empowerment celebrates Chris, Jane, and Arnie in their accomplishments and the positive impact they have had on this community. A recognition ceremony will take place at the May 27th meeting of the Dubuque County Empowerment Board. This will be held at noon at Keystone AEA, 2310 Chaney Drive, Dubuque, IA. For more information, call (563) 588-1620.
Dubuque County Empowerment Announces Grants Available for Transition to Kindergarten
The Dubuque County Empowerment Board has identified “transition to kindergarten” as a community need for children in this county for a third year. The board designated $60,000 in available funds and announces a request for proposals for collaborative projects that meet specified goals.
Projects should identify pre-kindergarten aged children in need of support to enter school ready to succeed. Projects then would implement a program to promote children’s success in learning prior to entering kindergarten.
Grants will be awarded to organizations that serve young children in Dubuque County. Preference will be given to projects that involve collaboration, non-duplication of services, blended funding, measurement of outcomes, and plans for sustainability.
To obtain the request for proposals, contact Dubuque County Empowerment at 2728 Asbury Road, Suite 500, Dubuque, IA, 52001, (563) 588-1620, or sedward24@aol.com. Empowerment will accept proposals until May 14, 2008. To be considered, applicants must submit one original and ten duplicate copies of each proposal.
Empowerment is a state initiative to help children age 0-5 be healthy and ready to succeed. In this area, the Dubuque County Empowerment Board builds public commitment and works collaboratively with the community to develop an early childhood system. System goals include high quality child care, education, health care, and services for all children birth to age 5 and their families.
“Healthy and Successful Families” Children’s Drawing Contest
Dubuque County Empowerment will hold its fourth annual Children’s Drawing Contest for children aged 0 - kindergarten to promote creativity in the early years. Using crayons, markers, or colored pencils, children will be asked to draw a freehand picture in response to a family theme. Empowerment is a community organization that promotes healthy and successful children and families throughout Dubuque County.
The contest will run from March 15 to April 30, 2008. Entry form pick-up locations will include Child Care Resource & Referral (1789 Elm Street) and Dubuque County Empowerment (2728 Asbury Road, Suite 500). Entry forms also will go home in backpacks of many preschool and kindergarten-age children.
“When young children draw, this activity encourages their development and imagination,” commented Sherri Edwards, Director, Dubuque County Empowerment. “It also provides a special opportunity for parents and caregivers to interact with their children.”
The contest will have five different age categories – up to age one; 2 years old; 3 years old; 4 years old; and 5-kindergarten. A random drawing will be held in each of the five age groups to determine the prize winners. Entries will be displayed later in the year at family events in Dubuque County. For more information or to request an entry form, contact Dubuque County Empowerment at (563) 588-1620 or info@empowerdubuque.org.
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Preschool Scholarships Available
In Dubuque County
Preschool scholarships are available from Dubuque County Empowerment through Child Care Resource & Referral for families in Dubuque County. Scholarships are income based and awarded on a first come, first serve basis for families that meet requirements. However, if a family is income eligible for Head Start, then they are not eligible for this program.
For those that qualify, families must choose a preschool that has committed to implementing the Iowa Quality Preschool Program Standards (IQPPS) or another specific quality criteria. IQPPS is a State of Iowa initiative to increase the quality and standards in educating young children. Many preschools throughout Dubuque County are taking part in IQPPS. Only preschools participating in a quality criteria can accept students on preschool scholarships in collaboration with this program.
To obtain more information, find out if a family is eligible for a scholarship, or learn more about IQPPS, call Tara Roddick, Program Specialist, Child Care Resource & Referral at (563) 557-1628 or toll free at 1-866-296-5331.
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Activities for Children and Families
Dubuque County Empowerment now offers a comprehensive list of exciting activities for children and families who live in the tri-state area. To view the day-by-day schedule, select the Family Activities Around Dubuque icon from the home page. Click here to view this information
If you know of an activity to contribute to this list, write to info@empowerdubuque.org. In addition, please send a notice if you have a correction to information provided on the list. Dubuque County Empowerment is not responsible for any errors found in the listed activities. Thank you!
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Speaker's Bureau Opportunity
You can invite Empowerment to speak at the next meeting of your group or organization. For more information, write to info@empowerdubuque.org.
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Empowerment Video Available
The Public Relations Committee of Empower Dubuque has released an informational video produced through Loras College. Narrated by Bobbie Earles, the video explains Empowerment's vision and goals for the Greater Dubuque community. It includes local footage from preschools, day care centers, a home child care provider, and a Parents As Teachers family. In addition, the video includes highlights from interviews with Empowerment Board members, a childcare educator, a Dubuque parent, and more. The video is available for loan or in conjunction with a presentation from Empowerment's Speaker's Bureau. If are interested in viewing the video or hosting a presentation, write to info@empowerdubuque.org.
State Empowerment News
State Empowerment News: Newsletter Available
The latest edition of the Empowerment newsletter for the State Office now is available on-line. In this issue, readers can learn of local and state efforts to establish a system of early care, health, and education for the children of Iowa. To access the newsletter, go to the following link:
www.empowerment.state.ia.us/empowerment_news.asp
