CHILDREN & FAMILIES FIRST TO SERVE AS INTERIM MANAGER OF HEAD START AND EARLY HEAD START IN KENT & SUSSEX COUNTIES

July 2020 - Children & Families First (CFF) reported today that it has been identified by The Office of Head Start (OHS) as the Interim Manager of Head Start and Early Head Start Programs in Kent and Sussex Counties.

Telamon Corporation, the previous grantee, made the difficult decision earlier this year to end their role in the Head Start and Early Head Start programs in Delaware. “Telamon is happy to work with CFF to support their successful implementation of the program,” said Suzanne Orozco, Executive Director of Telamon Corporation. CFF and Telamon are working diligently to ensure a smooth transition so that eligible families continue to have access to high quality early learning experiences for their children in the most appropriate setting. 

"We are excited for the opportunity to serve children and families through the evidence-based Head Start and Early Head Start programs," said Kirsten Olson, Chief Executive Officer of CFF. "These programs are a natural fit within our statewide continuum of prevention, intervention and healing, building on our 135 years’ of experience delivering outstanding programs and support for children and their families."

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Because of COVID-19, plans for re-opening centers are being developed carefully.  CFF is working closely with OHS to determine the best path forward, taking into account the safety of children, families, and staff.  Parents and families interested in participating in the Head Start or Early Head Start in Kent or Sussex County are asked to call (302) 389-7241.

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“We recognize that this year has been difficult in so many ways for families,” said Eliza Hirst, Chief Strategy Officer of CFF. “Our commitment has always been to ensure children are safe, healthy, and nurtured to achieve their full potential. We are excited to continue these vital programs because we recognize the importance of early intervention and early childhood education for the life-long success of children.”

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For more information: www.cffde.org/headstart

JUNE IS PRIDE MONTH 

It is a time to commemorate years of struggle for civil rights and the ongoing pursuit of equal justice under the law for the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer community, as well as celebrate the accomplishments of LGBTQIA+ individuals.

The landmark decision of the Supreme Court, affirming that sexual orientation and gender identity discrimination are prohibited under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act is an important victory.

At Children & Families First, we acknowledge that to fully actualize our vision of thriving communities where children are healthy, nurtured, and safe; individuals are valued; and families are strong and self-sufficient, we must work to remove systemic barriers and eliminate all forms of discrimination throughout our community.

In these otherwise challenging times, we celebrate - inspired and empowered to continue advocating for equity, inclusion, and freedom that ensures ALL children and their families reach their full potential

BLACK LIVES MATTER. BLACK TRAUMA MATTERS. 

As our community reels from the effects of violence and the persistent inequality of African-Americans and people of color, Children & Families First reaffirms our commitment to our core principles of prevention, intervention and healing knowing these will help our whole community move forward. 

The pain, anguish, and centuries-long legacy of trauma, is not new and cannot be ignored.  With our name as our promise, and in keeping the health, safety and well-being of children and their families as our first priority, we speak out and say...

• We unequivocally condemn racism, inequality, and oppression.  

• We will work for fundamental changes in systems that perpetuate racism, inequality, and oppression.

• We will continue to seek and encourage open and honest dialogue on the issues of racism, inequality, and oppression with all of our stakeholders. 

• We will use the lens of equity, diversity and inclusion to examine, guide and structure our work.

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And we call on all of our resources and reservoirs of resilience to stand with us.

CFFDE's RESPONSE TO COVID-19

Dear Friends,

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Resilience is an ability to adapt well to change, to keep going in the face of adversity and to recover from setbacks. Resilient organizations are those that accept the reality of challenges, relying on strongly held values to inspire and guide them. Children & Families First has successfully met the shifting needs of our communities for over 135 years.

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Today, we as an organization, as a community, as a country, and as a world are facing frightening and uncertain times, where science, research and responsiveness are vitally important. I am proud that our Board of Directors, Administration and Staff remain mutually vested and committed to our core principles of prevention, intervention, and healing.

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More than just our name, keeping the health, well-being and safety of ALL children and their families is our promise. And in so doing,

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• We promise to continue using science and research to implement best practices.

• We promise to seek and develop innovative and forward-thinking solutions.

• We promise to be what is needed, when it is needed, where it is needed.

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And more than anything, we promise to help our children, families and communities thrive for many years to come.

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Respectfully,

Kirsten Olson, Chief Executive Officer

How we're keeping our promise to help our children, families and communities stay safe and healthy

At Children & Families First, our name is our promise. The health and safety of children, families and communities has always been our first and top priority. We rely on the expertise and research of organizations like the Centers for Disease Control and the Delaware Division of Public Health to guide us in implementing best practices.

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Out of an abundance of caution and in keeping with the advice of public health authorities, we are taking preventative measures, which may include temporarily modifying programs and services throughout the state. Please understand, at this time, we have no indication of direct exposure to our staff or families. Any cancellation, disruption or rescheduling is being done as a proactive effort to mitigate the risk of exposure and with maximum concern for you and your family.

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As we monitor the rapidly changing landscape and developments around coronavirus (COVID-19), we will do our very best to communicate directly with each of you regarding any and all changes to our programs and services. We thank you for your trust and flexibility and we encourage you to scroll down to see how our core principles: prevention, intervention and healing continue to be upheld through our response.

Prevention

We're educating our staff and the families we serve with the latest information and recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Delaware Division of Health & Human Services (DHSS) including: 

• All adults & children should increase hygiene procedures

  • Thorough hand washing with soap and water for at least 20 seconds as often as possible

  • Use of alcohol based hand sanitizers when soap and water are not available

  • Cover your mouth and nose with disposable tissues when coughing or sneezing, then wash your hands

  • Avoid touching your face, eyes, nose and mouth

• Stay home if you are sick

• Disinfect surfaces like doorknobs, tables, and handrails regularly

Intervention

We're minimizing program delivery disruption, taking a number of steps to deliver services as safely and effectively as possible because we recognize the importance of continuity in care for the families we serve.

• Implementing pre-screening tools before home visits and at at the entrance doors of all our statewide facilities.

• Increasing the frequency and depth of disinfecting procedures throughout all of our statewide facilities.

• Sharing accurate and up-to-date information on health care access, including services available by phone, as well as coronavirus (COVID-19) testing and related coverage.

• Empowering our staff to work from home and supporting them with the best and most applicable tools 

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Healing

We're proactively responding to these uncertain times and the increased needs of our staff, children, families and community by doing what we have always done best: being who is needed, when we are needed, where we are needed.

• Connecting those we serve with critical support services beyond our own to help them through current challenges 

• Offering financial support for back up child care needed by our essential staff

• Helping staff manage their own anxiety and trauma during these frightening times with our Trauma Response Team

For Questions or Concerns

New Castle County: 302-658-5177

Kent County: 302-674-8384

Sussex County: 302-856-2388

Email:

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