Get Free Legal Advice about Divorce

 

Project Self-Sufficiency will host a free, virtual Family Law seminar on Thursday, September 19^th, 7:00 p.m.  Participants will discuss child support, grounds for divorce, court procedures, alimony, parenting time, equitable distribution of assets, and other topics related to divorce.  The presentation, which will be offered through Zoom, is free and open to the public; interested attendees should call Project Self-Sufficiency, 973-940-3500, for log-in details.  The agency’s legal seminar series is a program of the Journey Family Success Center at Project Self-Sufficiency and is funded by the New Jersey Department of Children & Families.

Little Sprouts Achieves Prestigious Recognition

 

The Little Sprouts Early Learning Center was recently awarded a four-star rating from Grow NJ Kids, the state-sponsored initiative to raise the quality of child care and early learning throughout New Jersey.  The rating is based on a rigorous process which considers documentation, classroom environment, in-person observations, and other factors. The Little Sprouts Early Learning Center is an expansive childcare and preschool facility which offers space for 83 youngsters, ages 6 weeks to 6 years, and is operated by Project Self-Sufficiency at 127 Mill Street in Newton. 

 

Jennifer Blohm is a Technical Assistance Specialist from the Central Jersey Family Health Consortium, one of three agencies assigned to provide technical assistance and support to programs participating in Grow NJ Kids.  Blohm was so impressed by the quality of the Little Sprouts Early Learning Center environment, that she decided to enroll her own child in the preschool.  “The goal of Grow NJ Kids is to have quality care across the state of New Jersey in all programs. The classrooms at Little Sprouts achieved very high scores in the observation tool which resulted in a 4-star rating for the program. It’s an amazing achievement and it really speaks to the high quality of the environment.”

 

Participating Grow NJ Kids facilities are monitored every three years.  During the evaluation, specialists review an array of documentation related to the center, including handbooks, professional development records and curriculum as well as equipment and facility logs. In addition, raters assess teaching strategies, interactions between faculty and students, and adherence to guidelines for health and safety, literacy, classroom displays, diversity, and community outreach. Between assessments, specialists are available for in-class support and assistance.

 

“We are acutely aware that high-quality childcare and preschool are needed to prepare students for a lifetime of success, both in the classroom and in the community,” remarked Project Self-Sufficiency Executive Director Deborah Berry-Toon.  “We are extremely proud of the faculty at the Little Sprouts Early Learning Center for their dedication to their students, their creativity, and their commitment to offering the highest quality care to each and every child who comes through our doors.”

 

The Little Sprouts Early Learning Center features separate classrooms for each age group, from infancy through preschool.  Free preschool is available to Newton students, ages 3 and 4. The center uses Creative Curriculum, a curriculum approved by the State of New Jersey and endorsed by the National Association for the Education of Young Children, in all classrooms to help children learn important skills in math, literacy, science, social studies, the arts, and technology. Fully qualified teachers are available in each school room and the child-teacher ratio adheres to or exceeds state standards.

 

The availability of an on-site vegetable garden and weekly visits by Master Gardeners provides interactive instruction about nutrition, the origin of food, cooking, and other topics. The curriculum is enhanced by frequent special guests who read to the students and offer simple lessons in the arts.

 

Each classroom has new equipment and classroom learning materials to support  dramatic play, science and technology, sand and water play, reading, and music.  The center also contains an all-purpose room for active indoor play and parent presentations, as well as a sick room for those children who may fall ill during the day.  The center is equipped with two separate playgrounds, one for younger tots and one for older children. All types of state-sponsored child care benefits are accepted, including New Jersey Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP) and child care offered through the state’s Work First New Jersey cash assistance program.  For more information visit the center’s website, www.littlesproutsearlylearningcenter.org or call 973-940-3540.

Workshops, Discussion Groups, and One-on-One Coaching for Parents

 

Parents and caregivers are invited to attend free in-person parenting skills workshops and discussion groups at Project Self-Sufficiency which will offer practical strategies to address common parenting challenges with children. The workshops and discussion groups will help participants identify their parenting goals, address behavioral problems, and promote healthy child development by using the Triple P Positive Parenting Program, a comprehensive education initiative targeted to parents, healthcare professionals, educators, and caregivers of infants, toddlers, and school-aged children. 

 

In-person sessions will be held at 5:00 p.m. at Project Self-Sufficiency; pizza and childcare will be available to attendees at all in-person sessions. Additional group sessions will be offered remotely via Zoom. Attendees will receive a gift card for participating.

 

Targeted parenting workshops will address a wide range of topics, including:

·         Power of Positive Parenting, September 4^th

·         Raising Resilient Children, September 11^th.

·         Raising Confident, Competent Children, September 18^th.

·         Developing Good Bedtime Routines, October 2^nd.

·         Hassle-Free Mealtimes with Children, October 9^th.

·         Managing Fighting & Aggression, October 16^th.

·         Dealing with Disobedience, October 23^rd.

·         Hassle-Free Shopping with Children, October 30^th.

 

Positive parenting classes will combine group discussion with individualized sessions regarding:

·         Positive Parenting, September 17^th.

·         Helping Children Develop, September 24^th.

·         Managing Misbehavior, October 1^st.

·         Planning Ahead, October 8^th.

 

Finally, one-on-one coaching will be offered at Project Self-Sufficiency to parents who desire additional support on Tuesdays, 4:00 – 6:00 p.m. Parents are encouraged to drop in on September 10^th, 24^th, October 8^th, and 22^nd.

 

“These programs will give parents, caregivers, and educators simple and practical strategies to help build strong, healthy relationships, confidently manage children’s behavior, and reduce stress,” explains Project Self-Sufficiency Executive Director Deborah Berry-Toon.

 

Interested participants are invited to call Project Self-Sufficiency, 973-940-3500, or register online, https://www.projectselfsufficiency.org/parenting-classes.