Shorthanded Jackson program still helps kids

With just three parent educators, Jackson's Parents as Teachers program served 266 families in 2012-2013, and through screenings, helped identify children with developmental delays.

Heidi Crowden, Cathlin Hayes and Keely Martin presented information on the program to the Jackson school board Tuesday night. Serving children from birth through 5 years old, Parents as Teachers is a home-school community partnership that supports and promotes parents as their child's first teacher.

Martin said the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education wants 75 percent of home visits made to high need-homes.

This can include teen parents, children with disabilities, single-parent households, children under age 5, adoptive parents and many other indicators.

The program used to have six parent educators, but is down to three.

Last year, Martin said, parent educators hit 62 percent of high-needs households. However, she noted parents who may need Parents as Teachers services most can be the hardest to see because they may cancel appointments or their phone numbers change.

Goals are are:

* To provide appropriate and useful information and guidance to parents.

* To tell parents of possible delays in their child's development.

* To prepare children for success in school and life.

Expected outcomes are:

* Increase parental confidence and involvement in their child's educational development. In 2011-2012, 1,992 home visits were made and 54 percent of families served were high-need. Sixteen were teen parents. In 2012-2013, 1,793 home visits were conducted and 62 percent of families were high-need. Seventeen were teen parents.

* Early establishment of positive partnerships between home and school through activities such as Saturday School, Fall Family Night and Winter Activity Night.

During the 2011-2012 school year, 312 children attended at least one of these events, and in 2012-2013, that increased to 347.

* Joint cooperation among school districts, agencies and organizations to provide services to young children, reducing duplication of special education services, costs and retentions. During the 2012-2013 school year, 235 children were screened. Results showed 33 percent with indicated delays, an 8 percent increase from the 2011-2012 school year; 20 percent were referred for further evaluation, a 3 percent bump from the 2011-2012 school year.

In other business, the board:

* Approved First State Community Bank as the district's depository for one year, with a four-year option. Commerce Bank was the district's previous bank.

* Approved summer school programs.

* Anderson noted the baccalaureate service will be at 7 p.m. Saturday at the Events Center.

* High school graduation will be at 7 p.m. May 22 at the football field. In case of bad weather, it will be at the Show Me Center in Cape Girardeau.

* Assistant superintendent administrative/student services Beth Emmendorfer recognized North, Millersville, Orchard and South elementary schools for winning state awards for their Positive Behavior Intervention Support programs.

* Recognized the Jackson Middle School math team and Duke Talent Identification Program students.

* Recognized the Jackson wrestling team and Caityln Palmer of the Jackson Swimming and Diving Team for their accomplishments.

rcampbell@semissourian.com

388-3639