Resilient Children and Families
Pro Action is committed to helping people and changing lives. Programs in the Resilient Children and Families domain use a two-generation approach to set the stage for child and family development. Children’s programs cultivate settings that foster growth and learning, while family programs support families as they set goals, discover and use their personal strengths, and reinforce relationships.
Pro Action is rooted in the spirit of hope, and our workers are trained to see the best in everyone and to help them advance themselves from the basis of their strengths. If you use a service at Pro Action, you can be sure that we will share responsibility with you for the goals you decide to work on …everybody has a role to play. An array of services support families in reaching their goals in learning, earning, parenting, relationships and more.
In addition, when you connect with Pro Action programs, you are getting access to a whole network of partners who we work with — either directly or through Kids on Track Steuben to build the community we envision. These partners include county agencies, Family Resource Centers, funders, other nonprofits, and community groups. The Kids on Track Steuben partnership has a coordinated referral system that allows you to use one form to refer you to several programs. Find these fillable forms below:
Early Childhood Learning and Development
Study after study has proven that positive experiences during the first five years of life lead to success in school and life. When young children have nurturing interactions with adults and engage in constructive play, they naturally develop the skills they need for later learning. Pro Action offers an array of programs that strive to ensure positive early experiences for young children in a variety of settings. Besides Head Start and Child Care Aware® of Steuben and Schuyler, which serve children primarily in care or education settings, Pro Action leads the Family Enrichment Collaborative which promotes quality family life and healthy child development at home.
Early Head Start
Early Head Start is a federally funded program which offers an array of services to pregnant women and newborn to 3-year-old children and their families. Early Head Start offers activities that promote young children’s progression through the natural stages of development. As they develop, babies and toddlers pick up the skills they need to start learning in preschool and later in kindergarten. In addition, parents involved in Early Head Start increase their knowledge of infant and toddler development.
Early Head Start Services
- Center based programming in Corning and Hornell for infants and toddlers five days per week throughout the calendar year
- Home based services throughout Steuben and Yates counties offer developmental activities via home visits conducted with the parent and the infant/toddler
- Services for pregnant women
- Family support services to support the families’ involvement in all aspects of their child’s development and to support families to become advocates for their child’s education.
Learn more with our Head Start/Early Head Start Brochure
Read through our Family Engagement Handbook
View our Family Engagement Opportunities
Learn more about, and become a member of Policy Council
Early Head Start
Kellie Lockwood, Director
Eligibility Requirements:
Enrolled families must have incomes which meet federal income guidelines. 10% of enrolled slots can be filled with children from any income level. 10% of enrollment slots are made available to children with an identified disability.
For More Information:
Chris Lewis
607-776-2125 ext. 212
Head Start
Head Start is an early childhood education program that offers activities that promote health, development and kindergarten readiness skills.
The Head Start program is grounded in the principle that parents are the most important teacher in their young child’s life. Therefore, the program provides parents with opportunities to work with teachers to develop an individualized plan for their child which recognizes the child’s strengths and sets goals to support the child’s growth. Parent involvement is always welcome, and family support services are available for interested families.
Head Start Services
- Center-based early education programming five days per week during the school year throughout Steuben and Yates counties
Home-based slots in limited locations
Partnership with teachers to set goals that build on the child’s strengths and support her growth - Head Start family services staff support families to become advocates for their child’s education
- Head Start Family Resource Advocates support families to advance their goals through family assessments and plans; referrals to community supports; informal counseling, advocacy, crisis intervention
Learn more with our Head Start/Early Head Start Brochure
Read through our Family Engagement Handbook
View our Family Engagement Opportunities
Learn more about, and become a member of Policy Council
Head Start
Kellie Lockwood, Director
Target Population: Children aged 3 – 5 years
Eligibility Requirements:
Enrolled families must have incomes which meet federal income guidelines. 10% of enrollment slots can be filled with children from any income level. 10% of enrollment slots are made available to children with an identified disability.
For More Information:
Chris Lewis
607-776-2125, ext. 212
Universal Prekindergarten
Similar to Head Start, Universal Prekindergarten (UPK) is an early childhood education program that offers activities that promote healthy development and kindergarten readiness skills. Children enrolled in the program can expect to gain the skills needed for a successful transition to kindergarten. Also in line with Head Start, UPK views parents as their young child’s most important teachers. Teachers work closely with parents on their child’s learning plans and encourage parents’ involvement with the program.
UPK Services
- Center-based Universal Prekindergarten programming in a classroom setting offered in partnership with local school districts, including: Addison, Avoca, Bath, Campbell-Savona, Canisteo-Greenwood, Corning-Painted Post, Hammondsport, Hornell, Jasper-Troupsburg, Penn Yan, and Wayland-Cohocton.
- The programs operate five days per week during the school year throughout Steuben and Yates counties
- Partnership with teachers to set goals that build on the child’s strengths and support his or her growth
Learn more with our Head Start/Early Head Start Brochure
Universal Prekindergarten
Eligibility Requirements:
Child must turn four years old on or before December 1st of the enrollment year. Family must reside in the school district where the child is enrolling into UPK. Families from all income levels are eligible to apply.
For More Information:
Chris Lewis
607-776-2125 ext. 212
Child Care Aware® of Steuben and Schuyler
A program of Pro Action, Child Care Aware ®of Steuben and Schuyler (CCAoSS) is a nonprofit resource and referral service dedicated to helping all parents obtain affordable care which will benefit their child and meet complex family needs. CCAoSS builds the supply and quality of child care offerings, and helps connect parents with child care options that meet their needs. Some parents are eligible for child care fee assistance, too. Child Care Aware® has a comprehensive Web site with a wealth of information for parents, child care providers, and employers.
Child Care Aware Services
- Resource, referral and education for parents seeking child care
- Subsidy fee assistance for parents
- Child care provider recruitment, registration, and monitoring
- Child care provider training and technical assistance covering a variety of topics relating to child health and development, including the use of a research-based early literacy curriculum
- Child care provider quality rating services
- Child & Adult Care Food Program administration
Women, Infants and Children (WIC)
Steuben County WIC (Women, Infants, Children Supplemental Nutrition Program)
Good nutrition is essential for healthy child growth and development. Pro Action’s WIC program ensures that all eligible women and young children can access good nutrition, even when money is tight and buying healthy foods is a stretch. The program also provides education and guidance on health and nutrition. What’s more, by reducing the stress of food insecurity, the WIC program helps households create the kind of low-stress environment that will get their babies off to a great start in life! (Read the Nondiscrimination Statement April 2021)
- Funds to pay for approved foods for optimum growth and development
- Nutrition and health education, as well as breastfeeding promotion and support
- Guidance and referrals to other helpful programs
Steuben County WIC (Women, Infants, Children Supplemental Nutrition Program)
Helpful Links:
www.breastfeedingpartners.org
www.benefitsapplication.com
www.health.ny.gov
www.wicstrong.com
Eligibility Requirements:
Please note that many working families are eligible and any caregiver or guardian may apply for an eligible child.
To be eligible for benefits, applicants must meet all of the following eligibility requirements:
- Categorical – Pregnant, Breastfeeding or Postpartum Women, Infants and Children less than 5 years old
- Residential – Must be a resident of New York State
- Income – Household income must be less than 185% of Federal Poverty Guidelines (Many working people are eligible.) Certain applicants can be determined income-eligible for WIC based on their participation in certain programs. These include individuals eligible to receive: SNAP benefits, Medicaid, or Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF).
- Those who are at medical and/or nutritional risk.
For More Information:
607-776-1151
800-618-7882
Community Based Services
Including Family Literacy, Family Resource Centers, and Parent Education.
Resilience is defined as the “ability to thrive, adapt and cope despite tough and stressful times.” Pro Action’s Family Development programs help adults build specific capabilities for resilience while promoting strong family relationships and healthy child development. Programs emphasize the Five Protective Factors that set the stage for healthy children and strong families:
- Parental Resilience
- Social Connections
- Knowledge of Parenting & Child Development
- Concrete Support in Times of Need
- Social & Emotional Competence of Children
These assets can be thought of as five dots, and we help connect these dots for local families.
Family Literacy
It’s never too early to build the skills for learning and success! One way adults can help babies and children become strong learners is by reading to and with them. Pro Action’s Family Literacy programs give families the tools to get into the habit of reading with their children. Through this program, adults learn the benefits of reading to and bonding with children. Children gain a love of books and reading that helps prepare them to start school with a strong foundation for learning.
Family Literacy Services
- Read to Me Steuben Program – Free children’s books and educational material to support reading at home, provided to families enrolled in local home visiting programs.
- Bright Red Bookshelf Program – 75 Red Bookshelves in public places throughout Steuben and Yates Counties. The red bookshelves provide free children’s books to anyone in the community.
- Community Family Literacy – Special literacy events and book give-away programs in collaboration with community partners.
- Summer Reading Programs – Held in collaboration with local libraries and school districts supported by Extended School Day to reduce the “summer slide” by providing books and literacy activities.
- Pathways to School Readiness – Parent-child literacy group held at local Family Resource Centers to support school readiness and learning in the home environment.
- Parent-Child Mother Goose – Oral language groups held at Family Resource Centers to support early language and early literacy skill-building.
Family Literacy Services Basic Info
Program Target Population: Families in partnering programs
Program Contact: Linda George, Family Literacy Coordinator (607) 776-2125 x122; georgel@proactioninc.org
Eligibility Requirements: Books on Red Bookshelves in public places throughout Steuben and Yates Counties are available for free to everyone
How to enroll: No enrollment necessary.
Family Resource Centers
Family Resource Centers (FRCs) offer a variety of activities, workshops, forums and events that provide opportunities for adults to increase their skills and knowledge while building social connections. In addition, FRCs offer opportunities for developmental screenings, playful learning, socialization and literacy-building opportunities for young children attending with their parents or caregivers.
Pro Action Family Resource Centers (FRC) are open on a limited basis by appointment in order to operate with COVID safety guidelines. To make an appointment for drop-in play, please use the sign-up links below, and check out the FRC calendars on our Events Page to see what fun is in store you and your little ones!
Sign up to visit:
- Bath Area Family Resource Center
- Addison Jennie Mose Family Resource Center
- Hornell Family Resource Center
- Mobile Family Resource Center in Prattsburgh , or in Pulteney
View and complete our Family Resource Center Visitation Form
Watch this video to learn more about our Family Resource Centers:
Our Jennie Mose Family Resource Center parent leader, Heather Balch, was featured in the November 2019 Member Newsletter sent out by the National Family Support Network (NFSN). In this edition, Heather shares her perspective on the value of a Family Resource Center, and gave her testimonial at the U.S. House of Representatives and Senate briefings held by NFSN earlier this year.
Click on the image below to read Heather’s full testimonial.
For more information, contact:
Krys Watkins
Parent Education Coordinator
Phone: 607-359-3889
Email: watkinsk@proactioninc.org
Home Based Services
Pro Action’s Resilient Children and Families Home Based Services provide family support services and parenting education to enrolled families in their homes. Home Visitors support family engagement in all aspects of the program to strengthen family protective factors and encourage family resilience using supportive services, education on child development, offering community referrals, and supporting families with their goals.
Enrolled children receive periodic developmental screenings or assessments at least two times per year. In addition, child development, parenting, and family strengthening curricula is provided based on needs of families. Home visitors support successful transitions to other formal or informal services in the community and provide access to resources as needed.
Services:
- Increase Positive Parent-child interactions: The love you have for your children and your warm, responsive interactions support their trust in this wonderful world. With your love and interactions, they will grow and thrive.
- Provide Development-Centered Parenting: Share what you see your children doing. Your home visitor will help connect those behaviors and actions to what is happening in their development.
- Encourage Family Well-Being: You are building a healthy, nurturing environment for your children. Your home visitor is there to broaden your knowledge as you make decisions for your child and family.
For Adults
Program Target Population: Low income adults in Steuben County
Program Contact:
Tawyna Hughes, Resilient Children and Families Home Visitor, Pro Action
117 E. Steuben St. Bath, NY 14810
(607) 776-2125 x149; hughest@proactioninc.org
Eligibility Requirements: Income less than or equal to 200% of the Federal Poverty Level
How to enroll: Connect with Tawyna Hughes, see contact information above
Info to have on hand for enrollment: Household Information, income, immediate needs, and other services receiving (to avoid duplication)
For Teens
Program Target Population: Pregnant and parenting teens in Steuben County
Program Contact:
Nancy Strait, TASA/Preventative Services Coordinator, Steuben County
Department of Social Services
3 East Pulteney Square, Bath, NY 14810
607-664-2132
How to enroll: Connect with Nancy Strait, see contact information above
Teen Age Services Act (TASA): This program supports pregnant and parenting teens in Steuben County, is being delivered under DSS Preventive Services. Teens seeking support during pregnancy and parenting may enroll on a voluntary basis.