Getting the Word Out on The Resource Directory
Two non-profit organizations, the Soho Center and the Virginia Head Start Association, are working together to help 16,000 young children across Virginia.
They’re making sure that every Head Start program in Virginia gets copies of the newest edition of the Soho Center’s National Child Care Resource Directory. And thanks to a UPS Foundation grant to the Soho Center, every Resource Directory is being given away at no cost.
According to Jeanna Beker, the Soho Center’s Director, “With so many children in Head Start and other child care and after-school programs; it’s really important to connect people to available resources, to improve programs, and to help Virginia’s children. We’re grateful to The UPS Foundation for making it possible to give away free copies of our updated National Child Care Resource Directory to 7,000 child care sites in Virginia which care for over 100,000 children - which, of course, includes every Head Start program across the state.”
The Resource Directory gives Head Start staff, child care providers, administrators, and early childhood teachers an easy way to access hundreds of free and low cost resources for furthering their professional development and for promoting children’s health, safety, nutrition, and literacy. Many of these resources can also be shared with parents and be helpful to the entire family.
Maxine McKinney, Executive Director of the Virginia Head Start Association, says, “Head Start staff and parents can use this Resource Directory to get practical information and guidance, and there are professional development resources for quality child care. I’m sure that Head Start programs will find this publication a valuable one to use with their staff and parents. Each Head Start program can also share copies with their child care partners in their local communities, thus helping to raise the quality of child care for all children. It’s a great opportunity.”
The Virginia Head Start Association works with and supports all Head Start programs in Virginia, promoting school readiness for children from birth to age 5 through parent involvement and comprehensive health and education services. For more information about them and about Head Start, please visit www.headstartva.org
The Soho Center helps large numbers of children and families across the state with free programs and services. In addition to this state-wide Resource Project, the Soho Center coordinates the Virginia Health Information Project (www.vahealth.info) to give individuals and families reliable, non-commercial, comprehensive health, nutrition, and safety information. And the Soho Center promotes children’s literacy, school readiness, and school success with book giveaways and online literacy tips. For more information about them, please visit www.child2000.org.
