YWCA TRI-COUNTY AREA

THE EARLY EDUCATION CENTER IS A STATE-LICENSED STARS-4 CENTER OFFERING INFANT, TODDLER, PRE-SCHOOL, AND PRE-K COUNTS CLASSROOMS, AS WELL AS BEFORE/AFTER CARE AND SUMMER CAMP ADVENTURES. USING TEACHING STRATEGIES GOLD AND CREATIVE CURRICULUM, EXPERIENCED STAFF PROVIDE EDUCATION, SOCIAL AND EMOTIONAL ENRICHMENT, MUSIC CLASSES, PHYSICAL EDUCATION, AND ASSESSMENTS OF LITERACY, MATH, AND NUTRITION. THE DIGNITY KITCHEN PROVIDES TWO NUTRITIONAL MEALS PER DAY: BREAKFAST, LUNCH, AND A SNACK. SEE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ON SCHEDULE O. THE EEC RECOGNIZES THAT THE SCHOOL CULTURE AND CLIMATE NEED SUPPORT FOR FAMILIES AND CHILDREN WHO EXPERIENCED TRAUMA. YW USES A SOCIAL-EMOTIONAL LEARNING CURRICULA TO SUPPORT GROWTH, DEVELOPMENT AND UNDERSTANDING WITH AN ANTI-BIAS APPROACH. THE EEC HAS ADOPTED CONSCIOUS DISCIPLINE AS ITS PRIMARY SOCIAL-EMOTIONAL LEARNING TOOL. CONSCIOUS DISCIPLINE HELPS TEACHERS ADDRESS CHILDREN'S BEHAVIOR AS TEACHABLE MOMENTS, PROVIDING DIGNITY FOR ALL CHILDREN. YW IS ENTERING ITS FOURTH YEAR WITH THE USE OF CONSCIOUS DISCIPLINE; PROVIDING TEACHERS WITH ONGOING PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT, RESOURCES, EVALUATION, COACHING, AND SUPPORT TO EFFECT POSITIVE CHANGE. THE OUTCOMES OF CONSCIOUS DISCIPLINE HAVE BEEN TRANSFORMATIVE IN SUPPORTING CHILDREN'S LEARNING, BEHAVIOR, AND EMOTIONAL WELLNESS SO THEY CAN BE SUCCESSFUL.

THE ERUC (EMERGENCY RENT & UTILITIES COALITION) PROGRAM HELPS ELIGIBLE RENTERS FACING HOUSING & ECONOMIC INSECURITY WITH UP TO 12 MONTHS OF RENT AND UTILITY PAYMENTS TO AVOID EVICTION OR LOSS OF SERVICE. THIS IMPACTFUL PROGRAM HAS KEPT FAMILIES IN THEIR HOMES PREVENTING HOMELESSNESS AND EVICTION AND DISBURSED $6,541,192 IN RENTAL ASSISTANCE AND IN UTILITY ASSISTANCE TO DATE. IN PARTNERSHIP WITH MONTGOMERY COUNTY'S CONTINUUM OF CARE, YW IS DEVELOPING AN INITIATIVE THAT WILL EXPAND THIS SUPPORT TO HOMEOWNERS FACING SIMILAR CRISES.