FRANKLIN GRANVILLE VANCE SMART START INC

FAMILY SUPPORT-THE ADOLESCENT PARENTING PROJECT PROVIDES DIRECT CASE MANAGEMENT SERVICES TO TEEN PARENTS AND THEIR CHILDREN 0-5. TEEN PARTICIPANTS RECEIVE SUPPORT IN THEIR EFFORTS TOWARDS RECEIVING A HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMA AND AVOIDING A SECOND PREGNANCY. THEY ALSO RECEIVE PARENTING EDUCATION AND CHILDCARE REFERRAL ASSISTANCE. IN FY 23/24 100% OF PROGRAM PARTICIPANTS HAD NO REPORT OF REPEAT PREGNANCY DURING THE YEAR. 100% OF EXPECTED SENIORS GRADUATED WITH 100% OF THEM ENROLLING IN POST-SECONDARY EDUCATION PROGRAMS. THE OTHER GRADUATES ARE ENROLLED IN VOCATIONAL TRAINING, EMPLOYED AT A LIVABLE WAGE, AND LIVING IN SAFE AND STABLE HOUSING. THE CRADLE TO CLASS/PARENTS AS TEACHERS PROGRAM PROVIDES PARENTING SUPPORT AND INSTRUCTION TO FAMILIES WITH CHILDREN BIRTH TO AGE FIVE. PROJECT ACTIVITIES INCLUDE HOME VISITS TO HELP PARENTS UNDERSTAND THEIR CHILDREN'S DEVELOPMENT AND TO ENCOURAGE LEARNING; GROUP MEETINGS; HEARING, VISION AND GENERAL DEVELOPMENT SCREENINGS; AND A REFERRAL NETWORK TO LINK FAMILIES WITH COMMUNITY SERVICES. THERE WERE 6 FAMILIES ENROLLED IN THE PAT PROGRAM DURING F/Y 23/24. INCREDIBLE YEARS, A PARENTING EDUCATION/COORDINATION INITIATIVE, PROVIDES PARENTING EDUCATION TO FAMILIES OF CHILDREN 0-5 YEARS OF AGE. THE TARGET POPULATION INCLUDES PARENTS REFERRED BY SCHOOL COUNSELORS, DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES OR MANDATED BY THE COURTS AND OTHERS LIVING IN UNDERSERVED COMMUNITIES. THIS PROGRAM WAS DISCONTINUED JUNE 30, 2024. THE DOLLY PARTON IMAGINATION LIBRARY PROVIDES AGE APPROPRIATE BOOKS TO CHILDREN AGES 0-5. OUR AGENCY RAISES PRIVATE DONATIONS TO MEET THE MATCHING FUND REQUIREMENT THAT ALLOWS FRANKLIN, GRANVILLE, AND VANCE COUNTIES TO PARTICIPATE IN THE PROGRAM. AS OF JUNE 2024, A TOTAL OF 4,400 FAMILIES WERE ENROLLED IN THE DOLLY PARTON IMAGINATION LIBRARY. THE COMMUNITY OUTREACH AND AWARENESS ACTIVITY PROMOTES SERVICES THROUGH BROCHURES, NEWSLETTERS, NEWS STORIES, RADIO, WEB-BASED INFORMATION AND PARTICIPATION IN COMMUNITY EVENTS IN FRANKLIN, GRANVILLE, AND VANCE COUNTIES. IN THE REACH OUT AND READ PROGRAM, FGV PARTNERS WITH 6 MEDICAL CARE PRACTICES TO PROVIDE PRE-LITERACY OPPORTUNITIES FOR CHILDREN AND THEIR PARENTS. DURING ROUTINE WELL-CHILD VISITS, PARENTS RECIEVE NEW, CULTURALLY-AND-DEVELOPMENTALLY-APPROPRIATE BOOKS TO TAKE HOME AND READ TO THEIR CHILDREN. THE MEDICAL PROVIDER DISCUSSES THE IMPORTANCE OF READING, MODEL READS A BOOK ALOUD TO THE CHILD AND ENCOURAGES PARENT-CHILD INTERACTION AS PART OF PRE-LITERACY AND LANGUAGE DEVELOPMENT. THIS PROGRAM HAS BEEN DISCONTINUED.