CRYSTAL STAIRS INC

HEAD START AND STATE PRESCHOOL: UNDER THREE GRANTS WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, ADMINISTRATION FOR CHILDREN AND FAMILIES WE ADMINISTER HEAD START, EARLY HEAD START AND CHILD CARE PARTNERSHIP GRANTS FUNDED FOR 1,258 CHILDREN AGES 1 TO 5 YEARS OLD. ALTHOUGH THE PROGRAM WAS UNDER ENROLLED EVERY MONTH IT ACCUMULATIVELY SERVICED 1,586 CHILDREN AND 1,487 FAMILIES THIS PAST YEAR. THERE WERE 1,372 VOLUNTEERS PARTICIPATING IN CLASS AND AT HOME LEARNING. OF THOSE CHILDREN ENROLLED, 240 WERE STUDENTS THAT WERE DUALLY SERVICED IN OUR CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION'S STATE PRESCHOOL AND HEAD START PROGRAM WHICH ALLOWS US TO PROVIDE FULL-DAY SERVICES AND 398 CHILDREN WHERE SERVICED THROUGH OUR CHILD CARE PARTNERSHIPS WHO PROVIDED FULL DAY SERVICES TO WORKING PARENTS AND THOSE WHO ARE IN SCHOOL AND NEEDED EXTENDED HOURS. THE PROGRAM PROVIDED FULL-DAY SERVICES AT OUR 16 CENTERS FOR 195 DAYS FOR 849 CHILDREN. OF THE CHILDREN AND FAMILIES ENROLLED, 39% HAD ELIGIBILITY AT 100% BELOW FEDERAL POVERTY GUIDELINES; 47% WERE RECEIVING PUBLIC ASSISTANCE (TANIF OR SSI); 5% WERE IN FOSTER CARE; 5% WERE REPORTED AS BEING HOMELESS; AND 4% WERE OVER INCOME. IN ADDITION, 10% OF THOSE CHILDREN HAD AN INDIVIDUALIZED EDUCATION PLAN (IEP) OR INDIVIDUAL FAMILY SERVICES PLAN RECEIVING DISABILITY SERVICES. THE GOAL OF OUR PROGRAM IS TO PROMOTE SCHOOL READINESS BY ENHANCING THE SOCIAL AND COGNITIVE DEVELOPMENT OF THE CHILDREN AND TO SUPPORT FAMILY ENGAGEMENT THAT LEADS TO PARENTS TAKING ON OR MAINTAINING THEIR ROLE AS THE CHILD'S MOST INFLUENTIAL TEACHER. WE TAKE A "HOLISTIC" APPROACH TO SERVING CHILDREN AND THEIR FAMILIES THAT ALLOW US TO SUPPORT THEM IN THE AREAS OF HEALTH, NUTRITION, MENTAL HEALTH AND SOCIAL SERVICES. SERVICES ARE PROVIDED THROUGH OUR STAFF DIRECTLY OR THROUGH A COLLABORATIVE PARTNER. WE HAVE A SHARED GOVERNANCE APPROACH WHERE PARENTS ARE ACTIVELY INVOLVED IN DECISION MAKING.