We distribute cribs to families in our early childhood program

The Office of Maternal, Child and Family Health arranged to distribute a large number of cribs throughout the state, to families in the Right From the Start program. Here in Parkersburg, through our RFTS program, we have had a bustling time delivery some cribs to our mothers and families. Vickie Taylor took this picture of a crib proudly set up in a family's home, after she "wrestled it up a mountain" or some other equally intriguing story!!!!

Advisory Council this Friday

We are excited to hold our first Advisory Council meeting of the new year this Friday, the 12th. It will be at 10 am. We have invited some new folks to join us, and we have high hopes for the work of the Advisory Council this year, in keeping with the agency's vision and expectations for local sites. We are proud of our site's work, and will review 2009 accomplishments, and look ahead to 2010 plans, and seek participation and involvement as we continue to engage the community in the work and mission of the agency in the Parkersburg area.

Valentine's Day mini- fund raiser- Transitional Living Program

Lisa tells me she is organizing a "mini' fund raiser for Valentine's Day; selling chocolate lollipop's. I will have to get the details, as this is a quickly organized effort. Of course, you can get the most direct information by asking Lisa Doyle Parsons herself, when you can catch her.

The National Network for Youth symposium

I guess I haven't reported on Lisa and Katrina, and Randi and Shelby's trip to Washington DC yet. I hope I can figure out how to attach some pictures, too!! They had a great time; they visited Senator Byrd's office, saw some of the landmark's of Washington by night, rode the Metro (subway) and visited the National Zoo. They also took part in workshop sessions, met young people from Guam, Hawaii, the west coast, and many other places! They are excited by the experience, and intend to share some of their experiences, and use the opportunity to expand their youth leadership and voice here in the Parkersburg area, and are already looking to do some fund raising to pay for a return trip next January.

Foster Care licensing visit

Lewis Wolfe was here this week on two days to conduct the Parkersburg site's part of the statewide agency foster care licensing review, which is done every two years. Lewis has been involved in licensing of site programs (in two stints) for many years, and has a solid perspective about child welfare services in the state.

Parkersburg site's Little Red Stocking gets a wrap up

Brooke, Shelley and I met Wednesday, to put the finishing touches on the Little Red Stocking campaign for the Parkersburg site. We reviewed the way we kept track of the businesses contacted and followed up on, and the donations received and the distribution among the programs. We set some recommendations for the next year's campaign, and prepared to present information to the local advisory council, which meets next week (The 12th of February). Thanks to all the staff, the businesses and the community for your support of this campaign, which helps further the work we do with area children and families.

Truancy Diversion still on the statewide radar!

I attended a meeting that Scott Boileau of the Alliance for Children had arranged with the WV Education Associaion on Thursday in Charleston. Scott and I made a presentation about the Truancy Diversion program, as it had been in its "hey day" and as it is now, supported by the Wood Co. Board of Education. It is always intriguing to spread the word about this program, that has been shown to be quite effective in dealing with truancy and school attendance issues, and ultimately, impacting of drop out rates. We were well received among this "peer" cohort of folks, who want to improve the lives of students in our state.