| The WSOS Press - April / May 2004 |
Parent, board member, staff tell legislators effects of Head Start Plus
A parent and a board member of WSOS Community Action Commission, Inc. as well as three staff members participated in the Community Action Day at the March 24 session of the Ohio House of Representatives in Columbus. This effort was to create awareness among legislators of the funding that goes to Ohio's CAAs.
The Ohio Association of Community Action Agencies (OACAA) organized the Community Action Day specifically to address the harm the proposed cuts in the governor's budget will have on poor families. First is the proposed changes to Ohio Head Start, renamed Head Start Plus, scheduled to take effect July 1.
"We are concerned that the changes will hurt families and if we can get someone to prevent the program from taking effect with those changes, then it will be better for families," said WSOS Family Development Director Jacquie Wells.
Wells, Family Advocate Dot Cantrell, Board member Mike Hemmerly and Lynn Kindred, a Fremont parent whose three children have benefited from Ohio Head Start services, visited with Rep. Jeff Wagner, R-Sycamore, and Sen. Larry Mumper, R-Marion while at the statehouse.
The group also participated in a press conference that OACAA conducted in partnership with the Ohio Legislative Black Caucus with support from the Democratic Caucus.
"We (are speaking out) on behalf of people who have no voice, who don't understand the problem and because it is the right thing to do," said Barbara Sykes, president of the Black Caucus.
The press conference addressed the problems in Head Start and Medi- caid caused by budget deficits, and the one percent sales tax increase.
"In this 40th year of community action, we call on all elected officials to look beyond the short term to help our families," said Gwen Robinson, president of OACAA. "Head Start has a 38-year track record of preparing children and families for school. The administration shouldn't fix what isn't broken."
Board member profile
Alan Fosnaugh interested in improving lives of families and communities
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Name: Alan Fosnaugh
Address: Fostoria
Family: Son, Wesley.
Employment: Currently, Alan is a sixth-grade teacher in the Toledo Public Schools. Before that, he worked 18 years at Airfoil Textron, formerly of Fostoria.
Goal as a board member: Having spent a lot of time working with several non-profits, Alan said he brings a variety of experiences to the board. His purpose for his non-profit work is to help improve the lives of individuals and/or families.
Board Status: Alan was appointed to the board by the Wood County Commissioners in April 2004. He is filling an unexpired term vacated by Jane Robb. His term expires December 2004.
Hobbies/Interests: In his free time, Alan enjoys tutoring students, attending educational workshops and participating in continuing education programs. Then, he relaxes by traveling, reading "really good books," and participating in perennial gardening.
Light of Hope event draws community in for Child Abuse Prevention
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The New Directions Unicycle Stunt Kids led preschoolers from the WSOS Child Development program, and students from the After/Summer School program on April 1 in a parade through Fremont to recognize Child Abuse Prevention Month.
More than 75 area residents along with Fremont Mayor Terry Overmyer and State Rep. Jeff Wagner gathered with the students at the Sandusky County Courthouse as part of an effort to create greater community awareness of child abuse in Sandusky County.
Juvenile Court Judge Brad Culbert was the featured speaker and the mayor welcomed the group. The preschoolers sang "This Little Light of Mine" and St. Joseph Central Catholic High School student April Peters sang "Concrete Angel" accompanied by Bellevue High School student Heidi Kauffman who did the song in sign language.
April is nationally recognized as Child Abuse Prevention Month. Community organizations of CASA of Seneca, Sandusky, and Wyandot counties, WSOS, Fremont City Schools Title 1 program and the Sandusky County Department of Job and Family Services, Children Services department have collaborated to conduct this event. This is the third year the group has coordinated this event.
Other activities conducted to recognize Child Abuse Prevention Month included billboards created by children in Fremont school district, preschool to ninth grade. The billboards were posted around Sandusky County at the end of March, and appeared for one month. Also, artwork created by Sandusky County students was displayed at the Kiwanis Pancake Festival in April. There was also a movie presentation in Fremont and a silent auction in Bellevue conducted in connection with Child Abuse Prevention Month.The auction was sponsored by Steinle Motors of Sandusky.
Director's corner
Housing & Energy reports a successful year of housing repair assistance
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The Housing & Energy department is delighted to report the completion of another successful year in its Home Weatherization Assistance Program (HWAP).
Our crews weatherized 152 homes to provide families with a safer, warmer, more energy-efficient, comfortable residence. Together with the weatherization, some of the homes also had new high-efficiency heating systems installed. Some had new water heaters, and others had broken window/door glass replaced as well as weather stripping replaced on exterior doors.
To accomplish these tasks, our crews utilized "high tech" equipment to measure air and reduce the infiltration to a minimum thus reducing heat loss and utility bills by as much as 30 percent.
We are also excited about receiving state approval to help the Barney Quilter CCC Camp with its weatherization/repair and health and safety issues as they relate to the camp's heating systems which serve dormitories and administration buildings.
Although it was a difficult decision, the re-organization of our department has provided dividens in increased productivity and cost reduction. Each person in the department is to be commended for making this a success. It was their willingness to work as a team that provided the necessary elements to bring about the success.
Senior Programs will celebrate Senior Citizens Day in May. Ottawa County will have a celebration on May 19 at Camp Perry recreation hall while Sandusky County will have its celebration on May 11 at the American Legion hall in Fremont. Sandusky County seniors will also celebrate the 30th anniversary of the program in the county.
The WSOS Senior Center in Clyde has a new home. The group will move to their new location in Mayl. They will be located at the Laurelhurst Housing Development at 900 Woodland Avenue. Donations from several community groups helped the seniors to furnish the new center. Clyde City Council and the Clyde VFW groups donated $1,000 each while Clyde Career Women donated $500. The seniors also raised $800 to contribute to the new center.
April was the time when WSOS Child Development celebrated Week of the Young Child. Each center participated in various community events as well individual activities at the centers.
Preliminary results indicate that WSOS has emerged from its 2004 audit with no findings.
After its implementation of the Head Start National Reporting System (HSNRS), Child Devel-opment learned that for the 2003-04 year, its preschoolers were slightly above the national average in basic skill levels in English. In early math skills, the children in WSOS programs scored 3 percent higher than the national average. The children will be assessed at the end of the year again.
For the 16th year, volunteers from the local AARP helped area senior citizens with their taxes. In Sandusky County the group of six volunteers: Ed Mitchel, Tom Grotton, Eileen Horn, Jim Seiler and Terry Wolfe, donated 439 hours to complete 418 federal returns, 415 state and school tax returns, 13 amended returns, 38 non-tax 9452 consultations, and five home visits to assist the homebound. Great job!
A familiar face
Watkins finds helping others with housing repair needs fulfilling
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Full name: Charlene "Charlie" J. Watkins
Address: Republic, Ohio
Family: Partner Dave Gibson; pet dogs, Tom and Jab; parents Bill & Trish Watkins, one sister and one brother; many nieces and nephews.
Occupation: Currently, Charlie is the Loan/Rehab Intake Specialist. She joined WSOS one and a half years ago. Previously, she worked at an area bank.
Favorite part of the job: Charlie said she really enjoys helping people make their homes safer and more energy-efficient.
Goals: She said one of her personal goals is to earn a bachelor's degree in Business Management and Marketing.
Interests/Hobbies: Charlie is an avid scrap-booking fan, but she also loves the outdoors. Often she can be found fishing, hunting, gardening, canning, or camping, or a combination of these activities. Since she also enjoys spending time with her nieces and nephews, she often combines such quality time with one of her activities.
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