Head Start Students Ready for Kindergarten


Smiling faces and cheering crowds were found throughout Lorain County as students in LCCAA's Head Start program held their year-end bridging ceremonies. 

A total of 480 students bridged to Kindergarten in both public and private schools throughout Lorain County. 

"Our teachers go so far above and beyond for these students every day," said Head Start Director Shauna Matelski. "We're proud to give them a solid foundation for academic success and a life long love of learning."

For more pictures from bridging and year-end family events, visit our Facebook page. 
LCCAA Conducting Needs Assessment Meetings

The Lorain County Community Action Agency will hold two town hall meetings in June to review the findings of its 2017 Community Needs Assessment. The meetings are open to the public.

Results and the implications for programming and advocacy will be discussed. Please join us in using survey data to improve services in our county. 

The first meeting will be held T uesday, June 20 at Lorain County Community College from  6 to 8 p.m. in the Spitzer Conference Center  1005 N. Abbe Rd., Elyria, Ohio 44035.

A second meeting is scheduled for Thursday, June 29 at Oberlin Community Services from  6 to 8 p.m., 285 S. Professor St., Oberlin, Ohio 44074

Refreshments will be available. Please RSVP to ajacopssteele@lccaa.net or 440-204-3121. 
Help Available to Beat Summer Heat

Lorain County Community Action Agency and the Ohio Development Services Agency will offer help staying cool for low-income residents over 60 years of age or with medical conditions worsened by extreme heat.
 
The 2017 Summer Crisis Program will operate from July 1 through Aug. 31 with eligible Lorain County residents receiving help paying their cooling bill and/or an air conditioning unit.
 
Appointments can be made beginning June 19 by calling 1-855-806-9620. Three sites will be open during the program. All three are scheduled via the toll free number.
 
Learn more about the program, including how to qualify, by clicking here. 
Staff Members Earn Degrees

Congratulations to two LCCAA Head Start employees who have earned advanced degrees. 

Shannon Smith, a teacher at Hopkins-Locke Head Start Center earned her bachelor's degree in early childhood education from Ashford University. She also received summa cum laude honors, the highest possible. 

Bernetta Folmar earned her associate's degree in early childhood education from Lorain County Community College. Ms. Bernetta, pictured, is an Early Childhood Services Worker at Hopkins-Locke. 
Program Helped Replace Appliances

LCCAA received just over $200,000 to help residents improve the energy efficiency of their home appliances. 

Working with Ohio Partners for Affordable Energy, LCCAA conducted energy audits in 162 homes throughout the county between June 1, 2016 and May 31, 2017. A total of $204,447 was spent. 

The most common issues solved were replacing refrigerators and light bulbs. In all, 151 refrigerators were replaced or purchased. Another 33 freezers were purchased and a total of 1,878 energy efficient light bulbs were installed. 

The service continues for the 2017 program year which began June 1. LCCAA has been allocated $200,000 to continue energy audits and appliance replacements.

To find out if you are eligible and schedule your energy audit, contact Client Services Coordinator Bob McDonald at 440-204-3151.
Bags Help Curb Summer Learning Losses

Did you know that children can lose up to 2 months of knowledge and skills that were learned throughout the school year, if they don't practice them over the summer?  

To curb this loss, LCCAA Head Start staff provided every student with a summer fun learning bag. The kit contains a variety of activities and materials to encourage parents to help their kids continue to develop skills over the summer months.

Also included in the bags is information on summer community events offered through the Lorain County Public Library System, Lorain County Metro Parks, Lorain County Health & Dentistry, Lorain County Children's Development Center, and a new literacy initiative launching this summer called Lorain County Imagination Library.
 
More than 665 bags were stuffed with the help of Boy Scout Troop 120 (Elyria), Girl Scout Troop 50014 (Lorain), Girl Scout Troop 51164 (Vermilion), parents and LCCAA education management staff.
Lorain County Community Action Agency      440-245-2009