New Castle County Head Start, Inc. (NCCHS) received a favorable Federal Monitoring Review from the Administration for Children & Families in February 2014. NCCHS Classroom Assessment Scoring System (CLASS) scores were at or above the highest 10% of scores for all national Head Start grantees in 2013.

Top 10% in U.S.

ANNU

AL R

EPOR

T 20

13-20

14

We are pleased to provide our c o m m u n i t y, f r i e n d s , a n d stakeholders with this annual report. In completing my 25th year with New Castle County Head Start, Inc., I remain amazed by the dedication and talent of the people who have made this agency nationally recognized for program qual ity. The staff members and volunteers work

tirelessly to ensure all of our children, parents and their families receive high quality early education and family support services.

This year a federal program review team assessed the quality of all NCCHS classrooms using the nationally recognized CLASS assessment system. Our classrooms were rated among the highest 10% of all Head Start programs in the country.

New Castle County Head Start, Inc. is very fortunate to have a Board of Directors with commitment, compassion and talent, and a parent Policy Council that is dedicated, knowledgeable and willing to give of their time. In addition, the classroom, office and nutrition staff members who come together every day are among the very best in their profession. This is the perfect storm…and we are all very lucky to be in it.

NCCHS Board of DirectorsJ.D. Lee, Chairperson

Leslie Lee, Vice Chairperson

Faith Mwaura, Secretary

Michael Mood, Treasurer

Marty Carlino

David Facciolo

Donald Goldberg

Donzell Harmon

Grettel Huber

Anthony Longo

Carroll Shannon

2013-2014 NCCHS Board of Directors pictured above (standing from the left) are Phyllis Barnes, Leslie Lee, Eric DeFeo, Anthony Longo, Randy Roberts, Donald Goldberg, Michael Mood,  J.D. Lee and Marty Carlino. Sitting is David Facciolo.  Not pictured are  Donzell Harmon, Grettel Huber, Faith Mwaura and Carroll Shannon.

A MESSAGE FROM THE DIRECTOR

New Castle County Head Start, Inc…✴Offers a comprehens i ve ear ly

education program to preschool age children from low-income families.

✴ Receives federal and state grants to provide Head Start services at no cost to parents.

✴ Serves over 600 children annually and over 20,000 children since 1977.

✴ Reser ves the ma jor i t y o f the enrollment spaces for children from families with incomes at or below the federal poverty level.

✴ Provides supportive services to parents to help families achieve self-sufficiency.

✴ Embraces diversity and welcomes children and families of all backgrounds.

Jeffrey E. BenattiNCCHS Executive Director

Board member list as of December 2014

DID YOU KNOW?

Head Start Student Demographics

Number of children enrolled in the program, of which 55 were enrolled in the full day program 705

670 Number of families

379 Number of students enrolled in kindergarten for fall 2014

102 Number of classroom staff

44% Percentage of staff that are current or former parents of NCCHS children

100% Percentage of classroom teachers with a bachelor’s degree or higher

100% Percentage of teacher assistants with a Child Development Associate credential or an associate’s degree

94% Percentage of children whose families incomes fall at or below the federal poverty guidelines

97% Percentage of children who received medical screenings

92% Percentage of children who received dental screenings

67,355 Number of service hours provided by parents and community volunteers

1,308 Number of volunteers, of which 677 were parents of current or former NCCHS children

2 Number of parent/teacher conferences per child

2 Number of teacher home visits per family

1 Number of visits to kindergarten classrooms

What Is a Typical NCCHS Household?

‣ 45% of children live in a two parent household.

‣ 55% of children live in single parent households.

‣ 26% of primary caregivers work full-time and 24% of secondary caregivers work full-time.

‣ 15% of primary caregivers work part-time and 5% of secondary caregivers work part-time.

‣ 1% of primary caregivers and 1% of secondary caregivers are retired or disabled.

NCCHS family household data are as of 12-31-14.

2013-2014 BY THE NUMBERS

NCCHS is on Facebook! Like NCCHS for the latest news, recent photos, upcoming events, school closings and more!www.facebook.com/newcastlecountyheadstartinc.

At or below poverty

Above poverty

94%

6%

Family Income Level

Without 87%

13%With

Students with a Disability

3 years 37%

63%4 years

Age

NCCHS demographic data for 2013-2014

54%

46%

Male

Female

Gender

DID YOU KNOW?

2013-2014 KEY ACCOMPLISHMENTS Curriculum & Program

✓ Received a favorable Federal Monitoring Review from the Administration for Children & Families in February 2014. NCCHS Classroom Assessment Scoring System (CLASS) domain scores were at or above the highest 10% of scores for all national Head Start grantees in 2013.

✓Won a competitive State of De l aware E a r l y Ch i l dhood Assistance Program (EACP) grant to serve additional children and improve services to children with disabilities through a partnership with the Red Clay School District.

✓ Secured a grant from the Delaware Department of Education to install a “poured-in-place” ground cover for the playground at Absalom Jones and Marshallton centers. Installation was completed in November 2013.

✓ Achieved a 5 Star rating from the Delaware Quality Rating and Improvement System for Bear, Lambson, Marshallton and Rose Hill centers. Star Level 5 is the highest level of achievement in the Delaware Stars for Early Success.

✓Won a competitive grant in the amount of $120,700 from the the Delaware Department of Education Early Childhood Assistant Program to support one classroom, thus minimizing the federal sequester impacts in the 2013-2014 academic year.

✓ Installed security systems at the Rose Hill and Lambson centers.

✓ Established a School Readiness Committee to create annual goals for the Head Start program.

✓ Created a partnership with the State of Delaware’s “$tand by Me” financial empowerment program to provide families financial training and support.

✓ Partnered with the Delaware Department of Education t o c o n d u c t p r o g r a m assessments for state funded ECAP programs.

✓ Completed construction of a new parent and meeting room at the Bear center.

NCCHS Student OutcomesNCCHS assesses children three times a year. The below bar graph shows the percentage of students at or above expectations in the essential domain areas at the end of 2013-2014 academic year.

70%

78%

85%

93%

100%

% of 3 year olds at or above expectations% of 4 year olds at or above expectations

Language Literacy Social & Emotional

Physical Cognitive Math

✓ Received two sub-grants from the State of Delaware - a $5,000 grant supported the purchase of an iPad for each classroom, and a $15,000 grant for the purchase of classroom materials.

✓ Revised the health screening system to improve hearing and vision screenings for children.

✓ Held numerous parent trainings including Dual Language Learners, Training For Early Care And Education, Pedestrian and Vehicle Safety, Keeping Children Healthy Training, Parent Disabilities Training, English as a Second Language, GED classes, Crossing Guard Training, Preventive Child Abuse Training, Obamacare Orientation and Mental Health Training on Challenging Behaviors.

2013-2014 Awards 1| NCCHS Board Chairperson Randy Roberts (left) and Executive Director Jeff Benatti (right) present Governor Jack Markell with the Ethel M. Cooper Award for his continued support of early childhood education in the State of Delaware.

2| Jeff Benatti and Missy Langshaw congratulate April Walton (center) on receiving the Lucy H. Borda Award.

3| Eunice A. Thomas Employee of the Year Award winners are (from left to right) Annie Philip of Rose Hill, Latrece Lewis of Marshallton, Wendy Walker of Lambson, Cathy Ruhle of Bear, Carmen Rodriguez of Manor Park, Patty Horner of the Administrative Office, Brighid Delawski of Claymont, Kristen Cunningham of Newark and Melissa Parks of Absalom Jones.

4| Members of the board hold a “Top of the CLASS” tee shirt given to all staff members as a thank you for their efforts in achieving the outstanding CLASS scores. From the left are Jeff Benatti and board members J.D. Lee, Leslie Lee, Michael Mood, and Eric DeFeo.

5| 5 year service award recipients are (left to right) Pamela Juarez, Beverly Krischbaum, Oneika Spencer and Laura Zavala.

6| 10 year service award recipients are (left to right) Janice Chapman, Chesteen Nutter and Christine Scruggs. Not pictured is Patty Horner.

7| 15 year service award recipients are (from the left) Paige Hartman, Missy Langshaw, Wendy Marsilii, Jennifer Matlack and Jackie Williams.

8| 20 year service award recipients are Tammy Hammond (left) and Monica Foraker.

9| 25 year service award recipients are Marie Potter and Alice Kaczorowski (not pictured).

10| 35 year service award recipient is Otila Butler.

11| New hires are (back left to right): Ed Jones, Doralis Olivera-Baez, Ayanna Olaniayan, Lisa Cobb, Kyle Hopson, Khristina Abbott, Jaquetta May, De’Zebbra White and Charlotte Holden; (front left to right) Karen Gray, Eileen Owens, Crystal Williams, Doris Coward, Eugenia Saavedra, Michele Stacey, Naja Simmons, Daisy Rivera, Mary Summers and Yuri Santizo-Carrizosa.

1 2

3 4

5 6

7 8

9 10 11

A fully audited financial statement prepared by Barbacane, Thornton & Company LLP is available on file at New Castle County Head Start, Inc., a 501(c )(3) nonprofit organization.

2013-2014 FINANCIAL SUMMARY

2013-2014 School Readiness GoalsNCCHS School Readiness Goals are specific program areas of focus for the academic year that will improve student readiness for kindergarten. These goals are established by the NCCHS Leadership Team who reviews, aggregates and analyzes data from student and teacher assessment tools. Domain areas with low growth are considered a priority in the development of the School Readiness Goals. The goal areas are:

✓ Expressive Language✓ Early Writing ✓ Reasoning and Problem Solving✓ Number Concepts and Quantities✓ Geometry and Spatial Sense✓ Social Relationships✓ Fine Motor Skills✓ Persistence and Attentiveness

NCCHS Top VolunteersNew Castle County Head Start, Inc. would like to thank the many parent volunteers for their time and service during the academic year. Each year a special recognition is given to the Top Volunteer for the Year, or the parent with the most volunteer hours of all the centers.

Congratulations to Darlene Ramirez from Lambson, the 2013-2014 Top Volunteer of the Year, with an impressive 381.25 volunteer hours. The individual center volunteer winners were Andrea Casillas-Cejas from Absalom Jones; Tyesha Brown from Bear; Adriana Lopez from Claymont; Martha Ayala-Bernade from Manor Park; Jose Obregon from Marshallton; Pamela Taylor from Newark; and Arlene Little from Rose Hill.

Statement of Financial Position Statement of Activities

ASSETS

Cash and cash equivalentsInvestmentsGrants receivableEmployee receivablePrepaid rentPrepaid InsuranceOther assets and prepaid expensesProperty and equipment, net

TOTAL ASSETS

2014

$ 118,757-

23,502935

31,01320,98481,507

576,421

$ 853,119___________

LIABILITIES AND NET ASSETS

LIABILITIES:Accounts payableAccrued salaries and compensated absencesPayroll taxes and withholdings payableOther liabilities

Total Liabilities

NET ASSETS:Unrestricted - Board-designatedUnrestricted - undesignated

Total Net Assets

TOTAL LIABILITIES AND NET ASSETS

$ 19,916101,31514,68411,554

147,469

78,749626.901705,650

$ 853,119__________

SUPPORT AND REVENUEFederal grants:

Head StartTraining and technical assistanceSpecial education - preschool grantEarly learning challenge grant - COREChild and Adult Care Food Program

State grantsPNC science grantContributions - cashContributions - in-kindPurchase of care - parent co-payInterest incomeOther incomeTOTAL SUPPORT AND REVENUE

EXPENSESProgramGeneral and administrativeTOTAL EXPENSES

CHANGE IN NET ASSESTS BEFORE NONOPERATING ACTIVITIES

NONOPERATING ACTIVITIESGain (Loss) on disposal of assetsTOTAL NONOPERATING ACTIVITIES

CHANGE IN NET ASSETS

NET ASSETS, BEGINNING OF YEAR

NET ASSETS, END OF YEAR

2014

$ 3,755,41154,63270,00016,200

368,901763,455

7,64423,798

636,74426,056

519 - 5,723,360

5,057,643 702,644 5,760,287

(36,927)

49 49

(36,878)

742,528

$ 705,650

NCCHS Partner Receives State AwardNCCHS partner Red Clay School District received the 2013-2014 Partner of the Year award at the annual “Making a Difference” conference hosted by the Delaware Head Start Association and the Delaware Association for the Education of Young Children in April 2014. “This partnership provides intensive early intervention services to preschool children in the Head Start setting,” commented Gail Humphreys-Mackenzie, Principal at Richardson Park Early Learning Center. “Teachers and therapists from the Early Years Program in Red Clay work collaboratively with Head Start staff and families ensuring all preschool children who are identified with learning needs are supported by teachers and therapists to implement an Individualized Education Plan (IEP) in the child's community program. Data reviews confirm that these services have given children the context and structure to become successful as they enter kindergarten.”

DonorsJPMorgan Chase

Peter and Carol Horty FundWilliam and Monica Glick

United Way Campaign

Partner OrganizationsAppoquinimink School District

Brandywine School District Center for Child Development

Christina School District Colonial School District

Delaware Department of Education Delaware Health and Social Services

Delaware Museum of Natural History Delaware Skills Center

Delaware Technical and Community College, Education Program

Delaware Technical and Community College, Nursing Program

Foster Grandparents Program New Castle Vocational Technical School District

Read Aloud Delaware Red Clay School District

Springfield CollegeUniversity of Delaware, Cooperative Extension College of

Agriculture ResourcesUniversity of Delaware, Delaware Center for Teacher

Education University of Delaware, Department of Health and Nutrition

University of Delaware, Office of Clinical Studies Winterthur Museum & Country Estate

United Way Days of Caring

2013-2014 DONORS & PARTNERS

In-Kind DonorsBecker School Supplies

Delaware Museum of Natural HistoryFirst State Safety Services, LLC

Juggling HoffmansScholastic Book Club

Sigma Data

NCCHS Celebrates 5 Years of Seeing Science Everywhere

NCCHS participated in the 5th anniversary celebration of Seeing Science Everywhere, a grant partnership with Delaware Museum of Natural History funded by the PNC Grow Up Great with Science initiative. The celebration was held at the museum in May 2014, and featured special guests including Delaware Governor Jack Markell, Nick Marsini, Regional President for PNC Bank Delaware, and Halsey Spruance, Executive Director for the Delaware Museum of Natural History. NCCHS was one of a select group of Delaware preschools chosen by the museum to participate in the grant program to enhance early childhood science education.

Head Start students participated in hands-on science activities at the anniversary celebration. Nick Marsini, pictured above, and students from the Marshallton center learn about the role worms play in the compost process.

➡ Establish a new St. Georges center in the former Commodore McDonough School. The new center will serve 57 children in 3 classrooms. NCCHS will apply for grants to supply capital funding for building renovations.

➡ Apply for a 5 Star Rating at Absalom Jones, Claymont and Manor Park centers.

➡ Install security systems at Absalom Jones and Marshallton centers.

➡ Apply for a new, non-competitive 5 year federal Head Start grant. NCCHS achieved non-competitive status following the favorable federal review in 2014.

➡ Offer a full day summer program to children currently enrolled in the NCCHS full day program funded by the State of Delaware's Purchase of Care program.

➡ Grow the NCCHS Board of Directors membership.

➡ Create a new partnership with PNC Grow Up Great and the Delaware Museum of Natural History based on success factors from previous partnerships.

➡ Participate as a member of the Colonial School District Kindergarten Readiness Team which evaluates and creates innovative ways to prepare children for kindergarten.

➡ Create a Curriculum Committee to review curriculum materials and classroom instruction with the goal to streamline curriculum components and improve classroom operations.

➡ Evaluate the feasibility of expanding full day services funded through the State of Delaware's Purchase of Care program.

2013-2014 Advisory Committees

NCCHS thanks the many parent and community volunteers who serve on the Head Start advisory committees. The committees serve an important role in the agency, working closely with the program coordinators in planning and evaluating the Head Start services.

LOOKING AHEAD AT 2015 & BEYOND

2013-2014 Policy Council

NCCHS would like to thank the 2013-2014 Policy Council members for their time and service to the agency. The Policy Council is the parent governing body of Head Start which works closely with the Board of Directors and Executive Director to establish policies and practices related to the program.

Naa Akakpo Dara Bradley Stacy Bradshaw Michelle Butler Wanda Castaneda India Conaway Sherri Coutain Felicia Davis Courtney Grubb Marlin Johnson Monique Johnson Arlence Little Weaam Mahabbis Jennifer Marchione-Carter Darmorio Nicholson Flora Pereyra Darlene Ramirez Jennifer Risley Jessica Rivera Marcela Rivera

NCCHS high quality curriculum programs are designed to meet the social, emotional, health, nutritional and physical needs of children ages 3 to 5.

DID YOU KNOW?

Dr. Aguida Atkinson Martha Ayala Lilia Barroso Dara Bradley Peg Bradley Michelle Butler Courtney Collins India Conaway Sherrie Coutain Melanie Daul Felicia Davis Dara DuPont Tracy Faust Elaine Foster Karina Gomez Veronica Gonzalez-Tapia Yelitza Gonzalez Anay Hernandez Paula Holloway Justine Humbertson Karen Kozlowski Maria Lopez-Velasco Weaam Mahabbis Gail McIlvain-Simpson, MSN, RN Karen Rodriguez Rosa Ruiz Yinka Shomide Kim & Alvin Simmons Kelly Simpers Ralph Sosi Pamela Taylor Jeri Turner Tammy Wales Jaime Walko Mary Wilkinson Lynette Williams Joan Wolf

Center News

Curriculum Enrichment Grants Head Start centers partner with local organizations to enhance the curriculum programs through grants. Recent grants include PNC’s Seeing Science Everywhere with the Delaware Museum of Natural History and Wolf Trap’s Science, Technology Engineering Math (STEM) program.

Field Trips Head Start classrooms often take field trips to local museums and educational sites including the Delaware Children’s Museum, Delaware Museum of Natural History, Winterthur Museum, local Fire Stations and more.

Safety Fairs Every year Head Start centers hold Safety Fairs in memory of former Head Start students, Elijah and Alyssa Rivera Kupchinski, who were tragically killed in a car accident on May 25, 2011. The fairs include educational activities for both Head Start children and families.

End of Year Celebrations At the end of the school year centers host a celebration for ch i ldren and f ami l i e s . The celebrations include food, games, crafts and activities. Special guests participate in the celebrations by offering live performances.

Special Events Head Start centers hold numerous special events for children and families throughout the school year including Winter Festival, Literacy Day, Earth Day Celebration, Special Guest Breakfasts, Thanksgiving Feast, Rock the Socks for Autism, Build it Big and more.

Special Guests Head Start invites special guests to provide performances for children at the centers. Recent guests include Juggling Hoffmans, Silly Joe the Musician and Segal Puppet Show.

Community Partners Centers partner with many community organizations for in classroom support and training for children and families including Delcastle High School, Food Bank of Delaware, Foster Grandparents, Home Depot, New Castle County Library, United Way and Wahl Family Dentistry.

Claymont 3301 Green Street

Claymont, DE 19703(302) 792-9065

Bear 931 Corbitt RoadBear, DE 19701(302) 832-2212

Absalom Jones 310 Kiamensi Road

Wilmington, DE 19804(302) 999-8480

Lambson 19 Lambson Lane

New Castle, DE 19720(302) 655-5070

Manor Park 1 Bassett Avenue

New Castle, DE 19720(302) 328-9454

Marshallton 310 Kiamensi Road

Wilmington, DE 19804(302) 225-3790

Newark 921 Barksdale RoadNewark, DE 19711

(302) 224-3529

Rose Hill 19 Lambson Lane

New Castle, DE 19720(302) 654-9995

Center Locations

New Castle County Head Start, Inc.

Administrative Office256 Chapman Road, Suite 103

Newark, Delaware 19702T: (302) 452-1500 F: (302) 452-1509 www.ncchs.org

www.facebook.com

Volunteer or Donate Today! New Castle County Head Start, Inc. depends on community support by way of monetary or in-kind donations and volunteers to deliver excellence in early childhood education to over 600 children each year.

• Volunteer in a Head Start classroom - Volunteers provide critical classroom and individual student support. All interested volunteers should call the Administrative Office at (302) 452-1500 or complete the contact us form on the website www.ncchs.org.

• Provide an in-kind donation - NCCHS relies on donations of goods e.g., classroom supplies, and services e.g., transportation, printing or landscaping, by generous individual, corporate and community donors. For more information on in-kind donations, please contact the Administrative Office at (302) 452-1500.

New Castle County Head Start, Inc. is dedicated to enhancing the cognitive, social, emotional and physical well being of children and families in New Castle County, Delaware. The agency provides quality early care and educational programs for preschool children, as well as supportive family services in partnership with parents and their communities.

Mission