This Is My Child (TIMC)
The Family Literacy Program
This Is My Child Family Literacy Program is a multi-faceted child development program
for the children of adolescent parents and the parents. The children of parenting adolescents
at Byrnes High School and adult parents seeking GED
certificates can receive quality
childcare on a space available basis in exchange for their participation in parenting services, educational
classes and employability opportunities offered
through the Middle Tyger Community Center.
Purpose and Goals
This Is My Child Family Literacy Program seeks to provide an atmosphere that encourages the
social, emotional, physical, and intellectual growth and development of the
child as a whole. The program is designed to support adolescent parents in their
educational endeavors so that they may in turn support their children. The
goal of This Is My Child Family Literacy Program is to provide a learning enriched environment in
which attention is paid to the nurturing of the whole child.
Child Services
This Is My Child offers
- Services to children age six weeks to three years old
- An opportunity for the child to develop his/her feelings of self-worth
through positive reinforcement, the recognition of personal choice, and
respect for the child's feelings and opinions.
- A curriculum designed to provide a variety of activities to support the
child's
development.
- Low child-to-teacher ratio
- On-site wellness nurse
- Experienced, trained staff
- Hot meals
Parent Services
This Is My Child offers parent services which extend and support the family.
- Weekly "Parenting Matters" classes (during the
academic year)
- Training such as CPR and First Aid
- Activities to promote parent-child interactions
- Home visitation program by assigned Parent Educator
- Opportunity to receive high school diploma, GED, or secondary education
- Case management
Child care is provided Monday - Friday, 7:30AM - 4:30PM
1st priority - Children of parents enrolled in D.R. Hill Middle/Byrnes
High School
2nd priority - Children of adolescent parents enrolled in Spartanburg
County Adult Education program
3rd priority - Children of adolescent parents enrolled in
post-secondary education
4th priority - In addition, MTCC partners with First Steps of
Spartanburg County to offer child care for children of non-adolescent parents enrolled in
Spartanburg County Adult Education program.
The parent must agree to meet the following conditions:
- Attend school regularly.
- Attend weekly parenting classes held at Middle Tyger Community Center
(during the academic year).
- Participate weekly in PACT (Parent And Child Together) time.
- Participate in the home visitation program provided by a District Five
Parent Educator.
- Participate in monthly case management meetings.
- For adolescents, no additional pregnancies while enrolled in This is My
Child Family Literacy Program are permitted.
The Early Head Start Program
The Early Head Start (EHS) program philosophy is
based on four cornerstones. These
are child development, family development, community building, and staff
development. Together they provide
the foundation on which resources and services are provided to EHS families and
staff.
Philosophy and Overview
Early Head Start believes a child’s day
should reflect an interest in the whole child.
Each child has physical, social, emotional, and cognitive needs that must
be enhanced. This Is My Child also
promotes the development of a positive self-esteem.
In order to promote continuity of care and to strengthen the
parent-teacher relationships, all Early Head Start classrooms have mixed age
groupings of children. Siblings are
kept together whenever possible.
Child Services
Criteria of Acceptance for
Children:
·
Must have child 0 – 36 months
·
Must be enrolled in school
·
Must be a
Spartanburg
County
resident
·
Must meet EHS Federal Poverty Guidelines for income
.
For more information, contact Debbie
Strickland, TIMC Family Literacy Program Director, at 864-439-7760.
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