Agency Report

Page | 0

The Project Chance /Pre K Program:

Wilmington University Graduate Center

Professor: Linda Payne Fall 2013

Administration of Human Services AHS 8100

October 2013

By : Renita Waterman

Agency Report Introduction

Page | 0

From the outside looking in, it can appear Project Chance, a program in existence since 1999, focus centers on empowering their students and parents. The program itself wears many hats, which is visible throughout various communities that make up the City of Wilmington. Their focus throughout its existences has been about making a change in childrens lives. Some of these changes have become the beginning of a new positive start in the life from whence they came. This program, which starts at zero thru Pre-K, has transformed many who once were in a destructive community, into blossoming, inviting and safe environments for all who remain. One such area where Project Chance is attempting to enact change centers on young children who are struggling in school due to barriers they are facing when they have parents who are impoverished, incarcerated or illiterate. My internship thus far at Project Chance before and after care program has given me a clear vision into the heart of their mission.

Mission/Vision The Project Chance mission statement is to provide a safe, healthy environment for children and their families, and encourage community empowerment, while simultaneously promoting academic achievement, focusing primarily on improving students academic achievement in Reading, Writing and Mathematics. Their vision is a catalyst for change that strives to inspire and empower a collaboration of their teachers, paraprofessionals citizens, government and faith based institution throughout the Triangle area within the City of Wilmington. This program works together in creating safe, vital neighborhoods that strengthen family bonds, promote civic pride and encourages residents to engage in community and school transformation.

Agency Report In order to fulfill their mission and vision, Project Chance implemented six key

Page | 0

recommendations that were outlined from the original report submitted to the Governor and other appointed to the steering committee. These objectives consisted of the following: 1. To Increase the number of students meeting or exceeding state standards in core curriculum areas 2. To increase students school attendance and reduce school suspension rates 3. To increase home/school communication 4. To increase opportunities for parents to link with community resources 5. To increase parent literacy skills 6. To improve students academic achievement in reading, writing, and math Demographic Information All of the students came from the Project Chance program, a program for at-risk students at Warner Elementary School. These students are children that need extra help before and after school. The parents of this target population need assistance with the basics such as breakfast before school and dinner after school. The need for this target population is there and with Project Chances ability to assist with the bare necessities by providing coats for the winter, book bags, clothing, and uniforms, needs that this population is unable to afford at this time. Often when a parent is unable to be with his or her child /children especially if the parent is absence or Grandparents are raising the children due to many reasons the children can experience stress, anxiety and lower self-esteem. This is the majority demographic population of students that are enrolled in this program. Children may not have the language or ability to express these scary and sad feelings and thus may begin to act out with negative

Agency Report

Page | 0

behavior and do poorly in school and at home. Therefore ,one of the Project Chance goals is to give children, and their families, extra help and support to enable each child to excel in school and in his or personal relationships. Any student attending one of these programs, whose behavior is negatively affecting his or her ability to do well in school is eligible to participate in the program at very little cost. Students can be referred by school staff or enrolled by a parent or guardian. The maximum numbers of students that are participating now are approximately 45 due to cost limitations and more. However, this programs administrator and staff are aware and can accommodate many more children attending the target school.

Policies and Procedures Mainly the Project Chance program has always been within the confines of the Red Clay School Districts policies and procedures as outlined, including but not limited to, their own email practices, access badges, and computer/office equipment. Project Chance have their own employee handbook, strategic plan, and code of ethics that directly addresses their individual program as well. Their handbook addresses employees attendance, punctuality, personal appearance, work conditions, dress codes, conduct, behavior, job responsibilities, and specific rules as it regards to the staff/students code of conduct.

Structure/Staffing Due to the staff size of the Project Chance Program, the common practices that are carried out within a larger organization are not completely addressed within the agencys structure. The Funding /Regulated programs Director that reports straight to the Superintendent, the Project Chance Coordinator/Director, Secretary and seven

Agency Report

Page | 0

paraprofessionals are the only paid staff members within this program. Because of the size of the staff, the closeness that is shared is rather unique. The Executive Director includes everyone in the decision making process to a point and always keeps everyone up to speed on the progress of the agencies outside programs and partnerships. Staff coaching is done on regular basis and the Executive Director stresses an open door policy. However, due to the rigorous partnering that is a major part of the Project Chances mission and vision, direct supervision is sometimes sacrificed. However, with a leadership style that is a combination of authoritative and coaching, the Directors can appear to be very unapproachable at times. They seek to empower and look at themselves as having a visionary leadership style; however, they allow people to be autonomous while performing their job duties. They will provide you with the tools, the means, and materials to complete a task, but they are not hands on directors that will continually look over your shoulder. Now although you are involved in several steps of the project, they prefer to leave you to your own devices and expect the work to be completed by the deadline. For an established and well-polished employee, this style of leadership can be appreciated. However, for someone still wet behind the ears, this leadership style can be very frustrating and draining. Since this programs focus is on empowering children, there appears to be two spate management structures within the program. When addressing the Red Clay District in its entirety as a governing agency, it appears that the Funding Regulated Director Malik Stewart has reign over the nuances of the program. Although the Project Chance is set to be very successful year after year as it pertains to the direct involvement of Project Chance being

Agency Report overseen by the Program Coordinator/Director Virginia Lacy, which is under the direct supervision of Mr. Stewart.

Page | 0

Project Chance Organizational Chart

Governance The Project Chance Program is governed by the Red Clay School Board of Directors members ranging from judges, attorneys, psychiatrist, private business directors, community activist, Politians and more. The Board of Directors appears to remain in the background while the Executive Director takes charge with the implementation of the programs. The Project Chance does not function with a strategic plan, believing that strategic plans are outdated. The Program follows an operational plan that gets no objection from the Board of Directors. Although Project Chance collaborates with over 10 other community agencies, none of the funders directly dictates the programs being implemented. Their involvement is to address school regulations within the City of Wilmington. With the climate of the Program, an

Agency Report

Page | 0

operational plan is more feasible than a detailed strategic plan, although some of the partnership programs do have a strategic plan that was put into place at it original implementation. The program strategy, which seems to be the franchise project of the District, appears to be collaborative effort connecting the Board of Directors, United Way, America after 3PM, Department of Education and the Kid Literature Program. The Project Chance focus is on a holistic approach to education and a continuum of care, which has appeared to show successful rates in the City of Wilmington. It is the longest standing before and after care program in the City of Wilmington, as a satellite within the schools thru out this City. With Project Chances program being the lead partner, all of the day-to-day activities that go along with the implementation of a new program fall under Maliks governance. Therefore the Project Chance will provide oversight of the daily operations, hiring, reporting, technical support, however all final decisions, even as to the structure of the program agenda for the stakeholders is based on the collaborative agreement of the partners and the community.

Funding Funding for Project Chance is allocated from funds provided by the State of Delaware thru their Purchase of Care program (POC), which provides support for families with young children to enable parents or guardians to work, seek job training, or meet special needs of the child. POC may require working families to pay a portion of their childcare expenses. Additional funding comes from tuition payments and grants.

Relationship to other agencies Throughout its inception, Project Chance has continually collaborated with over 25 community and government agencies and has several donors. In order for the programs strategies

Agency Report

Page | 0

to be effective, collaborating with various agencies to provide a continuum of care is needed to see a change in current trends. Having the backing of donors will provide the agency with some financial support to show the naysayers and the undecided that there are others who believe that it time to try something different, when it comes to providing aftercare services to our children. Some of these partnerships in the community includes Christian Cultural Arts Center ,Grand Opera House ,Jump bunch, Girl and Boy Scouts ,Greenways ,WHYY and Family and Workplace Connection. With Project Chance collaborating with these and others community schools, this collaboration was critical in its belief that direct intervention was a means to avoid school failure and delinquency.

Strengths, Trends & Challenges The Program is charting an ambitious course toward the strengths and trends within this evidence based program .These trends are impact from the top in the School Districts office and trickle down to this agency that supports several Family Support Services and Education thru out the United States .Some of the Strengths and trends are as followed : 1. The State is adopting tax credits for working families, giving them help with child care and after care expenses. 2. Flexible work schedules 3. Internet and Media now control Legislation to assure parent that students will not view inappropriate materials in school and after school programs. 4. Full Day Kindergarten, which provides more in time class interaction 5. Pre K opportunities for every 4 year old in the US ,which operates under the Universal Pre K movement

Challenges When speaking with one of the site coordinators, he expressed one of the major challenges this program faces today are the parents. He further explained how these children

Agency Report

Page | 0

come from homes and families whereas education is not a priority and as a result ,the family is hostile towards education as well as the educators, therefore the family support becomes very challenging, for both the children and staff. Interns Role My role at PROJECT CHANCE has been to alleviate some of the day-to-day activities that are afforded The Executive Director and program director when starting new subdivision programs and activities within this program. I am currently assisting with the coordination of an event that is coming forth on October 17, 2013, called Lights On after school. The program will be participating in the 14th annual event, is a nationwide celebration of afterschool programs. The purpose of this event is to get the message out to the communities that it is a key success to keep the doors open and the lights on after school. Secondly, I will be a participant observer and become more familiar with the range of professional opportunities available to students majoring in my field through observation and discussions with my internship colleagues it just makes this journey more powerful. Conclusion In concluding, when discussing the need for educational and behavior changes one cannot over look the Lack of in the educational system today. The Project Chances idea to focus on the education components and the efforts that are needed, addresses the elimination for why this era is hostile towards education. The Project programs approach to this education stigma is long overdue. Evidence based practices makes these programs the solution so that the community and everyone else involve can be better informed and make better decisions and become positive products of their community. However, in order for a

Agency Report program such of this magnitude to become successful, an active commitment and

Page | 0

participation from all the key people will be needed for more major progress in the future.