GULF COAST COMMUNITY SERVICES ASSOCIATION Head Start/Early Head Start Support Services Monthly Narrative February 2025 LEADERSHIP ACTIVITIES •
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Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) The January 2025 Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) claim was completed and submitted to the Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA) for reimbursement. In January there were 16 food service days for the month. There were 17 eligible sites and 1,518 eligible children. The number of meals provided: 5,694 breakfasts; 5,775 lunches and 17,488 PM snacks served. Expected reimbursement for the month is $61,922.61. GCCSA February 2025 Story Time – Al Maldonado, Compliance & Accountability Director read “The ABCs of Law” by Raamin Mostaghimi and Varun Bhartia to the children and staff in February. The story follows Lawyer Lion, Lawyer Lioness, Plaintiff Parrot, Defendant Duck, and the rest of the gang as they learn the ins and outs of legal practice in the courtroom. Congratulations to Ms. Julia Phillips who completed all requirements to receive her CDA Credential February 21! Children’s Assessment Progress meetings were held with each Center Administrator, Child Develop Manager and Specialist and the Assistant Director of HS/EHS. Each Center Administrator presented the children’s scores and progress for their center. Center Administrators also meet with each of their teachers to discuss children’s progress in every classroom. Specialists’ Outcomes Meetings were held this month. Specialists meet to discuss progress, concerns and solutions to University of Houston Bounce Program TANS – The Department of Agriculture is moving to a new electronic system called Texas Automated Nutrition System (TANS). The Head Start/Early Head Start Assistant Director attended the January TANS Talk series meeting. GCCSA/SHINE ECE Monthly Meeting – The Assistant Director, Child Development Manager held their monthly meeting with Sonali Raval, Shine Director of Education & Family and Community engagement. The Assistant Director is a member of the Baylor College of Medicine’s Chef-ED Advisory Board and attended the board meeting this month. The project Chef-Ed is conducting a study on good eating habits with parents and their young children. GCCSA Head Start centers are participating.
CHILD DEVELOPMENT (CD) •
Early Head Start Themes taught this month were: Toddler/ Theme 6 Shapes and Sizes - Week 1- Circles-Children will learn about shapes over the next few weeks to build early skills. Week 2 – Squares- This week children will learn about squares. The focus is on recognition. Week 3- Triangles- This week children will learn to recognize them easily because they have a distinct appearance. Week 4- Hearts and Stars- This week children will learn about hearts and stars. These shapes are generally some of the first that children recognize because they see these shapes in holiday decorations. Three/ Theme 6 Creative Me - Week 2Recycled Treasures- This week, children will learn how to turn everyday items (often discarded) into treasures. Week 3– Experimenting- This week, children will learn about experimenting to find the right solution to creative thinking and problem solving. Week 4- Designing and Building- This week children will explore their creative side by designing (thinking about what they want to create and build. Theme 7- ON the GO- Week 1- Places Kids Go- This week, children will learn about the ways their bodies can move.
Support Services Report February 2025
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