North Carolina
Cooperative Extension County Center Scotland
 

North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service

Scotland County
School Age Child Care (SACC)
Programming Proposal

Scotland Jam

NEED STATEMENT

The After School Programs sponsored by the Scotland County Schools are located in all 8 primary schools in the county (5 schools offer year round scheduling and three schools offer traditional). As of January 1999, the total enrollment for K - 8 students was 6,010. Approximately 245 students are enrolled in the after school programs. An additional 50 - 90 students attend The Scots Program weekly during the intercession period. However, at the present time child care openings are hard to find during non- school hours (non public holidays, teachers workdays and the summer). An additional hardship is created for families with school aged children because the after school programs do not offer care during these critical non-school hours.

In previous years, SACC funds have been utilized to assist schools with receiving certification, marketing, scholarships for underprivileged students, and offering care during teacher workdays and summer vacations.

In 1999 - 2000 the focus will be on expanding school age child care to a new site (Laurel Hill) and increasing the slots at the present site (Laurinburg). Laurinburg will increase the number of slots from 50 to 100; additionally 25 more new spaces will be provided at Laurel Hill. A total of 75 new spaces will be available. Also, there will be an increase in the number of days the program is offerred (from 48 days to 74 days). Scotland Jam will be year round, identified by the seasons. . . Fall Jam, Winter Jam, Spring Jam, and Summer Jam.

GOALS

  1. In 1999 - 2000, Scotland Jam will expand the school age program currently offered by the Scotland County Schools. An additional 75 spaces will be created for students during non-school hours (non-public holidays, teacher workdays, intersessions, and the summer).
  2. In 1999 - 2000, Scotland Jam will meet the requirements for licensing standards by the Division of Child Development at the new site and maintain the license at the present Laurinburg site.
  3. To utilize the SACC Advisory Committee to help plan, design, implement and evaluate the Scotland Jam project.

PLAN OF ACTION

All plans will involve the coordination of resources from several organizations such as the Scotland County 4-H Program, Scotland County Schools, Child Care Directions (resource and referral), Scotland County Parks and Recreation, St. Andrews Presbyterian College, and Scotland Memorial Hospital. A 4-H SACC Coordinator will be hired and supervised by the Scotland County 4-H Agent to expand school age care to non-school hours. The program will provide 125 spaces for youth which will include full day care on 74 non-public holidays, teacher workdays and the summer. This is an increase of 26 new days from last year.

TIME/LOCATION/COST

Hours for Scotland Jam will be from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Youth served will be ages 6 to 15. The cost for the summer program will be $60 a week for 1 child. Other children in the same family will be provided with a sliding fee of $55 - 2nd child, $50 - 3rd child.

The dates for Scotland Jam are as follows: Teachers Workdays (September 17, September 20, October 8, November 1, November 12, December 17, February 18, February 21, March 10, March 13, April 3, May 24 - 26), Non-public Holidays (December 20 - 22, December 28 - 31, April 24 - 28), Summer Vacation (May 30 - August 4, except July 4). The total number of days including teacher workdays, non- public holidays, and the summer is 74. The staff will work 77 days. This includes 74 days for operating the program and 3 days for planning and training.

On Teacher workdays and non-public holidays, the fee will be $15 per child. (sliding fees $12 - 2nd, $10 for each additional). The staff to student ratio will be 1:15. Youth will provide their own bag lunch for Scotland Jam except for days when the theme is cooking. The summer program will be held at St. Andrews College. The non- public holidays and teacher workdays will be held at Scotland County Parks and Recreation facilities and the old Laurel Hill school.

COLLABORATING AGENCIES

Each collaborating organization will be responsible for the following activities:

EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMMING

Educational activities will include Talking With TJ (conflict resolution and team building), cooking, values/character education, sports, health, safety, and nutrition. Also field trips will be conducted that promote the study of animals, athletics, Scotland County history, and career choices. Furthermore, a community service component will include painting and planting Dogwoods in two county parks.

Other community support includes: Literacy Council (tutoring), Toastmasters (public speaking instruction) and the Department of Social Services (transportation). Presentations will also be provided by police, fire departments, Scotland County Library, Chamber of Commerce, Scotland County Animal Shelter, and City of Laurinburg Beautification project.

LICENSING PLAN

At the present time the collaborating agencies have received a Day Camp Summer Temporary License from the Division of Child Development. This license will also enable the program to accept children whose families receive subsidized care from the Department of Social Service. The licensing process will be continued for the fall, winter, spring, and summer program as well as for the new Laurel Hill site.

STAFF/TRAINING

Ten (10) staff members will be hired which includes: 1 - 4-H SACC coordinator and 9 teachers (1 will also serve as site administrator). All staff will receive 10-12 hours of instruction on child development principles, effective discipline, CPR, First Aid and appropriate curriculum. All staff will be hired and will have completed training by the first teacher workday, September 17, 1999. However, marketing for the program will begin immediately upon receiving funding and continue throughout the summer of 2000.

CEMP'S

The proposed plan addresses the following Cooperative Extension Major Programs (CEMP'S) in the county plan of work:

Advisory Committee

The SACC Advisory Committee is composed of the following: 4-H Agent, Parks and Recreation Representative, County Manager, a representative from Scotland County Memorial Hospital, staff members from St. Andrews Presbyterian College, Director of the School and Community Relations, Department of Social Services staff member, 2 parents, 8 youth, and the SACC Coordinator.

Sustainability

Continuation of the program will be feasible through the following funding sources: user fees and subsidized child care funds from Department of Social Services. Also, a grant was received from the Duke Endowment to provide scholarship for lower income students who families do not qualify for Department of Social Services subsidies.

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Information for this document provided by Cathy Graham, Area Specialized Agent, Resource Development
Document created by Susan Johnson, Cumberland County Center on 8/9/99.
Revised by Roberto Cruz on 2/08/2006