Early Education is the Foundation For all
Early Education is the Foundation for All produces a strong foundation for future success of children. Research indicates the most significant structural component of daycares is the level of the teacher’s personal education and specializations. Through this program, Champions provides 24 hours of Preservice training, which is intensive, face-to-face teaching of state laws and basic child development knowledge that must be known to adequately teach birth through five years old. Champions offers high-quality professional trainings on classroom management, lesson plans, differentiated learning models, and other specialized trainings to enable daycare teachers to handle challenging child behaviors. Since 90% of the brain develops by age 4 and quality early education is the foundation for all future learning and long-term success, Champions for Children provides the 24 hours of high-quality face-to-face training required by law to be alone with children in a daycare. During these 24 hours, the clients learn over 100 state laws, ways to address challenging behaviors, activities for proper development, and many more skills essential to a successful learning environment.
Autism Education and Resources
Autism Education and Resources, formerly East Texas Autism Network, is now a program of Champions for Children of Smith County. It is a resource for parents and caregivers who are either concerned that their child may have Autism Spectrum Disorder, but has not been diagnosed, or whose child has been diagnosed. If a child has not been diagnosed with ASD, Champions coordinates the process of obtaining a diagnosis and helps the family establish a network of resources to help their child reach his/her highest potential. This often involves multiple sources of doctors and care professionals including but not limited to therapy centers, intervention services, respite care, social services, school administrators, and medical staff. When a centralized care plan develops, it helps families move ahead and put more focus on the positive qualities and gifts of their child while hope and empowerment grow for both the child and their caregivers in the long-term. For children already diagnosed with ASD, Champions supplies resources and tools to assist parents with daily and future needs.
Road to Mental Wellness and Succes
Road to Mental Wellness & Success, a program of Champions for Children of Smith County, identifies issues in a child as early as possible and offers therapy by a licensed professional counselor to correct problems before they escalate to major disasters, including harm to self or others. Research shows that children who have social and emotional issues in Kindergarten are 80% more likely to require special education and 7 times more likely to be suspended or expelled at least once by 4thgrade. Over half of adult mental illnesses show signs in childhood. Ignoring undesirable behaviors of young children can create long-term negative effects. Champions’ LPC offers play therapy, social groups, and individual sessions. Counseling can help children and parents with depression, divorce and separation issues, focus in school, test anxiety, low self-esteem, mental illness, communication, and more. Our counselor provides therapy to children ages 3-19 and their families.
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and not to cover United Way admin thanks to our Community Pillar Sponsors.