UNRISE, FL – (July 18, 2016) – Arc Broward recently received $10,000 through the Sun Sentinel Children’s Fund, a McCormick Foundation Fund. The grant will support the Parents as Teachers (PAT) program.
More than $204,000 was distributed to 14 nonprofit organizations in Broward and Palm Beach counties through the Sun Sentinel Children’s Fund in this grant cycle.
Arc Broward’s PAT program is an early childhood parent education initiative designed to empower parents to give their children the best possible start to life. The program is a replication of the international best practice model, adapted for children with special needs. Arc Broward’s Parents as Teachers program operates as a behavioral parent-training program, which includes family education and support that begins at birth and extends through age 10 (with a maximum developmental/functioning age of 5).
The program is based on the belief that parents are their children’s first and most influential teachers and that the early years lay the foundation for children’s success in school and in life. It helps parents become involved from the very beginning of their child’s life through personal visits with a parent educator, the heart of PAT.
Parent Educators help families discover ways to promote age appropriate development of their young child and learn to consistently use positive parenting practices. Through the program, parents also become familiar with their community’s resources and develop good relationships with them from the beginning.
At its core, Parents as Teachers is relationship-based and parenting-focused. The PAT curriculum focuses on parent-child interaction, positive parenting and family well-being; on strengths, capabilities and skills; and on building protective factors within the family (www.patnc.org).
Nationally-certified parent educators help families advance the development of their young children through activities that encourage language, intellectual growth and academic readiness, social and motor skills, and strengthens the parent’s relationship with the child.
In addition to the support from the Sun Sentinel Children’s Fund, a McCormick Foundation Fund, the Arc Broward Parents as Teachers program is also funded through the Children’s Council of Broward County, with additional support from the United Way of Broward County. For more information about Parents as Teachers and other Arc Broward youth services, visit (www.arcbroward.com/children-services).
“Arc Broward is grateful for the on-going partnership with the Sun Sentinel Children’s Fund and McCormick Foundation,” said President/CEO Dennis Haas. “The funds help support our mission of transforming the community by providing opportunities for people with disabilities and other life challenges to realize their full potential.”
ABOUT ARC BROWARD
Since 1956, ArcBroward has worked hand-in-hand with the community to provide the encouragement and opportunities that create life-changing outcomes so that people with disabilities and other life challenges can live, learn, work and play in their communities.
The not-for-profit organization operates three “mission-based” enterprises that provide training and employment opportunities for individuals served while generating revenue to help fund services. These include the Arc Educates, Arc Culinary and Arc Tech. Arc Broward also provides services through 21 programs in nine locations across Broward County. To learn more or to donate, visit (www.arcbroward.com) or call (954) 746-9400. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.
About the Sun Sentinel Children’s Fund, a McCormick Foundation Fund
Established in 1990, through the Sun Sentinel Children’s Fund, a McCormick Foundation Fund, local nonprofits with child and youth education programs, child abuse prevention and treatment programs, hunger and housing programs for at-risk children and their families are supported. Grants are made possibly with the generosity of Sun Sentinel readers, the general public and corporate donations. All donations are matched at 50 cents on the dollar by the Robert R. McCormick Foundation, based in Chicago, Illinois. The Sun Sentinel and the McCormick Foundation pay all expenses, ensuring 100 percent of donations, plus the match, goes directly to local nonprofit organizations making an impact. Since inception, more than $41 million has been distributed to improve the lives of at-risk children and families in Southern Florida. To learn more about the Sun Sentinel Children’s Fund visit (http://sunsentinelchildrensfund.org).
About the Robert R. McCormick Foundation
Robert R. McCormick Foundation is committed to fostering communities of educated, informed and engaged citizens. Through philanthropic programs, Cantigny Park and museums, the Foundation helps develop citizen leaders and works to make life better in our communities. The Foundation was established as a charitable trust in 1955, upon the death of Colonel Robert R. McCormick, the longtime editor and publisher of the Chicago Tribune. The McCormick Foundation is one of the nation’s largest foundations, with more than $1.5 billion in assets.
The McCormick Foundation’s Communities Program continues Col. McCormick’s legacy by partnering with media outlets, such as the Sun Sentinel, sports teams and philanthropic organizations across the country, to raise money and provide matching dollars which increase the impact of charitable giving. To learn more about the McCormick Foundation visit (www.McCormickFoundation.org). Follow us on Twitter and Like us on Facebook.
Photo Caption: Marcia Quallo-Lange (right), Sun Sentinel Manager of Community Partnerships, presents a $10,000 check on behalf of the Sun Sentinel Children’s Fund, a McCormick Foundation Fund, to (left to right) Shawn Preston, Director of Children’s Services, and Dennis Haas, President/CEO.
