“Let’s Talk”

     At Wadesboro’s Peoplefest festival 120 families participated in surveys entitled “How Well Do You Know Your Children? and “How Well Do You Know Your Parents?” between parents/grandparents and youth. Participants were entered in a drawing to win a gift card valued at $50.00 and the winners were Ms. Hattie Little and Ms. Georgia Medley.
     The surveys were distributed by the Anson County Partnership for Children to celebrate October as “National Let’s Talk Month” on Saturday, October 8th. In addition to the survey, parents/grandparents were given timely information about effective communication with their children/grandchildren. This information was disseminated through APPCNC (Adolescent Pregnancy Prevention Campaign of North Carolina) and adapted with permission from the Family Health Council, Inc., Pittsburgh, PA:

     We know it’s easy to say, “Kids are just different today!” However, parents still matter!      Good research tells us that parents still have the most important voice when it comes to young people’s views about sex – more than friends or the media. Eight out of ten teens say it would be easier to avoid sex if they could have more open communications with their parents about sex.      Education and information help young people take personal responsibility for important life decisions… parent/child communications will always be one of the most important parts of helping young people become solid, healthy adults.

     Drawing winners had the following comments about the experience: Ms. Medley said that she knew certain things about her grandson, but was surprised to find out that he liked the sport of boxing. She stated, “We have a good relationship.” Ms. Little credited her faith for the relationship she has with her children and grandchildren. She commented, “I go to church and pray. God guides me to have that good relationship with my children and grandchildren.”
     The communication and conversations can be inter-generational. The trick is just to keep the lines of communication open.
     To date the Partnership has collaborations with Anson County Schools to address House Bill 88 to enact the Healthy Youth Act in our schools, and with the local grassroots organization HOLLA (Helping Our Loved Ones Learn and Achieve). HOLLA! hosts the Teen Outreach Program (TOP) youth development sessions at the Mary E. Little Center in Morven. These organizations recognize that a child’s parent is his/her first and most important teacher. Communicating with children daily is one of the many hats parents wear as they parent in today’s world. Fortunately parents in Anson County are not alone in these communication efforts with young people. The Anson County Partnership for Children, Anson County Schools, HOLLA!, churches and community organizations all offer support and resources to help parents be ready when his / her child says, “Let’s talk.”

TIPS teen receives attendance award

   The Anson County Partnership for Children proudly announces that Angelica Smith, a graduate of the Teen Information & Parenting program (TIPS), has received the 2011 Outstanding Attendance Award from the North Carolina Teen Pregnancy Prevention Initiative (TPPI).
   Angelica joined the TIPS program in April of 2007 and attended 75 group sessions during her time in the program. Angelica received the prestigious attendance award because she attended more group sessions than any other participant of Adolescent Parenting Programs throughout the state. A 2011 Anson Academy Ombudsman School graduate, Angelica currently attends South Piedmont Community College.
   The TIPS program for teen mothers is funded by an Adolescent Parenting Program grant from the Teen Pregnancy Prevention Initiative of the NC Department of Health and Human Services. If you are interested in the TIPS program, please contact TIPS Coordinator, Caroline Hightower, at 704-694-4036 ext. 62.

1000 Children Currently Enrolled in Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library Program!

     The Anson County Partnership for Children has met its goal of having 1000 children enrolled in the Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library at one time! On Wednesday, June 29th, Janiya Jones, age three of Morven, became the 1000th child currently enrolled. Janiya, the daughter of Fiona Redfearn, was presented a Partnership bag filled with favorite children’s books and a certificate commemorating her enrollment as the 1000th child. Since the literacy program began in Anson County in September 2006, approximately 2000 Anson County children have received free books in the mail each month. The Partnership has worked with local community agencies to enroll children and Janiya’s application was acquired by Anson County Health Department WIC Director, Donna Allen. It is significant that this goal was achieved on June 29th, Phoebe Esta Lee Day, since Phoebe was also instrumental in the success of the literacy program as a Partnership board member.
     Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library is open to ALL Anson County children birth to age five. Enrolled children receive a free age appropriate book mailed to their home each month until their fifth birthday. Please call (704-694-4036) or come by the Partnership at 117 South Greene Street, Wadesboro to register your child for Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library.
     Although free to children and parents, the program costs the Anson County Partnership for Children approximately $35.00 per child per year. The Partnership’s annual fundraiser, the Barn Blast, generates funds for Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library and other children’s literacy programs in Anson County. The next Barn Blast is scheduled for Friday, January 27, 2012, at the Lockhart-Taylor Center. If you are interested in helping make sure that literacy programs like Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library continue to be available for young children in Anson County, please call Partnership Executive Director Elaine Scarborough at 704-694-4036. The Partnership is in need of financial support as well as volunteers to assist with its literacy programs.

Hundreds Celebrate Week of the Young Child in Wadesboro

     Over 500 children, parents, teachers and child care providers filled Rutherford and West Wade Streets in Wadesboro on April 19th for the 2011 Week of the Young Child Parade sponsored by the Anson County Partnership for Children. Based on the well-known children’s book by Laura Numeroff, If You Take a Mouse to School, the parade attracted children dressed as their favorite characters from the book. Children and teachers pulled and pushed creative, colorful homemade parade floats inspired by the book. The North Carolina Forestry Service mascot, Smokey the Bear; and the North Carolina State Employee’s Credit Union mascot, Fat Cat, joined in the parade fun. Prizes were awarded to Peachland - Polkton Elementary Kindergarten for the “Best Costumes” and to Open Doors Center for Children for the “Best Parade Float”. Scott Clontz of the Wadesboro Employment Security Commission; Catherine Crandall of the Anson Arts Council and Karen Baucom of the Anson County Domestic Violence Coalition served as parade judges. Actors from the Tarradiddle Players of the Children’s Theatre of Charlotte joined in the parade prior to their morning performance of “If You Take a Mouse to School” in the newly renovated Ansonia Theatre. Each child attending the parade received a hard back copy of a Laura Numeroff book courtesy of the Anson County Partnership for Children and First Book National Book Bank. Safe Kids Anson Coalition distributed gun locks and information on firearm safety to parents and community members who attended the parade.
     Anson County’s 160 More at Four children, their parents and their child care workers were invited to attend the morning performance of “If You Take a Mouse to School.” Every seat in the beautifully remodeled theatre was filled and every child was delighted by the hilarious antics of the Tarradiddle Players. That evening, 122 parents, children, child care providers and community members attended a special public performance of the play. Following the performance children and parents enjoyed light refreshments. Each child who attended the evening performance received their own copy of If You Take a Mouse to School as well as another Laura Numeroff book. Both performances by the Tarradiddle Players were sponsored jointly by the Anson County Partnership for Children and the Anson County Arts Council.
     The Week of the Young Child is a national celebration focusing attention on young children, their caregivers and the policies and funds which support young children. Anson County Partnership for Children would like to thank the all participating organizations, parents, child care providers and community members who made the 2011 Week of the Young Child events a success.