SEI is conducting as many interviews, focus groups, and site visits as possible to ensure it captures the diverse needs and requirements of all counties.

Surveys in English and Spanish are also being distributed, and all stakeholders—from superintendents to parents—are being asked to participate.

To learn more about the KEDS project, go to the project website, which can be found here.

For parents:

To participate in the parent survey, click here for English, or here for Spanish.

For other stakeholders:

If you are a teacher, administrator, or other childhood professional, please click here.

For more information go to: http://www.serve.gov/council_resources.asp#1
Link for the Community Collaborative Toolkit.

Recruitment Retention Best Practices Model (2)

“We have received a positive response to the 2010-2011 Evaluation Report developed by SEI for our Commission,” said Patricia Loera, Executive Director at First 5 Glenn County.

She reported that Mary Davis, After School Program Coordinator for the Glenn County Office of Education, wrote, “This is a fantastic report and really highlights the important work First 5 does in Glenn County.  I am very impressed with all the data collected.  Thanks for sharing this report with us.”

Loera also praised her staff and their ongoing efforts that produced the results highlighted in the report.

“It was an amazing year of staff planning, coordination and positivity in researching and meeting goals that produced this report.  I will be sharing your support with the staff and commission and partners.  We have such an amazing county village for our children of Glenn County!”

Sarah Boxx, Principal at Social Entrepreneurs, Inc, commended and congratulated Loera on the valuable work and investments that she and the staff have made for children ages zero to five.

“We are proud to be able to partner with Glenn County to help tell their story,” Boxx said.

The report, which can be seen here, also underscores the challenges that Nevada faces in terms of education, employment and teen pregnancy, as well as the costs that go alongside those issues.   

And Nevada is not alone.  On November 1, 2011, the Associated Press reported that while some progress has been made on math and reading scores nationwide, much improvement must be made if every student in the country is to be proficient in math and reading by 2014. You can learn more about how the nation scored on its most recent “report card” by visiting the National Center for Education Statistics at http://nces.ed.gov/nationsreportcard/.

For more information on NPEF’s solutions for Nevada and its “Ready for Life” program, go to www.readyforlifenv.org, or visit NPEF’s official site at www.nvpef.org.

For more information on how SEI can help your organization realize its potential, visit our website at www.socialent.com.

The Reno Area Alliance for the Homeless is conducting a cold weather solution appeal to fund vouchers that can be used to house individuals and families in motels this winter while providing case management to them to help stabilize them in the long term. $150 will support a voucher to house a family in a motel for a week. Please consider donating any amount you can to The Thomas Vetica Memorial Fund at the Community Foundation of Western Nevada.  A donation by credit card can be made online at www.cfwnv.org. You can also Donate to: The Thomas Vetica Memorial Fund c/o Community Foundation of Western Nevada 1885 South Arlington Avenue, Suite 103, Reno, NV  89509

Three key SEI staff members also completed the Early Childhood Environment Rating Scale (ECERS) in June, which is a similar program that evaluates facilities caring for children between 2 and 5 years of age.

Completing both programs will allow SEI to assess center-based childcare programs across the state of Nevada as part of a contract with the Nevada Head Start Collaboration and Early Childhood Systems Office.

The first assessments are scheduled for late July in Las Vegas, and will continue through 2011 in Washoe and several other Nevada counties.

https://help.endhomelessness.org/events/17#/events/17

The show, which opens July 1 at ReStart’s offices on the Community Assistance Campus, 335 Record St. Suite 155, has been made possible by a grant from the Dermody Properties Foundation, which funded 17 weeks of arts classes taught by members of VSA Nevada.

The opening reception, which will feature refreshments and original, client-composed music, is free, though a $5 donation is suggested.

“We originally entitled this exhibit ‘Refuge,’ as we envisioned providing a safe and supportive space for clients to express themselves artistically,” said Volunteers of America Northern Nevada Vice President Rachelle Pellissier, who serves as executive director for ReStart’s Reno programs. “This theme of refuge has taken on a double meaning as reflected in the subject matter of our clients’ work – wildlife and natural landscapes. By arranging their artwork around the premises of ReStart, we hope to offer the public a unique perspective on the world of these atypical artists, and perhaps challenge some common misconceptions of the homeless within our community.”

The small- and large-format works – all on paper – include such drawing and painting media as charcoal, conte crayons, pastels and acrylics.

“Refuge” will continue through July 30, with weekly Wednesday showings set for 5-7 p.m. July 30’s closing reception will take place from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Tax-deductible donations to fund Volunteers of America/ReStart programs will be accepted.

For more information, please call 775.324.2622 ext. 130, or 775.322.7143.

Since its formal organization in 1991, ReStart’s mission has been to provide professional mental-health services to homeless individuals, and to fill needed gaps in the homeless-services delivery system.

Today, ReStart assists some 300 clients through its mental-health support, representative payee service, permanent long-term housing and Homeless Prevention and Rapid Re-Housing programs.

Established in 1911, the Greater Sacramento & Northern Nevada office of Volunteers of America is one of the largest providers of social services in the region, operating more than 40 programs dedicated to ending homelessness, supporting the most vulnerable populations and transforming communities for the better.

Its ministry of service supports and empowers America’s most vulnerable groups, including at-risk youth, seniors, homeless individuals and families, people with disabilities, and those recovering from addictions.

For more information about Volunteers of America/ReStart, go online at www.volunteersofamerica-nv.org.

The Volunteers of America/ReStart presentation of “Refuge” during the month of July 2011 is part of the 16th annual Artown festival.

The month-long summer arts festival features more than 400 events produced by more than 100 cultural organizations and businesses in locations citywide, with major funding provided by the City of Reno.