[00:00:00] Speaker A: Foreign.
[00:00:07] Speaker B: Hello there, and welcome back to another episode of Just say Something podcast. My name is Philip Clark, and I'm the CEO here at Just say Something.
And before we get started into today's show, I want you to be sure to, like, share and subscribe this week's podcast. And remember, you can always find us wherever you find your favorite podcast.
So today we have a special guest from Share Head Start, and her name is Cynthia Langley, and she is the. See if I get this right. Community partnership facilitator. Well, that's a mouthful.
So what does that mean?
[00:00:50] Speaker A: So the Head Start program is a federally funded program, and we are required to partner with agencies in the community to provide services for our families. And so my role is to connect with those partners, community engagement, secure partnerships, and ensure that they are being carried out as.
As written.
[00:01:11] Speaker B: So when I hear Head Start, I think of child care.
[00:01:14] Speaker A: Yes, sir.
[00:01:15] Speaker B: That's exactly what it is, right?
[00:01:16] Speaker A: That's exactly right. We're a comprehensive child development program.
What makes us comprehensive is when you think child care, you're, of course, initially thinking of education, but we provide so much more. We have health.
We have nurses on staff.
We provide health screenings. That's going to be vision and hearing screenings, as well as heights and weights, identifying any needs that the children may have there, as well as mental health and disabilities resources, social services, nutrition services.
So we're identifying all the needs of the families.
We have family advocates who work with families on setting goals, helping them to achieve those goals, connecting them with resources in the community.
So we're. We're a comprehensive program.
[00:02:04] Speaker B: Okay, so what age children do y' all care for?
[00:02:09] Speaker A: Birth to five.
[00:02:10] Speaker B: Oh, okay. And is there a fee?
[00:02:13] Speaker A: No, sir, there is not a fee. It's income eligible children, as well as foster care, children who may be homeless or at risk of being homeless, children with diagnosed disabilities, and of course, then meeting the poverty guidelines.
[00:02:30] Speaker B: So how do you.
How do you get referrals?
[00:02:34] Speaker A: Okay, they can. A family could, is word of mouth, can go on the website and complete an application. Of course, through my work, reaching out into the community, attending different vendor fairs, doing outreach, we get referrals in that manner as well.
[00:02:53] Speaker B: Are you full?
I mean, I always hear, you know, childcare is so expensive, or there's a waiting list and those kind of things.
[00:03:03] Speaker A: So we are required to maintain a waiting list. So each center has a waiting list, and when a child drops from the program, we have 30 days to fill that slot, and we pull from that waiting list this.
[00:03:15] Speaker B: Okay.
[00:03:16] Speaker A: Recruitment is ongoing throughout the Year we are required to keep the awaiting list so that when those slots are become vacant, we have to fill them. So our recruitment actually begins in March.
Recruitment for the upcoming school year. Okay, so we encourage families to apply.
[00:03:36] Speaker B: So they have to apply.
[00:03:37] Speaker A: Yes, sir.
[00:03:38] Speaker B: And what's part of the application process?
[00:03:41] Speaker A: Okay, so they can. Families can go to the website and begin the application process online and a family advocate will contact them and complete that application. Or they may go to the center and start the application process there as well.
[00:03:58] Speaker B: How many centers do we have? And are you just Greenville? Are you the upstate.
[00:04:04] Speaker A: Our program is located in Greenville, Pickens, Anderson and Oconee County. Count. Okay, we have 21 centers across the four counties. Yes, sir.
[00:04:13] Speaker B: Wow, that's a lot.
[00:04:14] Speaker A: Yes, sir.
[00:04:14] Speaker B: So how many kids are enrolled?
[00:04:19] Speaker A: Just under 1,000 children at this time.
[00:04:25] Speaker B: That's a lot.
[00:04:26] Speaker A: Yes, sir.
[00:04:28] Speaker B: So what about transportation?
[00:04:32] Speaker A: So it. Some centers do provide transportation. We do have bus routes. It's limited though.
Currently we are hiring for bus drivers. So if there's anyone who is interested in becoming a bus driver for the program, we have those availabilities as well.
[00:04:50] Speaker B: Okay, so tell me what a. And there probably isn't one, but what an average center looks like.
[00:04:59] Speaker A: Okay, so some centers have Early Head Start Start and Head Start. So the early Head Start is going to be those infants and toddlers.
Some centers are just Early Head Start and other centers are Head Start only. It just depends on the needs of the community around the center.
We. We own some of our own centers. We occupy space in some community centers, and we also occupy space in some school districts as well, some local elementary schools in Anderson County.
[00:05:32] Speaker B: So what.
What dictates where you have a location is there's the poverty level in that community or.
[00:05:42] Speaker A: Yes, sir, the need in the community.
[00:05:45] Speaker B: And the community is based on.
I don't want to, like, zip code or just because I know there's.
In all zip codes, there's different pockets of poverty.
And so I guess I'm looking at was the median income or I know if. If they have a certain income level, they don't qualify.
And so I guess it's for each individual community to identify and own their own need. And then they come to y' all and say, can you put one in our community?
[00:06:23] Speaker A: Well, we do a community assessment.
[00:06:25] Speaker B: Okay.
[00:06:26] Speaker A: So every five years, we're required to do a community assessment and then update it each year in between. So it's based on the outcome of that community assessment.
[00:06:34] Speaker B: Okay. All right. So if there's.
If it shows a new Community of need.
Then what's the process for that to happen?
[00:06:45] Speaker A: Well, then we would have to write for those grant dollars. If we saw the need for. Let's say we saw the need for. For a center in. In Greer.
If we couldn't find a center to lease or rent and we needed the dollar. The funding to build a center, we would, of course, have to write a grant and have approval for that and show the need to add a center in that location.
[00:07:10] Speaker B: Okay. Okay. And who do you ask?
[00:07:15] Speaker A: The federal government?
The office of Head Start.
[00:07:18] Speaker B: Okay. All right.
[00:07:20] Speaker A: The Office of Head Start, Administration of Children and Families.
[00:07:24] Speaker B: Okay. All right.
You know, I know there's a lot of needs in our community.
What is the.
Probably the one need for the families that y' all serve that you see more than anything else right now?
[00:07:43] Speaker A: It's.
One of the greatest needs that they have requested is help with financial literacy, also help with challenging behaviors.
Let's become one.
[00:07:58] Speaker B: Right, Right.
[00:08:00] Speaker A: That's been a challenge for families and a challenge within our program.
[00:08:04] Speaker B: Okay. Well, you know, there's a good partnership opportunity there.
[00:08:08] Speaker A: Yes, sir.
[00:08:09] Speaker B: Since we provide triple P children one on one, but also stepping stones with families that have children with disabilities.
So there's an opportunity there for. For us to rub shoulders together off the air to be able to talk about some different opportunities that a partnership may be able to provide.
[00:08:30] Speaker A: That sounds great. We do have trained triple P practitioners there at Head Start.
We. But the stepping stone sounds like a great opportunity for us.
[00:08:40] Speaker B: Yeah, it really is. And we have it available in English and Spanish, so.
But, yeah, we just say something is all about providing parents with the tools and skills they need to help mitigate what's going on with the underlying mission of keeping kids from lighting that first cigarette or opening that first can or bottle of beer.
The longer we can delay onset use, the more likely that child is to be successful in life.
And so that was the whole impetus for just say something of being founded.
Oh, a long time ago, back in 1982, with parents meeting around the kitchen table.
So we've come a long way, and programming has come a long way.
So where do you see Head Start, say, in five years of the presence and the programming here in the upstate.
[00:09:47] Speaker A: We have had a history in the community for 50 years, and I don't. I don't see. See that going away.
[00:09:55] Speaker B: So. Only getting stronger.
[00:09:56] Speaker A: I would hope so, yes.
[00:09:58] Speaker B: So do y' all do fundraisers?
[00:10:01] Speaker A: We have not done. Occasionally we'll do fundraisers. Our agency has a gala.
[00:10:08] Speaker B: Okay.
So locally, you're Housed under share?
[00:10:12] Speaker A: Yes, sir.
[00:10:12] Speaker B: Okay. All right. And you're just one program of what they offer?
[00:10:17] Speaker A: That's correct. We're one program under share.
[00:10:19] Speaker B: Okay, so if there was something that you wanted all of our listeners to know about Head Start, what would that be?
[00:10:29] Speaker A: That we are.
We really would love for people to participate in our program. Volunteer, reach out to us. If you are interested in partnering with us, then that could look like anything. Could. You could volunteer in the classroom, you could present parent at parent meetings, you could provide training for our staff.
It could be landscaping, it could be any number of things. We would love participation.
[00:11:02] Speaker B: Okay, so how would they get in touch with you?
[00:11:06] Speaker A: They could reach me at my email address c langley sharesc.org or they could visit the agency website, which is share sc.org okay.
[00:11:20] Speaker B: And you have a tab on that that will take them Right. To start.
[00:11:24] Speaker A: Start tab.
[00:11:25] Speaker B: Okay. All right. And how long have you been with the organization?
[00:11:29] Speaker A: 30 years.
[00:11:30] Speaker B: Wow.
You're just getting started.
You started when you were 12, So for you it's got to be passion.
[00:11:42] Speaker A: It is.
[00:11:44] Speaker B: And so did you ever think you would be where you are 30 years ago?
[00:11:50] Speaker A: No, no. 30 years ago when I started, it was 1995.
I was recently out of college. I majored in education and could not find a teaching job and answered an ad for Head Start and didn't even know what Head Start was and got the job and said I'll give this a try and here I am 30 years later.
[00:12:14] Speaker B: That's awesome.
[00:12:15] Speaker A: It is definitely a mission.
[00:12:19] Speaker B: Anything in the non profit world has to be a mission.
[00:12:22] Speaker A: It's not glamorous.
[00:12:23] Speaker B: Right, Right. And it's not that big multi million dollar paycheck either.
Paycheck comes with a heart.
And I've been here since 92.
And so I feel your passion for what the organization does and know that the need is great in our community.
[00:12:47] Speaker A: Absolutely.
[00:12:49] Speaker B: Well, Cynthia is there.
So as we wrap this up, are there some dates that you have that you would like for our listeners to know of deadlines? I know if you're recruiting already for the next school year, you probably have some hard deadlines that you have to face.
[00:13:07] Speaker A: Well, recruiting does begin in March.
[00:13:10] Speaker B: Okay.
[00:13:10] Speaker A: And our new school year will start in August. So it's a great idea to go ahead and don't wait until the summer to apply. Go ahead now.
[00:13:21] Speaker B: Right.
[00:13:21] Speaker A: Get those applications in. It is a process.
So they'll have parents will have to provide some documentation which is the last 12 months income.
[00:13:32] Speaker B: Okay.
[00:13:32] Speaker A: A South Carolina immunization certificate, proof of birth and then, if applicable, any diagnosed disability information.
And then there's a process that they'll have to interview with a family advocate and do a. They'll have to determine eligibility. So it is a process. So I encourage parents to go ahead and start the process.
[00:13:53] Speaker B: What's the biggest stumbling block for that?
To be able to qualify that a lot of our families face parents.
[00:14:04] Speaker A: I think a lot of parents are hesitant to provide some of that documentation, but there should be no fear in providing that documentation. We do not share that information.
And when I say they need proof of birth, we don't need Social Security card, we don't need the birth certificate. We just need a date of birth, which actually appears on that immunization record. So we're not collecting any information to share with you.
[00:14:29] Speaker B: Okay. And you said something.
So do you follow the school calendar?
[00:14:35] Speaker A: We do in each county.
[00:14:37] Speaker B: Okay. So you follow the school calendar for each county that you're in?
[00:14:43] Speaker A: Yes, sir.
[00:14:44] Speaker B: So are you closed? You're not closed during the summer?
[00:14:48] Speaker A: Head Start is closed during the summer. Oh, early. Had. Start dozing around.
[00:14:53] Speaker B: Okay, okay.
And so you're closed for like two weeks during the holidays and.
Okay, okay. Interesting.
[00:15:03] Speaker A: Trying to make it easy on the parents who have the older children in the school districts so that they have coinciding holidays and don't struggle with.
[00:15:14] Speaker B: I know that's always a struggle. Especially I mean like snow days and things like that. It's tough. It's tough.
And there's no charge.
[00:15:25] Speaker A: There's no charge for our services now.
[00:15:28] Speaker B: And I'm just. Go ahead.
[00:15:30] Speaker A: Well, even we, even the infants and toddlers who are in the program, if they're in diapers and pull ups, the program provides everything for the. For the family. So all they have to bring with them is a change of clothes in the event that they had an accident during the day. We're going to provide everything we need. Meals, snacks, the diapers, pull ups, even the infant formula.
[00:15:54] Speaker B: Oh, that's expensive, too.
And then to medical care. So you have a nurse or nurse practitioner.
[00:16:05] Speaker A: Nurse. On staff.
[00:16:05] Speaker B: On staff. And so they're able to administer meds.
[00:16:10] Speaker A: Yes.
[00:16:10] Speaker B: And all those things that a nurse would do at a regular doctor's office.
[00:16:16] Speaker A: Office, yes. Well, if a child comes to us and they're on medication that is required to be administered while they're with us, or if they're. They have a EpiPen or Albuterol or something that they need, our staff is trained on how to administer, that our nurse goes in, trains them how to administer.
[00:16:34] Speaker B: Okay.
I didn't know all of that. I mean, there's a lot that.
Especially with the number of facilities, the number of students that you have or number of children that you have in those programs, that's got to be wonderfully rewarding to be able to do something like that and to be able to affect not just those kids, but their families.
Well, Cynthia, our time's about up, but I do want to, again, give you the opportunity, if there's something that I didn't ask you, that you want our people. Your. Our people to know.
And then what's that one desire that if you could twinkle your nose, that would make.
What would that be?
[00:17:34] Speaker A: I would love to have so many facilities just all they're full, you know, have them in every pocket of the counties that we serve that need the services. I would. If I could have a magic one, that would be what I would have.
[00:17:51] Speaker B: Okay. All right. And how can people get in touch with you?
[00:17:56] Speaker A: They can reach me@c langleysc.org or on our
[email protected] okay.
[00:18:05] Speaker B: Well, this is Cynthia Langley with us today from Head Start.
She is their community partnership facilitator. And I want to thank you for being here, but I want to also invite you back down the road because I think there's some more things that we could talk about, and I'd love to engage more with one, what y' all were doing, and then opportunities for us to be able to provide some additional services for your family.
[00:18:33] Speaker A: Absolutely. I love it.
[00:18:34] Speaker B: All right, sounds good. Well, that wraps up another episode of Just say Something podcast. Again, my name is Philip Clark, and be sure to, like, share and subscribe, and we will see you next week. Until then, thank you.
