What is SPARK Ohio?

The SPARK (Supporting Partnerships to Assure Ready Kids) program is designed to serve children 3 or 4 years of age. The program helps children get ready for kindergarten by building reading, language and social skills. Currently, the SPARK program is being offered in Canton and Minerva. During the 2007-2008 school year, SPARK will be offered in the Alliance area. Children must be 3 or 4 years old and live in the Alliance City School District to join. The Alliance program will target 200 children over three years.

SPARK Alliance is a collaboration of the Early Childhood Education Alliance, Inc. and the W.K. Kellogg Foundation in partnership with the Sisters of Charity Foundation of Canton. Additional funding for the Alliance SPARK project was received from the Community Development Block Grant, the Greater Alliance Foundation, the United Way of Greater Stark County and state appropriations dollars secured by State Senator Kirk Schuring.

What Can Families and Children Expect from SPARK?

SPARK, like many other new programs, offers families a wide variety of support services. We know that it can be confusing. The SPARK Team and Parent Partners want you to know that you can count on:

• Free books, supplies, and information
• New books every month before your child enters kindergarten
• Fun activities and supplies to use in your home
• Parent newsletters
• Parenting tips
• Useful resources and networking
• A tote for parents to organize papers for kindergarten registration and SPARK
• Gift certificates at various appointments
• Backpacks with school supplies to start kindergarten

A caring person to work with children and families

• Partner to care and support you
• One-on-one interaction with ~arent Partner for you and your child
• Someone to share activities with you and your child
• Someone to listen and guide you concerning your child's development
• Visits at home or at a place that you choose close to home

Information about your child's development

• Free screenings for your child at various ages
• Free health screenings
• Free in-depth assessment of your child, if needed
• Support for you to be your child's first and best teacher
• Information on children's developmental milestones
• Support for your child's individual needs

An educational plan for kindergarten readiness

• Activities to do with your child to get him/her ready for kindergarten
• Our help to understand what Ohio's standards are for preschool
• A guided learning plan for what your child should know
• Exact definition of your child's strengths and any weaknesses
• Support for your child's individual needs
• Identify and find help for any special needs your child may have
• A plan to ensure success

Resource awareness and access

• A connection to health services and other community resources
• Safety tips for families
• Referral to needed agencies and services
• Community support

An idea of what schools expect of children and families

• Help in taking the mystery out of going to school
• Help with kindergarten registration
• Knowledge of school expectations

In addition, the SPARK team will be working with schools to improve children's transition into school. They will be sure that your school knows what experiences SPARK has provided for your child before they start kindergarten. SPARK recruiters and Parent Partners will also be working in the schools.