By SUZANNE MOORE
PLATTSBURGH -- The timing for the Rural Outreach Mobile Program play groups is perfect, for it sets the stage for a greater role the Child Care Coordinating Council of the North Country is about to assume with Safe Schools/Healthy Students initiative.
With nearly $4.5 million in federal funding over four years, Champlain Valley Education Services will implement that program in five school districts to prevent drug use, violence and promote healthy mental and emotional development for children and families.
As a partner with CVES, the Child Care Council will get about $80,000 annually for four years to set up what Executive Director Jamie Basiliere calls "mini resource centers" in each of those districts, which include Saranac, AuSable Valley (including Keeseville), Northern Adirondack Central (where Ellenburg and parts of Mooers are), Moriah and Ticonderoga.
The play groups, which will operate a few hours a week, will be augmented by other services, including parenting classes, lending libraries and developmental screening.
"That," said Basiliere of the screening. "We know that early intervention services work -- they can sometimes fix the developmental delay or make it easier for the child to be successful in school."
Each center would be open one day a week, with an outreach coordinator traveling from site to site.
The Safe Schools money will pay that employee and also a half-time assistant, leaving funding for mileage and training, too, Basiliere said.
"This is a huge expansion for us in terms of programs," she added. "We're thrilled."
