Description
AVANCE’S Parent & Child Education Program (PCEP) is an intensive 9 month program that begins in September and concludes with a graduation ceremony in June. PCEP programs utilize a distinctive, multi-generational model to ensure that at-risk children and families are provided equal opportunities for educational, economic, social, physical and psychological success. The ongoing program is comprised of a weekly 3 hour class that involves the following 7 key components:
1) Parenting Education - two semester curriculum covering children’s physical, emotional, cognitive and linguistic development, pre-natal care, goal setting appropriate discipline and home management;
2) Classes for children - conducted concurrently with classes for their parents, with an emphasis on promoting the cognitive development, positive self-image, school-readiness and achievement for children ages 0 to 3 years;
3) Toy making sessions - parents with limited resources are taught ways to make educational, stimulating toys from everyday home materials for their children including books, dolls, balls and many other toys;
4) Community resource speakers and referral services - community guest speakers visit and help address issues such as domestic violence, substance abuse, depression, and malnutrition. Transportation assistance is provided to participants when necessary;
5) Home visitations - trained professionals observe the home environment and interaction to provide parents proper guidance; parent-child interactions are video-taped to provide more tangible feedback to parents;
6) Weekly structured parent-child time - reinforcement of class lessons through supervised applications; parents are guided on instruction of ways to positively stimulate their children’s reading habits by reading to them on a consistent, daily basis and encourage parents to use books that are created by the parents themselves to lead the children to explore a higher education status;
7) Field trips and family celebrations - positive family interaction is reinforced through family outings, classroom activities and in-class volunteer workshops for parents.
By offering long-term and intensive parenting education for low-income, at-risk parents of children ages 0-3, AVANCE-Houston’s Parent and Child Education Program simultaneously combats apprehension over individual children’s school readiness. Our early intervention model ensures that children receive appropriate cultivation during the most influential phase of their development. By teaching parents to provide optimal conditions for their children’s healthy development, AVANCE is paving the way for those children to be academically competitive. Furthermore, we are providing disadvantaged families, particularly children with the means to compete with historically more advantaged groups on a more equal footing and thereby disrupting cycles of poverty and illiteracy that result from limited educational opportunities.
Population Served
Poor/Economically Disadvantaged, Indigent, General / Children and Youth (infants - 19 years.) / Ethnic/Racial Minorities -- General
Description
The Adult Literacy classes include General Equivalency Diploma (GED) and Adult Basic Education (ABE). Students can enroll in a 100 hour online computer literacy Spanish course. When students reach advanced levels, AVANCE transfers students to ABE/GED classes to encourage a higher educational level.
AVANCE prepares students for the GED examination to achieve the GED Certificate (High School Diploma equivalent). AVANCE provides an initial assessment to determine student individual lesson plans. After 40 hours of consistent attendance, students are evaluated for readiness of the GED exam. AVANCE’s Adult Education Program is exemplary in creating a college-bound culture. AVANCE prepares students to secure their GED and helping them transition into viable post-secondary career options, including college credit enrollment, certificate training, job skills training.
Many adult literacy students have children enrolled in AVANCE’s early childhood programs–Head Start, Early Head Start and Parent/Child. AVANCE supports students through a College Readiness service to assist in making post-secondary connections. To motivate students about college and career goals, there is a scholarship fund. GED advisors help students apply for financial aid, develop a personal career plan, class registration while working towards the certificate.
AVANCE’s PLATO lab gives GED students access to helpful resources: a computer lab with customized software, and tutors to hone math, science and writing skills.
Through GED On the Move, many progressed to new educational opportunities after GED completion. This is significant since most students have children enrolled in AVANCE programs. They, like their children, are getting a “head start”, to secure a future. The mainstreaming process for immigrant populations is not limited to traditional education.
Population Served
Adults / / Adults
Program Long-Term Success
To advance in the workplace, obtain a job, or advance to vocational or post-secondary education.
Program Short-Term Success
Graduate the program with their GED certificate.
Description
The Healthy Marriage Community Empowerment Program was created to strengthen the relationship between partners, thus improving their children’s quality of family life.
The program offers relationship skills for single parents, engaged and married people with an interactive presentation guided by two facilitators. During the workshops the participants’ children are simultaneously cared for, enjoying activities and guidance appropriate for their age group
Classes are available for eligible couples who are married, engaged, considering marriage, or just want to explore the possibilities.
Additionally, the program offers a vast range of free benefits, designed to provide a comprehensive and positive experience to all participants.
Methodology
• Dynamic Interactive workshops.
• Hands-on activities to enhance interpersonal skills.
• Guest speakers presenting interesting seminars.
Objectives:
• Promote positive healthy relationship among married, cohabitating and single parents.
• Provide participants with conflict negotiation and anger management skills
• Assist participants in developing long-range economic and job readiness goals.
• Provide participants with information on community resources/support services.
Topics include:
1. Personal Development - Communication, Conflict Resolution, Anger Management, Domestic Violence, Child Maltreatment, Parents as a Leaders and Healthy Literacy;
2. Professional Development - Financial Education, Economic Sustainability, Job Readiness, Career Coaching and Job Etiquette.
Population Served
Poor/Economically Disadvantaged, Indigent, General / Ethnic/Racial Minorities -- General / Adults
Description
Early Head Start (EHS) is a federally funded community-based program for low-income families with infants and toddlers and pregnant women. Its mission is to promote healthy prenatal outcomes for pregnant women, enhance the development of very young children, and promote healthy family functioning. EHS evolved out of Head Start's long history of providing services to infants and toddlers through Parent Child Centers, Comprehensive Child Development Centers (CCDPs) and Migrant Head Start programs.
AVANCE Early Head Start works in partnership with the parents and community programs to provide responsive and consistent care in a nurturing and sensitive environment, which provides optimal health, growth, and development of infants and toddlers. Parents are their child’s first and most important educators. AVANCE strives to provide families with the opportunity to better their lives and to reach their maximum potential through the program.
AVANCE Early Head Start offers a vast array of services including two service options: Home-base and Center base. The program offers educational, nutritional, mental health/ wellness, social and prenatal support services. The program also offers parenting classes, GED, ESL and computer classes for all participating families.
All families wishing to enroll in Early Head Start must be income eligible by meeting the requirements of the Federal Poverty Guidelines, must live within the service zip codes that we service: 77009, 77093, 77022, 77092 or PISD School Boundaries and have up to date immunizations, well child exams and dental exams for the children applying. AVANCE reserves 10% of our enrollment for children with special needs and assist in providing or securing the proper resources to aid in the development and education of these children and their families
Population Served
Infants/Babies (under age 5) / Poor/Economically Disadvantaged, Indigent, General / General Public/Unspecified
Description
Head Start is a comprehensive child development and family support program for low-income families with children 3 to 5 years of age.
Head Start provides children with early child development activities that help them grow mentally, socially, emotionally, and physically. The program includes educational, developmental, nutrition, and mental health services for children and supports education services to parents.
Population Served
Infants/Babies (under age 5) / Poor/Economically Disadvantaged, Indigent, General / General Public/Unspecified