This program is provided to assist school districts in meeting the needs of eligible migrant children. Children qualify for the program because of their family’s movement across school district lines during the past 36 months to seek or obtain agricultural employment. Services include academic support in reading and other areas according to need; HEP (a residential High School Equivalency Program); parenting and preschool education for families with young children; family literacy for those families who wish to improve their literacy skills; a 6 week home-based Summer program; PASS, an individualized study program for those who have failed or need to make up a course; advocacy services; a state and local Parent Advisory Council; home visits; RIF Books for students; payment for health services and a census of eligible migrant families. This tutorial outreach program serves over 120 school districts in Central and Eastern New York and is federally supported.
Even Start is a family literacy program which has four components; adult education, early childhood education, parenting education and interactive Literacy. Each family will have an individual family plan developed to best meet their needs. To qualify for the program there must be at least one child between 0-8 years old, a parent who wants to improve basic literacy skills and be willing to participate in parent education. Assistance can be provided to those families for whom English is a second language. Family educators visit the homes of families on a weekly basis and the family attends a center once a week. Activities are planned for parents and children together. A home-school liaison works with families on developing cooperative communication between home and school. A program can be designed to help assist teen moms in continuing their education. Even Start is provided in partnership with the Herkimer Area Resource Center (HARC) and in collaboration with schools and agencies of Herkimer County. The Even Start program is one of four statewide demonstration sites. Technical assistance, staff training and support for programs in need of improvement is offered. This is a federally funded program.
A new option for those families who have a child under 16 and a parent wants to work on their own literacy skills. The program will provide home-based instruction as well as an opportunity for some group interaction. A close collaboration with the child's education provider will be established to reinforce the learning from school to home.
The homeless in our nation are a tragedy of our times, especially when it involves children - but there is hope and help through the BOCES Education of Homeless Children program. Barriers to the education of homeless children* include: inadequate identification of homeless school age children; lack of information and/or understanding of the McKinney legislation; unmet basic needs such as food and health care; and remedial education and academic support. This BOCES service will help remove the barriers to education for homeless children.
A tutor will provide academic support to these children in school or at home. Summer programs will be offered. Family activities and parent training is provided. This program is offered in collaboration with Mohawk Valley Community Action and Catholic Charities of Herkimer County and is federally funded.