Up-Close is a publication created for agency staff, teachers, funders, decision makers and other stakeholders. It is specifically designed to keep you informed and up-to-date on the many initiatives, activities, training sessions and events occurring within the Children Services Division. Below are some excerpts from the most recent issue of Up-Close, and downloadable copies of past issues.
ADORE 2011
The annual ADORE, "A Day of Recognition for Parents of Children with Special Needs" was held in mid-September at Malcolm X College. The theme for the special day was "Power Up: Resiliency, Resources and Respite." This event is held each year to recognize the efforts and dedication that parents of children with special needs display. The fun-filled and informative day for parents is always a chance to meet and greet new and old friends, as well as receive messages of encouragement, inspiration and motivation.
A number of vendors participated in a Resource Fair and provided informational and educational material as well as hand-outs and gifts for the parents. Additional highlights of ADORE included massages, manicures, a luncheon, raffle prizes and live musical entertainment provided by Jugo de Mango. Volunteers provided on-site child care and meaningful play activities for children in separate rooms so that parents could take a little time-out for themselves and spend a worry-free day from 9:00am - 3:00pm at ADORE 2011. To read the full article, and for additional articles, please download the October issue of Up-Close.
Free Legal Assistance for Nonprofits
Take advantage of a great opportunity! If your center needs legal advice and/or counsel, The Law Project (TLP) will provide legal assistance to DFSS/CSD delegate agencies. TLP-- a program of the Chicago Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights, provides pro-bono (free) legal assistance to nonprofit organizations working in low-income communities in the greater Chicago area.
Since 1985, TLP has provided services to clients in the areas of childcare, job training and placement, as well as affordable housing among other community development strategies. Specifically, TLP's Child Care Initiative, with the law firm of DLA Piper, provides services including reviewing key documents and policies as part of a comprehensive legal assessment. To read the full article, and for additional articles, please download the October issue of Up-Close.
Marathon Training
Ready--Set--Go, Go, Go! At the end of August DFSS/CSD conducted what can only be described as a Marathon Training Series. For nine days there were two sessions simultaneously held each day from 8:30am - 3:00pm with a brief lunch break. The non-stop training was convened at DFSS offices on Chicago Avenue and the goal was to train 70 center based teachers each day from delegate agencies who work with children between the ages of three and five on The Creative Curriculum for Preschool.
The Creative Curriculum System for each teacher was packaged in very large boxes and each day there was an official time to open the packages and allow the teachers to explore the contents of the boxes and subsequently work through the material with the trainer. The rooms were filled with anticipation about the package contents as well as bustling with training activity, PowerPoint presentations and numerous questions. The facilitator served as a tour guide through the variety of DVD's, guides, volumes of books, discussion cards, etc. that compose the complete system. To read the full article, and for additional articles, please download the September issue of Up-Close.
Download a PDF of Up-Close
Up-Close Newsletter April 2011(5114 KB) Up-Close Newsletter July/August 2011(3919 KB) Up-Close Newsletter June 2011(986 KB) Up-Close Newsletter March 2011(3720 KB) Up-Close Newsletter May 2011(1161 KB) Up-Close Newsletter October 2011(1572 KB) Up-Close Newsletter September 2011(1530 KB)
