When four-year-old Sabrina arrived at the Haven with her parents and three siblings, her speech difficulties made it hard for people to understand what she was saying, although she was outgoing little girl with a lot to communicate. Our Children’s Advocate arranged for the Title One preschool educator from the Hartford School System to meet with the family and work informally with Sabrina and her younger brother here at the Haven. This contact led to a referral and evaluation by a speech-language pathologist, with the result that an IEP (Individualized Education Program) was created for Sabrina and she started to receive direct speech-language services twice a week.
When Vickie, a young pregnant mother with a two year old daughter, Tara, arrived at the Haven, she had never lived on her own and had no support system. She had, however, completed her high school diploma and was interested in taking classes online to expand her employment options after giving birth. Our Children’s Advocate connected her with the Family Place, helped her to complete the childcare subsidy application, sat with her while she called child care centers, and took her to visit different day cares until she found a provider she was comfortable with. Vickie reports that Tara is talking much more and is better able to play with other children now that she is spending time in a structured day care setting.
When Meghan came to the Haven in August with her two daughters, Jenna aged 8, and Bailey aged 4, one of Meghan’s top priorities was to get her daughters enrolled in school and day care. Our Children’s Advocate went with Meghan and Jenna to visit the White River School and meet Jenna’s teacher and principal. She was then able to work with Meghan to enroll Bailey in the Northwoods Head Start program and arrange for transportation from Head Start, which only runs in the morning, to a local child care center so that Meghan could start a new job.
Last June a contingent of staff members from the Haven joyfully attended the Hartford High School commencement to see three graduating seniors receive their diplomas. These three young people had been regular participants in the Haven’s after school program in the years since their families found housing near the Haven after leaving the Haven’s family shelter. During their senior year, the Haven’s Education Coordinator had worked closely with these three, connecting them to a VSAC counselor to secure scholarships and guiding them as they registered for the SATs and completed college applications. All three are currently, and successfully, attending college: one each at Castleton State, Johnson State, and the Community College of Vermont.
