ACAP begins accreditation process, recruits

 PRESQUE ISLE, Maine – The ACAP Child and Family Center at Park Street in Presque Isle has begun the process of becoming accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC). NAEYC is recognized as the leader in setting quality standards for educating young children across the United States. NAEYC is dedicated to improving the well-being of all young children, with particular focus on the quality of educational and developmental services for all children from birth through age 8.
The accreditation process includes a self-assessment and classroom observations along with input from parents and support from the program’s governing board. Accreditation by NAEYC will provide the center with a State of Maine Quality Certificate recognizing the provision of quality child care. Families with children in care at the center will be able to claim a higher level of child care credit on their state income tax return. Receiving NAEYC accreditation will be an affirmation of the excellence that the Park Street Center staff and ACAP Child and Family Services strive for daily.
Funding for the accreditation process is being made available by the State Office of Child Care and Head Start through the Head Start Collaboration Grant. Each Head Start grantee in the state was given the opportunity to move one center through the NAEYC process at this time. ACAP will consider working other agency centers through the accreditation process as funding becomes available.
ACAP  conducting Head Start recruitment drive
The Aroostook County Action Program (ACAP) Child and Family Services Head Start Program is currently recruiting children for the 2007-2008 program year.
ACAP Head Start is a comprehensive early childhood development program providing individualized education plans, health and social services, parent education and involvement, nutritious hot meals, and special services as needed for children enrolled in the program.
ACAP Head Start is provided primarily for low-income families with preschool children who will be four years old or three years old by Oct. 15. The program also encourages families of children with disabilities to apply. Proof of family income is required. For traditional Head Start programs, transportation will be provided if the child resides within the center’ designated bus route.
Recruitment is taking place at all ACAP Child and Family Centers from 8 a.m. – 2 p.m. daily with no appointments necessary. Home Base programs are also available to meet the changing needs of today’s families.
For more information, help, or a tour of one of the ACAP Child and Family Centers, please call any of the local ACAP Child and Family Centers listed below:
Caribou, Paula Evens (496-7681), Bowles Road.
Dyer Brook, Midge Henderson (757-8206 ext. 49), Town Office Building.
East Grand, Christine McLaughlin (448-2874), East Grand Elementary School.
Fort Fairfield, Betty Long (473-7849), Dorsey Road. (Puddledock).
Fort Kent, Marie Plourde (834-5290), 19 Main St.
Houlton North Street, Glenna McGuire (532-0907), 40 North St.
Houlton Bird Street, Bethany Callnan (532-0869), 5 Bird St.
Mars Hill, Donna Kingsbury (429-9874), Mars Hill Community Center.
Presque Isle, Nicole Pryor (764-0733), Park Street.
Home Base Program: Rene Laliberty (Caribou) 498-7681, Bowls Road; Christine Condon (Presque Isle) 764-0733, Park Street; Roxanne Stewart (Houlton) 532-0684, Bird Street; and Lori Levesque (St. John Valley) 728-3635, Madawaska Elementary School.