The Springfield Exchange Club’s President-Elect Melissa Tuttle presented a Foundation donation of $750.00 to WellSpring Executive Director Richele Shepard at the November 6, 2018 regularly scheduled Noon meeting at the Wittenberg Student Center.
WellSpring is the recognized leader in counseling and support programming to all who seek a better quality of life; is fiscally sound with a diversified funding base; is supported by a strong strategic plan and active volunteers; and is located in an agency-owned prime location where it is accessible to partner with other complementary service organizations.
Supporting Partnerships to Assure Ready Kids (SPARK) is a family-focused kindergarten-readiness program that works collaboratively with families, schools, and the community. SPARK helps children prepare for school by building language, reading, and social skills and seeking to create a seamless transition into school for children between the ages of 4 and 6. SPARK parent partners deliver monthly home- (and occasional group)-based lessons and activities to families of preschool-aged children. The structured lesson plans and activities SPARK offers are aligned with the Ohio Department of Education’s Early Learning and Development Standards. In partnership with community agencies and schools, SPARK ensures that barriers to school readiness are removed. Children with developmental, social, emotional, or mental health issues are referred to community resources to address issues before they prevent school readiness. SPARK completes a series of screenings and assessments to identify and monitor the child’s development. Each month, a SPARK Parent Partner visits children in their home. During this monthly home visit, a parent or guardian must be present and active in the session, serving as the child’s Learning Advocate. The SPARK Parent Partner models activities for the parent or guardian, coaching them in strategies to enhance the education experience of their child. Through these interactions in the home, it is intended that the child becomes ready for kindergarten and also that the parent or guardian gains confidence, knowledge, and ability to serve as the primary educator in their child’s life and development. If you’d like to enroll your preschool-aged child in SPARK, call or text 937-561-2451 for more information.