In the News

Family Life Child Care hosts Lights on Afterschool Program
On Thursday, October 16th, schools around the country honored National Lights on Afterschool Day, a program that is aimed at reducing the national academic dropout rate and increasing academic performance. Locally, the Family Life Child Care Center of Maple Heights participated in the program to advocate the importance of after school programs for children.

The center invited families and community members to celebrate the successes of the afterschool care program. The event was made possible a grant the center received through the national initiative. Organized by Linda Faulkner, Assistant Director of the Family Life Child Care Program, and Melissa Aikens, Lead School Age Teacher at the Maple Heights Center, the program combined fun and informative sessions to educate those in attendance about the programs offered.

The afternoon began with a pumpkin hunt for students. Afterwards, Ms. Obrien, a librarian at the Maple Heights Brach of the Cuyahoga Public Library, outlined available after school programming for children and families within the community, and Julie Piazza-King, Director of the Family Life Child Care Program, discussed the vital role that these programs play in educational development. A roundtable discussion was held to encourage families and community members to brainstorm ways to improve after school services. Each family in attendance also received a board game, in an effort to promote family activities, literacy and educational ideals.

Turnout was impressive, with at least one family member accompanying each of the children enrolled in the center's after school program. Many attendees also chose to have their photograph taken as part of the community quilt project. The photos will be ironed onto squares making up three separate community quilts that will be displayed in various places throughout the city including Maple Heights City Hall, Maple Heights Public Library, the Maple Heights United Methodist Church, and the Family Life Child Care Center. Quilt squares will also be collected from other influential members of the community including Jeffrey Lansky, the Mayor of Maple Heights. The quilts are intended to serve as a visual representation of the importance of community support in providing quality programs for children.

In addition to recognition gained for after school programs though the National Lights on Afterschool day, Aikens and Faulkner are getting signatures on a petition to send to the state legislature that they hope will help to gain more statewide funding for afterschool programs and services.

To learn more about the Family Services and the Family Life Child Care Program, please contact our enrollment specialist at 440.260.8392 or enrollment@bchfs.org.