Child and Family Guidance Center

Reseda Readiness Connection
The purpose of this grant is to promote the idea of school readiness by creating centers and programs that offer an array of services, including early care and education, health and social services, parenting education and support. The target community for this program is the Reseda neighborhood of zip code 90335. Reseda is ethnically and racially integrated community; 43% of population is foreign born. Low socio-economic living conditions, high number of English Language Learners, low parent education levels, parents overwhelmed by the daily struggle against poverty, language barriers and family isolation characterize school communities. The major program activities include weekly curriculum-based Parent/Child Enrichment Classes, "KinderCamp" kindergarten-readiness program, In-home instruction program to teach parents/caregivers how to be their child's first teacher; monthly parenting classes, early intervention mental health services, case management and kindergarten articulation.

In Home Instruction Program
The In-Home Instruction Program aims to improve early literacy skills and health and safety for children 3-5 years of age and their parents. The program will target Hispanic children and their parents in the densely populated, low-income neighborhood adjacent to Napa Street Elementary School in Northridge (Zip Code 91324). Services include bimonthly in-home instruction visits, bi-monthly parenting instruction classes, and ESL classes for preschoolers as well as a linkages to social/community services.