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December 2022 

Dear Friends of Ready Ready,

“It seems like everything sleeps in winter, but it’s really a time of renewal and reflection.” – Elizabeth Camden

We may think of December as a time for the holiday hustle, but this month also offers us the opportunity to reflect on 2022 and prepare for a new year.

For Ready for School, Ready for Life, we are entering a new stage as we add strategies for families with children ages 3-5 to our work. By beginning our focus on families with children prenatal to age three, then adding ages 3-5, we are building a system of care that will eventually go up to age 8. Guilford County is one of just two places in the nation developing this plan for population-level change.

So as we say farewell to 2022 and prepare to welcome 2023, we will spend our December recharging and reflecting. We are grateful for your dedicated support of our mission and your belief that we must invest early in children’s lives to make a difference.

Sincerely,


Charrise Hart
CEO

Join our Parent Leaders

The Guilford Parent Leader Network (GPLN) is an integral part of the decision-making structure for Ready for School, Ready for Life. Families who participate are valued consultants, partners, and change agents who work on priorities that are important to their own families and other families in Guilford County. Would you like to join other parents/caregivers of children from prenatal to age 8? 

We gather on the third Monday of the month from 7-8:30 p.m. The next meeting is Monday, January 23, 2023. We are currently holding these meetings via Zoom. When meetings resume in person, we provide child care to alleviate barriers to participation. 

For more information, please contact Yuri Alston, Family Engagement Manager, at (336) 579-2977 ext. 2008 or yuria@getreadyguilford.org.

The GPLN has also launched Fathers Ready to Grow, with 16 dads signed up to network and offer support to each other.  If you’d like more information on joining, please contact yuria@getreadyguilford.org.

The Basics Guilford: Maximize Love, Manage Stress

We are entering the time of holiday hustle and bustle. It’s a good time to remind ourselves about this Basic Guilford principle: Maximize Love, Manage Stress.

Infants and toddlers thrive when their world seems loving, safe, and predictable. When you express love and respond to their needs, you teach children that they can count on you.

Over time, showing and responding to love helps children learn to manage their feelings and behavior. As they grow, feeling secure in their relationships gives them the confidence they need to explore, learn and take on life’s challenges. Young children are affected by your emotions, both good and bad. So, it is important to find strategies that help you cope with stress. Caring for yourself benefits your child.

Tips for infants:
  • Manage Household Stress: Stress is normal, but too much stress is bad for a baby’s brain. Things that cause stress for an infant are loud noises, adults who seem upset or angry, or when adults do not respond to their needs. It is important to have strategies for coping when your life gets stressful. Talk to friends, family, or your doctor about ways to deal with stress.
  • Plan to Avoid Stress: What situations tend to be stressful? Think about those situations ahead of time and plan how you can improve or avoid them. For example, try to avoid trips to the store right before your child’s nap time.
  • Moment of Gratitude: Take a moment to think about a few things that make you grateful, big or small. Reflect and enjoy that feeling for a few minutes.
Tips for toddlers:
  • Involve Them: Find simple ways to involve your toddler in chores and other activities around the house. For example, they could help sort laundry and fold clothes. This makes them feel helpful and provides opportunities for learning.
  • Have a Routine: Have consistent times and ways of doing activities like feeding, bathing, reading, and bedtime. Your child will have an easier time with activity transitions when they know what to expect. Another part of a routine is having rules that you use consistently.
  • Go Easy on Yourself: Life can feel overwhelming, and we all make mistakes. Focus on the big picture and be gentle with yourself when things don’t go as planned. Ask for help. All parents need help.
You can learn some great information about this Basic in 30 seconds by watching this video!
The Basics are five fun, science-based parenting and caregiving concepts that anyone can do. Learn more about them at www.guilfordbasics.org.

Get Basics tips delivered to your phone

Get science-based insights to boost your child's brain development. No app needed. No monthly fee! Monday’s texts tell you a scientific fact that’s happening with your child’s development, and Wednesday’s text gives you an idea for an activity to do with them.
These messages are customized for the age of your child and will help you support your baby's growth during the critical years of 0-3. Click here to opt in.

Would you like to be trained in The Basics Guilford?

As we share information about the Basics across Guilford County, we need your help. We’re offering virtual training on the Basics for teams of three or more at organizations that interact with young children. Each session lasts 30-45 minutes. To schedule a training session or learn more about Ready Ready and the Basics Guilford, please contact Literacy Coordinator Megan LeFaivre at meganl@getreadyguilford.org.

Staff Profile: Kelli Crawford

Kelli Crawford joined Ready for School, Ready for Life (Ready Ready) as Continuous Quality Improvement Manager earlier this year. Overseeing the Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) program allows Crawford to connect with Guilford County programs that focus on serving families with young children.
 
Learn more about Kelli on our website.
 

Partner Spotlight: The Barnabas Network

Room At The Inn is a comprehensive program that helps homeless, single, and pregnant women with or without previous children. The organization provides shelter, food, clothing, case management, in-house daycare, transportation, life skills education, and more.
 
“We have two main goals, which are the healthy birth of the baby and for them to find stable housing when they leave,” said Marianne Donadio, vice president of marketing and development. “Some of them have additional goals such as getting a driver’s license, a GED, or other skills, so we help them with their needs.”
 
During their stay at Room At The Inn, the expectant parents work towards their goals each week. Up to six pregnant people and up to four children can live at the center, according to state regulations.

Room At The Inn is part of Ready Ready's Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) Cohort II. 

Learn more about our collaboration on our website.
Read the full Partner Spotlight on our website

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Our mission
Ready for School, Ready for Life (Ready Ready) is a collaborative effort to build a connected, innovative system of care for Guilford County’s youngest children and their families.

Equity Statement
Ready for School, Ready for Life (Ready Ready) promotes equity, justice, diversity, and inclusion, which are woven through our mission, values, and principles. We stand against racism in all of its forms. Ready Ready will work with our community to address the structural inequities that drive disparate child and family outcomes and work towards an environment where equity, justice, diversity, and inclusion are core values. When we are working to address these structural inequities, Ready Ready will be bold in our actions.


When Guilford County Black and Indigenous children and families of color (BIPOC) feel welcomed, heard, respected, safe, supported, and valued, all of our community and our society benefit.
Copyright © 2022 Ready for School, Ready for Life, All rights reserved.


Our mailing address is:
P.O. Box 13844
Greensboro, NC, 27415

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