Page 3 - 2020-2021_CFS_HeadStart_AnnualReport

DEAR FRIENDS
The past year has been an an an an exciting one at Children’s Friend despite many transitions and challenges We have pressed on on with our mission to improve the the the wellbeing and and healthy develop- ment of of Rhode Island’s most vulnerable young children in in the the the the face of of the the the the COVID-19 COVID-19 pan- demic Our COVID-19 COVID-19 Task Force ably handled the the the many questions concerns and and and and and and un- certainties and and and and and and as as as part of a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a larger team dedicated to to keeping Rhode Islanders safe safe and and and and and and healthy presented us with a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a plan to to to make sure every every site site and and and and every every family was kept safe safe We’re proud to to share that during the year we saw no evidence of of site-based spread of of COVID-19 Though things looked a a a a a a a little different we we were thrilled to see children onsite and in in in in in the the the classroom during the the the year learning in in in in in in a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a high-quality environment focused on on on on on their preparation for kindergarten and and beyond! We were also thrilled that we we found safe ways to connect with our our families through our our family advocacy and and development work We are also proud of the work done in in in in in our Early Head Start program: we continued to to serve expecting families infants and and toddlers during COVID-19 Task Force-approved home visits visits visits or or through virtual visits visits visits when when necessary We heard of some great visits visits visits and and and socialization groups in local parks and playgrounds when when the the weather allowed!
Even in in in the the midst of of transitions and and challenges we are committed to our principles of of being family-centered seamless outcome-driven advocates for the the the youngest and and and and most vulnerable children in in Rhode Island and and and stewards of the the resources entrusted to us us It wouldn’t be be possible to to serve our families and and and uphold those principles without a a a a a a a a a a a a fan- tastic team and and and community: we are beholden and and and thankful to to all who have supported Children’s Friend throughout the past year We couldn’t do it it it without you!
Sincerely Stacy Del Vicario and Tiana Ochoa