FPS

Home-Based Grantee:  Fremont Public Schools
– Early Steps to School Success Program

The Sixpence Program

The first grant was received in 2013 when Fremont Public Schools hired the first Home Visit Coordinator.  Since then Fremont Public Schools have received more grants through Sixpence and added additional coordinators.  The Sixpence program currently also uses an interpreter to help serve the Spanish speaking families.

The Sixpence program will provide early childhood learning experiences to children zero to three years of age, as well as, education and support to the parents. This program is designed not only to assist children with early language skills and social-emotional development, but it is also here to give parents the skills, support and knowledge to successfully guide their child’s growth during their early years and beyond.

This program offers three to four home visits each month to all families who are enrolled in the Sixpence program.

The Program Benefits: This program will help your child build their skills needed to succeed in school. The family engagement activities will help in building your child’s social-emotional and language skills. It will help parents learn how to support their children’s language development and educational journey.

Program Activities: This program will offer home visits from a trained early childhood educator; family fun/learning groups in school and community settings as well as child play groups and parent groups.

Who Can Participate: This program is open to all families who reside in Fremont with children ages zero to three and anyone who is currently pregnant. There are no charges for the services.

Sixpence Fremont Community Partners include:  Fremont Public Schools (FPS), Dodge County Head Start, United Way, Three Rivers Health Department, Platte Valley Early Learning Connections, Fremont Family Coalition, Good Neighbor Health Department, Care Corp, and Lutheran Family Services.

Incentives: Families who are involved are eligible to access to free diapers, wipes, formula, and educational toys.

Monthly Family Engagement Events:  Monthly activities are planned that give the chance for parents and children to practice their interaction skills while gaining new information/gaining new experiences. These events are focused in assisting parents to have opportunities to network with other parents who are raising young children.

PIWI:  “Parents Interacting With Infants” is an 8 to 9 week playgroup that teaches parents how to better interact with their children. This class is offered through Sixpence or another community agency once a year.

Circle of Security: The Circle of Security is a relationship based early intervention program designed to enhance attachment security between parents and children. Decades of university-based research have confirmed that secure children exhibit increased empathy, greater self-esteem, better relationships with parents and peers, enhanced school readiness, and an increased capacity to handle emotions more effectively when compared with children who are not secure. Sixpence or other community agencies will hold a circle of security class for all parents who wish to partake once a year.

Advisory Meetings:  Advisory meetings are held quarterly, on the second Friday of the month at the Fremont Health Plaza on the third floor at 8:00 A.M. Meetings are attended by the Home Visit Coordinators, Program Director, parent representative and community partners. These meetings are a time for the Sixpence team to present what is new with their program and any challenges/successes they may be facing. Meetings are open to anyone who would like to attend.

For more information or to make a referral to the program, please call
Lauren Stoklasa at (402) 512-0078 or email lauren.stoklasa@fpsmail.org.