Community Resource Sharing Newsletter

Roberta Miksch, CFP Director

Nebraska Growing Readers – Meeting the Schuyler Book Authors

In September, 13 Schuyler residents had the opportunity to attend a Writer’s Workshop to create a children’s book. Five books have been published through the NE Growing Readers program; more will be published in the future.

A ‘Meet the Author’ book signing session for the books authored by Schuyler folks was held a couple weeks ago at the Schuyler Public Library. People gathered to hear from the authors about how they selected their book topic, what went into creating their books such as how to take pictures for the book and word usage and to hear them read their book.

The Nebraska Growing Readers website has a plethora of children’s digital books available for anyone to access. Check out their website and see how easy it is to access their library!

https://nebraskagrowingreaders.org/ngr-library/library.html

Here are the five books published thus far and the URL to access them digitally:

Farm Animal Friends

https://www.uniteforliteracy.com/ngr/library/nebraskabooks/book?BookId=3125

Calling 911

https://www.uniteforliteracy.com/ngr/library/nebraskabooks/book?BookId=3057

County Sherifs and Deputies

https://www.uniteforliteracy.com/ngr/library/nebraskabooks/book?BookId=3058

Let's Meet Deputy Brown Bear

https://www.uniteforliteracy.com/ngr/library/community/book?BookId=3045

Rex Visits Schuyler

https://www.uniteforliteracy.com/ngr/library/community/book?BookId=3074

Share your lap with a child and a book!

Kim Parsons,

Early Childhood Community Coordinator

Strong Starts Schuyler Early Childhood Partnership

Have you ever heard of the "workforce behind the workforce"? This refers to early care and education professionals that enable parents to work, attend school or other job training opportunities. In our community, the demand for child care outweighs the supply.

For children, positive, attentive and nurturing relationships with their parents and nonparental caregivers are essential to establishing a strong developmental foundation and setting children up for success in school and beyond. This describes the "what" and "why" of Strong Starts Schuyler Early Childhood Partnership.

We strive to build strong partnerships focused on increasing access to high-quality early childhood care and education opportunities for all children and families of our community. We want to see Schuyler's youngest community members with equitable access to high-quality child care and early learning experiences that will lead to success in school and life.

To accomplish the mission and vision we need to support and expand the "workforce behind the workforce" - our community's Early Childhood Care Professionals. Here are ways you can help:

Consider becoming a licensed child care provider
Get involved with Strong Starts Schuyler. Monthly meetings are held on the 1st Thursday of each month at 4:30at the Schuyler Public Library.
Consider space, land or property you may have that could be used for child care.

For more information please visit the Strong Starts Schuyler Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/StrongStarts or contact Kim Parsons, eccc@columbusunitedway.com 402.615.2685

Cheryl Drozd, RIR Coordinator

We are in full swing with our PIWI classes and have 10 families attending. We have been getting to know each other and helping the children feel comfortable around other adults and bond in friendships together. Our group is becoming a tight fit group and there is so much love for the kids and all the activities.

Our Cohort 2 Rooted in Relationships group had their last Pyramid Training and our last Collaboration Meeting for the grant year. Our next year will consist of two trainings through UNL and the Nebraska Extension that will cover a Trauma-Sensitive Approach in Early Care and Education and Effective Family Engagement Strategies in Early Care and Education.

In April, we will be celebrating The Week of the Young Child with activities for parents and children each night at the Columbus Library from 6:30-7:30, no cost and all are welcome. Then in June we will have a Childcare Appreciation Saturday at Artzy Haven for all providers to come share some fellowship and do a craft on us.

New Rooted in Relationship Cohort starting this July. Come learn more about it at one of the Informational Meetings in March. Contact Cheryl Drozd at 402-910-2868 or rircoordinator@c olumbusunitedway .com if you are interested.

Kate Withers, Community Prevention Director

Community Prevention Newsletter

Columbus Area United Way has begun providing central navigation for four area industries. Libby Crecco, Community Industry Navigator, has started providing navigation at Camaco, Cargill, Behlen’s, and BD’s. Belle Maldonado, Bilingual Navigator, has been assisting Libby with navigation services in all four industries. Columbus Area United Way is excited for this new opportunity to reach a larger population in our communities and assist with resources.

Keydy Vazquez and Guadalupe Ramirez continue to be busy providing coaching for families in Nance, Boone, Platte, and Colfax Counties. Keydy and Guadalupe are bilingual, fluent in Spanish and English. They both have brought so much to the Community Prevention team with their skills in working with families.

Community Prevention continues to provide outreach to our four-county area to assist our communities with knowledge of resources to meet their needs. Community Prevention participated in the distribution of food boxes through the Catholic Charities food drive on February 25, 2025.

Community Prevention is participating in training to access Worldwide Technology Translation program through Nebraska Children and Families Foundation on February 27, 2025. This translation program will be a great assistance in providing coaching and navigation services to families.

Community Prevention is holding a Bridges Out of Poverty Workshop on March 26, 2025, from 8:30 AM-12:00 PM. The workshop will be held at the Columbus Area United Way office. If you are interested in attending this workshop, please contact Kate Wythers at kwythers@columbusunitedway.com or call 402-564-5661.