Ohio University recognized Ross County Community Action (RCCA)-Head Start with an Outstanding Community Partner Award at the second annual Community Engagement Symposium on Friday, Sept. 29 at the Ohio University Inn.
The Center for Campus and Community Engagement hosted the symposium featuring Ohio University鈥檚 inaugural awards ceremony recognizing the Community Partner Award Winners, the recipients of the Sugar Bush Foundation鈥檚 partnership awards, and recognition of Ohio University鈥檚 winner of the Ohio Campus Compact鈥檚 Ping Community Service Award. The event also included professional development opportunities for Ohio University staff, faculty, and community organizations through interactive workshops and networking opportunities.
RCCA Executive Director Julie Bolen and Early Childhood Programs Director Andrea Minton accepted the award at the Community Engagement Symposium.
鈥淭he Early Childhood Programs of Ross County Community Action have been enriched immensely through the multiple partnerships with Ohio University,鈥 Minton said. 鈥淭he opportunity to collaborate supports our philosophy that connections within our community strengthen a child鈥檚 development and that children benefit the most from a program that is both family and community-centered. We are honored to be recognized as an outstanding community partner and we intend to continue developing these partnerships with Ohio University that support the well-being of the children and families we serve!鈥
鈥淩oss County Community Action is truly grateful for the partnership with Ohio University Chillicothe,鈥 Bolen said. 鈥淎s an organization, we value collaboration and believe working together serves our community better! We are honored to receive this award and look forward to continuing our partnership with Ohio University!鈥
Ohio University Chillicothe Dean of Campus and Community Relations Roberta Milliken and Assistant Professor of Education Amy Wolfe nominated for the Outstanding Community Partner Award.
鈥淗ead Start staff welcome our teacher candidates as visitors and volunteers frequently and include us in special events, such as The Week of the Young Child,鈥 said Dr. Wolfe. 鈥淭his partnership is worthy of recognition!鈥
鈥淗aving RCCA-Head Start on our campus helps to promote and support the rich 鈥榗ross-pollination鈥 between the institutions that characterize our partnership with them,鈥 said Milliken. 鈥 天美传媒Chillicothe鈥檚 Early Childhood Education program and its students benefit from this partnership through observations and valuable field experiences. Our nursing and social work students have also had the opportunity to learn and apply their skills in collaboration with the RCCA-Head Start program.鈥
Ross County Community Action-Head Start occupies space within the Child and Family Development Center at 天美传媒Chillicothe. The organization has been a feature of that building since it opened in 2007.
The Center for Campus and Community Engagement recognized six community partners including Alexander Local School District, Lawrence County Convention and Visitors Bureau, Zanesville Muskingum County Chamber of Commerce, Ross County Community Action-Head Start, Building Bridges to Careers, and Fairfield County Workforce Center.