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In
1991, in partnership with the Bridge Family Center, The Charter Oak Academy
established the Family Resource Center to support the healthy development of
families in the community. The Family Resource Center
offers an integrated system of family support services that enhance
parenting, promote family involvement with the schools, and help children
to succeed academically, socially and emotionally. Deborah
Zipkin, M.S., has been the Director of the Family Resource Center
at Charter Oak Academy since 1994. Prior to her work at the FRC,
Deborah directed a parenting center in New York and spent many years both
teaching and developing curriculum in the filed of early childhood
education. All staff members of the FRC, including the certified
parent educator, youth counselor, family therapist and administrative
assistant, work as a team to help families build strong relationships with
the school and nurture the healthy development of their children. The
Family Resource Center at Charter Oak Academy has
been selected as a "School of the 21st Century-National Demonstration
Site" by the Yale University Bush Center for Child Development.
In September 1999, the Family Resource Center was
selected by Working Mother Magazine as one of the ten best programs in the
country for working parents. The
Family Resource Center currently offers satellite
programs at two other West Hartford schools: Florence E. Smith School of
Science and Technology, and Whiting Lane School. Programs
for School Age Children
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After school
enrichment classes
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Leadership Through
Swimming classes
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Field Trips
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Theater group
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Peer support groups
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Life skills and
Project Adventure style activities
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Recess programs
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Summer programs
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KIDS - Kids in
Divorce and Separation group
Programs for Parents
and Caregivers
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Parenting education
workshops
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English and high
school equivalency classes in collaboration with West Hartford Adult
Education
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People Empowering
People parent leadership training
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The Wisdom Circle
peer group for grandparents
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Lending Library
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Training and support
for home and center based child-care providers
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CPR and first aid
training
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Child-care referrals
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Family therapy
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Ongoing parenting
support groups
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Access to school
readiness scholarship information and support
Programs for Young
Children
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Good Times/Good Talks
drop-in playgroups
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Home visits using the
Parents As Teachers curriculum
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Book and toy lending
library
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Saturday programs
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Family literacy
activities
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Special events
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