State honors Millcreek center

By Sean Barron

Early intervention is critical for increasing the chances that a child will succeed, speakers said.

YOUNGSTOWN — Tawinka Miller is happy to see her 3-year-old daughter, TaNarra, becoming more adept at learning her numerals.

Beyond the numbers, though, it’s the valuable life lessons being taught to TaNarra and consistently reinforced, such as learning to share and being respectful, that perhaps pleases her mother the most.

“I can really tell at home her manners and etiquette,” the Austintown woman said, referring to TaNarra’s four months of attending the Millcreek Children’s Center, 44 Essex St., on the city’s South Side.

In part because of its work with TaNarra and the other youngsters, the center was the site of Friday’s “Step Up to Quality” celebration.

TaNarra’s grandmother, Malloyn Robinson, and various elected officials were among those who attended the 90-minute program, designed to recognize the center’s having received the state Step Up to Quality award, a voluntary rating system for early-care and educational centers. The facility was the third in Mahoning County to get the award.

Millcreek offers standards of care that exceed Ohio licensing standards, and participating centers can earn one- two- or three-star ratings by meeting a host of benchmarks over and above those standards. Millcreek received a one-star rating.

Such facilities can qualify for Step Up to Quality inspections by preparing documentation of pupil-to-teacher ratio, offering specialized training, adhering to administrative practices and having a curriculum that’s planned around and aligned to state Early Learning Content standards.

The center has about 60 youngsters age 3 to kindergarten as well as 13 teachers and other staff, noted Mary Danus, coordinator.

Among the offerings are speech therapy, health screenings, computer program for the pupils and parents, and a variety of field trips. The facility places a strong emphasis on early intervention, Danus pointed out.

The earlier in a child’s life intervention occurs, the more likely the pupil will stay in school, attend college, earn more money and find a high-skilled job, many education experts say.

Reaching children early also decreases the likelihood they will resort to crime, drop out of school or get into drugs and other trouble, explained Sister Jerome Corcoran, executive director.

“There’s a major need to get disadvantaged kids early. Don’t let them fail; teach them and follow through,” said Sister Jerome.

Concurring was Mayor Jay Williams, who noted that getting to children becomes more difficult as they get older.

“There’s nothing more important we can do as adults and as a community than intervention in the lives of young children,” Williams said.

Among those also offering remarks were Edward Muransky, president of Developing Potential Inc.; Bob Hannon, executive director of the Youngstown/Mahoning Valley United Way; and Mahoning County Commissioner John V. McNally IV.

The program wrapped up with the audience being treated to the youngsters’ version of “God Bless America.”