Yes, the state budget affects RHSFS.

Many friends of Riverbend Head Start & Family Services have been wondering if our programs are affected by the proposed state budget. Because our Head Start program is federally funded, it is not affected by the state budget, but Head Start is only one of our three programs. The other two, Family Foundations and Transitions Counseling both face new challenges in regard to the budget.

We just gave fifteen Family Foundations case managers thirty-days notice that their program might not continue and the 200 high risk infants and toddlers they work with may lose our early intervention services. Family Foundations is funded by the Illinois State Board of Education's Early Childhood Education Block Grant with a goal to reduce factors such as abuse and neglect that cause academic failure. This program is voluntary. Parents choose to participate because they want to improve their families' lives.

We also just told our mental health therapists that the Department of Children and Family services cancelled our counseling contract for over fifty low-income children and adults. These are children and their foster parents, many of whom have been physically or sexually abused.

For more information about the state budget, visit www.il.gov.

Riverbend Head Start & Family Services is only one of countless agencies and programs that will be affected by the budget cuts. If you disagree with balancing the budget on the backs of underserved children and adults, please contact your legislators. Find out who they are at http://www.elections.il.gov/DistrictLocator/SelectSearchType.aspx?NavLink=1.

Viva los Ryries! A Fiesta to Care About

View Pictures of the Event

Sombreros and festive music welcomed friends, family and local community members during the Riverbend Head Start & Family Services 2009 Circle of Care award dinner in honor of Ed and Nancy Ryrie May 21.

Their dedication to community service was celebrated during the event.The RHSFS award honors those who have exemplified the spirit of caring in the community through their profession, volunteerism or philanthropy.

The Ryries and the theme, Viva los Ryries! A Fiesta to Care About, which reflected the couples’ outgoing demeanor, brought 270 people to the event. Guests mingled with the honorees before and during the Mexican-style dinner.

The couple was roasted by loved ones who shared stories that unveiled inside jokes and even embarrassing moments. Ed’s sisters revealed some wardrobe choices they forced upon him at a young age while Nancy’s children mocked her fanny pack days.

Riverbend Head Start and Family Services is a non-profit on a mission to enable children and families to discover positive solutions to life’s challenges. Circle of Care, an event in its 16th year, is an annual benefit for the agency. The money raised is used for the agency's programs which teach children, strengthen families and enhance communities.

The Ryries thanked participants who planned the event and made it a success. They were thankful for the community’s involvement and extremely pleased with the outcome, which benefited Riverbend Head Start & Family Services, an agency the couple has devoted countless hours to, over many years.

Are you in there?

The good work of our staff, board, volunteers, community partners and, especially, our clients is in our latest issue of Riverbend Families, a community newsletter.

Are you in it?

If you aren't, someone you know probably is. Read it now.

A Happy Father's Day...early

Recently fantastic fathers, like Rodrick (in the picture) and other positive male role models helped their preschoolers make apple pies from biscuits, filling and cinnamon.

While the pies baked, the families read a book together, and then played outside on the playground.

The event promoted father-child bonding, which is important for a child’s brain development and self-esteem. It also let the men know that they are valuable, too.

The families are enrolled in our Head Start Home-Based program. Rodrick and his son, Rodrick, Jr. are from Alton. Other families came from Bethalto, Cottage Hills, and Roxana.

Thanks for being there, Dads!

Now Enrolling for FREE Preschool!

Is it really that time of year again? Already?

Here at Riverbend Head Start & Family Services, we are entering Back-to-School mode. As employees hustle and bustle trying to find school supplies to fill their children's backpacks, the agency hustles and bustles preparing for the new program year.

As fall approaches, Head Start is gearing up for the school year. Staff are looking forward to working with families to help teach children reading, math, physical, motor, relationship, and language skills.

Head Start is a program that provides education, health and social services to 800 low-income children ages three to five and their families. The program is designed to provide qualifying children with the resources that they need in order to have a "head start" in life. One of these resources is free preschool. Centers are now enrolling. For more information or to see if you qualify, call (618) 463-5947