2012 Annual Report - Ozarks Area Community Action Corporation

OACAC PROGRAMS
FOSTER GRANDPARENTS
The Foster Grandparent Program began at OACAC
in 1972 and is a nationwide volunteer program for
seniors. Seniors age 55 + offer one-on-one support to
at-risk children and youth.
A volunteer in the program does many of the
things a grandparent would do with their own grandchildren.
Playing, loving, laughing, and listening are
experiences shared between Foster Grandparents and
children.
An estimated 70 Foster Grandparent Volunteers
will serve in 14 counties in Southwest Missouri including
Barry, Christian, Dade, Dallas, Greene, Lawrence,
Polk, Stone, Taney, Webster, Laclede, Wright,
Douglas and Texas counties. They assist education
and youth leaders with tutoring, therapy, developing
motor skills and other classroom activities. The primary
focus area of this project is to address intellectual
disability, elementary education, and Head Start
school preparedness. Foster Grandparents help youth
with problem solving, learning to respect others, communication
skills, the importance of good study habits
and traditional academic skills.
OACAC’s Foster Grandparent Program places 28
volunteers in 19 elementary schools that have been
identified by the classroom teacher as needing assistance
to improve their reading scores. Foster Grandparents
will focus on reading and literacy skills using
games, teacher-supplied worksheets, student reading
and writing assignments. Teachers will work directly
with Foster Grandparent volunteers to gauge the student’s
progress.
Three volunteer stations, Boys Ranch, Oakview
State School, and Mashburn Learning Center have
requested volunteers to serve as positive adult role
models for 16 students in our area who have been
identified as having special and/or exceptional needs
in the area of social and emotional development. By
comforting children, Foster Grandparents will be able
to create an environment that provides the emotional
support, companionship, and opportunities for socialization
that at-risk children and youth cannot find at
home.
Foster Grandparents also provide school-based
mentoring for youth ages 8 – 16. Foster Grandparents
mentor youth with special or exceptional needs at The
Boys and Girls Clubs in Greene County. Through inclass
and after school assistance, Foster Grandparents
mentors engage these youth one-on-one through activities/approaches
including goal setting, homework assistance,
and behavior management exercises.
The Foster Grandparent program places 16 volunteers
in Head Start classrooms to provide one-on-one assistance
to 96 children identified as needing assistance
with specific delays and/or disabilities. They assist with
pre-reading skills, letter identification, number identification,
colors, following directions, and various social skills.
They use games, music, and art to reinforce concepts to
improve school readiness.
Summary of Needs Met by Foster Grandparent Volunteers
Where Grandparents Serve
• Public Elementary Schools
• Good Samaritan Boys Ranch,
Oakview State School and Mashburn Learning Center
• The Boys and Girls Clubs
• OACAC Head Start Classrooms
How they will impact the children
• 60 students showed improved academic performance in literacy
and/or math through tutoring
• 16 at-risk students were provided emotional support,
companionship and socialization
• 12 youth maintained a mentoring relationship with a
Foster Grandparent for the full 9 month school year
• 72 children in Head Start demonstrated gains in social and/or
emotional development
Benefits for Grandparent Volunteers
• A nutritious meal each day
• Annual physical exam
• Accident/liability insurance
• Orientation prior to volunteering, monthly
in-service training and conferences
• Fellowship through various activities
including recognition trips and holiday parties
Program Year: April 1 - March 31
Funding Sources: Corporation for National &
Community Service
Guidelines: Low-income seniors age 55+,
200% of the poverty guideline
Phone: 417-864-3420
Fax: 417-864-3499
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