| Norwalk Economic Opportunity Now, Inc. “The Greater Norwalk Area’s Community Action Agency” Norwalk Economic Opportunity Now, Inc. (NEON a private non-profit organization, is the community action agency serving the greater Norwalk Area including New Canaan, Westport, Weston, Wilton and Darien. |
| Head Start Proves Its Value To City and Its Children |
It has to be the gem in the crown of Norwalk Economic Opportunity Now, the city's antipoverty agency. We're referring to its Head Start program that three years ago was failing to comply with the requirements of federal law. The program provides early childhood care — most of it to families below the federal poverty level — and its impact on the youngsters as they progress to elementary school is obvious. Thing were not always so bright for the program three years ago when it failed to meet the criteria and made it subject to annual inspections. Now, with nearly a perfect report following the most recent inspection, NEON will not have to undergo another one for three years. NEON does more than just provide for academic development. Rose Marie MacKenzie, NEON's child care director, said, "You can't have a child in school for six to 10 hours a day and not look at the other influences in a child's life." NEON provides health screenings including dental, hearing and visual testing. There is a full-time nurse on staff and parents are advised to make sure their children's physicals are updated. NEON has had its ups and downs over the years, but its contribution to the community cannot be ignored. This is especially true of its Head Start program, which now stands as model for such programs in other cities. |
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Tuesday May 8, 2007
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