Child & Family Development

Child Care Services
Our New York State licensed child care programs employ professional staff to oversee activities designed to tap every aspect of a child's capabilities and potential - on all plains: social, emotional, intellectual and physical.

Our services are grouped according to age and development and our programs provide an atmosphere of love, trust and understanding. The individualized needs of each child are paramount in all services delivered and parents are invited to participate in activities and meetings.

Breakfast, lunch and snacks - all under USDA guidelines - are provided for all children ages 1 through 12.

Infant-Toddler Program

• Serves children from as young as 6 weeks up to 3 years old
• Located in newly renovated facilities at 615 Mary Street, Utica. 315.272.2760

• Our Pre-School Program emphasizes educational, emotional, social and physical development for children ages 3 to 5.
• Programs are located at 615 Mary Street in Utica, NY. (315-272-2760)
• Our Universal Pre-K is a Utica School District program which emphasizes readiness for Kindergarten and operates from 9 - 11:30 a.m. and 12:30 - 3:00 p.m. on school days.

• For school-aged children in Kindergarten through age 12.
• Our School-Age Programs at 615 Mary Street, Utica. 315.272.2760
• Offer before- and after-school care with added benefit of transportation being provided to and from several local schools.
• During Summer and school holidays, care is available from 6:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.
• The School-Age Program fosters individual development, positive social interaction, democratic principles, acceptance and celebration of differences in people and responsible decision-making.
• Activities include arts and crafts, music, drama, sports, playground activities, field trips and swimming.

• The program offers informational meetings, technical assistance, home inspections and certification renewals.
• Inspections to ensure compliance with New York State regulations are conducted both randomly and upon receipt of a complaint.
• Currently, this program serves over 150 homes in Oneida County
• We provide all required training and monitor all aspects of the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Child and Adult Care Food Program [CACFP].

• This "drop-in" program provides social, recreational and educational activities for school-aged children and youth up to age 18.
• The Group Work Staff oversee activities and the program also consists of after-school and evening clubs/classes aimed at the goal of fostering individual development and positive social interaction with the goal of nurturing productive members of society.

• The Operation Outreach program is designed to help assess and respond to the needs of youth and families identified through our Holiday Assistance efforts.
• Outreach workers help families obtain a variety of services including counseling, legal aid, housing assistance, job search skills, emergency food and more.
• Another objective of the program is to identify concerns, problems and perceptions of neighborhood residents in order to find better ways of addressing ever changing needs.
• Additional funding has allowed us to expand our outreach services to focus on the needs of Russian, Bosnian and other immigrants and refugees who are settling in our neighborhoods.

• The Neighborhood Center, Inc. is among the five community agencies (which also includes Catholic Charities, The Cosmospolitan Center, The Refugee Center and the Salvation Army) that participate in the Operation Sunshine Holiday Assistance Program for Oneida County residents.
  

PREP
The PINS Reduction and Elimination Program (PREP) is designed as an intensive case management program for youth identified through the Oneida , families and youth will meet with Case Planners on a weekly basis; Youth Support Workers will see the youth at least weekly in the school and once a month on the weekend. Contacts with families will be designed to further goals established in a comprehensive plan developed with youth and family. Weekend visits will be purposeful and are designed to assist youth with meeting personal goals.

Children’s Center
The Children’s Centers located in the Family Court Houses in Utica and Rome provide quality drop-in childcare for children who must be in court in connection with matters involving them or their caregivers. Neighborhood Center staffs provide families with information, referrals and connections to health, education, child care and other community-based services.

Project A.I.M.
Project AIM identifies high-risk youth through referrals by law enforcement, Oneida County Department of Probation, school and community counselors. A lead “group mentor” provides case management, referral service and group peer led programs to help youth access services and connect to their community while enhancing their self worth. The program utilizes the 40 Assets for Positive Youth Development, identified by the SEARCH Institute, as guidelines for understanding the individual situation of each young person in the program, for setting goals, and for program evaluation. Project AIM will consist of the following core components: bi-weekly 2 hour peer group sessions led by an adult mentor and include guest speakers, homework assignments and activities some of which will build off of each other, and to include basic core competencies such as building support systems, connection to home, school and community, increasing personal power and sense of purpose and reading for pleasure. Included in the 12 month group mentoring project is a stipend to be used for an approved sport or leisure activity.

Kin and Kids
The “Kin and Kids” program offers advocacy, outreach and support to kinship caregivers residing in Oneida and Herkimer Counties that are faced with the challenges of caring for children such as health care concerns, legal issues, financial resources, or educational concerns. Kinship refers to relatives and other non-parent caregivers that are providing full time care for children. Kin and Kids will work with families to ensure the needs of children and caregivers are met; empower families by making appropriate referrals to access medical, legal and educational services; obtain language translation or interpretation services; facilitate family group meetings for the purpose of family decision making; and host support group forums and nurturing classes to meet the diverse needs of both the caregivers and children.