Ohio University recognized Ross County Community Action (RCCA)-Head Start with an Outstanding Community Partner Award at the second annual Community Engagement Symposium on Friday, Sept. 29 at the Ohio University Inn.
The Center for Campus and Community Engagement hosted the symposium featuring Ohio University’s inaugural awards ceremony recognizing the Community Partner Award Winners, the recipients of the Sugar Bush Foundation’s partnership awards, and recognition of Ohio University’s winner of the Ohio Campus Compact’s Ping Community Service Award. The event also included professional development opportunities for Ohio University staff, faculty, and community organizations through interactive workshops and networking opportunities.
RCCA Executive Director Julie Bolen and Early Childhood Programs Director Andrea Minton accepted the award at the Community Engagement Symposium.
“The Early Childhood Programs of Ross County Community Action have been enriched immensely through the multiple partnerships with Ohio University,” Minton said. “The opportunity to collaborate supports our philosophy that connections within our community strengthen a child’s development and that children benefit the most from a program that is both family and community-centered. We are honored to be recognized as an outstanding community partner and we intend to continue developing these partnerships with Ohio University that support the well-being of the children and families we serve!”
“Ross County Community Action is truly grateful for the partnership with Ohio University Chillicothe,” Bolen said. “As an organization, we value collaboration and believe working together serves our community better! We are honored to receive this award and look forward to continuing our partnership with Ohio University!”
Ohio University Chillicothe Dean of Campus and Community Relations Roberta Milliken and Assistant Professor of Education Amy Wolfe nominated Ross County Community Action-Head Start for the Outstanding Community Partner Award.
“Head Start staff welcome our teacher candidates as visitors and volunteers frequently and include us in special events, such as The Week of the Young Child,” said Dr. Wolfe. “This partnership is worthy of recognition!”
“Having RCCA-Head Start on our campus helps to promote and support the rich ‘cross-pollination’ between the institutions that characterize our partnership with them,” said Milliken. “OHIO Chillicothe’s Early Childhood Education program and its students benefit from this partnership through observations and valuable field experiences. Our nursing and social work students have also had the opportunity to learn and apply their skills in collaboration with the RCCA-Head Start program.”
Ross County Community Action-Head Start occupies space within the Child and Family Development Center at OHIO Chillicothe. The organization has been a feature of that building since it opened in 2007.
The Center for Campus and Community Engagement recognized six community partners including Alexander Local School District, Lawrence County Convention and Visitors Bureau, Zanesville Muskingum County Chamber of Commerce, Ross County Community Action-Head Start, Building Bridges to Careers, and Fairfield County Workforce Center.