Michelle Schilling

CCS Early Learning

For 45 years, CCS Early Learning has held firmly to the belief that our primary job is to partner together with the child's first and most important teachers—the family. We understand that parents and guardians, aunts and uncles, grandmothers and grandfathers all have more experience and knowledge about the children in their lives, than we do. And, while we have a wonderful opportunity to come alongside children and families to assist and support them for a period of time, the immediate family members in a child's life will continue to have the greatest impact both now and for many years to come. This is exactly why our program takes a multi-generational approach. Together with parents, we work to screen and assess children across the entire spectrum; dental, medical, developmental, nutritional, behavioral, and educational. All of this assessment is designed to assist us in getting to know the child as thoroughly and as quickly as possible. Once we have done this, we can work together with families to set goals that will challenge and encourage the child in reaching their next developmental steps. As families develop stronger, trusting relationships with CCS staff members we often discover areas where families would like assistance in reaching their own goals. This might include increased adult education or vocational training, additional knowledge about positive parenting techniques or child development, or help to acquire better housing or meet basic family needs. Every family is different and our job is to meet each one where they are and offer our assistance in a supportive and non-judgmental way.