SPARK, like many other new programs, offers families a wide variety of support services. We know that it can be confusing. The SPARK Team and Parent Partners want you to know that you can count on:

Free Books, Supplies, and Information
• New books every month before your child enters kindergarten
• Fun activities to do with art supplies for your home
• Backpacks with school supplies to start kindergarten
• Parent newsletters
• Parenting tips
• A tote for parents to organize papers for the SPARK program for registering for kindergarten
• A step by step guide to kindergarten registration
• Transition packets from SPARK schools for every family

A Caring Person To Work With Children and Families
• A partner to care and support you
• One-on-one interaction with a Parent Partner for you and your child
• Someone to share activities with you and your child
• Someone to listen and guide you concerning your child’s development
• Visits at home or at a place that you choose close to home
• Training for parents on the ASQ and ASQ:SE developmental screenings for children
• Linking parents to other community supports
• Opportunities to meet with other SPARK families

Information About Your Child's Development
• Free screenings for your child at various ages
• Free health screenings
• Free in-depth assessment of your child, if needed
• Support for you to be your child’s first and best teacher
• Information on children’s developmental milestones
• Support for your child’s individual needs
• Follow-up services, as needed, for health needs, speech/language, physical and occupational therapy, behavioral, and other mental health issues.

An Educational Plan For Kindergarten Readiness
• Activities to do with your child to get him/her ready for kindergarten
• Our help to understand what Ohio’s standards are for pre-school
• A guided learning plan for what your child should know
• Exact definition of your child’s strengths and any weaknesses
• Support for your child’s individual needs
• Identify and find help for any special needs your child may have
• A plan to ensure success

Resource Awareness and Access
• A connection to health services and other community resources
• Safety tips for families
• Referral to needed agencies and services
• Community support

An Idea of What Schools Expect of Children and Families
• Help in taking the mystery out of going to school
• Help with kindergarten registration
• Knowledge of school expectations

In addition, the SPARK team will be working with schools to improve children’s transition into school. They will be sure that your school knows what experiences SPARK has provided for your child before s/he starts kindergarten. SPARK recruiters and parent partners will also be working in the schools.

We hope that every family who participates in SPARK will have a chance to network with other parents with preschool children. We hope all SPARK families will be active participants in their children’s school experience. More importantly, we hope all SPARK children will enter school eager and ready to learn!