The Institute of Community Services, Inc. (ICS) Project Head Start Salutes Franchessica Hankins Solomon
The ICS Project Head Start family salutes one of our own, Mrs. Franchessica Solomon, who serves as a nutrition secretary at the Institute of Community of Community Services, Inc. Mrs. Solomon was recently honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award signed by President Joe Biden, a Gold Medal, and a Proclamation of Service from the White House. She was honored for a lifelong commitment of building a stronger nation through her volunteer services with Vista, of which she is proud to be a member.
Mrs. Solomon’s son, King James Solomon III, was recently interviewed to attend a private school, and one of the requirements was passing the START test. Earlier in the year Solomon scored 753 on the test at the Marjean Taylor-Myatt Head Start center located here in Holly Springs. Franchessica states that on this past week Solomon scored a 779, a 26-point jump in a little over a month. She claimed it was a proud Mommy Moment!!!
The executive director of ICS Head Start, Mrs. Eloise McClinton, and the staff salutes Mrs. Solomon and her son, King James Solomon on their achievements.
ICS Staff Speak to Nursing Students at Northwest in Senatobia, MS.
On June 27, 2024, Angela Lowery, Director ERSEA/ Family and Health Services and Sharita Smith, Family and Health Services Specialist had the honor to speak to approximately 140 nursing students at Northwest in Senatobia, MS. They educated the students on Head Start, talking about their jobs as the experts!
The main areas discussed were testing, procedures, and assessments on a daily basis to care for enrolled children and families. They discussed the required topic of mental health peeps............most of you have done this in the past! The main objective was to educate the students on services provided on a daily basis, especially Health Services, Disabilities and Mental Health Services. This was a great opportunity to do recruitment and educate on ICS Head Start.
OAK HILL REGIONAL COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION GIVING
The Institute of Community Services, Inc. (ICS) Project Head Start and Oak Hill Regional Community Development Corporation (Oak Hill) has proven to be beneficial in improving the overall wellness in the communities we serve throughout Mississippi.
Dr. Michael O. Minor, a native of Tate County (Coldwater) Mississippi, is the Executive Director of Oak Hill. Dr. Minor recently presented stipends totaling $83,000 to ICS’s 22 Head Start Centers for their outreach effort in educating our families about the importance of healthcare and coverage during the 2022-2023 school year. Since its formal incorporation in 2002, Oak Hill Regional Community Development Corporation has established itself as a champion of faith-based health and wellness mobilization. Oak Hill is headquartered in Hernando, Mississippi. Oak Hill was first awarded a grant from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services in 2013.
Oak Hill recently celebrated the 10 -year anniversary of receiving funding. Dr. Michael Minor continuously collaborates with community and faith- based organization conduct outreach and to educate people on the importance of obtaining preventive and quality healthcare beginning at birth and throughout life.
The goal is to reach as many Mississippians as possible and to enhance our communities.
Pictured above is Dr. Michael O. Minor presenting a check to the Institute of Community Services, Inc. (ICS) Project Head Start – the Noxubee Head Start, center director Loretta Williams.
The Institute of Community Services, Inc. serves the following counties in northeast Mississippi: Benton, Clay, DeSoto, Grenada, Lafayette, Lowndes, Marshall, Noxubee, Oktibbeha, Panola, Quitman, Tallahatchie, Tate and Tunica, stated executive director Eloise McClinton.
April is Child Abuse Awareness Month
Each year, during the month of April, The Erma Rogers Head Start center recognizes Child Abuse Awareness Month. According to the Child Welfare League of America, there were 8,136 victims of abuse or neglect in Mississippi in 2020, a rate of 11.7 per 1,000 children. Those numbers are simply unacceptable to us here at ICS, Inc. Erma Rogers Head Start Center and it is our mission to ensure that children are protected, nurtured and loved. Head Start children have lower rates of abuse and neglect and are less likely to be involved in the child welfare system, according to the National Head Start Association (NHSA). Head Start provides parenting training opportunities, improves parent involvement and parent-child relationships, and decreases parental distress. For children already involved in the child welfare system, Head Start enhances school readiness and social-emotional outcomes and decreases their subsequent child welfare encounters. Help us to END child abuse by speaking out! Don’t be afraid to report suspected abuse, you could save a child’s life. To report suspected abuse, call the Mississippi Child Abuse Hotline, 1-800-222-8000. Here are a few pictures of our beautiful staff and children helping to raise awareness against child abuse.
ICS Goes Red For Women's Heart Health Month
Cardiovascular Disease is the Number 1 killer of women, causing 1 in 3 deaths each year. The CVS Minute Clinic provided a coupon for a free health screening to employees and parents for the full month of February, along with the ICS Mental Wellness Area sharing information about "7 Steps to a Healthy Heart.” Each Friday, the ICS staff and children took part in Rock Your Red to raise awareness of heart disease. We set an example for others when we take care of our hearts as part of our self-care.
Look Who Visited Washington on January 25, 2023
The Institute of Community Services, Inc. (ICS) Project Head Start along with members of the agency are now preparing to return home from Washington. However in Washington they were able to meet and greet with our Senators.
Pictured L-R: Deann Jones from Nick Floyd & Associates; ICS staff Kimberly Taylor, Golden Triangle Director, Coretta Miller , Outreach Specialist, Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith from Mississippi , Eloise McClinton, ICS executive Director and Rev. Michael Evans with Nick Floyd & Associates.
Thank you Senator.
The Awesome-Awesome Fathers of the Clay County Head Start Center
Congrats to the Grenada Head Start Center!
CONGRATS TO OUR WINNERS OF AWARDS FROM THE MISSISSIPPI HEAD START ASSOCIATION!!!
ICS Presents at Rotary Club Meeting
Pictured L-r: Belinda Sims-Hollowell, Associate HR Director, Linda Harris-Beard, Director of Child Development, and Fergenia Hood, Former Parent Engagement Director, attended the Holly Springs Rotary Meeting. Linda Harris served as guest speaker per the invitation of Belinda. Awesome presentation!
