Tony's Story

Almost 5 years ago I became part of the UNI CDC family. I was assigned as the Family Service Worker for the Head Start Families at the CDC. Tony wasn't even born at this time. I remember the day I told Tera and Jessie in the office that if I was pregnant the baby would be born in June. As I was not employed through UNI at the time having Tony go to UNI was not on the priority list. Tony finally made it to the top of the list when he was around 6 months old. I worked for the Head Start Program for a number of years. The Head Start Progam is governed by thousands of Federal Performance Standards, due to this fact there are few places that Head Start can partner with, UNI CDC is one of the chosen few. During the last few years the Head Start Program and the number of children served at the CDC has grown steadily, especially with the addition of 2 classrooms. With Head Start has come Family Services staff, nurses, nutrition and dental education, and increased opportunities for families to have classroom activities. That does not even mention the generous amount of money that the Head Start Program provides to UNI CDC. While we are all aware that 25 current children are being displaced, including my son Tony, there will also be less positions available for new children. This could lead to a reduction in funds provided by the Head Start Program and an overall reduction of services to all children remaining in the program.

On a more personal note, Tony has not been an easy child. Tony bit and hit and was antisocial through the teeters, totters, and 2-3's. The teachers remained devoted to working with Tony. The staff partnered with AEA 267, assigned a one-on-one staff for Tony and worked through it. Tony is now a happy, loving, and well-adjusted child. In fact, he plans to marry a little girl in his class named Mia. In 2009 I decided to go back to school at UNI for my MSW. Another one of the invaluable things that the CDC does is to allow children to continue their education there after their parents graduate. This is important to give children the consistency of staying in one place where they know and trust everyone. I can't imagine what type of problems we would have had with Tony if we had moved him when I graduated. While I can't imagine sending Tony anywhere else, I am very thankful for the three and a half years that Tony has had. I would love nothing more than to keep Tony at UNI for his final year before Kindergarten. I think of all the difficult little boys that would get kicked out of childcare centers for their behavior, but not at UNI. He is such a sweet, well-adjusted child and I owe that to the staff at UNI! They are the best of the best!

Kellie and Adam Harrenstein