eFocus on Children's Bureau

When Magnolia Place Family Center was nearing completion, Children’s Bureau President & CEO Alex Morales was walking along the side of the building when a toddler girl asked him politely, “Can anyone could go to that nice place when it is done?” He proudly said “yes” much to her delight and her mother’s.

In December 2008, the Wallis Annenberg Child Development Center, part of the larger Magnolia Place Family Center, opened its doors to the community. The Center offers a comprehensive family enrichment program geared towards parents with infants, toddlers and preschoolaged children. Activities are planned based

on strengthening the parent-child bond and building the abilities of individual children that is sensitive to their strengths, needs and interests. The infant session teaches parents the needs of their babies, how to communicate and play with them. The toddler session consists of music, play and learning activities for parents and their children to enjoy together. The Center also has a couple of preschool options including parentparticipation and drop-off programs. Two new preschool classrooms are scheduled to open in September.

Parents like 24-year-old Elizabeth Morales liked the idea of a program where she and her infant son, Edgar, could both attend. She heard about Magnolia Place from her neighbor who participates in several of the programs. “During my childhood, I do not remember my mother spending time with me like what is offered at Magnolia Place. I thought to myself that it would be a good experience to come with my baby and learn about child development together as mother and child,” said Elizabeth.

Elizabeth enrolled in the family enrichment program and is thrilled with what she is learning and how her son is thriving. Before the program, Edgar was a very shy and timid child. He did not play much and slept most of the day. When he needed something, he cried and had tantrums to get what he wanted.The program taught Elizabeth how to handle the tantrums and engage her son in positive activities. Edgar is now more independent, smiles more often and is much more alert and interested in exploring his surroundings. Elizabeth says she is able to better respond to Edgar’s needs and truly enjoys spending quality time with him. She also has taken advantage of other programs including NuParent and plans to transition Edgar into the toddler group.

The Center can serve 240 participants (parent and child) and is almost at full capacity. Referrals from parents like Elizabeth continue to be the best recruiting tool. Elizabeth says she will, without a doubt, recommend the Center to all of her friends and neighbors. She believes that having a better understanding of your child and yourself helps you to be the best parent possible.
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Attention Foster and Adoptive Families!

Attention foster and adoptive parents (either currently in the program or not), we are in need of finding new families for hundreds of vulnerable children. Children’s Bureau now offers a cash bonus if you refer a quality family to become a foster or adoptive parent. When a referred family attends an information meeting or turns in their application, you can receive $250. When a child is placed in their home, you can receive an additional $250! Please direct any questions to your social worker or call 800.730.3933. Thank you for your caring support!
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When Noemi Galindo was looking for a preschool for her youngest son, Michael, she knew exactly where to go — the Parent Cooperative Child Development Center in Inglewood. Two of her older children had attended the Co-op and were more than ready to go onto kindergarten. In fact, her children still remember many of the songs they learned at that time! Noemi wanted to give Michael that same learning experience and was thrilled that Teacher Dora was, once again, leading the preschool class. Michael is now in his second year with the program and is thriving just like his older siblings. He is learning how to play nicely with other children and

is mastering shapes and the same songs his siblings learned. He loves the program and looks forward to going to school. Noemi has also enjoyed the program because the parents play a big part in designing the classroom curriculum and activities. She fi nds it rewarding to teach art to Michael’s class. She too is learning a lot about child development and how to support her child’s academic effort. Noemi and several of the moms take advantage of the Co-op’s parenting classes, ESL and computer classes. She says that most of the moms have now learned how to speak and read English thanks to the program. “This program helps us all learn, children as well as parents, and I am very proud to be a part of it,” said Noemi. As Noemi illustrates, parents play a key role in the success of the Co-op. Children enroll as infants, “graduate” at age-specifi c benchmarks and move into the next level (determined by the child’s age). Parents continue learning age-appropriate activities to teach their children and have the added benefi t of meeting other parents like themselves. The goal is that in the process of creating learning experiences for their babies, toddlers and preschoolers, they will continue to develop as parents, constantly improving upon their own child-rearing skills and strengthening their family. The program began 13 years ago and has given more than 200 vulnerable children, including Noemi’s three children, a solid academic start!