Programs: Outer Limits & Building Strong Families Together
Outer Limits
Outer Limits is a free program for children 8-12 that builds upon activities prevalent in Venango County or offered within the school system. Children who are given skill building activities that are available in our community will have an increased opportunity to continue in the skill building activity upon competition of the Outer Limits Program.
Outer Limits was created by Child Development Centers, Inc. and envisions that the program will offer afterschool programs such as; the Franklin School-Age Center or the 21st Century Community Learning Program to build upon academic improvement for the child.
Additionally, the skills will include activities that are popular within Venango County such as: Girl & Boy Scouts; 4H; baseball; basketball; cheerleading; horseback riding; musical instruments; soccer; swimming; vocal lessons; wrestling; and more!
Outer Limits is open to children who are between the ages of 8-12, reside in Venango County, and meet certain criteria. Children are also eligible if parents are single; Children are being raised by a foster family or relative or the family is receiving food stamps, or cash assistance or SSI; the child is having difficulty academically or socially in school; the child or parent has a disability of any kind; home schooled children; lack of employment; exceptional low income for family unit size or any type of disadvantage within the family.
The program coordinator collaborates with various coaches and outside activity coordinators such as those that lead the Little League or Scout organizations. Additionally, the Outer Limits Coordinator works with agencies such as Children & Youth, Family Foundations, the Base Service Unit, etc. to ensure that children who are identified as “at risk” are enrolled in the program.
For more information on the Outer Limits Program please contact Marlene Caccavo at (814) 437-7288 or email her at mcaccavo@cdcenters.org.
Building Strong Families Together Program
The Building Strong Families Together Program is a free and confidential program offered to the residents of Venango County. Linkage to other community agencies is also available.
The Building Strong Families Together Program provides "free" classes on Child Development, Effective Discipline, Healthy/Unhealthy Family Relationships, Anger Management, and Parent’s Responsibility for Education.
Effective Discipline/Child Development: "Why do they do that?" Discipline should be a positive experience for children. Participants will learn about behavioral developmental stages and will discuss reasons for misbehavior.
Healthy/Unhealthy Family Relationships: This session explores various types of family violence. The class deals with physical, verbal & emotional abuse and the effect it has on children and adults. It will offer suggestions and resources for changing patterns leading to healthy/unhealthy family relationships.
Anger Management: Has anger gotten the best of you? Has anger influenced your parenting abilities? This session will help identify the various types of anger we experience. It will provide participants with a method of dealing with anger.
Parents Responsibility for Education: Parents are the primary influence for a child’s success in school. This session will focus on the importance of education for all ages from infancy through high school. Primary focus will be on Preschool through High School. We will also touch on truancy issues.
For more information on the Building Strong Families Together Program please contact Nancy Morrow at (814) 437-5915 or email her at nmorrow@cdcenters.org.