Finding
Care
Aid
/ Assistance
Providing
Care
Events
Agency
Info
Programs
/ Services
Articles
Giving
Employment
Related
Links
Contact
Us
Home
Web
Mail
Employee
Login
|
|
|
|
Sierra Nevada Children's Services
is a private nonprofit organization incorporated
in 1978 as an outgrowth of the Western Nevada County United
Services Council.
Original Purpose in the Articles
of Incorporation:
The specific purpose for which
this organization has been formed is to bring together and support the
various nonprofit public service agencies and associations in Nevada County.
It is felt that a mutual association through the Council will provide
not only stimulation and direction for the member agencies, but increased
awareness of the needs of the community in the areas of health, education,
welfare, and recreation.
In the beginning……
|
|
1979
|
It is
remarkable that Sierra Nevada Children's Services utilized what
is thought of today as the most effective, contemporary tool in
community-organization collaboration as the foundation of its organization.
It is in that spirit that the founding Board and first Director,
Mary Sims, was instrumental in developing several new and longstanding
community organizations: Nevada County Housing Development Corporation,
Domestic Violence and Assault Coalition, Nevada County United Way,
Nevada County Community Action Agency and Nevada County Big Brothers/Big
Sisters. SNCS also provided unique services to the community as
the opportunities arose such as the distribution of government food
commodities ("the cheese program"), a home-sharing program
that matched up people looking for housing with people interested
in sharing their home, and a job board for teens.
|
|
1983
|
The organization
was established as the child care resource and referral agency for
Nevada County and also provided subsidized child care in the county.
In 1987 SNCS began to serve Sierra County and changed its name to
Sierra Nevada Community Services Council.
|
|
1992
|
The organization,
reflecting its focus on children, changed its name for the third
time to Sierra Nevada Children's Services (SNCS). SNCS also continued
to provide leadership in the community and was instrumental in formation
of Child Advocates (formerly called the Court Appointed Special
Advocate Program), the Child Coordinating Council of Nevada County,
and the Community Network for Children and Families. The latter
merged with the organization in 2000.
|
|
1990's
|
The 1990's saw a decade
of amazing growth, with the national focus on child care providing
an influx of new federal dollars. Rafaela Frausto, the current Executive
Director, led the organization through this dynamic period, helping
to bring rural child care issues into Statewide focus and providing
new opportunities for families and young children.
|
|
|
Commitment to grassroots community activism and
the spirit of collaboration have kept SNCS focused throughout its history
and has enabled SNCS to nurture children, families, and organizations
in the communities we serve.
Sierra Nevada Children's Services
Today
Today, the heart of the agency continues
to be activities sponsored through the Child Care Resource and Referral
Network. From these essential services spring the organization's values
and program philosophy that guide the daily interactions with parents,
caregivers, and the community at large.
The merger of Community Network
for Children and Families with SNCS began the evolution of the organization
into Family Resource Centers at each of its core service areas. SNCS was
successful in securing funds from the Children and Families First Commission
which made it possible to purchase and develop a mobile resource van.
With the help of volunteers from AmeriCorp*VISTA , such as Michelle Filgar
our first volunteer, the van has visited many child care providers and
community groups offering training opportunities and delivering child
development resources. The Infant/Toddler Family Child Care Home Network
was expanded to serve preschoolers with a grant from the CA Department
of Education, Child Development Division.
Collaboration
with other organizations continues to be one of SNCS's greatest
strengths.
- SNCS has partnered with the Nevada County Health Department to distribute
and conduct safety checks of infant car seats.
- The Truckee office has a partnership with the Kid Zone to provide
family outreach to Latino families.
- Success By Six is a partnership with the United Way.
- Through Community Network for Children and Families,
SNCS's participates with the Gold Country Community Center Alliance
to build an intergenerational community center in Western Nevada County.
As SNCS increases public recognition
of the organization and continues to build sustainable services, greater
momentum is gained in advancing the organization's goals and strengthening
support for the community's families and Nevada County's most precious
resource, the children. The Internet is only one way of accomplishing
this. The information contained on SNCS's website is just a small sample
of the wide and diverse services and programs available through this dynamic
organization.
|
| |
|
