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AGENCY PROFILE
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Agri-Business Child Development (ABCD), founded in 1946, is committed to providing the highest quality early childhood education and social services to farm worker and other eligible families across New York State. Children, 8 weeks old through school age, benefit from the culturally and linguistically relevant programming recognized nationally as a hallmark of ABCD.
Services Provided: As a provider of Migrant and Seasonal Head Start, Head Start, and Early Head Start services, ABCD ensures that each child receives comprehensive educational, health, and social services. ABCD centers are accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) and are licensed by the New York State Office of Children and Family Services.
Number of Children Receiving Services on an Annual Basis: Approximately 1,000 depending on funding.
Services are provided in 13 centers across New York State, primarily in areas of highest
farm worker family concentrations.
Hours of Operation: full day, 5 days a week.
Eligibility: Eligibility requirements for local agricultural workers, as well as the Migrant and Seasonal Head Start program, include employment information and children’s ages. Eligibility requirements for the Head Start and Early Head Start programs include income and children’s ages. For all programs, ABCD utilizes a points system to ensure that the neediest of eligible families receive services.
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Staff Possess Special Skills and Knowledge: Staff must meet State and Federal mandated educational requirements. Teaching staff reflect the culture and language of the children served.
Geographic Areas Served: Areas of eligible farm worker family concentrations in NYS.
Counties served include: Cayuga, Chautauqua, Erie, Genesee, Monroe, Niagara, Onondaga,
Ontario, Orange, Orleans, Oswego, Seneca, Ulster, Wayne, Wyoming, and Yates,
as well as portions of Columbia, Dutchess, and Greene.
SERVICES
We are so proud of ABCD centers, families, staff, and the communities we serve. ABCD's commitment to providing the highest quality early childhood education and care includes all educational domains as well as, health (physical development/social and emotional development/nutrition), family engagement, community partnerships, and services for children with special needs.
Click on the buttons below for ABCD locations.
KINDERGARTEN READINESS
Kindergarten readiness begins in infancy and is nurtured through preschool. Building trusting relationships. Following predictable routines. Exploring safe spaces with curiosity. Developing confidence and a sense of self. ABCD centers offer high quality individualized bilingual education services to prepare children and families for the kindergarten experience and beyond.
HEALTHY DEVELOPMENT
Physical Health and Development, Oral Health, Emotional Well-being, and Nutrition
Every enrolled child receives age-appropriate physicals and screenings. Children and families are linked with community resources to ensure access to continuous affordable health and dental care.
Meals (breakfast, lunch, and snack) are carefully planned with a qualified nutrition consultant to assist children in meeting their daily nutritional needs, developing healthy eating habits, and broadening food experiences.
FAMILY ENGAGEMENT & COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS
Parents, the most important influence on a child’s development, play an essential role in planning and decision making for the program. Parent involvement is highly regarded as key to a child’s success.
Collaborations with community organizations enable families to connect with available resources and support services. ABCD works closely with nearly 400 community partners statewide.
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
ABCD is committed to providing career development opportunities and professional development for all staff. Training is ongoing throughout the year to assist staff in increasing the knowledge and skills needed to fulfill their job responsibilities and to ensure staff awareness of current early childhood education research and scientifically based developmentally appropriate practices.
EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION
ABCD uses research-based curriculum that is grounded in established educational theories, supported by empirical research, continually evaluated for effectiveness, and integrates best practices in early childhood education. ABCD’s comprehensive education services include:
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language development and literacy
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mathematics and science
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creative arts
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social and emotional development
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physical health and development
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problem solving, reasoning, and initiative.
INDIVIDUALIZED SERVICES
Both the curricula and the assessment system are comprehensive and holistic, can be used to support children’s progress in all areas of development, and offer flexibility for children with different learning styles, developmental levels and special needs.
Teachers use their ongoing observations as well as child assessment data and reports to plan for individualization and identify specific goals, objectives, and appropriate teaching strategies for each child.
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