Akron Metropolitan Housing Authority strengthens relationships despite COVID-19 crisis

Akron Metropolitan Housing Authority has been providing virtual visits to both their SPARK and Parents as Teachers programs in an effort to continue connectivity in our community during the COVID-19 crisis. SPARK is a free program that helps the Akron Public School 3 and 4-year-old children get ready for kindergarten. This program includes home visits provided by a trained Parent Partner and free books and activities each month. Activity bags provided for the SPARK program were dropped off before the stay home order. This will allow the families to continue engagement with their children during the pandemic.

Parents as Teachers is working with families to gather items in their own homes to complete the activity. The Parents as Teachers program matches parents and caregivers with trained professionals who make regular personal home visits during a child’s earliest years in life, from prenatal through kindergarten. A big proponent of this program promotes parents teaching children with items you can find in your home already. 

Both programs are visiting families at least once a month. However, weekly check-ins with family by phone or text are being conducted as well.

In addition, families that did not have internet access to be able to do virtual visits or for the older children to complete online school work, AMHA has been mailing out hotspots through their ConnectHome program. The AMHA diaper bank is also still operating with current clients where they are able to do no contact visits to drop off diapers to families that are in need.  AMHA has also been working with Good Samaritans to help drop off weekend food bags to families as well. 

Thank you AMHA for all you do to help our families in continuing the nurturing relationships between our teachers and students in Summit County! 

Know an organization that is using amazing strategies in our community for our youngest learners during this crisis? Send their story to aboyer@seisummit.org and they might be featured on our website and in our newsletter!