Programs and Services

CentroNía serves more than 600 infants, children, youth, and families through its Learning Center, Family/Community Development, Professional Development Academy, and DC Bilingual Public Charter School. CentroNía incorporates a wide array of enrichment activities, such as technology training and arts instruction, into each of its programs.

CentroNía's program services are offered under the four following educational departments are:

• Learning Center
  Learning Center includes a full day infant/toddler and preschool program; a comprehensive out of school time development program for school age children and youth.
   
• Family/Community Development
  Family/Community Development provides parent workshops, resources and referrals, evening and weekend tutoring and literacy training for school age children and adults as well as other adult education courses. This program includes the SPARK initiative which aims at supporting school readiness for three year old children.
   
• Professional Development Academy
  Professional Development Academy provides parents and community members with training opportunities such as the Child Development Associate credential (CDA).
   
• DC Bilingual Public Charter School
  In the fall of 2004, the school, directed by a board of directors and managed by CentroNía, beaun offering a full bilingual academic program to 122 pre-school and kindergarten children. DCBPCS will grow by one grade e year reaching fifth grade by 2009.

1. Learning Center:

• Early Childhood Education: This nationally-accredited program provides Infant/Toddler care to children ages two months to three years old and bilingual education and enrichment activities to children ages three to five years old from 7am to 6pm each day. Fees are based on a sliding scale based on family size and income.
• School Age/Youth Development: During the academic year, the Before and After School program serves children ages 5 to 12, while the Youth Development program reaches youth ages 12 to 18. During the summer, children and youth participate in Summer Camp and a Summer Youth Employment Program through the citywide initiative, "Passport to Work." Fees are based on a sliding scale according to family size and income.
• Multidisciplinary Arts: Through the Arts Program, a team of artists-in-residence and off-site arts partners engage children and youth in multidisciplinary arts activities. The Arts Program also facilitates family and staff participation in cultural events, such as readings, plays, concerts, and art exhibits, throughout the year. View our Art Gallery Pictures!
• Technology Education: The Technology Team provides technology solutions and support to all programs.  In addition, the team works with the Professional Development Academy to offer technology training to parents and adults.

2. Family/Community Development:

• Family Institute: The Family Institute coordinates social services, consultations, referrals, parents meetings, and workshops for the parents of CentroNía children. The Institute, in coordination with an extensive array of partners, offers the community a range of services including regular law clinics, an annual tax clinic, a food bank, financial literacy workshops and much more.
• Family Literacy: Each week, the Tutoring Program provides one-on-one math and reading tutoring sessions to children ages six to eighteen. In addition, participants complete individualized E-Sylvan computer learning sessions to complement their tutoring sessions. This program also offers literacy and English-as-a-Second Language classes to the adult community. Volunteer  Program Information here.

           Family Literacy is honored to welcome Experience Corps to its growing roster of programs.

• SPARK DC: This initiative is funded by the Kellogg Foundation and administered through a collaborative led by the National Black Child Development Institute (NBDCI). The program offers school readiness services, such as screenings and assessments to families with pre-school age children and in conjunction with the Professional Development Academy offers professional development opportunities to Early Childhood teachers to strengthen teaching skills in literacy. SPARK DC also links these children and their families to other community resources and organizations.

3. Professional Development Academy:

• Child Development Associate (CDA) Training Program: Through the CDA Program, parents and community members complete the requisite coursework for the National Child Development Associate Credential from the Council for Professional Recognition.  With this certificate, CDA graduates qualify to serve as lead teachers in child development centers nationwide.
• Child Care Licensing Project (CCLP): In collaboration with the Child Development Associate Training Program, the CCLP helps participants complete the Department of Health's Family Child Care Home licensing process. The CCLP helps participants to prepare for pre-home visits and inspections, to purchase materials and equipment, and to manage their programs and business.
• Workforce Development Program: In collaboration with CentroNía's CDA Training Program, the Workforce Investment Council, the Department of Employment Services, and the Rehabilitation Services Administration, prospective early childhood educators receive training and support to prepare for their entry into the workforce.
• Professional Development Program: The Professional Development Program creates and facilitates professional development activities for program participants, staff, parents, and partner organizations. Activities include continuing education opportunities for staff, parents, and community members; training and technical assistance for partner organizations; and workshops at regional and national conferences.

4. DC Bilingual Public Charter School

• In 2004, the public charter school started offering public education services to children three to five years of age.  Each year, the school will add a grade. By 2009, the DC Bilingual Public Charter School will have added 5^th grade education to its programs.