Phone: (434) 296-4118
Fax: (434) 295-2638
E-mail:info@cyfs.org

116 W. Jefferson St.
Charlottesville, VA 22901

UVa Law Students Softball Tournament Nets $18k for CYFS

JOB OPENINGS : Home Visiting Program Manager, Child Care Quality Educator, Outreach Counselor

¡Grupos de Juego! Todos los jueves

Nuovo! Southwood lunedì di Spagnolo di nello del ed attività di divertimento di educativo

Upcoming Events: 5k Race, 3 on 3 Basketball,

Community Breakfast, Junior League Literary Feast

Three New Saturday Workshops

In The NEWS

UVa Law Students Softball Tournament Nets $18,000 for CYFS

UVA's North Grounds Softball League presented a check for $18,000 to Children, Youth & Family Services on Saturday, April 5th.  The funds were raised during the 25th Annual Law School Softball Tournament.  Left to Right:  CYFS Executive Director Jacki Bryant, Tournament Co-Director Allie Ferguson, CYFS Advancement Manager Erin Garvey and Tournament Co-Director Kyle Schindler

Children, Youth & Family Services is a nonprofit which provides a menu of needed services to children and families in the region.  Over the years, Children, Youth & Family Services has received a total $86,500 from the efforts of these community-minded Law students. "This gift will have a big impact on CYFS", said Executive Director Jacki Bryant. "Last year we helped more than 3,000 kids in the Charlottesville area, and a gift of this size will allow us to fill some of the various funding gaps which arise periodically in our local, state and federal funding. We are deeply grateful to the NGSL for selecting CYFS as the beneficiary of this wonderful event."

Tournament directors, Kyle Schindler and Allie Ferguson, organized UVa Law School volunteers in the 25th anniversary of this annual event. An incredible 112 teams representing over 40 different law schools from all over the country played in 250 games on fields around Charlottesville.  More than 1,300 law student/softball players from 18 different states converged on the City filling scores of hotel rooms as they competed for trophies in two divisions. 

For more details:  http://www.ngsl.com   UVA North Grounds Softball League
                                   

Family-Friendly Employer Featured on the TODAY Show

NBC's The TODAY Show will feature the local law firm of Tucker Griffin Barnes on January 31st in a story about businesses who allow children in the workplace. Children, Youth & Family Services recognized this group of attorneys in 2003 by awarding them the first annual Family-Friendly Employer Award. By including family –friendly benefits and services in the workplace, employers engender loyalty among staff, reduce absenteeism, and aid the community in fostering a well-educated, healthy work force.  Family-friendly business practices are wide and varied and may include, but are not limited to, benefits that allow leave for a variety of family related reasons, insurance, flexible work schedules, education support, access to a telephone, availability of a cafeteria or a provision of privacy for breastfeeding.  Recipients must only be nominated by an employee.  This award honors an organization with practices that recognize the importance of family and instill a family-friendly work culture.  Other winners were North Branch School (2004), Lexis Nexis (2005), VMDO Architects (2006) and State Farm Insurance (2007).

ParentingMobile Receives Funding from State DSS and Bama Works

Virginia Department of Social Services, through its Virginia Healthy Marriage and Stable Families Initiative and the Bama Works Fund of Dave Matthews Band in CACF made gifts of $22,500 and $6,500 respectively, allowing for a substantial increase in the number of neighborhoods and families served by the CYFS ParentingMobile. This fully-equipped mobile classroom visits low-income neighborhoods on a weekly basis to offer accessible, family-friendly advice and parenting information, early childhood playgroups and family consultations. More

Junior League Awards CYFS $4,400 Community Partner Grant

Junior League member Dianna Gibson and Junior League of Charlottesville President Sarah Tesoriere presented a check for $4,400 to CYFS Director Jacki Bryant and CYFS Parent Educator Cynthia Fisher on August 28th. Thanks to the generosity of the Junior League, the CYFS ParentingMobile will run playgroups for moms and young children twice per week in two low-income neighborhoods. A Montessori-trained parent educator brings play activities and toys directly to kids and families to encourage healthy development, early learning, and positive parent-child interaction.  In addition to funding the program, Junior League volunteers will also join the playgroups as mentors, supporting young moms as they play with their children and sharing ideas and experiences.

Women United in Philanthropy Funds Counseling for Victims of Child Abuse

At its first annual Women United in Philanthropy Luncheon, held Tuesday, May 14th at the Omni Hotel, the eighty-member group went above and beyond its normal grantmaking activity to also fund Victims of Child Abuse, a program of Children, Youth & Family Services.  VOCA was one of two finalists for the charitable group’s annual grant which was awarded to the International Rescue Committee.  But, when members learned about the powerful impact of VOCA counseling services, which are provided at no cost to the young victims of abuse and neglect, they were compelled to act.  Women United in Philanthropy’s gift of $14,525 to VOCA will provide direct weekly counseling to 14 children between the ages of 3 and 10 for one year to enable them to heal from the trauma of abuse and build lives that are free of violence and victimization.

For more details: 
Women United in Philanthropy http://www.unitedwaytja.org/womenunitedaboutus.htm
CYFS VOCA programhttp://www.cyfs.org/voca.shtml  

CYFS Honors Child Advocate and Family Friendly Employer

3 on 3 for Community Basketball Tournament Nets $8,000 for CYFS

“We are grateful that Merrill Lynch has again chosen CYFS to be a beneficiary of this wonderful event,” said Jackie Bryant, Executive Director of CYFS. “The support of Merrill Lynch and all the businesses who have signed on as sponsors help us meet critical needs for our community’s children.”
          “Charlottesville is a better place because of the efforts of Merrill Lynch and all the tournament sponsors and volunteers”, Janet Centini,  “Jeffrey’s Gifts”.
          "Merrill Lynch was proud to sponsor this basketball tournament” said Michael Kaminski, Director of Merrill Lynch’s office in Charlottesville, “We are especially privileged to support the work of the dedicated staff of CYFS, and the good works of Jeffrey’s Gifts.  Their day-to-day efforts make such a difference in the lives of thousands of children and families in our region.”   
Other event sponsors included Robinson, Farmer, Cox & Associates, Pepsi, Enterprise Rent-a-Car, Blue Ridge Rotary, Contour Contruction, Pavilion Properties, Spring Creek Development and NBC 29-TV. 
“We are feeling quite bullish about the growth of this tournament in just its third year!” explained Kaminski. “We understand at Merrill Lynch that to be great we must do some good…we are confident the funds we helped raise today for CYFS and Jeffrey’s Gifts will do a lot of good.” 

UVA's North Grounds Softball League presented a check for $17,500 to CYFS Executive Director Jacki Bryant and CYFS Board President Linda Hunt on Saturday, March 31st. The tournament directors, John Bates and Kelli Scheid organized 53 Law School volunteers in the annual event which this year increased its contribution to CYFS by 75%. "This gift will have a big impact on CYFS", said Executive Director Jacki Bryant. "Last year we helped more than 2,000 kids in the Charlottesville area, and a gift of this size will allow us to fill some of the various funding gaps which arise periodically in our local, state and federal funding. We are deeply greatful to the NGSL for selecting CYFS as the beneficiary of this wonderful event." more

UVA Law School To Host Softball Tournament Featuring Teams from 48 Law Schools

The 24th Annual UVA Law School Softball Invitational Tournament will be played this weekend beginning Friday, March 30th and continuing through Sunday, April 1st.  An incredible 112 teams representing 48 different law schools from all over the country will be playing in 250 games on fields around Charlottesville.  More than 1,300 law student/softball players from 18 different states will converge on the City filling scores of hotel rooms as they compete for trophies in two divisions.  The tournament provides more than fun; for the eighth year in a row, Children, Youth & Family Services will be the primary beneficiary of the proceeds.  Last year the Tournament organizers donated $10,000 to this nonprofit which provides a menu of needed services to children and families in the region.  Over the years, Children, Youth & Family Services has received a total $51,000 from the efforts of these community-minded Law students.

Two tournament directors, John Bates and Kelli Scheid, have overseen the work of 11 individual committees, which have been staffed by 53 UVA law students, all members of the North Grounds Softball League. They will be playing 250 games at 13 fields in six local parks: Darden Towe, The Park, PVCC, McIntire Park, Copeley Field, and Washington Park. www.ngsl.com

Target Partners with Children, Youth & Family Services to Sponsor Play Partners

October 25, 2006 - CHARLOTTESVILLE — Children, Youth & Family Services (CYFS) today announced a partnership with Target for sponsorship of its Play Partners early literacy program.  Play Partners sends teams of volunteers into home child care settings in low-income neighborhoods to read to children, introduce reading-related play activities, and provide the children with books to take home and keep.

“Target has been a generous supporter of Play Partners since the store came to the Charlottesville area,” said Jacqueline Bryant, Executive Director of CYFS.  “Their support helps to ensure that we can provide services and materials to all the children who can benefit from this program.”

The sponsorship is part of the ongoing support Target provides to local communities throughout the country.  Every week Target gives more than $2 million to strengthen families and communities across the nation, with a focus on education, the arts, social services and other vital community partnerships.

“At Target, we are making a real difference every day through our sponsorship program,” said Laysha Ward, Target vice president for community relations.  “We’re proud to partner with CYFS as part of our ongoing commitment to give back to the communities where our guests and team members live and work.”

CYFS Celebrates 85 years!

David Toscano, a former CYFS Board member and current Representative to the Virginia House of Delegates, joins CYFS Board President Linda Hunt as they blow out the birthday candles in celebration of Children, Youth & Family Services' 85th birthday

KIWANIS President Phillip Day, CYFS Executive Director Jacki Bryant and KIWANIS former president Tony Hastoglis at the MACAA Headstart Playground

September 7, 2006 - The Kiwanis Club of Charlottesville donated $8,617 in proceeds from their annual pancake breakfast to Children, Youth & Family Services today in support of the organization's STAR Kids Program. The donation will allow CYFS to provide life-skills classes to nearly 300 hundred three and  four-year-old children enrolled in MACAA Head Start preschool classes this year. 

"The Kiwanis Club of Charlottesville has been serving the children of the world since 1922," said Kiwanis Club President Bob Mentzinger. "We are proud to partner with CYFS and the STAR Kids program and to help provide Charlottesville's kids with the tools and the education they need to lead healthy lives."

STAR -- or Super Thinking and Responsible -- Kids uses the resiliency-based curriculum "Al's Pals: Kids Making Healthy Choices," which is designed to help develop children's personal, social and emotional skills for life. The curriculum uses music, puppetry, dramatic play and creative learning activities to help children learn to get along with others, manage anger, control their own behavior, cope with difficulties and to make healthy choices, especially around the use of tobacco. It helps create a classroom environment of caring, cooperation, respect and responsibility.

The Kiwanis Club of Charlottesville's donation to the STAR Kids program consists of the proceeds of the Kiwanis Club's 2006 Dogwood Pancake Breakfast, which was held in conjunction with the annual Dogwood Festival Parade. These proceeds, combined with funds from the Virginia Tobacco Settlement Foundation, will enable CYFS to teach at-risk pre-schoolers the skills they need to make healthy choices throughout their lives.
 

May 12, 2006

Children, Youth & Family Services Chosen for Funding by FACT

Children, Youth & Family Services (CYFS) has been selected by  the  Virginia Family and Children's Trust Fund (FACT) to receive $5,000 in funding for a series of parent education classes, Surviving the Teen Years.FACT is administered by a Board of Trustees appointed by the Governor to raise and distribute funds to local communities for family violence prevention, treatment and public awareness throughout the Commonwealth of Virginia.  

The Surviving the Teen Years Class series for parents of 13- to 18-year-olds runs for six weeks and is provided six times each year.   Classes and workshops are designed to provide information on a variety of parenting skills and topics, including behavior management strategies, stress/anger management, conflict resolution, active communication, child development information, and how to access community resources. Classes and workshops involve multi-sensory learning experiences with videotapes, readings, discussions, presentations, handouts, homework, and a parent manual. CYFS  also  coordinates with referring agencies to clarify roles and coordinate services, identify goals, obtain a brief family history, and ensure that the family can benefit from the classes.  At times, classes are held in neighborhoods  close to where the participants live.
                        
FACT's support comes at a critical time because Surviving the Teen Years classes and services are losing funding as a result of changing priorities within the state agency that previously supported them.  The program provides classes using an established national curriculum, home visit consultations, and works with agencies and schools to promote parent education, an identified community need.  

This support from FACT will ensure the continuation of a successful program serving over a hundred parents and teenagers in Charlottesville and the surrounding five-county area.  Families in the Surviving the Teen Years parent education program  face many stressors.  These classes give parents the tools they need to guide their teens through this tumultuous period while demonstrating effective parenting and family relationships to the teens before they become parents themselves.

Community Events
FOCUS Single Mothers’ Network- Meets every Thursday, 6:00-7:30pm at FOCUS, 1508 Grady Avenue.  This is a discussion and support group for women raising children without a partner.  Childcare is available upon request and pre-registration is required for this group.  For more information or to register please contact FOCUS at (434) 293-2222 ext. 19 or frontdesk@focuscville.org.

Merrill Lynch 3 on 3 for Community Basketball Tournament Raises $12,000 for CYFS

UVa Law Students Raise $10,000 for CYFS

Feb. 10, 2006
2-1-1 VIRGINIA new telephone number to provide free
and easy access to health and human services
RICHMOND – Today with the support of Governor Timothy M. Kaine, the United Way of Greater Richmond & Petersburg, the Virginia Alliance of Information & Referral Systems and the Virginia Department of Social Services, 2-1-1 officially launched in Virginia.
2-1-1 is an easy to remember phone number connecting people with information on available community services. 2-1-1 VIRGINIA will provide free and easy access to health and human services, such as: child care resource and referral centers, energy assistance, financial assistance, senior services and volunteer opportunities. More

###

RAND STUDY SAYS EARLY CHILDHOOD INTERVENTION PROGRAMS SAVE MONEY AND BENEFIT CHILDREN, FAMILIES AND SOCIETY

A RAND Corporation study issued today says well-designed programs for disadvantaged children age 4 and younger can produce economic benefits ranging from $1.26 to $17 for each $1 spent on the programs.

The report by RAND Labor and Population says effective early childhood programs return more to society in benefits than they cost, by enabling youngsters to lead more successful lives and be less dependent on future government assistance. Researchers say this is because such programs help children improve their thinking skills, do better in school and develop socially. More

###

Healthy Families Program Receives Recognition

The Healthy Families program at CYFS follows a national model that was recently evaluated in New York and designated a "Proven Program" by RAND's Promising Practices Network (PPN).This recognition indicates that the program has demonstrated effectiveness using extremely rigorous scientific standards as determined by anonymous peer reviewers.This national program model joins the Nurse Family Partnership as the only home visitation programs that have received PPN's proven program designation.The CYFS Healthy Families program is accredited, demonstrating that we have met all national standards for quality and fidelity to the model.RAND is featuring the Healthy Families model program on the home page of the PPN website http://www.promisingpractices.net/default.asp and in this week's e-mail newsletter.

Children, Youth & Family Services, Inc.(CYFS) is the recipient of a 3-year, $224,700 grant from the Virginia Tobacco Settlement Foundation.The monies will be used for the STAR Kids Program to provide prevention services to approximately 690 (230 per year) three - and four-year-old children enrolled in MACAA Head Start preschool classes from July 2006 to June 2009.This is the fifth straight year that the STAR Kids program has been awarded grant funds from the Virginia Tobacco Settlement Foundation (VTSF) to support the STAR Kids program.

STAR Kids stands for Super Thinking and Responsible Kids, and uses the resiliency-based curriculum, Al¹s Pals: Kids Making Healthy Choices, designed to develop children¹s personal, social and emotional skills for life. The curriculum uses music, puppetry, dramatic play and creative learning activities to help children learn to get along with others, manage anger, control their own behavior, cope with difficulties and to make healthy choices, especially around the use of tobacco. It helps create a classroom environment of caring, cooperation, respect and responsibility.

Children,Youth & Family Services, one of Charlottesville¹s longest-serving non-profit agencies, is all about kids and has been for 85 years. In the last year alone, CYFS gave almost 2,000 kids a chance - a chance for a successful future, a chance for positive family interactions, a chance for quality early learning, and a chance for a safe place to live.