Clover Nola

Head start and early head start for over 100 years, Clover academy has been at the forefront of early education and quality childcare in Louisiana. Early learning services (els) offers the most diverse delivery model of early education in the state, and provides a dynamic, comprehensive array of year-round, full day academic and social enrichment activities, along with essential health and supportive services for infants, toddlers, preschoolers and their families. More than 1,500 infants , toddlers and preschoolers and their families had access to high-quality early childhood development and education, and vital supports; 100% of enrolled children had health insurance; parents were actively engaged in learning activities with their children at home and in the classroom; infants achieved essential developmental milestones in gross motor, fine motor, cognitive, language, self-help, and social and emotional skills; preschoolers achieved core cognitive , communication, personal social, and motor skills that are key components for school readiness; and all families were enrolled in the whole family approach providing parents with career advancements and asset building strategies, while simultaneously preparing their children for success in school. When the stay-at-home order took effect due to the pandemic, our early learning services teachers and parent educators engaged children and families with online classrooms and virtual programing. Family advocates and community services staff linked families to critical resources and career opportunities, working in tandem with our Clover connections career pathways partners. As our community began a phased re-opening, our early learning services effectively transitioned to a hybrid virtual and in-person model, carefully adhering to all cdc guidelines for social distancing, mask, and increased sanitation and cleaning measures.

Participant meals program- the organization operates two full kitchens to prepare and serve breakfast, lunch and snacks to participants in the head start, early head start, youth program and adult day care programs.

Clover adult day health care adult day care provides yearround compassionate, hands-on and holistic care for seniors and adults in our community. Adult day care accommodates adults and seniors from a range of activity and health levels, including: independent seniors, at-risk seniors, veterans, medically-fragile adults, and adults with intellectual or developmental disabilities.our state-of-the-art facility is the largest adult day care in new orleans, and is licensed by the Louisiana department of health. Adult day care enhances the quality of life and autonomy for adults while maximizing their dignity and respect, and providing peace of mind to those who love them. Our holistic approach allows individuals to remain in their homes and engaged in the community; while simultaneously supporting the family unit.more than 100 program participants socialized, received nursing services, case management, and personalized nutritious meals and snacks each day. Recreational and educational activities included: games, cooking demonstrations, arts and crafts, sewing and knitting, music therapy, exercise programs, computer classes, line dancing, integrational programming with our early learning students, and themed parties and events. In addition, participants were offered the opportunities to participate in field trips that range from shopping trips to museum tours.when the stay-at-home order took effect, staff were able to quickly pivot and modify the service delivery model providing critical resources, including wellness checks, delivery of hot meals and ongoing virtual engagement with our at-risk seniors, veterans, and medically fragile adults. As a result of the teams overall efforts, 95% of adult day care participants improved, maintained or slowed the deterioration of their overall mental, behavioral or chronic health condition.

The whole family approach is comprised of five core components (early childhood development, postsecondary employment pathways, economic assets, health and wellbeing, and social capital) to form the comprehensive initiative to support the needs of families. We understand that a child's success hinges on family success. Linking these services and resources helps disrupt cyclical poverty by creating a roadmap to upward economic mobility for parents and children simultaneously, fostering future success for our families. N the early days of the pandemic, our staff quickly connected with more than 1,000 families across all of our programs to not only address their immediate needs, but also their developing challenges such as job loss, disruption of skills training, and educational attainment. With covid19's disproportionate economic impact on underserved communities, our Clover connections career pathways program was needed more than ever to help our community recover. This program links adults to career development, job training and employment opportunities in high-growth industries in the greater new orleans area. Together with strategic partners, we provided the education, training, and skills necessary for securing and maintaining jobs paying more than $11 an hour with clear pathways for advancement. We placed over 80 parents and caregivers in living wage careers in the healthcare, construction and maritime industries. Clover connections also helps ensure gainful employment by eliminating barriers such as access to quality childcare, transportation, and permanent and safe housing. Building economic assets is also an important component of the whole family approach. Family advocates provided critical financial literacy and coaching to families. Support of creating spending and saving plans positioned families to make critical financial decisions during the pandemic.

Youth program: Clover traditionally offers its historic summer camp for more than 200 children ages 5 to 12 each year. The 7 week, full day camp focuses on academic enrichment (with a special focus on math and reading), include leadership development, stem career exploration, and weekly field trips to fun and exciting locations throughout the area. Due to the pandemic and social distancing protocols during the summer, it was necessary to offer summer camp virtually. Virtual summer enrichment for school-aged children was offered in partnership with another community organization to provide opportunities for our children to participate in a summer stem curriculum. Each child received access to online instruction and a kit of supplies needed to execute approximately 25 activities.

Community and supportive services (css) program offers a variety of comprehensive services that strengthen families and build community. Our holistic approach to investing in the families of our communities strives to improve the quality of life of individuals in the greater new orleans area, with an emphasis on residents of columbia parc at the bayou district and heritage senior residences. Our service footprint also grew by an additional 1,000 families, as we initiated vital supports for residents of two additional mixed-income neighborhood communities: faubourg lafitte & sacred heart at st. bernard.in collaboration with partnering organizations, programming is designed to connect individuals and families to essential services that support personal growth, enhance knowledge, increase awareness of resources, and support the overall well-being of the individual and family, while ultimately building a vibrant and sustainable community. Services that are provided through the community and supportive services program include: career development support, life skills seminars, ged preparation; emergency rental, utility and food assistance; financial literacy / coaching and volunteer income tax assistance (vita); disaster preparedness workshops; and health and wellness resources. Our adult day care team also initiated in-home wellness checks and daily food delivery for seniors, medically fragile adults and veterans, and mental health supports were available as needed for all participants. Css provided ongoing supportive services to families; families and seniors received nutrition assistance, financial management and coaching, and help with accessing available community resources to achieve their desired life goals; families received emergency food vouchers and financial assistance and ongoing support, preventing homelessness, utility interruption and future crises; households received free vita tax preparation services for federal returns, and state returns. Families were able to claim multiple valuable tax credits and saved on tax preparation fees.