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Step Up To Quality

Millcreek Children's Center wins a State-Award for Excellence in Early Care and Education called "Step Up To Quality!"

In recognition of its excellent child care program and its ongoing committment to children, Millcreek Children's Center had received a One-Star Step Up To Quality Award from the Ohio Dept. of Job & Family Services.

Mrs. Mary Ellen Monroe from Child Care Connection
presenting our Step Up To Quality Banner to Sister Jerome.
Mrs. Mary Ellen Monroe

Step Up To Quality is a voluntary rating system for early care and education centers. Participating programs can earn a one, two, or three-star rating system by meeting an extensive list of benchmarks. Centers can qualify for a Step Up To Quality inspection by preparing documentation of:

º Children to teacher ratio
º Staff education and qualifications
º Specialized Training
º Quality administrative practices
º Curriculum planned and aligned to Ohio's Early
Learning Content Standard

Millcreek Children's Center is the second in the City of Youngstown to receive this award! Children enrolled in high quality learning programs, particularily low income children, are more likely to stay in school, attend college, earn more money, and be employed in more high-skilled jobs than their peers.

On Friday, October 24, 2008, a ceremony was held at Millcreek Children's Center to receive our prestigious award! Many distinguished guests were there to celebrate with us for this important event: Board members, Ed Muransky, Martha Bushey, William Carter, Edward Hulme, John Manning, Richard Vernal, D. Joseph Fleming and former Board president Marilyn Rhiel. Some faithful supporters celebrated with us: Denise DeBartolo York, Sister Bridget Nolan of the Ursuline Sisters, Bob Hannon of United Way, and Janet Weisberg of the Wean Foundation. Other important guests included Pearlette Wigley, respresenting Congressman Tim Ryan, Mayor Jay WIlliams, Annie Gillam, John McNally, and Socrates Kolitsos. Leaders in the education field- Pam Perrino, Teresa Furniss, and Lora Comichisto aslo attended. We were pleased to have our even covered by the Vindicator, WKBN and WFMJ. Cookies for the event were donated by MJ Confections.

Edward Muransky, President of the Developing Potential, Inc. Board, commends the staff for providing a high quality early childhood program which merited the Step Up To Quality awarded presented to the Center.


Robert Hannon, Director of United Way, said that the Center's program is a benefit to the whole community.
Edward Muransky
Robert Hannon

Mary Danus, the Center Coordinator, leads the children in singing "God Bless America."
Denise DeBartolo York, important benefactor of the program, smiles with Sister Jerome, Director, over the enthusiastic audience.
Denise DeBartolo York

Richard Vernal and John Manning, Board Members, voice their approval of the children's singing.
William Carter, Board Member, reiterates the great value of the Center in providing a great start for city children entering kindergarten.
Richard Vernal and John Manning William Carter
Board Member, D. Joseph Fleming is the second generation of his family supporting Millcreek Children's Center. His mother, Rosemary McNicholas Fleming, serves as a Board Member when the Center was on Glenwood Avenue!

Sister Jerome welcomes three former Board Presidents: Marilyn Rhiel, Edward Hulme, and John Manning.
Joe Fleming & Sister Jerome Marilyn Rhiel, Edward Hulme, and John Manning
Edward Muransky, President, and Martha Bushey, Secretary of the Board, share their appreciation of the Step Up To Quality event.  
Edward Muransky and Martha Bushey Sister Bridget Nolan represented the Ursuline Sisters, a major benefactor of the Center.

Sister Jerome expressed her deep appreciation of the strong support the Board has shown our little children and thanked all the Board Members for their presence at the Step Up To Quality celebration.

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