The SUNSHINE Project
pRESCHOOL iNTERVENTION pROGRAM
Fostering a Team Approach for Better Outcomes
Connecting children with educated and involved childcare providers.
The Sunshine Project is a FREE service that provides consultation services to early childhood educators and caregivers in support of children 0-5 enrolled in a Buncombe County childcare program. Utilizing the Pyramid Model framework, we provide education and technical assistance to programs who have children experiencing challenging social/emotional behaviors, potential developmental delays and/or specialized needs.
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- 94% of children who have received support from The SUNSHINE Project have been able to stay in the childcare center that they were at risk of being asked to leave because of their behaviors
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- 96.87% recommendation and satisfaction rate from the evidence-based tool SEAM (Social Emotional Assessment Measure) and anonymous satisfaction surveys.
The SUNSHINE Project is the only program in Buncombe County that uses the team approach to support children by involving the parents and childcare center staff to improve outcomes for preschool children.
The SUNSHINE Project Staff
- Provide support, education, and consultation to childcare providers and caregivers regarding children’s needs
- Assist families of children with differing abilities by providing referral options to access community resources and specialized service providers (ie: Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy, Speech and Language Therapy) in the local community
- Provide guidance and advocacy for caregivers and childcare providers through the special education identification, evaluation, and eligibility process
Our Early Intervention Specialists
Childcare Consultant – Kate Clements, kate@firstwnc.org
Childcare Consultant – Whitney Wright, whitney@firstwnc.org
Child, Youth and Family Team Outreach – Johanna Ayala, johanna@firstwnc.org
For more information about the SUNSHINE Project reach out to:
Amanda Berry, Director of Child, Youth and Family Development , amanda@firstwnc.org
Sunshine Project Expands!
With funding from the Buncombe County Early Childhood Grant, the SUNSHINE Project is now helping to provide mental health support utilizing clinical interns to provide in-school direct play-based therapy to individual children. Cultural and Ability Responsive Classrooms support by working with teachers to create culturally and abilities sensitive classroom environments.
Lindy Monteleone, Senior Director of Behavioral Health and Clinical Supports oversees the clinical interns that support early learning classrooms.
The SUNSHINE Project Resources
- Buncombe County Resources and Information for Finding Childcare
- The Pyramid Model: https://challengingbehavior.org/pyramid-model/overview/basics/
- CDC Milestones: https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/actearly/milestones/index.html
- NAEYC (National Association for the Education of Young Children): https://www.naeyc.org/
- Buncombe Partnership for Children: https://buncombepfc.org/