Happy Teacher Appreciation Week to Our Shelter Care Staff!

This shout out missed the deadline for publication in last Friday's HeartBeat, so it is being included here. 

Happy Teacher Appreciation Week to the teachers in our Shelter Care Educational Program! In recognition of this week, here are some facts about the Program. 

What is Heartland AEA’s Shelter Care Educational Program?
The Shelter Care Educational Program (SCEP) provides accredited K-12 instructional services to neglected and/or delinquent children and youth (ages 5 – 17). 

SCEP classrooms are located in the following sites: 

• Polk County Juvenile Detention Center in Des Moines
• Rosedale Shelter in Ames
• Youth Emergency Services & Shelter in Des Moines

Who are our SCEP Instructional educators?
Cheryl Graham, LaVon Goodrich, Deb Smith, Leilani Shaw, Bob Brown, Nancy Miller, Dee May, Jill Lawrence, Stacey Geiger, Erika Schuck, Nancy Coursen, Corrine Breitsprecker, Elaine Mattingly, Laura Howell, Stacie Thomas, Lisa Peterson, Lisa Schossow, Darcy Van Dam, Crosby Hinze and Raymond Wynter 

Who is our SCEP administration? 
Leanne Chapman-Thill, Administrator 
Jill Caltrider, Administrative Assistant 

What are shelter and detention facilities? 
Shelter facilities are residences run by county, state or private agencies to provide safe places for children and/or youth who, for a variety of reasons, are not able to live at home. Most children are placed in shelter facilities by court order due to family problems such as abuse, neglect, abandonment or personal problems related to the use of drugs or alcohol. 

Detention centers are locked facilities for youth who have criminal charges filed or pending against them. Although children are away from home and in unfamiliar surroundings — separated from family, friends and neighbors — it is our hope the classroom environment provides a safe and effective place for students to learn. 

SCEP Belief Statements 

• We believe every individual has value. 
• We believe the future will be better for those who know how to learn and desire to continue to learn. 
• We believe every child deserves a safe, stable and caring environment with the opportunity for growth and success. 
• We believe every child has the potential to learn and learns most effectively in an educational program that addresses his/her needs. 
• We believe the Shelter Care Program is strengthened through collaboration and continuous individual growth.