SALISBURY — Partners In Leaning Child Development and Family Resource Center will serve families in a new way thanks to a recent Community Initiative grant from Rowan County United Way.
Michelle Macon will take the role of family support advocate, a newly created position at the five-star center.
“We created the position because of needs that have been identified through home visits and increase of behavior problems of young children in pre-kindergarten programs across the county,” said Executive Director Norma Honeycutt. “We learn a lot during home visits and from our families, however, before this position, we have not had the man power to follow up and provide much needed support for these families.”
In her new role, Macon will serve 15 families at a time, helping families identify obtainable goals to better the family, including parenting, educational, and/or career goals. “I have a love for people,” said Macon. “What I like most about working with families is watching the families grow and succeed and ultimately reaching out to others.”
“Our mission is to model the highest quality learning environment that stimulates families and the community to provide optimal growth and development of children,” Honeycutt said. “By having a Family Support Advocate, we will be able better serve the family and ultimately enable them to provide optimal growth and development for their children.”
Macon has worked at Partners In Learning since 2006. She holds an associate degree in early childhood education and a bachelor’s degree in birth through kindergarten education.
Situated on the Catawba College campus, Partners In Learning serves as the Model Inclusive Center providing care to children 6 weeks through 5 years of age in Rowan County. It is the only National Association for the Education of Young Children accredited program in Rowan County.