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Based Services
Pinocchio
is a school-based program that works with children (pre-school through
third grade) who have emerging behavioral or emotional problems
which hinder the child's progress in school.
Goals:
- To help children get a good start in school by fostering a
healthy self-concept, developing social skills, and bringing
their school work up to their potential.
- To prevent the need for later, more specialized, or extensive
services.
- To identify the child's individual needs and strengths early,
in order to plan maximally beneficial educational programs
These goals are attained through the combined efforts
of school professionals, Pinocchio associates, and parents. Parents,
teachers, and Pinocchio associates work together to develop a plan
to help each child reach his/her own individualized goals.
Partnership
The Pinocchio program, which began in 1982, is located in elementary
schools and Head Start programs in St. Charles, Lincoln, Warren,
and Franklin Counties.
Pinocchio is a joint project of Crider Health Center
and participating school districts and Head Start programs within
the four county area in Missouri.
Description
The greatest potential for constructive help occurs at early school
ages. The process begins with a screening of all preschool through
third graders in participating schools and Headstart sites.
Once a child is accepted into the program, goals
are established and a carefully selected Pinocchio child associate
is assigned to work with the child for 30 to 45 minutes once or
twice a week, individually and in small groups under close professional
supervision.
The child associates are trained, supervised paraprofessionals
who are selected for their warmth, ability to relate to children,
energy, and interest in children.
Pinocchio first identifies school adjustment problems
and then works to eliminate stumbling blocks to learning and provide
a positive school experience for the child.
Pinocchio is cost effective as it helps children
early in their educational careers before other more costly services
become necessary.
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