CFO Welcomes Bill Branca
Contact: Rachel Nobel, Administrative Support Services Manager
667-2995 ext 223
racheln@childandfamilyopp.com
Date: 1/7/2010
Machias - Child and Family Opportunities, Inc. is pleased to welcome Bill Branca as the new Center Coordinator for both its Machias area Head Start/child care centers. Bill comes to the position with over 20 years of experience in the education and social services fields. Prior to joining the team at CFO, Bill worked at Community Health and Counseling Services for over 7 years. He also worked with the Harbor School in Winterport Maine, and opened 2 residential treatment centers in that time. With a Bachelor's degree in Psychology and a Master's degree in Education with concentration in counseling Bill's combination of education and experience will be a great resource to the Machias centers. Bill is also an active community member. A resident of Gouldsboro, he coached softball for the Peninsula School last year, and has coached Little League in the area for many years. He enjoys fishing and camping with his two children, both of whom are graduates of CFO's Harrington Head Start. Bill is also a well-known local musician who plays the bass and keyboards in area bands.
In other news, both Machias centers are adjusting to changes after a reorganization of services in late 2009. At that time, pre-school services were consolidated at the Flaherty Center. Both Machias Valley and the Flaherty Early Care and Education Center continue to serve infants and toddlers in child care and Early Head Start. The programs are looking forward to 2010 and making plans to continue to offer the highest quality of child centered early care and education. At Machias Valley, both CFO Infant Toddler Caregivers, Cathy Faulkingham and Kathy AKOA, are currently involved in completing the education and training to receive their State of Maine Infant and Toddler Specialist Credentials. Both teachers already have Child Development Associates Certificates. At the Flaherty Center, Infant Toddler Caregivers Kim Johnson and Kim Davis have obtained their Infant Toddler Credentials 1 through the State of Maine. CFO continues to offer child care subsidies to parents needing help in paying for child care. The percentage of subsidy is dependant on financial need. Interested families may contact CFO Enrollment Specialist Sarah Jordan at (207) 667 2995 to discuss this opportunity.