Owens adds Community and Family Service degree

PERRY SBURGTOWN - SHIP, Aug. 9, 2017: Blending the strengths of an early childhood educator and social worker, Owens Community College is adding a new program that will focus on making a difference in the lives of children and families living in northwest Ohio.

The Community andFamily Service program requires 63 credit hours to earn an Associate of Applied Science degree and will be offered on both theToledo- and Findlayarea Campuses.

"Our graduates will havea primary role of engaging families of young children through activities, practices and services that support parents as the primary nurturers, experts and teachers of their child. By doing so, parents will be able to promote and sustain their chüd' sleaming development and academic and life successes," said Dr. Katherine DankoMcGhee, Chair, Teacher Education and Social Work department.

Workers in this field willhavespecific and intentional roles in the following four activities/strategies areas:

* Promote and enhance the parent-child relationship;

* Engage parents in discussions about thei rchild's growth and development and provide parents information and opportunities to learn about concrete things they can do to promote their child's learning;

* Encourage parents' involvement in the education of their child;

* Facilitate the delivery of services to children and families through collaboration with community partners.

Graduates will find employment with Early Head Start and Head Start or similar community agencies as a famüy advocate, home visitor, family service worker or family educator.

According to the. Bureau of Labor Statistics, jobs in tins field wall grow by 11 percent by 2024. Median income is currently slightly more than $30,000.

"Parents are a child's first and best teachers," Ms. Dariko-McGhee said, "and a graduate with this degree supperis parental develop ment by building on the family's strengths."

For more information about the Community and Family Service program, go online to www.owens.edu or call (567) 661-7283.