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    26Jun, 2020
    Early Head Start Graduation Goes Mobile

    Graduation has looked a little different this year for our Early Head Start children and families we support. With the suspension of programming because of the COVID-19 pandemic, our EHS staff continued to support our families, but the staff decided to take graduation to the homes this year to ensure we honored the hard work that occurred during the weeks out of the classroom. In this series of videos, we’ve recorded some of the presentations. Also, EHS Director Beth Wickham’s introductory video talks briefly about this year’s unique celebration.

    You can view Beth’s introductory video here.

    You can view a presentation from the Hartford City EHS staff to a graduate here.

    You can view a presentation from the Marion EHS home visiting staff to a graduate here.

    You can view a presentation from a Marion EHS staff member to two brothers who graduated here.

    19May, 2020
    Reopening Plan Details Announced

    Jim Allbaugh, President & CEO of Carey Services, discusses the agency’s phased reopening that begins June 1. In the video, he explains the many details that go into each of the plan’s three phases and how those details will impact facility-based operations in coming days.

    You can watch the video by clicking here. You also can read more about the agency’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic by clicking here.

    12May, 2020
    Phased Facility Reopening Begins June 1

    Carey Services will begin a phased reopening of facility-based services on June 1. Programming suspended because of the COVID-19 pandemic will reopen in three phases, assuming local health conditions continue on a positive trend.

    The June 1 reopening of Marion day-services programming will be for a group of individuals served who are not in COVID-19 high-risk groups. The second reopening phase will begin June 15 for increased numbers of individuals served. The third phase will begin on June 29 and will include individuals served in potential high-risk groups and the reopening of Early Head Start programming. All reopening phases include strict daily health screening, social-distancing and disinfecting protocols.

    Specifics of the reopening plan are available in our Reopening Timeline and Safety Expectations document you can download here. You also can find our archive of COVID-19-related information by clicking here.

    11May, 2020
    Facility-Opening Safe Environment Plan Released
    As part of the governor’s Roadmap to Reopen Indiana, Carey Services has released a video and an accompanying document that describe the protocols the agency is putting in place in preparation for reopening facility-based programming.
     
    In the video, Jim Allbaugh, Carey Services’ president and CEO, talks about the plan’s four main components, which cover personal health and hygiene, facility disinfecting, and social distancing. You can view the video here.
     
    Carey Services is monitoring the current community situation and continuing internal preparations with a goal of potentially beginning a phased opening of facility-based services in June. 
     
    You can find the Safe Environments Plan and all agency communications through the COVID-19 crisis here.
    20Apr, 2020
    State Representative Offers Support

    State Rep. Ann Vermilion, whose district covers parts of Carey Services’ service area in Grant and Blackford counties, has created a video to offer her support to the 150 direct support professionals the agency has working during the COVID-19 crisis. We appreciate her support of our healthcare heroes.

    We are all in this together.

    To watch the video, click here.

    20Mar, 2020
    Virus Forces Facility-Based Program Suspension

    With the health and safety of the individuals we serve – and the staff who support them – as our foremost priority, Carey Services has made the decision to suspend facility-based programming until April 17.

    The individuals we serve will continue to receive the support needed to remain as safe and independent as possible in this unprecedented time in the communities we serve. Staff members will continue to provide support in residential settings and will empower the individuals served to heed the many recommendations that they remain at home and avoid all but truly essential travel.

    This programming suspension covers all day-service programming in Marion – including the production facility and Creative Hearts Art Studio – and day-service programming in Wabash and Logansport. The Early Head Start program was already scheduled for its annual spring break starting Monday, but it, too, will remain closed after the week-long break until April 17.

    All operations at Carey Services’ entire Marion campus will be suspended during this time, with that April 17 date subject to change based on community conditions.

    “On behalf of the Carey Services board of directors, Carey Services has always placed the health and safety of the individuals we support as a major priority, along with our employees,” said Board Chairperson Kevin Planck. “We believe the best decisions are being made for all parties involved during this health crisis and for the long-term stability of the organization. We look toward the future with hope and wonder and wish comfort on you, our employees and their families, and our wonderful families that we support.”

    2Oct, 2018
    Fall Fest Will Be October 3

    Carey Services and the Early Head Start Program will participate in the annual Fall Fest on Oct. 3 from 4 to 7 p.m. at the YMCA in downtown Marion.

    The free annual event is sponsored by Little Giants Preschool – Head Start and the Early Head Start program. The event is designed for families with children from birth to 12 years old who live in Grant or Blackford counties.

    Numerous community organizations will be at the festival to provide information, developmental screenings and car seat inspections. Games and prizes for the children also will be available.

    31Aug, 2018
    Early Head Start Annual Report Available

    Carey Services’ Early Head Start program has released its annual report for the most recent program year, which ran from May 1, 2017 to April 30, 2018. The report highlights various accomplishments for the year, including obtaining the highest levels of accreditation, while serving more than 200 families and children for the year. The report also includes a farewell letter from Cathy Queen, who recently retired as program director.

    You can view the annual report by clicking here.

    16Jul, 2018
    New Early Head Start Director Begins Work

    Beth Wickham has joined Carey Services as the director of the agency’s Early Head Start program, replacing longtime director Cathy Queen, who recently retired.

    Wickham has more than 20 years of experience in Head Start programming. She began her Head Start career as a teacher and eventually became site director and education coordinator with the Community and Family Services program in Portland, Ind. She is a Gas City native and Mississinewa High School graduate who currently lives in Marion. She has a bachelor’s degree in early childhood education from Ashford University and plans to pursue a master’s degree in early childhood education.

    “I’m excited to be joining Carey Services and the tremendous team that has demonstrated much success over the years through the Early Head Start program,” Wickham said. “I’m passionate about helping children and helping them start off life on the right footing so they can be successful as they grow.”

    Carey Services is the Early Head Start provider for Grant and Blackford counties, working with 130 children and families from pre-natal care through 3 years old at any given time. In 2017, more than 235 children and families participated in some facet of Early Head Start programming.

    “Beth brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to Carey Services and to the Early Head Start programming,” said Jim Allbaugh, Carey Services’ president and chief executive officer. “She’s already hit the ground running getting acquainted with her staff and the families we serve, and she will be a great person to continue the quality of care those we serve have come to expect from Carey Services.”

    4Oct, 2017
    October Head Start Awareness Month

    Carey Services’ Early Head Start program is participating in National Head Start Awareness Month throughout the month of October.

    The National Head Start Association organizes national activities to raise awareness for the Head Start and Early Head Start programs throughout the country and for early childhood development issues in general.

    Carey Services’ Early Head Start program served 235 pre-natal mothers and children 0-3 last year in Grant and Blackford counties. It is one of 25 Early Head Start programs in the state.

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