Ocean Smith, family engagement specialist with Community Action Partnership (CAP) of Lancaster County, began her career in the area as a home visitor with the Parents as Teachers program in the ELANCO School District. In January, she was promoted to her present position, where she facilitates and coordinates events for families involved in the program throughout the county. Smith also continues to work with families in ELANCO with whom she was engaged as a home visitor prior to her promotion. "Enrollment age for the Parents as Teachers is for children 2 and under and prenatal, but we walk alongside them until they enter kindergarten," explained Smith.

"My role is split between having a caseload and doing those events for the entire team," said Smith, who has an office at 1770 Lincoln Highway East, Lancaster, but also works out of CrossNet Ministries in New Holland as necessary while she continues to serve ELANCO in a limited capacity.

In her role, Smith works with Thrive to Five, the education and development aspect of CAP. "Thrive to Five encompasses the home visiting of Parents as Teachers and Head Start home visiting," said Smith. "There are also classroom programs such as Head Start and Pre-K Counts," she noted, adding a nature area for children is located at the CAP offices at 601 S. Queen St., Lancaster.

Some programs Smith works with are offered virtually. "We collaborate with WIC to provide a virtual family cooking series, and we do kindergarten readiness to help prepare families entering kindergarten, so it's a warm handoff to their district," she said, adding that the virtual format makes it easier for families to take part in an evening session where they can review the process of kindergarten transition and to get answers to specific questions.

The program also offers Play and Learns, which usually include up to eight sessions. "Play and Learns are where families can get together to engage in school readiness and relationship-building activities," said Smith. "We have materials available for all ages." In New Holland, these are held in the Trinity Lutheran Church and in Manheim Township at the Manheim Township Public Library, but Smith noted that team members hold them in other districts, and that information about locations is available by registering for a newsletter at https://bit.ly/TTFEventNewsletterReg. Smith noted that smaller events include Park Playdates and a STEM series.

"Thrive to Five is a CAP pillar," said Smith, who noted that the early education piece includes a number of programs, which are detailed at https://caplanc.org/ under "Early Education."