Rochester Children’s Zone
v HOW DO I GET INVOLVED???
JOIN ONE OF THE EIGHT WORK TEAMS
v WHAT ARE WORK TEAMS???
GROUPS WHO FOCUS ON ONE OF EIGHT IDENTIFIED AREAS
- ESTABLISHING OUTCOMES
- DEVELOPING STRATEGY TO IMPROVE RESULTS
v WHAT ARE THE EIGHT WORK TEAMS???
- ADULT EDUCATION, TRAINING & JOBS
- COMMUNITY SAFETY
- EARLY DEVELOPMENT & CARE OF CHILDREN
- EDUCATION (PRE-K – GRADE 16)
- HEALTH & WELLNESS
- HOUSING & COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
- PARENT SUPPORT
- YOUTH SUPPORT
More Info: Call 585-262-8390 or e-mail rcz@rcsdk12.org
Rochester Children’s Zone
EDUCATION (Pre-K – Grade 16)
What is RCZ? A plan to create a better community for our children
What should I expect? Food, daycare and an open environment where you can share your ideas
What do I get out of this? A chance to make a difference in the city
What’s the catch? No catch…gift cards after attending 3 meetings
Why get involved? Because it is your neighborhood, your homes, your families and your children
Where do we meet? 831 Joseph Ave, Upper Room Worship Center
2nd Tues & last Thurs of the month
November 14 & 30, 2006; 5:30 – 7:30 PM December 5 & 28, 2006; 5:30 – 7:30 PM
More Info? Call 585-262-8390 or e-mail rcz@rcsdk12.org
Rochester Children’s Zone
Improving the Lives of Children in Northeast Rochester
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the RCZ?
The Rochester Children’s Zone (RCZ) is a concept designed to identify and implement strategies and solutions that improve the health, wellness, education, living conditions, and livelihoods of children and families in targeted sections of Rochester’s northeast.
Where is the RCZ?
The geographic boundaries of the RCZ are Norton to the North, Main Street to the South, Goodman to the East and St. Paul to the West.
Why was this area selected?
The original area was selected to cover the neighborhoods around seven low-performing, high poverty schools – six are elementary schools and one is a secondary school. In order to support the children’s growth and development in these schools, a community-wide commitment to children was needed. The schools are: #6, #8, #9, #22, #36, #45 and Freddie Thomas High School (now comprised of two separate high schools) and represent approximately 4,300 or 12% of the Rochester City School District’s students.
How is this effort different?
There is a commitment to involve – throughout the design, planning, and implementation phases – those individuals and groups, who have a stake in the future, and want to ensure the well being, of the children and families in Rochester’s northeast area. There is a commitment to 51% resident representation on the various planning teams.
What is the timeline and community planning process?
The planning process phases include: vision development, problem and asset identification, strategy formulation, and implementation planning. The vision phase started in June 2006 with a Kickoff event and the planning process will continue through February 2007.
What do the various teams do?
There are eight Work Teams [Education; Health & Wellness; Adult Education, Training, & Jobs; Youth Supports; Community Safety; Support for Parents; Housing & Community Development; and Early Development & Care of Children]. Work Teams are establishing outcomes and developing strategy recommendations for improving Rochester Children’s Zone results in each area of focus.
There is a 100 + person Strategy Team, whose role is to make critical decisions about the plan for RCZ. There is a Subcommittee to the Strategy Team, whose role is to coordinate the planning process, keep the planning process moving and transparent, and organize information for Strategy Team decision making.
Who will lead the RCZ?
This has yet to be determined and is will be an outgrowth of the community planning process.
What is the role of the City School District?
The RCZ concept and plan development is currently being supported by the Rochester City School District’s Planning Office. The RCSD is committed to the community planning process and plans to move coordination out of the District after the RCZ plan has been completed.
How can you become involved?
If you are interested in learning more about RCZ, the planning process, or joining one of the Work Teams or Strategy Team, contact the RCZ @ (585) 262-8390. We still need recommendations of the names of NE residents to serve on various Work Teams and on the Strategy Team.
What is the RCZ, Inc. currently spending its money on?
How much will it cost to implement the RCZ plan?
There is no estimate yet on total cost or sources of funds that will be devoted to the RCZ plan implementation. Cost will be determined based on the elements and priorities of the plan.
How much money does RCZ, Inc. have?
Since November 2005, $101,835.00 has been pledged to and received by RCZ, Inc. Another $450,000.00 has been pledged and has not been received. On a cash basis, RCZ, Inc. is presently waiting for $450,000.00 in pledged money to arrive so it can pay accumulated bills.
Other support that has not been donated to RCZ, Inc. but has supported RCZ community planning amounts to approximately $900,000 (including in-kind contributions and some monies earmarked to the school district)
What will be / are / have been the areas of expenditures of RCZ, Inc.?
RCZ, Inc. has decided only to spend money on the planning process and not for implementation services until a plan is developed and approved by the Strategy Team. Present general budget categories include:
Interaction Institute for Social Change (design, facilitation, and planning)
Meals, babysitting, materials for meetings
Gift Cards for residents attending meetings
Office supplies, printing, and other materials
June 24 Kick Off Event
Visit to Harlem Children’s Zone
Resident & Parent Outreach
What are the future funding sources to support the RCZ Plan implementation?
Additional resources will be sought once the RCZ plan is developed and approved by the Strategy Team. A plan is needed before most funders will provide resources for services. Right now it is anticipated that additional grants and funds will be solicited starting in February of 2007. Potential sources of funding include: public officials/government; private local and national foundations; corporations and individual philanthropists.
For more information contact:
RCZ @ (585) 262-8390 / rcz@rcsdk12.org / www.rcsdk12.org/rcz