The Henry County Adult and Community Education Program were recognized for their achievement of the Commitment Level Award at the Excellence in Tennessee Awards Banquet, on February 22. The gala event was held at the Franklin Marriott Cool Springs where nineteen Henry Countians were in attendance. The Tennessee Center for Performance Excellence is a resource available to businesses and organizations throughout the state of Tennessee. It is a non- profit organization that assists as a public-private partnership based on the Baldrige National Quality Program. The ultimate goal is organizational excellence. Matt Kisber, Commissioner of Economic and Community Development, presented awards on four levels to thirty three businesses/organizations that had met the awards criteria.

The AE program achieved the first level (Interest) in 2000 and has been in a continuous mode of program improvement using the Baldrige criteria since that time. Formal application was made in August for the second level of achievement in the TNCPE Awards program. “It has been a continuous journey toward quality and program improvement. We have succeeded because of the staff’s commitment toward our mission, vision and values.”

   Upon enrollment Grace wrote a story with the help of her Instructor.  It stated that when her husband, three daughters and herself arrived in the United States they were very hungry, but didn’t know how to order something to eat.  So they didn’t order and then gave their tickets to the airline worker and did not understand anything she said to them.  But once they arrived in Memphis her friend took them to eat.  That was their first meal in America.  Grace said, “It was delicious!”

   Grace enjoys traveling with her family.  She also owns the Hong Kong Restaurant where you will see her smiling and friendly face.

   Since arriving in America, Grace and her family have learned to speak English better.  One of Grace’s goals was to speak better English so that she could converse with her customers better and to be able to carry on a conversation with people when she travels.  She was able to pass her drivers license test and now she is able to read a map and go anywhere in the United States.  She stated, “I wished that someday I could go back to school and right now I have been given the chance.  I feel very happy and lucky.”

Congratulations Grace!

   Class will meet in Room 1 of the Adult Learning Center in the Central Community Service Center, 55 Jones Bend Road Extended in Paris.

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Henry County Adult and Community Education Program of Paris, Tenn., has been named a 2007 Commitment Award winner in the annual Excellence in Tennessee recognition program administered by the Tennessee Center for Performance Excellence (TNCPE). The award will be presented at the 15th annual Excellence in Tennessee Awards Banquet on February 21, 2008, at the Franklin Marriott Cool Springs in Franklin, Tenn.

The Henry County Adult and Community Education Program provides educational opportunities for adults who lack basic skills, need to improve academic skills, earn a GED diploma or need to learn English as a second language.

Through an annual evaluation and assessment process, TNCPE recognizes organizations that have achieved the highest standards of excellence in their operations and results. The program uses the Criteria for Performance Excellence established by the Baldrige National Quality Program as the evaluation tool.

Awards are presented in four categories: Interest Recognition (the beginning level), Commitment, Achievement, and the highest level – the Excellence Award.

“The Tennessee Excellence Awards confirm attainment of a goal that most organizations set but few reach: confirmation of being the best,” said Governor Phil Bredesen. “Winners of these awards have demonstrated a level of organizational aptitude seen in only the most forward-thinking, competitive organizations.”

Recipients of Commitment Awards have demonstrated progress by identifying and putting in place some key process improvements that are directly attributable to a fact-based improvement process. 

“It is gratifying that Tennessee is home to several of these organizations, and I applaud winners of all levels for demonstrating the quest for business excellence is alive and well in Tennessee,” said Bredesen.

In addition to Henry County Adult and Community Education Program, 13 other organizations will be honored with the Commitment Award, seven have earned the Achievement Award and seven are Interest Recognition recipients.

This year, Wellmont Health System, headquartered in Kingsport, Tenn., will receive the Excellence Award. 

“We’re not just honoring businesses, schools, hospitals and non-profits that are good at what they do now,” said TNCPE president Katie Rawls. “These winners have taken on the challenge of attaining a high level of excellence for the long term. They realize that this is a continuing process and that tools like the Baldrige criteria are available to help them on their journey. It’s this ongoing commitment to excellence that I find truly inspirational.”

There is no limit to the number of awards presented annually, but to achieve TNCPE’s prestigious Excellence Award, an organization must demonstrate management excellence through its practices and achievements. To date, 18 regional organizations have attained this “world class” designation of which four – Eastman Chemical Company, Federal Express, Pal’s Sudden Service and Caterpillar Financial Services Inc. – have also achieved the Baldrige National Quality Award. 

Since TNCPE’s creation in 1993, more than 1,000 organizations have progressed through one or more levels of achievement. A Board of Examiners made up of 170 experts in business, education, health care and government assessed this year’s applicants in seven categories: leadership; strategic planning; customer and market focus; measurement, analysis and knowledge management; human resource focus; process management; and results.

The Tennessee program, which is itself a national and international role model, is available to all businesses, educational institutions, health care organizations, government agencies and other non-profit entities. Melanie Hendricks, Vice President, Global Quality of Cummins Filtration serves as chair of the 2007 Board of Directors.

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For more information on Henry County Adult & Community Education Program, contact Sue Quinn, Supervisor, at (731) 642-8655.  underwoods@tennk12.net

For more information on the Tennessee Center for Performance Excellence, contact Katie Rawls, President, at the organization’s Nashville office at (800) 453-6474 or katie.rawls@tncpe.org.

  This program is a statewide effort to get children interested in reading by mailing books to children under age 5.  The families that receive the books, which are mailed monthly, don’t get a bill.  The state covers half the cost, the people of Henry County covers the other half. 
   That means that Henry County will pay about $1200 to cover January’s shipment to approximately 1000 children—about 49% of the county’s children under 5.
The monthly cost has risen steadily as more children have signed up.
Donations simply haven’t kept pace, said, president of Literacy Council.
   To make ends meet, organizers have had to dip into funds from the County Government.
   Since 2005 the inception of the program in Henry County, donations totaling a little over $13,000 have been made to ensure the books are delivered.   The first year of the program monies were available through the Tennessee Press Association and then later became the full responsibility of the county. However, it is estimated that $15,000 would be needed for the 2008 year to keep program available.
   The Henry County Imagination Library is committed to providing children birth to 5 years old, books monthly.  Through this effort we are enriching our unique community and preparing our children for school and for life.  
     These books are offered free to each child through generous donations raised locally to support the program.
   Imagination Library does an excellent job of getting the books into the hands of families who don’t necessarily have them.  For families that do have books, Imagination Library makes reading a priority.  It is a monthly reminder that reading to a young child is one of the most critical developmental efforts a parent can make. But having the books is only part of the equation.
   The community has been very generous with donations.  It’s continued support and contribution will help improve the quality of life for these children.  Success is never achieved alone.  The success of the coming year is solely  dependent upon the local organizations and individuals who want the same thing for their children.  The generosity of those interested in participating is a direct contribution to the revitalization of our unique community and invaluable to our children.
   Since Gov. Bredesen established the Governor’s Books from Birth Foundation in 2004, the GBBF has been collaborating with the Tennessee Board of Regents (TBR) on an impact study to determine whether the statewide Imagination Library has helped to improve children’s preparedness for their formal pubic education.   The TBR program evaluation seeks to build on existing reputable research that has previously confirmed the many benefits of reading to children from the earliest possible age.
   Focus group feedback confirmed the findings of the Imagination Library 2003 High Scope study:
      That parents participating in the program increased time spent reading with  their children
      They became more aware of the reading level and ability of their children
      Their children became more interested in books
      Some unanticipated findings from the TBR focus groups included parents’ reports that older siblings were also benefiting from the books, and time spent reading as family.     Furthermore, some parents remarked that they had been initially reluctant to enroll their children due to a feeling of disbelief that the Imagination Library was a “no-strings-attached,” cost free program.
   Initial results of a pilot survey administered to kindergarten teachers in four counties this spring (Obion, Lewis, Jefferson and Sevier—where the program has been in place the longest) are promising:  children in 724 classrooms were given higher marks from their kindergarten teachers on school readiness, versus those of their peers who had not participated in the Imagination Library.  The GBBF and TBR are currently working with the Department of Education to re-administer the survey this semester, and responses are already coming in from teachers.
   Research shows that children begin acquiring reading and language skills from birth.  Unfortunately, 35% of children enter kindergarten unready to learn how to read.  If they weren’t read to as a young child, they are already behind.  Imagination Library can help change that.
   Imagination Library accepts donations of all amounts.  The Imagination Library is offered free of charge to families regardless of income.  Just $30 sponsors two children in Henry County for an entire year.
   You can even sponsor a child in honor or in memory of someone special. Just include that person’s name and address with your gift and we’ll be sure to pass the word along!
To donate by check, in honor, or in memory of someone, please make your check to Henry County Imagination Library and mail to:

Henry County Imagination Library
65 Anderson Drive
Paris, TN  38242

December 17 – January 1 — Christmas Break
January 21 — Martin Luther King Day

   For more information call 642-8655.