Pinocchio is a school-based program that works with children (kindergarten through third grade) who have emerging behavioral or emotional problems which hinder the child’s progress in school.

Goals:

• To help children get a good start in school by fostering a healthy self-concept, developing social skills, and bringing their school work up to potential.
• To prevent the need for later, more specialized, or extensive services.
• To identify the child’s individual needs and strengths early, in order to plan maximally beneficial educational programs

Partnership

The Pinocchio program, which began in 1982 is located in elementary schools in St. Charles, Lincoln and Franklin Counties.  Pinocchio is a joint project of Crider Health Center and participating school districts within the three county area in Missouri.

Description

The greatest potential for constructive help occurs at an early school age.  The process begins with a screening of all kindergarten through third graders in participating schools.

Once a child is accepted into the program, goals are established and a carefully selected Pinocchio associate is assigned to work with the child once a week either individually for 30 minutes or in a small group for 45 minutes. Each Associate received ongoing professional supervision from the program supervisor.

The child associates are trained, supervised paraprofessionals who are selected for their warmth, ability to relate to children, energy, and interest in children.

Pinocchio first identifies school adjustment concerns and then works to eliminate stumbling blocks to learning and provide a positive school experience for the child.

Pinocchio is cost-effective as it helps children early in their educational careers before other more costly services become necessary.