We are a private non-profit agency that advocates and provides services for the healthy development of children, by building the strengths and capacities of families, care-giving professionals, and the communities in which they reside.
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The Science of Early Childhood Development
Over the past couple of decades, scientists have been learning a lot about early child development and what our children need to thrive. This new knowledge is guiding our work in the field, ensuring that the hours children spend in and out of the home are filled with the kinds of experiences and relationships that lead to positive outcomes. Specifically, we know more than ever before about how brain development affects children’s futures-- and the future of our community. -
Building the Brain for Healthy Development
The basic architecture of the human brain is constructed through an ongoing process that begins before birth and continues into adulthood. Like the construction of a home, the building process begins with laying the foundation, framing the rooms and wiring the electrical system in a predictable sequence. Early experiences literally shape how the brain gets built. When children get a good start in life, the brain develops well, increasing the chances of good outcomes. -
How the Brain Gets Built
A mix of genes and experience shape the developing brain, but what really sets development in motion is the "serve and return" of relationships between children and their parents and caregivers. Like the process of serve and return in games such as tennis and volleyball, young children naturally reach out for interaction through babbling and facial expressions. For the brain to develop well, adults must respond to children’s attempts to communicate by doing the same kind of vocalizing and gesturing back at them. If parents and caregivers do not respond, children’s development and later learning are jeopardized. -
What Gets in the Way of Brain Building
Chronic stressful conditions such as extreme poverty, ongoing abuse and neglect, or severe maternal depression — what scientists now call "toxic stress" — can disrupt the architecture of the developing brain. This can lead to lifelong difficulties in learning, memory, and self-regulation. We know that children who are exposed to serious early stress develop an exaggerated stress response that, over time, weakens their defense system against diseases, from heart disease to diabetes and depression. -
Beyond the Three R's
The brain is a sophisticated organ—its cognitive, social and emotional capacities braided together in an intricate way throughout a person’s lifetime. Therefore, we must pay attention to all of these capacities at once. In other words, a child will not reach his full cognitive potential if his social and emotional capacities are challenged. For example, children who cannot focus, regulate their emotions, or engage in social interaction, will have a harder time in school and beyond than those who can. -
Getting Ahead of the Curve
Trying to change behavior or build new skills on a foundation of brain circuits that were not wired properly when they were first formed requires more work and is less effective. Remedial education, clinical treatment and other professional interventions are more costly and produce less desirable outcomes than the provision of nurturing, protective relationships and appropriate learning experiences earlier in life. That’s why it’s important to get ahead of the curve and get it right from the start.
Welcome!
The Onslow County Partnership for Children is a child- and family-serving organization in Onslow County, North Carolina. Established in 1998 to strengthen the systems of care surrounding children and families, OCPC is a public-private partnership that unites all sectors of the community toward the healthy development of its youngest citizens—and toward the future prosperity of the community as a whole. OCPC believes that when we invest wisely in children and families, the next generation will pay that back through a lifetime of productivity and responsible citizenship.
Hours of Operation:
Jacksonville: Monday-Friday 8 am - 5 pm and by appointment
Swansboro & Richlands: Closed Monday, Open Tuesday-Friday 9 am-12 pm and 1-5 pm, and by appointment.
Our NEW Sneads Ferry location opens Tuesday, May 21st! Hosted by North Topsail Shores Baptist Church, 808 Old Folkstone Rd. Sneads Ferry. We will open on Tuesdays and Thursdays to start from 9am-12pm and 1-5pm.
LATEST NEWS…
09/20/13
Diamonds & Denim 2013
This annual fundraiser benefits the Child Advocacy Center. Consider being a sponsor for this event which will be September 19 from 6-10 pm at Jacksonville Country Club. Learn More.
05/14/13
OCPC Director receives sabbatical grant
Dawn Rochelle, Executive Director of Onslow County Parntership for Children recives a sabbatical grant to honor her dedication to her work.
05/13/13
Family Service Training
Wednesday, May 15, 2013
8:00am - 3:00pm
Onslow County Health Dept Auditorium
612 College Street, Jacksonville, NC 28540
