Weekly Update, February 3rd 2012

From the Desk of Pam Ward

Weekly Update – February 3, 2012

Autism Training

Judith Coucouvanis, MA, PMHCNS-BC, a nurse practitioner at the University of Michigan Medical Center, author and national trainer, presented “Focus on Autism: Do’s and Don’ts for Parents of Young Children”.  Close to 100 people attended, including parents, child care providers and other early childhood educators.

In addition, approximately 100 people, including Child Care Connections staff member Candice Case, participated in an all day training with Judith on Friday. This was the second in a 3-part series sponsored by the Infant Mental Health Training Consortium. We are proud to be a part of this consortium, and our Training Coordinator Mary Sue Wilkinson is the current chairperson.

Investigations Webinars

Members of our staff participated in a valuable webinar this week sponsored by Early Childhood Investigations. The host of the webinar was Ellen Galinsky, author of “Mind in the Making”. Ellen presented, along with a panel of early childhood leaders from around the country, on the topic of Professional Learning Communities. These webinars are free and all sessions are archived and easy to access at your convenience. There are webinars that are appropriate for Early Childhood leaders as well as staff members that work directly with children. Here is the link:

http://www.earlychildhoodwebinars.org/

Early Care and Education Conference-Petoskey

Planning has begun for the 2012 Early Care and Education Window of Opportunity Conference to be held Friday, October 12th from 8am to 4pm at North Central Michigan College in Petoskey. The theme this year is Nature Explore and More! For information on the keynote, visit Nature Explore at www.natureexplore.org

If any one is interested in facilitating a break-out session, or perhaps being a vendor during the event, please contact Susan Chowen at 582-8070 or susanc@childcarenwmi.com.

Looking Ahead…

Please visit our web site at www.childcarenwmi.com for details on upcoming trainings offered in our region.

Great Start to Quality, Self Assessment Survey (SAS) Training Sessions

Great Start to Quality (The Tiered Quality Rating and Improvement System) is up and running. In order to assist child care providers in completing the Self Assessment Survey (SAS), the first step in the rating system, we continue to host workshops throughout the ten counties. Participants will work with one of our Child Care Specialists. Individual computers will be available for use during the workshop.  The class schedule for the entire region follows. Participants must register for these trainings online at www.greatstartconnect.org.

 Kalkaska

Date: 2/7/2012

Time: 6-7 or 8-9

Location: Stone House (Hospital)

Trainer: Susan Chowen 231-582-8070 or susanc@childcarenwmi.com

Notes: One hour appointments to complete the Self Assessment Survey. Sign up for a one hour block. Participants will work in a small group.

Wexford

Date: 2/9/12

Time: 6-7 pm or 7-8 pm

Trainer: Paris Philo 231-876-3387 or parisp@childcarenwmi.com

Location: Dublin Room in the McAuley Center at Mercy Hospital in Cadillac

Notes: One hour appointment to complete the Self Assessment Survey. Sign up for a one hour block. Participants will work in a small group. Call Paris to schedule.

Annual Great Start Parenting Awareness Month event

Saturday, March 3rd at the Emmet County Community Center in Petoskey

9am to 3pm.  Four dynamic speakers will present on early childhood issues and lunch is provided. A Child Care/Preschool Fair will occur in collaboration with the conference.  This is a FREE event and a great opportunity to network with parents and other early childhood educators and obtain 4 hours of professional development training (SB-CEUs are also available).  Registration is available on the Child Care Connections Training Calendar or by calling 231-582-8070.

3rd Annual Cadillac Area Early Childhood Conference

SAVE THE DATE—April 21, 2012

Wexford-Missaukee ISD

Career Tech Center

Lake Superior Room

Featuring: Dan Hodgins,  Early Childhood Expert

8:30am-12:45pm

Registration begins at 8:00am

2012 Early Care and Education Window of Opportunity Conference

SAVE THE DATE

Friday, October 12th

8am to 4pm at North Central Michigan College in Petoskey.

The theme this year is Nature Explore and More!

More details to come.