Weekly Update October 28th, 2011

Child and Adult Care Food Program

 

Sandy Pahl, Julie Forrester and I traveled down to Lansing for a Food Program meeting with the Michigan Department of Education (MDE) CACFP Staff. These meetings are quarterly they give us a chance to connect face to face with the other 5 sponsors in Michigan and MDE staff, as well as gaining valuable information about the policies and requirements of this USDA program.

We heard a presentation from the Healthy Kids, Healthy Michigan Coalition, an advocacy group for Healthy Weight in Children, they have asked us to join them in developing policy changes in the licensing rules for Child Care home-based providers. Priority areas are: nutrition policy, physical activity policy and screen time policy.

Great Start to Quality Update

Next week we will have our first opportunity to view and to begin training on the Self Assessment System. This is an online assessment and the first step licensed child care providers will participate in for the Great Start to Quality rating system.  We look forward to supporting providers as they begin to utilize the assessment during the coming months.

 Training Update

Child Care Connections has set a goal to coordinate the dissemination of all regional training opportunities that have open registration. Our new web site design (set to launch shortly) will give us a calendar function that will allow us to easily publicize our own training options as well as trainings by our area partners. In addition we now have a data base of emails significant enough to warrant Email blasts containing timely updates and information.  This is in addition to our quarterly newsletter that provides yet another way to communicate. We hope that you will participate in this opportunity to promote and publicize the training your agency or organization is doing so that the child care providers in our region have easy access to a one stop spot for training information.

We will also provide links on our web site to Area ISD’s and other professional development sources so that targeted training opportunities that are not open to all (such as GSRP teachers or Head Start) will be accessible.

Please forward all training information including pdf flyers to Mary Sue Wilkinson at marysuew@childcarenwmi.com . In addition we welcome additions to our Email blast distribution list. We are specifically seeking individual staff member’s email addresses so the information goes directly to the provider. Please ask your staff to forward their contact information to info@childcarenwmi.com .

Thank you for your assistance!

 

POINT Classes Scheduled

As the Regional Resource Center we are tasked with improving quality of care for all children in care – including those being cared for by unlicensed relative or daycare aides. To meet the needs of this unique group of providers Child Care Connections created the POINT curriculum. POINT stands for Providers Obtaining Information, Knowledge and Training. This is a 10 hour course designed specifically for unlicensed child care providers who receive DHS reimbursement for the care of children in their home. The course focuses on child development, appropriate age level expectations and activities, positive guidance and discipline, building positive partnerships with parents and using community resources.  This series of 3 classes will take place in Traverse City, Cadillac and Petoskey during the next two months.

Looking Ahead…

Conscious Discipline – Preventing Power Struggles

November 2, 9:00 am – 3:30 pm

Location: Northwest Michigan Community Action Agency, Traverse City

Instructor: Lesa Rice

Fee: No charge

CEUs available

Register by calling NMCAA at 1-800-632-7334

 

 When the Bough Breaks: Understanding and Responding to Children with Attachment Difficulties

November 4, 9:00 am – 4:00 pm

Location: Hagerty Center, Traverse City

This training is part of the Infant Mental Health Consortium Training Series

Instructor: Julie Ribaudo, L.M.S.W., A.C.S.W., IMH IV Mentor

Fee: $25 for employees of partner agencies; $75 for participants from other agencies

Register at http://www.tbaisd.k12.mi.us/prof_dev/pd_main.asp

Co-sponsored by Child Care Connections

 

Working with Children with Special Needs

November 9, 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm

Location: Child Care Connections, Traverse City

Instructor: Hillary Lang

Fee: $10

.2 CEU’s available for additional $10

Registration at www.greatstartconnect.org

See registration site for details on payment and course description

 

 Infant and Toddler Lead Caregiver Training

45 hour Training to meet licensing requirements for lead caregivers

November 9,  November 16,  December 7,  December 14

9:00 am – 3:00 pm

(Additional assignments will take place outside of class.)

Location: Child Care Connections, Traverse City

Instructor: Hillary Lang

Fee: $75

4.5 CEUs available for additional fee

Registration at www.greatstartconnect.org

See registration site for details on payment and course description

 

Introduction to the Deveraux Early Childhood Assessment Program (DECA)

& Strategies to Promote Healthy Social – Emotional Development in Young Children

Friday, November 11, 8:30 am- 12:30 pm

Location: Wexford Missaukee ISD, Cadillac

Instructor: Joan Shirilla, MSW and IMH Mentor IV

Target Audience: Preschool Educators

FREE training co-sponsored by Child Care Connections

Register at: http://www.misd.org/ge/pd/default.aspx

For more information contact: Julie McCall at 231-876-2265 or jmccall@wmisd.org

 

Understanding and Practicing Conscious Discipline Distance Learning Training Series

This series is taking place in numerous locations in a distance learning format. Training available on all dates at the following locations.:

Char-Em ISD, COOR ISD, Kirtland Community College, Onekama Public School, Manistee Public High School, TBA ISD, Wex/Miss ISD

Please plan to attend all trainings in the series.

November 16, 2011, 6:00 – 8:30 pm

February 15, 2012, 6:00 – 8:30 pm

April 18, 2012, 6:00 – 8:30 pm

Instructor: Lesa Rice

Fee: No charge, Co-sponsored by Child Care Connections

To register and for more information call NMCAA at 1-800-632-7334

 

Building Blocks, A Framework for Working with Children with Special Needs

November 18, 9:30 am – 3:30 pm

Location: Charlevoix Public Library, Charlevoix

Instructors: Char-Em ISD staff

Target Audience: Early Childhood Educators who work in classroom settings

Fee: No charge/ lunch provided

Register: www.charemisd.org Click on Professional Development

For More Information: Julie Hersha: 231-547-9947

 

Lending Library Workshop: Family and Friends

November 17, 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm

Location: Child Care Connections, Traverse City

November 29, 6:30 – 8:30 pm

Location: Marty Paul HS Center, Cadillac

Instructor: Judy Porter

Fee: No charge

Registration at www.greatstartconnect.org

See registration site for course description

Pamela N. Ward
Executive Director
Child Care Connections–NW