April 2015
Carrie Williams Executive Director
April  Training Schedule 

 

Exploring the Natural World

April 11 9am-1pm 

   

Coming Together Around Military Families

April 16 7-9pm


 
First-Aid and CPR

April 18 9am-5pm

     
 

Embracing Your True Colors 

April 23 7-5pm

 

Coordinated Approach to Child Health

(C.A.T.C.H.)

April 28 7-9pm

 

First-Aid and CPR

April 18 9am-5pm

     
 

How to Build Good Relationships

April 30 7-9pm

     
 

For class description, location and cost information visit our website.


Child Abuse Prevention Month

Hello friends,

 

April is an important time for those of us in the child care community.

 

April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month, a time each year when we bring this important issue to the forefront and discuss strategies for protecting every child from abuse and neglect.

 

Child abuse and neglect is a problem that impacts every aspect of our society. It's vital that we in the child care field are aware of this serious issue. To aid in that effort, we've identifies a few online resources for families and child care providers, including from the Office of Child Abuse Prevention, Child Welfare Information Gateway and Prevent Child Abuse America.

 

In recognition of National Child Abuse Prevention

Month, Rainbow Fleet has built a Blue Ribbon Tree as part of the Department of Health's awareness efforts here in Oklahoma. We encourage you to join us. Just click the link above for information and materials.

 

Thank you for reading. Let's work to eliminate child abuse and neglect in our state. 

 

Respectfully,

             

Carrie Williams 

 

P.S.

You may have wondered if Rainbow Fleet has a new executive director because there's an unfamiliar name on the signature line. I'm still the same Carrie, just with a new last name. I married a wonderful man, Brian Williams, at the end of March, and it was such a joy to exchange vows surrounded by family and friends. Thank you to all who have offered their congratulations and words of advice.  

Resource Center Item of the Month

Let's Play! Game Box

This awesome game set features everything you need to play eight great games including: 

  • freeze tag
  • capture the flag
  • hot potato
  • red light, green light 
  • color challenge
  • corners
  • spud
  • relay race

The set even includes an activity book to help you keep those kiddos active and on the move.

 

  Florencia les env?a esta nota:

 

Estimada Proveedoras:

 

?Empezamos la temporada de las tormentas y tornados....vivimos en OKLAHOMA y puede ser que tengamos algunos d?as con tiempo inestable!


Tengan presente que puede ser una ?poca dif?cil para los ni?os. Las sirenas, los truenos, el ambiente, el humor de las proveedoras y las familias; todos estos componentes o algunos, jugar?n un rol muy grande en el comportamiento de los ni?os si estamos ante una situaci?n de emergencia clim?tica.

 

?Tenemos que estar preparadas en todo sentido!

 

Unos consejitos para estos casos:

 

*Verifiquen que est? al d?a y sea correcta la informaci?n que aparece como contacto de emergencia de cada ni?o bajo su cuidado.

 

*NO esperen hasta ?ltimo monto para llamar a los padres o encargados de los ni?os para que pasen a recogerlos en caso de mal tiempo: Ustedes se llenan de ansiedad, el ni?o se pone m?s nerviosos por que percibe su ansiedad.

En la actualidad, podemos saber gracias a la tecnolog?a como va desarroll?ndose el clima durante el d?a, hay que prestar atenci?n y tomar las cosas con seriedad, no dramatizando pero si previniendo.

 

*Chequeen con tiempo suficiente que el lugar donde se vayan a refugiar de ser necesario est? en condiciones y usted tenga lo necesario ah? adentro: Libros, peque?os juguetes, agua, galletas, linterna, alguna ropa extra, mantas, almohadones, pa?ales y wipes.

 

*Incorporen en su calendario diario HORA DEL CUENTO acu?rdense que no necesitan m?s de 30' con temas relacionados a: tormentas, tornados, trabajo en equipo, como relajarse en casos de stress, rescate, bomberos, polic?as.


*Dramaticen, dramaticen, practiquen con los ni?os que har?amos si tenemos que buscar refugio en caso de mal tiempo.


Recuerden que Rainbow Fleet es un excelente recurso para conseguir materiales que podemos usar en el centro dram?tico y libros sobre estos temas tan importantes.

 

Como siempre, no duden de contactarme si necesitan algo fbriglie@rainbowfleet.org

 

?Muchas Gracias por su atenci?n!  

 

 Florencia

 

 

Notes from a Nurse

 

By Kristen Russell, RN, Immunization Nurse at the Cleveland County Health Department 


I love seeing people passionate

about community health,

especially when the community members themselves

make the change! I have been the chair of the Cleveland County Immunization Coalition (CCIC) for more than a year now and have seen some great things happen because of this group. 

 

The mission of the CCIC is to promote the immunizations and reduce vaccine-preventable diseases by educating the community and healthcare professionals. We've held panel discussions with doctors on how to talk to fearful parents about vaccines, hosted speaking events with survivors of meningitis, and handed out materials at various community events. The CCIC is always looking for new ways to support the community with a goal of promoting the importance of immunizations. We believe that preventing disease is the key to keeping our most vulnerable community members protected! 

 

One of the goals the CCIC set for 2015 is to become a better resource to the childcare community in the area of immunizations. We are interested in learning more about the struggles you experience every day in getting and keeping track of shot records. We want to be an easy resource to you, whether it is providing immunization pamphlets, forms for easier record keeping, or training in how to read a shot record. We are excited to help!

 

We are always looking for new members too. We welcome members of all areas of expertise who have a passion to reduce vaccine-preventable diseases in our community. We meet the 3rd Tuesday of each month at the Norman Health Department at noon. If you are interested in joining the group or receiving emails, please let me know!

 

If you have suggestions for how CCIC can help your facility, please email or call me, Kristen Russell at 405-579-2234, or KristenR@health.ok.gov. Visit us on Facebook at  www.facebook.com/CCICOK or follow us on Twitter @CCICOK. 

 

Helpful Contacts

 

 

Center for Early Childhood Professional Development (CECPD): 1801 North Moore Avenue, Moore, OK 73160 (405) 799-6383 www.cecpd.org

 

CECPD offers various programs for individuals in the childcare field, some programs offered are R.E.W.A.R.D. Oklahoma, CDA/CCP Advisement, Environmental Rating Scale, ELCCT training, The Leadership Academy, Literacy Programs, Video Lending Library and Oklahoma Registry.

 

Scholars for Excellence in Child Care

Program Scholars Coordinators:

 

Oklahoma City Community College, (South OKC) Bonita Spinner (405) 682-1611

 

Oklahoma State University OKC, (North OKC) Jeff Rosson (405) 945-9168/1-800-560-4099       

ros-sonj@osuokc.edu 

 

Redlands Community College, (El Reno) Karen Hewitt (405) 422-1286

 

Rose State College, (Midwest City) Jennifer Bachhofer (405) 733-7449

 

The Scholars for Excellence in Child Care program will ensure that eligible child care professionals in the state of Oklahoma have an opportunity to further their education while earning a Child Development Associate (CDA) Credential, Certificate of Mastery, Director's Certificate of Completion and/or an associate degree in child development or early childhood education.

 

Reaching for the STARS (DHS): Central Oklahoma-Jennifer Towell (405) 522-0256 www.okdhs.org

 

STARS is a program held by the State of Oklahoma, that has been implemented to improve the quality of child care for children.

 

Warmline: 1-888-574-5437

 

Warmline offers free telephone consultation to child care providers and families on numerous topics of concern. Consultants refer providers to appropriate services and resources within their communities.


Rainbow Fleet 
3024 Paseo 
Oklahoma City, OK 73103