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February 27, 2014
Consultants Connection
In This Issue
Welcome Angie!
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Dear Great Start to Quality Providers,

This is your bi-weekly touchpoint with the Great Start to Quality Consultants! The focus will be a shared topic that will provide support to each of you in your daily work with young children and families.  Enjoy!

Angie, Dawn, Heather
Quality Improvement Consultants - Eastern Region

 
    

Welcome Angie Pearcy to the 
Quality Improvement Consultant team!


We would like to welcome Angie in her new role as Quality Improvement Consultant.  Many of you already know or have met Angie as she has been a part of the Resource Center team for over a year.  She is transitioning from the role of Quality Improvement Specialist where she may have contacted you via phone or email to register for classes, host a training, update your profile, or answer questions regarding the submission of your SAS.  We are excited to add her to our team and look forward to utilizing her expertise in support of programs and each of us.  Angie will be offering her consulting/coaching services in Huron, Sanilac, and Tuscola counties.  For those programs previously working with Dawn, they are being transitioned to Angie's caseload effective this week.  Thank you Angie for joining our team!

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Interested in learning more about Great Start to Quality?

Take advantage of monthly webinars hosted by Great Start to Quality!  The webinars will keep you informed about Michigan's tiered quality rating and improvement system.

The next webinar is scheduled for Wednesday, March 19th
1:00 - 2:00pm
Topic:
  Reassessment Process

This webinar will focus on exploring answers to frequently asked questions about Great Start to Quality that are received from programs and providers across the State through Great Start to Quality Resource Centers.

To register for this webinar, click on the following link:

Did you miss a webinar?  You can view recorded webinars anytime at: 

If you haven't already, please sign up for the Great Start to Quality listserv at http://greatstarttoquality.org/.  Click the "Sign Up" link at the bottom of the home page to get updates and answers to frequently asked questions.


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Need help with the Great Start to Quality STARS system?
Please contact the Resource Center's support team.
  • Toll Free support is available: 1-877-614-7328
  • Our Quality Improvement Specialists are available to help you! 

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Training on the New Child Care Center Licensing Rules

The Licensing Rules for Child Care Centers are changing effective January 2, 2014. Licensing consultants will be providing training on the new rules. See the list at www.michigan.gov/michildcare-training > Training Resources of scheduled training sessions.If you do not see a session in your area, keep in mind that training sessions are still being scheduled. The list will be updated as training sessions are scheduled.


 The PQA...
 
The PQA, Program Quality Assessment is the assessment tool identified by the Great Start to Quality program to be used when assessing a program/provider.  The standards listed in the PQA have identified high quality program practices for all children. 
 
Infant Toddler PQA:
 
 
Preschool PQA:

 

 
Family Child Care PQA:

 

***Check your PQA booklets for all Level 5 Indicators***

 ***Contact your local Lending Library to check out a PQA booklet***

 

Pinterest Find of the Week....
                   
       

Spring Discovery Bottles

A great way to add natural items to your science center in your classroom at any age level.  The examples don't necessarily use items from nature, but you could replace with real grass, twigs, or flower petals for the children to explore.

 
Looking for Training? 


Below is a list of trainings offered for each county.  Trainings are being added often so for more detailed information and to register, go to:

  

Arenac/Bay Counties:

  

Infant Toddler ABC Series C
Recognizing and Preventing Lead Exposure in Children

  

Huron County:

  

Defining Family Dynamics

Changing Challenging to Charming

Relax; Alternatives to Anger (4 Part Series)

Introduction to Bullying

Moving from Bystander to Allies 

  

Lapeer County:

  

Defining Family Dynamics

  

Saginaw County:

  

Michigan Core Knowledge & Core Competencies Webinar
Praise versus Encouragement
Understanding Children's Behaviors

Saint Clair County:

  

Praise versus Encouragement
Let's Talk!  Understanding Speech and Language in Young Children
Creative Curriculum Intentional Teaching

 

Sanilac County:
 
Moving from Bystander to Allies
Keeping Our Kids Safe

  

Tuscola County:

  

Changing Challenging to Charming
Michigan Core Knowledge & Core Competencies Webinar
Schedules and Routines

Mail Correspondence and Online:

  

Using and Extending Lending Library Materials

Schedules and Routines 

Behavior Expectations and Rules
Building Positive Relationships
Building a Better Brain
Safe Sleep & Shaken Baby Syndrome
 
Have you visited your Lending Library lately?
 
The Eastern Resource Center's Lending Library is a FREE educational resource available to parents and early childhood professionals. We offer themed bins and CARES bags full of learning materials to enhance your classroom or childcare environment for children birth to age 5! Stop by your local Lending Library to check out something new today!  

  

Not sure where your local Lending Library is located?  

  • Click on "Great Start to Quality Resource Centers". 
  • Click "Eastern Resource Center" on the map to find the Lending Library near you!
 
Featured Lend
ing Library Resource
Story Stretchers
 
 
 
Encourages Sharing Skills! 
 
 
 
Story Stretchers include a storybook and activity idea for extending the book across multiple areas of development. All items can be checked out at your local Lending Library. These items are FREE for you to borrow and use with the children in your care. What a fun and exciting way to temporarily add new items to the classroom without breaking your budget! For a list of all the available items that can be borrowed, contact the Resource Center.
 
 
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How to contact your Consultant:

Angie Pearcy
(Huron, Sanilac, Tuscola)
Cell:  989-280-0979
  
Dawn Kalkman
  (Lapeer and St. Clair )
  Email:  [email protected]
  Cell:  989-280-1103

  Heather Rousseau 
  (Arenac, Bay, Saginaw)
  Email:  [email protected]
  Cell:  989-284-2250