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A Leader In Community Services
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Greetings!
Welcome to the Mid-State Regional Key STARS Newsletter!!
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STARS Updates from the Mid-State RK
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Attention all STAR 1 Providers!
In the next day or two, you will be receiving a letter notifying you that effective August 1, 2017, all STAR 1 providers will no longer receive a Daily Add On for children you serve who participate in Child Care Works. STAR 2 and higher providers will continue to receive Daily Add On amounts for children who participate in Child Care Works.
As a STAR 1 provider, you will still be able to apply for Rising STARS support grants as well as sponsor staff to access T.E.A.C.H. scholarships for higher education, and access low-cost professional development to support your quality improvement
The new STARS Standards have been released and can be found on the PA Keys website or through your STARS Specialist. The new indicators are focused on continuous quality improvement and flexibility. There are half the number of indicators in the new STARS! Your program may already be meeting many of the new STAR 2 indicators, such as using the Professional Development Registry, a family handbook, or a developmentally-appropriate screening tool with children.
Our Regional Key staff are here to help you to take advantage of this opportunity to move up to STAR 2 and will help support you through this process so you can move to a STAR 2 as quickly as possible. Please contact your STARS Specialist for assistance if you’re interested in moving to STAR 2.
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Keystone STARS Re-visioning Launch webinars
For more than a year, OCDEL has worked with the
Join Us After the Re-visioning Webinars for our STARS Re-visioning Work Groups!
- 6/20/17, 10:00-12:00 at Calvary Kid Care, 150 Harvest Fields Dr, Boalsburg, 16827 with Elizabeth & Michaelle
- 6/20/17, 1:00-3:00 Cumberland & Dauphin counties at Capital City Mall Food Court with Corrie, Alyssa Christina & Jen D.
- 6/20/17, 4:30-6:00 at Tioga County, Calvary United Methodist Church, 6 Franklin St, Lawrenceville with Erica
- 6/21/17, 10:00-12:00 at United Way of York Community Room with Carrie & Jen D.
- 6/22/17, 12:30-2:00 at Lebanon YMCA Office with Corrie
- 6/22/17, 6:30-8:00 at Lancaster Farm and Home Center with Jenn W, Alyssa & Jen D
- 6/23/17, 11:00-1:00 at Union County Library, 255 Reitz Blvd, Lewisburg 17837 with Michaelle
- 6/23/17, 12:30-2:30 at Lancaster Farm and Home with Jenn W, Jen D, Alyssa
- 6/27/17, 10:00-12:00 at STEP Head Start Building, 2138 Boyd Street, Williamsport Conference Room 1 with Erica
- 6/27/17, 6:30-8:30 pm at Child Care Consultants, 29 N Duke Street, York with Jen D. & Carrie
- 6/28/17, 11:00-1:00 Perry County at Newport Assembly of God Child Care, 253 North 6th Street, Newport 17074 with Michaelle
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Family Provider News - Carrie Kitchen
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Fun In the Sun!
Fun In the Sun The best protection from the dangers of ultraviolet radiation (UVR) is covering up, staying in the shade whenever possible, and limiting sun exposure during peak intensity hours (10 AM – 4 PM).
For babies under six months, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends avoiding sun exposure and dressing infants in lightweight pants, long-sleeved shirts and brimmed hats that shade the back of the neck and ears.
For all other children the AAP recommends limiting sun exposure, avoiding peak UV hours, and wearing sunscreen.
Look for SPF (sun protection factor) numbers on the labels of sunscreens. Select an SPF of 30 or higher to prevent sunburn and tanning, both of which are signs of skin damage. Choose a sunscreen that protects against both UVA and UVB rays (usually labeled as a "broad-spectrum" sunscreen).
Sunscreen sprays are convenient but should be used with caution. For starters, sprays are easy to breathe in, which can irritate the lungs. Some sprays also are flammable, so you need to avoid sparks or flames when applying them and wearing them. And, sprays make it hard to tell if you have applied enough sunscreen, which increases the risk of sunburn.
Here is a poster to share with families explaining how to choose a sunscreen.
From: kidshealth.org
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Health & Safety News - Anne Dodds
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Is There a Link Between Antibiotics and Childhood Obesity?
By: Lindsay Vogt MPH, CHES, Sr. Health Management Consultant, Capital BlueCross
We all can agree that antibiotics are one of the greatest developments in modern medicine, but like all good things, there are limitations and consequences. As a public health professional and mom of two young girls, I've gathered information about antibiotic use, or misuse, and realized something that was a surprise to me but shouldn't have been a connection between a child's weight and antibiotic use. So, I've asked myself: "Are antibiotics causing children to gain weight?" The answer is not a simple one, and more research needs to be done. However, this possibility is just another reason why we all need to be more vigilant about antibiotic use.
Read More
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Infant & Toddler - Kim Alloway
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Calming Tools and Strategies
Our young children are challenged every day by events and routines that are totally out of their control, and that they have no say in. It’s no wonder then, that there are times when they just can’t keep it together and have a meltdown. Research has proven that their little brains do not have the ability to regulate their emotional responses to life’s stressors. Even we, as big people, struggle at times to keep calm. I came across the included sheet that is a great way to help everyone learn some self- regulation tips.
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Connecting with Schools
For many after school programs, now is the time to form school connections. With students safely enrolled in summer camp and teachers gone for a few months, summer may present the perfect opportunity to meet with school principals and administrators and showcase your program. With fewer distractions, and a more relaxed schedule, it can be much easier to snag an appointment with school leaders and share information about the positive impact your program is making on the lives of the children you have in common. You can solicit their help with such things as getting the word out about your program to families, facilitating communication between your staff and teachers during the school year, or even providing access to resources within the school.
For more information on how to get started building relationships with your school, follow this link to the school connections toolkit or contact your MSRK SACC Specialist.
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Join us for a STARS Networking Meeting!
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STARS Re-Visioning Work Groups
- 6/20/17, 10:00-12:00 at Calvary Kid Care, 150 Harvest Fields Dr, Boalsburg, 16827 with Elizabeth & Michaelle
- 6/20/17, 1:00-3:00 Cumberland & Dauphin counties at Capital City Mall Food Court with Corrie, Alyssa Christina & Jen D.
- 6/20/17, 4:30-6:00 at Tioga County, Calvary United Methodist Church, 6 Franklin St, Lawrenceville with Erica
- 6/21/17, 10:00-12:00 at United Way of York Community Room with Carrie & Jen D.
- 6/22/17, 12:30-2:00 at Lebanon YMCA Office with Corrie
- 6/22/17, 6:30-8:00 at Lancaster Farm and Home Center with Jenn W, Alyssa & Jen D
- 6/23/17, 11:00-1:00 at Union County Library, 255 Reitz Blvd, Lewisburg 17837 with Michaelle
- 6/23/17, 12:30-2:30 at Lancaster Farm and Home with Jenn W, Jen D, Alyssa
- 6/27/17, 10:00-12:00 at STEP Head Start Building, 2138 Boyd Street, Williamsport Conference Room 1 with Erica
- 6/27/17, 6:30-8:30 pm at Child Care Consultants, 29 N Duke Street, York with Jen D. & Carrie
- 6/28/17, 11:00-1:00 Perry County at Newport Assembly of God Child Care, 253 North 6th Street, Newport 17074 with Michaelle
Director's Round-table 7/11/17, 12:30-2:30 at Carlisle United Way, 145 S Hanover Street, Carlisle with Christina
Other Community Meetings
Birth to Five Committee 7/11/17, 10:00-11:30 at Adams County Head Start, 705 Old Harrisburg Road, Gettysburg with Christina
ECE Coalition Meeting 7/12/17, 1:00-3:00 at BLaST Intermediate Unit 17, 33 Springbrook Drive, Canton. RSVP Desiree Rockwell Desiree.Rockwell@memorialhospital.org
Lycoming County Early Learning Team 7/20/17, 11:00-1:00 at Penn State Coop Extension, 542 County Farm Road, Montoursville, RSVP Angela Mamrak angmam@pakeys.org
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Professional Development Updates
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Training Highlights
Administrators’ Tool Kit on Preventing Early Childhood Suspension and Expulsion
PaTTAN Pittsburgh: 7/25/17
PaTTAN Harrisburg: 7/26/17
PaTTAN East: 7/27/17
There will be an AM & PM session repeated at each location. Choose only one.
9:00 – 12:15 PM and 1:00 – 4:15 PM
Registration - 8:30 AM and 12:30 PM
Workshop Description:
This half day session will provide administrators of early learning programs a hands on experience in identifying characteristics of their program that potentially increase the risk for early childhood suspension or expulsion and planning systemic changes to minimize this risk. Participants will start with a program self-assessment. The self-assessment results will guide exploration and use of the online toolkit, “Preventing Suspensions and Expulsions in Early childhood Settings” and planning strategies that will address the needs of individual programs. This is NOT and in-depth behavior training intended for practitioners, it is an orientation for administrators to a free on line tool kit.
Training Hours:
3 Act 48 Clock Hours, 3 Infant Toddler Training Hours, and 3 PQAS Training Hours. PQAS code is K2C3.
You need to arrive on time and stay until the end to receive the training hours.
Register at: www.pattan.net
See more information here.
Last Minute PD Events!
- June 27, E3, 6:00-9:00, York Day Nursery, 450 E. Philadelphia Street, York
*E3 PD is “A Strengths Based Approach to Best Practice Using the ECERS, Third Edition”
Sign up for the above courses in the PD Registry on the pakeys.org website.
NEXT WEBINARS On ECIW:
New On Demand Modules- Better Kid Care:
CDA Q & A, and Professional Philosophy Statement The last webinar! JUNE 29th, 2017 at 1:30 – 2:00 EDT Join our BKC CDA community for a 30-minute live CDA web-chat and Q & A session. Even if you don't have questions, you might find some answers!
- Guest Speaker from the CDA Council for Professional Recognition!
- Ask your CDA Questions – You can ask questions during the live web-chat or include your questions in the webinar registration (questions/comments section).
- Get Ready to Finish! This session will review important and helpful strategies to use as you prepare to finish your BKC CDA Course and get ready to apply for the CDA Credential.
Sign up for the webinar! | Also sign up for CDA Update emails to get future announcements! Get more information on our CDA Course page.
Each link above includes an informational flyer for you and also to share the information with others.
Training Lists
Online Training
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Grant Reminders & Updates
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Grant Closures
– If you have received your grant funds, please keep in mind that you must CLOSE your grant by the date listed on your grant agreement, or by June 30th, whichever comes first. Again this year, you are not required to send in receipts with your closing paperwork. However, you MUST KEEP your receipts on file for your records. We conduct on-site monitoring visits for 25% of our grants. If your grant is selected, your receipts will be reviewed to confirm that you purchased and spent what you attested to in your closing paperwork. If you are unable to document your purchases, you will be required to return your award funds and will risk suspension of your STAR level.
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Resources from our other ECE Partners
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Do You Know or Work with an Outstanding Early Childhood Professional? Since 2003, PACCA has recognized over 30 individuals and groups with its Educator of the Year Award and the Award of Excellence. Help us identify this year's nominees. Nominations are being accepted at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/PACCA2017. The Educator of the Year Award honors outstanding service and accomplishments in the delivery of services to children. It is given to an individual who has contributed significantly to the direct care and education of young children. This award is presented to a child care teacher, or staff person who works directly with children and who is an excellent example for other caregivers to follow. The Award of Excellence honors outstanding service and accomplishments in the field of administration. The award is presented to an individual who has demonstrated qualities of vision (ability to see possibilities for making things happen and communicating this vision to others), teamwork (ability to work with support others) and leadership (willingness to reach out to benefit the child care community). More information is available on PACCA's website at https://www.pacca.org/pacca_annual_awards.php Recipients are recognized with:
- Complementary registration and hotel accommodations for the Early Childhood Education Summit in State College, Oct. 16—18, 2017;
- Honor during the official awards presentation at the 2017 Early Childhood Education Summit;
- and Recognition in PACCA’s newsletter,website, and Facebook page.
While awardees must be PACCA members to recieve the awards, non members may make nominations.
Nominations are due by FRIDAY, JULY 14, 2017. Nominate a colleague today at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/PACCA2017.
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Newsletters and Community Events
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Thank you for all you do for children, families, and your community by being part of the STARS program!
Sincerely,
Mid-State Regional Key/Child Care Consultants
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