Greetings!

Welcome to the Mid-State Regional Key STARS Newsletter!! 

STARS Updates from the Mid-State RK

OCDEL News & Updates  

Have You Seen the New STARS  Standards?

The New STARS Performance Standards focus on practices that impact quality services for children and families.

The Changes to Keystone STARS include:

• Building flexibility with lots of choice for providers.

Link to: Standards

Link to: Program Manual

Link to: Getting to Know the New Keystone STARS Webinar Recording-June 2017

OCDEL Inclusion and Suspension/Expulsion Announcements: Timeline

Family Provider News - Jen DeStephano

Fun Water Play!

Are you looking for some fun water play activities that don’t involve a pool?  Here are some suggestions:

1. Water bombs (made with sponges and bucket of water) http://www.houseofhepworths.com/2011/05/16/sponge-water-bombs/
   
   
2. Do the water limbo: Turn on some music and grab your garden hose. Pretend the stream of water is the limbo bar. After each child passes under, lower the water hose and let them go again.
   
   
3. “Car wash” using buckets and sponges wash the ride on toys (while you’re at it I am sure the other outside toys can use a bath too)
   
   
4. Have an Ice Block Treasure Hunt: use a large tupperwear container and fill it up with fun toys and odds and ends and then fill it with water and freeze it! Give your kids toy hammers and other play tools to bust it open in the sunshine.
   
   
5. Water Limbo “How low can you go without being completely soaked???” Put on some great limbo music, take a hose and blast on the water. The water from the hose will serve as the limbo stick. Hold up the hose and have everyone limbo by facing forward and leaning back. Each time lower the stream of water so that it becomes harder.
   
   
6. Musical Sprinkler Freeze The great thing about this game, is that everyone’s a winner (and everyone gets soaked!!). Start with the sprinkler/s turned off. Players must move around the sprinkler area, jumping, dancing or striking funny poses. Then, when the sprinkler is turned on, they must freeze in position and get drenched until the sprinkler is turned off again.
    
   
7. A variation on Duck, Duck, Goose…Duck, Duck, Splash
   
   
8. Number splash: The children sit in a circle, you fill a shallow pan with water and the children roll a dice when the predetermined number comes up the child that rolled the dice will get to slap their hand into the pan of water splashing their friends.
   
   
9. Bring water play outside adding colored ice cubes (freeze water in larger containers but watch for small pieces as they melt-they could pose a choking hazard) and fill and dump containers.
   
   
10. Spray bottles are of course one of our most valuable resources at the dollar store.  

ECELS Supervision Series: Be Safe! Be Smart!

Welcome to the ECELS Supervision Series for early care and education staff. ECELS receives requests for technical assistance about supervision from programs and child care health consultants. The messages in the series will focus on supervision tips or reminders.  Use the tips to check-in with staff about how this supervision measure is being used in your program.   The following strategies for active supervision allow children to explore their environments safely. Infants, toddlers, and preschoolers must be directly supervised at all times. Staff must be able to see, hear, direct and assess children’s activities.

Active Supervision Measures:

• Focused Attention and Observation of Children: At all times, including while interacting with individual children—watching, counting, and listening for sounds or the absence of sounds that raise concern. Teachers/caregivers limit adult-adult socializing to break times or when they have made arrangements to delegate supervision of children to another teacher/caregiver. They do not talk on cell phones or use text messages or other forms of social media while supervising children, except to summon help in an emergency.
• Knowing Each Child: Teachers/caregivers strive to know each child’s abilities, anticipating challenges that might lead to harmful or undesirable behavior. They use what they know about each child's individual needs and development to offer support. Staff wait until a child is unable to solve problems without help to get involved. Children may need different levels of help or redirection depending on individual needs.

Use the handout describing active supervision measures from the Head Start Early Childhood Learning & Knowledge Center

Here are the tips and reminders for Week 2 of ECELS Supervision Series for early care and education staff.

Use the tips to check-in with staff about how these supervision measures are being used in your program.   The following strategies for active supervision allow children to explore their environments safely. Infants, toddlers, and preschoolers must be directly supervised at all times. Staff must be able to see, hear, direct and assess children’s activities.

• Set Up the Environment: All areas are easy to view and free of distracting sounds that hinder hearing what children are doing. Spaces are free of clutter and trip hazards. Areas are organized for safe storage that allows only appropriate access to materials without risking a fall or having materials fall. There are clear and simple safety rules that are consistently reinforced.
• Choose Strategic Positions: Position staff where they can observe all the children and scan play activities in the entire area.  Staff remain directly responsible for close supervision of those children specifically/individually assigned to them. Use Model Child Care Health Policies, 5th Ed. Appendix P:  Staff Assignments for Active (Large-Muscle) Play as a tool.

Child Care Wellness Mini-grant Project 

We are very excited to announce that the Child Care Wellness Mini-grant Project is officially accepting applications for the 2017-18 program year! 100 selected licensed child care sites will begin the project in September 2017 and complete in June of 2018.

WHO:  100 Licensed Child Care Centers, Group, and Family Child Care Homes Serving Children Birth - Five 

WHAT: PA Nutrition and Physical Activity Self-Assessment for Child Care (PA NAP SACC)

 PA NAP SACC is an interactive, easy-to-use online tool that provides professional development for child care providers. This completely web-based process includes self-assessment, action planning, implementation, policy development, post-self-assessment, and reflection.   

WHERE: Online 

WHEN: Applications are due by August 18, 2017.  This Child Care Wellness Mini-grant Project will begin in September 2017 and wrap up in June 2018.

WHY: Beyond the reward of making a difference in the health of the children in your care, participants also receive a $500 mini grant to support their action steps and enhance their nutrition and physical activity practices and policies.

HOW: To apply, please complete and submit the application electronically using the link provided.  **Please note that this application was created in Survey Monkey, and cannot be started and then returned to at a later date to complete. Please allow yourself enough time to complete the application in one sitting. To preview the questions on the application ahead of time, click to access a PDF of the application questions. You can also click here to view the full grant announcement. 

**Remember - Applications are due by August 18, 2017**

Visit this link to apply today:  https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/ZRB6PD9

If you have questions or require additional information, please contact Lori McMonigal, Coordinator for Special Projects at Tuscarora Intermediate Unit, at 717-248-4942 x 112 or lmcmonigal@tiu11.org.

Why Early Childhood Teacher and Administrators Should Think About Food Insecurity
 
Food insecurity, which refers to a lack of food or sufficient quantities or quality of food necessary for a healthy lifestyle, impacts nearly one out of every five households in the United States, many of which include young children. In 2014, more than 15.3 million children lived in food-insecure households, while the rate of children living in "very food insecure"  households--a more severe form of food insecurity where families experience more frequent disruptions to normal eating patterns--is on the rise. This trend is particularly alarming because, while food insecurity is harmful to all people, it can be especially devastating to a child's development.
 
Children have much smaller stomachs than adults and restricted access to food during the day. Not being able to eat the same quantity as an adult and not being able to "just whip out something to eat in the middle of their lessons as needed" means that children require "nutrient-dense meals and snacks," said Sibylle Kranz, an associate professor of education at the University of Virginia and a certified child nutrition epidemiologist.

"There is pretty solid evidence that children who are hungry are not able to focus, so they have a low attention span, behavioral issues, discipline issues in the school," she said. "So having children who are well-fed and not hungry makes a difference in their individual performance and also how much they are contributing or disrupting the classroom situation."

Researchers from Georgetown University and the University of Virginia have found young children who experience food insecurity have difficulties in learning and performance in kindergarten. The study showed children with food insecurity in early childhood were more likely to be less prepared to start kindergarten compared to children from food secure households.

"Timing of food insecurity matters," Anna Johnson, an assistant professor of psychology at Georgetown, said in a press release. "In our study, food insecurity in infancy and toddlerhood predicted lower cognitive and social-emotional skills in kindergarten, skills that can predict later success in academics and life."
 
How We Can Help
 
While many are aware of programs, like the USDA's National School Lunch Program (free and reduced meal plans offered at schools, and summer lunch programs), according to the Coalition Against Hunger:

• One in five eligible Pennsylvanians who qualify for SNAP don't participate in the program.
  
• Fewer than half of low-income students who receive free or reduced-price school lunch are getting school breakfast.
  
• When school is out, four in five low-income students miss out on summer meals.
  

To help make sure programs are aware of the resources available to schools, communities and families, some of the most readily available programs are outlined below.
 
School Meals
Schools send free meal applications home at the beginning of each school year. However, families may apply at any time throughout the school year by submitting a household application directly to their school. To see if a family qualifies, check out the income eligibility guidelines   from the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
 
Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP)  

CACFP provides reimbursement for meals and snacks served to children receiving non-residential day care in private homes that are licensed, registered, or approved to subsidized relative/neighbor child care.  

See MSRK CACFP Flyer here

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
Some families may qualify for SNAP, which provides money on a debit card that can be used to purchase food.
There are a few ways to apply for SNAP:

• Apply for/renew SNAP benefits online through COMPASS. Through COMPASS, Pennsylvania families can apply for other services to help make ends meet.
  
• Find a local organization to help families apply for SNAP over the phone or in person. (Consider one of the food pantries in the map on this site.)
  
• File an application in person at a County Assistance Office. Find the closest office.
  

Women, Infants, and Children Program (WIC)
WIC serves the following Pennsylvania residents:

• Pregnant women
  
• Breastfeeding women, for up to one year postpartum
  
• Women up to six months postpartum, who are not breastfeeding
  
• Infants and children under 5 years old, including foster children
  

Start your WIC application and learn about what is need to bring to your first appointment.
If families receive WIC they are also eligible to receive vouchers that can be redeemed at approved Pennsylvania farmers' markets. Find a nearby farmers' market that accepts Farmers' Market Nutrition Program vouchers.  
 
Summer Food Service Program (SFSP)
The Summer Food Service Program provides free meals to children from low-income families during the summer months when school is out. To find a meal site near you during the summer months:

• Call 211 (United Way toll-free help line)
  
• Text "MealPA" to 877877
  

Children are More Sensitive to Heat & Cold

Yes, children are more sensitive to heat and cold stress than adults.  Heat tolerance is directly affected by body size.  Children are small and weigh less, but because they have a larger relative surface area than adults, their ability to tolerate either heat or cold stress is affected.

STARS Re-Visioning Work Group 7/18/17, 6:00-8:00 pm, Lycoming, at YMCA, 641 Walnut Street, Williamsport with Erica

ERS Work Group with Amy Hoffman 8/2/17, 10:00-11:30, at Panera Bread, Carlisle Road, York with Carrie - Amy Hoffman will be there to answer any questions you may have!

Other Community Meetings 

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

Birth to Five Committee 8/8/17, 10:00-11:30 at Adams County Head Start, 705 Old Harrisburg Road, Gettysburg with Christina

ECE Coalition Meeting 8/9/17, 1:00-3:00 at BLaST Intermediate Unit 17, 33 Springbrook Drive, Canton.  RSVP Desiree Rockwell Desiree.Rockwell@memorialhospital.org

Opening of School Year Special Presentation: Nurturing the Resilient Child 8/22/17, 12:30 - 2:00 at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, 201 W. Louther Street, Carlisle with Marcy Witherspoon, MSW, LSW, Senior Training Specialist, Health Federation of Philadelphia   

Transition to Kindergarten Conference at PATTAN Center, Harrisburg  10/26/2017  For Cumberland, Dauphin, and Lebanon County Educators!  Learn the best transition techniques, ideas, and strategies to implement in the fall!

Professional Development Updates  

Register on the  PD Registry  

Pregnancy and Oral Health

Did You Know?

• Forty percent of pregnant women have tooth decay and/or periodontal disease.
  
• Pregnancy does not cause tooth loss.
  
• Babies do not take calcium from mothers’ bones and teeth during pregnancy.
  

Pregnancy is an exciting time in a woman’s life. It is safe and important to get oral health care during pregnancy. For example, pregnant women can safely have their teeth cleaned, have X-rays taken, and receive treatment. Preventing oral disease can help keep women healthy during pregnancy.
This issue of    Brush Up on Oral Health      talks about oral health concerns during pregnancy and offers tips for Head Start staff to help pregnant women keep their mouth healthy. A recipe for a healthy snack that can be made in the Head Start classroom or at home is also included.
Oral Health Concerns During Pregnancy
Many pregnant women develop pregnancy gingivitis. Signs of gingivitis include red, swollen gums that bleed when brushing or flossing. Gingivitis happens because women’s hormones change during pregnancy, making gums more sensitive to the bacteria that cause gum disease. If pregnancy gingivitis is not treated, the infection can lead to periodontal disease, which can impact the woman’s overall health. For more information, see the May 2017 issue of Brush Up on Oral Health.

Tips for Head Start Staff to Help Pregnant Women Keep a Healthy Mouth
1.     Brush twice a day with fluoride toothpaste. Remind pregnant women that brushing in the morning and just before bed removes bacteria that cause oral diseases. Using a soft bristled toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste helps prevent tooth decay and pregnancy gingivitis.
2.     Floss once a day. Help pregnant women understand that flossing once a day removes bacteria from the sides of each tooth where a toothbrush cannot reach. This is especially important for keeping gums healthy. Invite a dental hygienist or dentist to the program to show the best method and give pregnant women feedback on how to improve their flossing.
3.     Consume healthy foods and beverages. Consuming healthy foods and beverages, especially those low in sugar, helps keep pregnant women and their babies healthy. Teach pregnant women how to read nutrition labels to identify foods and beverages high in sugar. Remind pregnant women to drink fluoridated water throughout the day.
4.     Receive oral health care during pregnancy. Receiving oral health care during pregnancy is safe and important. Help pregnant women find a dentist if they don’t have one. Ask for a referral from the woman’s physician, the local or state health department , the local or state dental association, social service professionals, or the Head Start state dental hygienist liaison .
5.     Tackle morning sickness. Many women feel sick or vomit during pregnancy, especially during the first 3 months. Many times, having small snacks throughout the day helps. But this can increase a pregnant woman’s risk of developing tooth decay. Encourage pregnant women to choose healthy foods low in sugar or to brush more than twice a day. For women who vomit often, urge them to rinse with a teaspoon of baking soda mixed in a cup of warm water to stop stomach acids from attacking their teeth.
6.     Role-play a dental visit. Role-playing can help relieve fears that pregnant women may have about dental visits. Prepare a script with the woman where she tells the dental team that she’s pregnant and when her baby is due. Work with her to develop questions that cover any concerns she has about getting care while pregnant. Invite a dentist or dental hygienist to participate in the role-playing activity.

Partnering with Parents on Their Education and Training Goals  
Thursday, July 20, 2017    3–4 p.m. EDT
Head Start and Early Head Start programs play a supporting role in helping families to identify their educational goals and develop a plan for achieving them. This webinar will explore the range of goals and needs that families typically identify during family goal-setting activities. Join us to learn effective strategies staff can use to connect families to resources and opportunities through referrals and community partnerships. This webinar is part of the Building Foundations for Economic Mobility (BFEM) webinar series.
Topics for the webinar include: 

• Effective goal-setting processes related to families’ education and employment training needs
  
• Challenges families might face
  
• Community resources and supports available to help families achieve their education and training goals
  
• Effective approaches and practices for referrals, partnerships, and direct service delivery to families seeking to go back to school
  

Register Here

Certificate of Participation 

Participants will receive a certificate of participation upon completion of the webinar.

Questions? To learn more, please contact us at pfcewebinars@ecetta.info  or (toll free) 855-208-0909.

PA Early Ed News