Welcome to the
ELRC 8, 9, & 10 Newsletter
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Your source for all relevant resources, updates, PD, and events relating to Child Care and School Age Care in your region! |
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Did You Know ARPA Stabilization Grants are Coming?
OCDEL is making American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Stabilization Grants available to eligible child care providers. These grants and the required reporting will be completed in the Professional Development (PD) Registry.
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myemail.constantcontact.com
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OCDEL ECE Recap Aug. 16, 2021
Welcome to the ECE Recap where you can find the most recent and important information from the Pennsylvania Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL). View as Webpage Update of Suspension
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myemail.constantcontact.com
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Highlights from OCDEL's ECE Recap
1. Suspension of Regulations expires 9/30/21 – see attached where verbiage was added as reminders of which regulation was suspended during the pandemic but will once again be in force as of 9/30/21. See the regulations for more information.
2. Listening Sessions – there are only 2 chances left to have your voice heard. OCDEL is asking for feedback from YOU, the providers. Register for the opportunity to give your two cents on what is working with the ELRC model and any gaps in the current system of the ELRC.
3. IECMHC Virtual Office Hours – opportunities for your teaching staff to speak with an Infant Early Childhood Mental Health Consultant about any struggles they may have having – around the child, or stress they are feeling themselves.
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Job Openings - Did You Know?
Child Care Consultants has a Job Openings page on our website. On this page, you can view available job openings or post an opening at your organization. Scroll down to the bottom of the page to post.
Important - if the position has been filled, please let us know so that we can delete your posting. Thanks!
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ELRC Learning Opportunities |
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Updating Your PD Registry Workgroup
August 19th & 25th, 1 PM, 4:30 PM, or 6:30 PM
This workgroup will include a short overview showing you exactly how to access the PD Registry, create an account (if you do not have one) and claim your organization. As a reminder:
- Every staff person should have a completed profile in the PD Registry.
- Every program (individual site, per MPI #) should have a completed Organization profile in the PD Registry.
- Every Director/Admin must CLAIM their program within the PD Registry and request access to it.
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All sessions are open to providers as well as parents and families. Providers - please share the flyer with your families. Thank you!
Excel Formulas: Wednesday, August 18, 1:30-2:30 & 7:00-8:00 PM
Basic Computer Skills: Thursday, August 19, 1:30-2:30 & 7:00-8:00 PM
Click here to view the flyer for more information!
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STARS Workgroup for Staff
Quality Coach Sara Copeland is offering a STAFF compliment to the “Supporting Staff’s PD Plans” workgroup offered to Directors in April!
She will walk staff through the Registry, review STARS Requirements and the basics of searching for Professional Development. If you have staff who could use more information about the PD Registry this is a great workgroup for them to attend! You may have multiple staff who you’d like to attend this workgroup so it is being offered 3 times; staff only need to attend once.
Tuesday, August 24th 1-2 PM
Wednesday. August 25th 2-3 PM
Thursday, August 26th 6-7 PM
Please RSVP to Sara with:
- Location Name
- Staff Name
- Workgroup Preference
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Conscious Discipline: Building Resilient Schools and Homes Community of Practice
Early Childhood teachers and directors are invited to participate in a CoP that will use the Conscious Discipline Interactions Foundation. Each participant will receive an e-ticket and access to the 10 sessions plus additional materials on www.consciousdiscipline.com. The meetings will be held via Zoom. This training will meet STARS Indicators SQ 3.4.4 and SQ 3.4.5.
Please share this opportunity with your teachers. Space is limited so register ASAP if interested.
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We will still have slots available even though we are past the application deadline.
The experts at the Pyramid Model Consortium have developed online training modules to strengthen your implementation of all three tiers of the effective framework for nurturing social-emotional skills.
Child Care Consultants has purchased access to a limited number of these modules to be given to qualified providers. Selected programs must agree to print handouts, have selected staff complete the modules, and schedule participating staff to participate in follow-up TA calls or visits (1 or 4 depending on the length of the module). Because these are online modules with self-check tests, one person must be the assigned participant, but multiple staff may use the modules and handouts. (Note: two CCC staff will be receiving monthly reports on training participation.) All STAR levels are eligible and invited to participate.
Click here to access the application.
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Teaching & Learning about Race & Racism with Young Children
At the beginning of the year in Ms. Verwayne's kindergarten class, the children are working on an All About Me project. They begin by drawing pictures of themselves based on observations of their reflections in a mirror. Next, the teacher...
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www.naeyc.org
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Science and Curiosity - Sesame Street in Communities
Your care and support can make a huge difference in the life of a young child. Sesame Street is here for you with activities and tips for the challenges and joys along the way.
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sesamestreetincommunities.org
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Shared Source PA: Feedback is Your Friend
Gain valuable insight from your VIPs - the families you serve! Taking the time to conduct an annual family survey will give you important feedback as to how you can improve your business to better meet the needs and wants of families. In turn,...
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t.e2ma.net
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Social-Emotional Learning |
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10 things I learned from the 2021 Transform Challenging...
by Barb O'Neill Conference Creator, Host and Interviewer (NOTE: this is a numbered list but the order is random, not based on order of importance).
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www.transformchallengingbeh...
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Health, Safety, & Wellness |
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August is National Immunization Awareness Month
National Immunization Awareness Month (NIAM) is an annual observance that highlights the importance of vaccination for people of all ages. The pandemic has disrupted many of our annual, especially routine, well-child visits for children across the nation. The CDC reports that there is a 14% drop in vaccine orders in 2020-2021 compared to 2019. Similarly, there is a more than 20% drop in measles vaccine ordering, all signifying that there has been a reduction in children getting their routine vaccinations to protect their health.
Routine vaccinations during childhood help prevent several life-threatening diseases, including measles, chicken pox, and whooping cough. Plenty of medical offices and clinics across the nation are taking extra steps to see children safely during this time, and you can take extra steps like calling the doctor’s office to ask about those special measures.
Click here for more information on keeping your children up to date on their routine vaccines.
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How to Support Breastfeeding Mothers in Child Care
August is breastfeeding month and research shows that breast milk is the perfect nutrition for a growing baby. Some benefits include: protecting the baby against illness; lower incidence of obesity, as they will stop feeding when they are full; the attachment and bonding is enhanced between mother and child; less spitting up; and, it reduces the risk of SIDS.
How can you support mothers?
- Provide a space for moms to breastfeed that is private and quiet.
- Have written policies that support breastfeeding.
- Policies should include correct storage and handling of fresh and frozen milk.
- Infants should be fed on demand.
- Encourage training on breastfeeding for staff (available on Better Kid Care).
- Maintain a list of lactation consultants. WIC offices have consultants and La Leche League members.
How to store breast milk
- Breast milk should be transported in a clean, ready-to-feed container labeled with the full name and date,
- Breast milk can be refrigerated for 2 days at a temperature of 40°,
- Breast milk can be frozen for up to 6 months in a deep freezer with the temperature of 0°. I would recommend using it in two to three months or returning it to the mother.
Resources:
Please contact Janice Maker if you would like assistance writing your breastfeeding policy.
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Professional Development: on the PD Registry |
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Professional Development: Other Trainings |
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8/19 - How Play Can Support Challenging Behaviors
Renee is going to be covering the role plays and influences children's behaviors. She will be diving into why challenging behaviors exist, how educators can make time your friend, and how to set children up for success with a growth mindset.
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wow.himama.com
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8/24- Using Your Outdoor Classroom - Nature Explore Program
A multi-faceted exploration of research-based principles for creating effective, inspiring natural outdoor classrooms. Focus: Outdoor Classroom Design; Teaching and Learning Outdoors; Natural Materials Duration: 3 Hours, In-Person *This meets the ...
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natureexplore.org
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8/25- Engineering With Nature: Learning and Communicating...
Sponsored by Nature Explore. Children communicate competency, ideas and emotions through block building and other three-dimensional work. In this energizing webinar, nature learning and universal design experts, Tina Reeble and Kirsten Haugen...
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www.earlychildhoodwebinars.com
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9/8 - Turn Challenging Behavior Into Prosocial Learning
Being proactive and intentional is often the most effective strategy teachers can use to set children up for success. This is especially true when it comes to prosocial learning. Young children need teachers to help them...
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www.earlychildhoodwebinars.com
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9/16 - Developing an Effective Support Plan for Bullying
Research has shown that students who are bullied and students who bully others are at greater risk of short term and long term negative outcomes. Creating an effective support plan requires an understanding of best practices in individual...
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thirdthursday.safeschools.info
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Additional Online Training Opportunities |
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Thank you for all you do for children, families, and your community by being part of the STARS program.
Sincerely,
Child Care Consultants
(717) 854-2273 or
(800) 864-4925
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