Fall 2021
Serving Jackson & Josephine Counties
Call or text: 541.301.7760
Greetings to our Early Learning Community!

All of us at Child Care Resource Network are thinking of all of you – our amazing early childhood educators in Jackson and Josephine Counties. You are truly HEROS of our community. We THANK YOU for staying the course and showing up in very difficult times to support children, families, and our society as a whole.

While this may not have been the summer we were hoping for, we are looking forward to a new start this Fall, welcoming shorter days, colder weather, bluer skies (no smoke!), and changing leaves.

We have a packed Fall quarter coming up, with more child care grant opportunities on the way and a full array of trainings to choose from. Some are highlighted below with more possibilities listed in the training calendar.

A reminder that quarterly vacancy checks are coming up for Registered and Certified Family Providers, so be on the lookout for an email from CCRN asking for that information, or click here to fill out the form. This data is important and we need and appreciate your help to make sure it is accurate and complete.  

Also in this newsletter is a flyer in English and Spanish with information on an affordable health care option for employers and individuals to explore. This program is definitely worth checking out if you have been struggling, as many have, to find and pay for health care for yourself and your family.

One result of this challenging year is that our field of early childhood education is starting to get the recognition it deserves, with more understanding that quality early childhood experiences are the foundation for success in school and in life and that child care is the backbone of our economy – that is a pretty powerful combination. At CCRN we know the value of your work and take every opportunity to spread that message and advocate for our field and the early learning workforce, both at the community and at the state level.

The big news for CCRN is that we have moved to a new location, 502 W. Main Street in Medford, just a few blocks from our old office in the SOESD building on Grape Street. As soon as things ease up, we are planning an open house party to welcome everyone to our new space. After 8 years of sharing one room, we are reveling in having our own offices and space for trainings, a lending library, and a drop-in computer work station. We can’t wait until we can welcome you in person.
 
We are sending warm thoughts and positive energy to all of you, our amazing and essential child care community. We hope you can take time to get outside, enjoy the season, relax, have fun, and refill your spirit – we are planning to do that, too.
 
Mary Wolf and the CCRN Team ~ Molly Clement, Devon Finley, Maureen Honeycutt, Martha Ibarra, Lorena Juarez, Katrina McGrath, Norma Pantoja, and Candelaria Romero

Training Highlights
*See training calendar for dates, times, details and more options
Self-Regulation During Early Childhood, presented by Rowan Hill-Walko, SOESD Autism Specialist, for a new perspective on how to look at challenging behaviors.

Inspired by the Neighborhood: Bringing Mr. Rogers' Wisdom to Life in Your Classroom, a statewide webinar that uses insights from Mr. Rogers to foster kind, clear, and respectful experiences for children. (State-wide webinar.)

SOU Workshop:
Native American Cultural Awareness in ECE
Exploring the Spectrum: Autism Spectrum Disorder in Early Childhood.

Tom Copeland Webinar offered through Care Connections and Education, $10  Register
Grants, YES Please. Do not say no to grants without hearing what Tom Copeland has to say.
Family providers should be sure to mark December 2, to attend a webinar by Tom Copeland on the upcoming stabilization grant. Tom Copeland is a leading expert on the business of family childcare and has a website with a wealth of information and resources, including on the stabilization grant and taxes: http://tomcopelandblog.com/

CONFERENCES:
Heroes of Early Childhood Education
Why We Continue to Show up! 
ORAEYC Fall Conference
When: November 12th - 14th, 2021
Where: This is an online event

​​The 2021 ORAEYC Fall Conference will be celebrating the heroic work and perseverance demonstrated this year in the face of adversity by Oregon's early learning educators. Conference presentations will connect educators to the purpose and passion that drives us to continue to engage in this field, and strive to focus efforts to provide advocacy for equitable experiences for educators, as well as the children and families they serve. 

Learning with Joy – UCC 2021 Early Childhood Care and Education Conference
When: October 22 & 23, 2021
Where: Umpqua Community College, in person 

Empowering Problem Solvers – Klamath Chapter ORAEYC
When: November 6, 2021
Where: Klamath Community College, in person 
Affordable Health Care Options 
Employers and early educators, be sure to check out the information on affordable health care options! The American Rescue Plan Act has significantly increased subsidies for people on the Health Exchange, making it very affordable for lower income workers. The goal is to ensure all early childhood workers and all essential workers in our region have affordable health care.
Early Learning Division Updates
The Early Learning Division will become Department of Early Learning and Care (DELC) on January 1, 2023
House Bill 3073 establishes a new early learning agency called the Department of Early Learning and Care, or DELC, that consolidates all child care programs and early care and education programs in one place beginning January 1, 2023, with a final implementation date of July 1, 2023.
 
What’s New: Child Care Updates
There’s a lot going on! Sign up for updates to stay in the know. This resource will be regularly updated for child care providers to track important news.
Provider September Engagement Calls:
The Early Learning Division will be hosting a series of information sessions September 29 and 30, with follow-up events planned in October and November. Check ELD’s “For Providers” webpage for information and resources.  
Grant Opportunities – Take Advantage of These Important Financial Supports:
 
Re-opening Grant information: 
On August 30, the Early Learning Division announced a grant funding opportunity through the federal Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act. Child care providers who stopped providing services between March 1, 2020 – June 30, 2021, and reopened after June 30, 2021, or are interested in reopening, are invited to apply for a grant. The application period for this grant is open until November 30, 2021. You must complete a brief application online and meet eligibility criteria to be considered for a grant. Contact CCRN with questions about the grant application.
Covid-19 Child Care Stabilization Grants Are Now Open
Stabilization grant applications are now open for child care providers who faced financial hardship related to COVID-19. Oregon received approximately $224 million in grant funding from the federal American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 to be paid directly to eligible providers struggling during the pandemic.
You must complete a brief application online and meet eligibility criteria to be considered for a grant. The application period for this grant is open until December 31, 2021. Child care providers whose applications are approved will receive an award based on the child care type. Contact CCRN with questions or for assistance: ccrn@soesd.k12.or.us / 541-301-7760
“We hope these funds will provide some much-needed relief to offset increased expenses, but we know this doesn’t go far enough. Congress must continue to provide the resources needed to sustain our child care system so providers can continue offering quality care to Oregon families,” said Oregon Early Learning System Director Alyssa Chatterjee.
PPE Supplies for Child Care Providers are available.
An order form and information can be found here.
Residential Fire Sprinkler Systems Now Required for NEW Child Care and Adult Foster Care Facilities
See the Sprinkler Requirement Fact Sheet for more information.
Inclusive Child Care Program
The Inclusive Child Care Program high need pay rate has DOUBLED. Learn more here and if you care for a child who might qualify, contact Maureen Honeycutt at the CCRN Support Line. Maureen is the Inclusive Partners representative for Jackson and Josephine Counties. Please reach out to Maureen with questions, concerns, or just to chat – she is here to listen and help. 
The Spark Website Got a Makeover!
Take a look at https://oregonspark.org/ and see what you think. If you are on the fence about Spark participation, contact CCRN and get started. Completing your portfolio has never been more achievable, and CCRN Specialists can support you every step of the way.

Resources
Who Are You Going to Call?
This Provider Resource List shows when to call OCC, CCRN, DPU, or USDA Food Program.
 

Ten "Good Job" Alternatives
Parents and teachers often say “good job” as an automatic response to a child’s action.
“You ate all of your peas. Good job!”

“You did a good job putting away the toys."
A “good job” now and then is fine, but it doesn’t help children understand why what they did was good. Preschoolers need to know what they did, why it worked, or why it shows they are capable. Try these suggestions to give preschoolers specific, detailed information that recognizes their achievements and encourages their learning.

Fun Fall Activities That Support Young Children’s Development 10 Fun Fall Activities
Trauma Informed Provider Resource
When We Are Scared
by Chandra Ghosh Ippen
Link to a free webinar about stress and trauma on children and ways to help children cope. The animals from the book "Once I Was Very Very Scared" are here to share their story and help others learn about stress and trauma. Through story and metaphor this webinar shares common reactions to stress and begins to talk about ways we can support healing and recovery. The book and other resources in English and Spanish can be found on the website, https://piploproductions.com/
IMPORTANT RECALL NOTICE: After 8 Infant Deaths, the Boppy Company recalls more than 3 million Original Newborn Loungers from the Boppy Company, Boppy Preferred Newborn Loungers, and Pottery Barn Kids Boppy Newborn Loungers. Click here for the full recall notice from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission.

We are Here to Help!
Please reach out to Child Care Resource Network with questions or for assistance with your child care program. Consider joining a Focused Child Care Network or RCC Cohort and participating in Spark. There are lots of opportunities out there for professional growth and development and we are here to help. We wish you a Happy Fall!
Child Care Resource Network
Email: cccrn@soesd.k12.or.us / 541-776-8590 x 1126
Preschool Promise Specialist/Coordinator
molly_clement@soesd.k12.or.us / 541-776-8590 x 1125
 
Child Care Provider Consultant/QI Specialist/Grant Coordinator
devon_finley@soesd.k12.or.us / 541-776-8590 x 1118
 
Inclusive Support Line Inclusion Specialist
 
Preschool Promise/QI Specialist - English, Spanish
martha_ibarra@soesd.k12.or.us / 541-776-8590 x 1122
 
Child Care Provider Specialist - English, Spanish
lorena_juarez@soesd.k12.or.us / 541-776-8590 x 1119
 
Administrative Assistant III
katrina_mcgrath@soesd.k12.or.us / 541-776-8590 x 1126

QI Specialist/Focused Child Care Network- Spanish
 
Infant-Toddler Specialist/Focused Child Care Network-English, Spanish

Child Care Resource Network Manager
mary_wolf@soesd.k12.or.us / 541-776-8590 x 1110