In This Week's ACROSS Your Desk:

• Child Care Operating Expense Reduction Grant
• NH Connections Information System Portal- Professional Registry
• ACROSS NH Leadership Institute 1: Developing Your Leadership Style
• ACROSS NH SEL Evening Cohort
• 2023-2024 Directors Circles for OST- Monthly on Zoom
• November ACROSS NH Trainings
• SEL Corner: A Month of Gratitude Activities for You
• Afterschool Credential Announcements and Information
• Topics in SEL: Trainings for You
• 2023-2024 Out of School Time Basics Modules 1-10 on Zoom

Child Care Operating Expense Reduction Grant (CCOER)

Open for Applications

October 24, 2023 12:00 Noon to December 1, 2023 4:30 PM

The Child Care Operating Expense Reduction Grant (CCOER) for $3,596,400 will provide grant awards to eligible Child Care Providers with the purpose of enabling those providers to strengthen their workforce by reducing operating costs and investing in workforce retention and recruitment. 

The expenses incurred may include: long-term mortgage, or lease payments; maintenance, repairs or renovations; building or expansion of outdoor space; programs or services necessary for business operations; such as software or training; or other facility enhancements, that deliver care to New Hampshire families. 

Link to all of the info and application is here: https://www.nh-connections.org/new-hampshire-provider-grant-funds/ or click the button below.

Your NH Professional Development System (and more!)

What is the NHCIS Professional Registry?

NH DHHS has developed an information system for early childhood and out of school time programs and professionals. It is called the NH Connections Information System (NHCIS), and it includes several components. One of the components is a new personal portal that includes a variety of “apps”. Each “app” appears as a tile on a dashboard after logging in. One of these apps is the new Professional Registry.

The individual benefits to having a NHCIS Professional Registry include:

• Creating, maintaining, accessing and sharing your own training and education information
• Ability to view and reflect upon your own professional growth along your career pathway
• Registering for training and tracking your own professional development
• Obtaining a Registry ID to link your ProSolutions Account
• Ability to apply for background record checks

Please...

• Use this system to register for ACROSS NH trainings, cohorts, institutes, Director Circles, and more

and please...

• Register for a training in NHCIS at least 24 hours before the date and time of the training (unless otherwise noted)
• If you register for a training, please plan to attend
• Withdraw from a training if you do not plan to attend, we understand that plans can change
• Our trainers have planned a training for you and this informs us who will be present- thank you for your professionalism

If you are having trouble registering or withdrawing for a training, email Cathy Hazelton at chazelton@acrossnh.org.

Registration is Open for Leadership Institute 1!

January 16, 23, 30 & February 6, 13 & March 5, 12, 19, 26 & April 2

9:30 - 11:30am on Zoom and In-Person

For directors, site directors, and leaders in the OST field. Learn about your own leadership style and practice the skills needed to get to a more respected and effective level in this 10-session hybrid series. Through the Birkman tool, discover your needs in the workplace, your stress behavior, and find out how to maximize your unique style and manage the stress. Share your challenges with colleagues and get support while developing into the leader you want to be!

Session Info: This series is hybrid. Sessions will meet from 9:30am-11:30am on Zoom except for Sessions 2&10 which will run 9am-1pm in-person at the Boys & Girls Club, 55 Bradley Street, Concord, NH. You will receive a welcome email from the facilitators with a participation agreement, confirmation of information, and instructions to attend the first session.

Registration Info: Register for January 19th (the first session) in the NH Connections Information System- this will register you for the entire institute. This institute is free!

Registration and PD: Register for the first session in the NH Connections Information System (NHCIS). Participants must complete all 10 sessions to receive PD credit. Upon completing the institute, participants will receive 24 hours of PD in their NHCIS training transcript. If you are having trouble registering in NHCIS, please email Cathy Hazelton at chazelton@acrossnh.org.

The last day to register in NHCIS is December 15th!

Registration is Open for the SEL Evening Winter Cohort!

January 9, 16, 23 and February 6, 20 and March 5

on Zoom

We will lay a foundation for understanding SEL and promoting the elements within OST environments that can help SEL thrive. Each session will focus on specific topics connected to the understanding and implementing SEL-supportive practices in OST programs. We will examine SEL skill development, regulating routines and practices, behavior through an SEL lens, and the components of an SEL-supportive culture- while providing practical suggestions to strengthen the quality of programs for our children, youth, and families. Up to 2 hours of Technical Assistance is available monthly to all participants. Register in the NH Connections Information System.

Session Info: This cohort is free! Participants must complete all six sessions to receive PD credit. All sessions are on Zoom on Tuesday evenings- ending times vary.

Registration Info: Registration for January 3rd (the first session) in the NH Connections Information System- you will be registered for the entire cohort. The last day to register in NHCIS is January 3rd! If you are having trouble registering in NHCIS, please email Cathy Hazelton at chazelton@acrossnh.org.

Monthly on Zoom 10:30-11:30am

with Jamie Nadeau, ACROSS NH Director

Next Meeting is Thursday, November 9th:

 Instant Activity Ideas with Kathy Jablonski

Monthly virtual Directors Circles are the opportunity for out of school time (OST) directors to share successes, challenges, network with like-minded colleagues in the field, ask questions, to build knowledge in a specific topic, or just come to listen.

Click here or on the flyer to read about each month's topic. Register for the dates you want to participate in through the NH Connections Information System (NHCIS). You will receive 1 hour of PD in your NHCIS training transcript. Join us!

If you are having trouble registering in NHCIS, please email Cathy Hazelton at chazelton@acrossnh.org.

Trainings in November

The following trainings are free thanks to our funder, the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) and Bureau of Child Development and Head Start Collaboration (BCDHSC). Registration is required in the NH Connections Information System (NHCIS).

How to Register:

Log into NHCIS. Go to your "training tile" and click on "take a training." Scroll down and click on "Month" view. Advance to the date of the training that you want to register for and click on the training title. If you are having trouble registering in NHCIS, please email Cathy Hazelton at chazelton@acrossnh.org.

• "Social And Emotional Learning and Suspension/Expulsion Prevention in OST: A Guided Resource Walkthrough," Thursday, November 2, 6:30-8pm on Zoom
• "Afterschool Credential Information Session," Tuesday, November 7, 6:30-7:30pm on Zoom
• "Out of School Time Basics: Youth Engagement, Voice, and Choice," Wednesday, November 8, 6:30-8:30pm on Zoom
• "Directors Circle: Instant Activity Ideas with Kathy Jablonski," Thursday, November 9, 10:30-11:30am on Zoom
• "Social, Emotional, and Mindfulness Learning Community of Practice," Tuesday, November 14, 10:15-11:30am on Zoom
• "Using the SACERS-U for Continuous Quality Improvement," Wednesday, November 15, 12-1:30pm on Zoom
• "How to Earn a Granite Step for Quality Step in OST," Tuesday, November 21, 12-1pm on Zoom
• "Introduction and Overview of ERS and SACERS-U," Tuesday, November 21, 6:30-8pm on Zoom

Do you have questions about an ACROSS NH training, or how to use the NH Connections Information System to register for a training? Please email Cathy Hazelton at chazelton@acrossnh.org.

November: SEML Activities on Gratitude

Dear SEML in OST Community,

Over the course of the month, we'll be highlighting a variety of gratitude activities to use in your program. Have you ever considered how a Social Emotional and Mindful Learning (SEML) theme like gratitude could be practiced utilizing a Science, Technology, Engineering, Math (STEM) activity? Try this neat idea from Pitsco Education: "Gratitude Tower" (resource: https://blog.pitsco.com/blog/attitude-of-gratitude.)

Provide groups of participants (or individuals) with index cards and an ample amount of tape. On each index card, the group writes one thing they are thankful for. Then delegate building challenges to the children such as the tallest tower possible, or sturdiest tower, or the strongest 'bridge.' To construct their ideas, the children will need to continually consider things that they could possibly show gratitude for while being engaged in a high-interest activity. 

Warmly, 

Abigail J. Blodgett, ASMP

ACROSS NH Social Emotional Learning Coordinator 

ablodgett@acrossnh.org

Afterschool Credential Information Session

Tuesday, November 7, 2023

6:30-7:30pm on Zoom

Do you want to learn more about earning your NH Afterschool Credential? Join Cathy Hazelton for an information session on Tuesday, November 7th on Zoom. Earn 1 hour of professional development credit and get started on your way to being recognized for the professional you are in out of school time!

If you are having trouble registering in NHCIS, please email Cathy Hazelton at chazelton@acrossnh.org.

ACROSS NH Afterschool Credential Challenge 2023-24

Have you been thinking about applying for your afterschool credential? Now is the time!

If you participate in the Afterschool Credential Challenge with ACROSS NH you can earn your credential and receive support from ACROSS NH. Download the flyer and the form to join the challenge below!

Follow the challenge requirements AND earn your credential before March 1, 2024 and you will be entered to win a $50 Amazon Gift Card from ACROSS NH!

NH Afterschool Credential Fees Waived!

Did you hear? All fees to obtain credentials for both the Early Childhood and Afterschool Credentials are currently waived. Click here or on the button below for the announcement from DHHS/BCDHSC.

This message is shared on behalf of our funder the NH Department of Health and Human Safety (DHHS) and the Bureau of Child Development and Head Start Collaboration (BCDHSC).

In Person Trainings on SEL Topics

ACROSS NH will provide a series of trainings on key topics of Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) for staff, directors, site directors, and anyone that works with children and youth in out of school time (OST). You can participate in 1, 2, or all 3 trainings. Click here or on the image to download the flyer!

Register for individual trainings in the NH Connections Information System (NHCIS). If you are having trouble registering in NHCIS, please email Cathy Hazelton at chazelton@acrossnh.org.

All trainings are In-Person: 6:30-8pm @ Boys & Girls Club of Central NH, 55 Bradley St, Concord, NH.

Thursday, December 7, 2023: Training One: "Regulation"

Thursday, March 14, 2024: Training Two: "Relationships"

Thursday, May 16, 2024: Training Three: "Skills"

Virtual OSTB Trainings

ACROSS NH is proud to provide free virtual and interactive "Out of School Time Basics" trainings based on the National Afterschool Association (NAA) Ten Core Knowledge, Skills & Competencies. These trainings are free thanks to our funding from the NH DHHS and Bureau of Child Development and Head Start Collaboration. Register for individual trainings in the the NH Connections Information System. If you are having trouble registering in NHCIS, please email Cathy Hazelton at chazelton@acrossnh.org.

These interactive virtual trainings can provide a foundational framework, or refresh the OST lens of anyone who works with children and youth in out of school time.

Click here or on the flyer image to download the 2023-2024 schedule of upcoming OST Basics trainings. Trainings can be taken in any order!