What Is Happening at CCAoNH?
Hello Providers,

We hope you have been able to capitalize on some of this "warmer" weather we've been experiencing lately. Winters can be tough for staff and kiddos, we'd love to know how you've been battling the "winter blues". At Child Care Aware of NH we've been busy learning about Granite Steps for Quality and team building by participating in monthly activities such as Team Trivia or Fun Photo Friday.

The Child Care Resource and Referral Outreach Specialists have been very busy on the phone lines lately. We are hearing from many families, and the start of the great Summer Care Search has started. We remind you to please reach out if you have vacancies in your program or updates to your offerings. You can help us to keep that information up to date by e-mailing us at ccrr@snhs.org.

The Training and TA Specialists have been enjoying learning more about programs around the state and how you deliver high-quality programming. We are excited to help you continue your commitment to quality through work in our Q-Ready programming. For more information on the Q-Ready program feel free to reach out to us at ccrrta@snhs.org.

We would like to take this opportunity to thank you for everything you do for families and children. We hope that you enjoy this month's edition of Monthly Minutes.
CCAoNH Updates
Are you Q-Ready?
Are your Program Practices committed to Quality Improvement for your children, families and staff?

Does your program have experience with Credentialing, Pyramid Model Practices or the Environment Rating Scales?

Have you heard about the newly implemented Quality Recognition and Improvement System (QRIS): Granite Steps for Quality?
With the newly implemented QRIS, the team here at CCAoNH is prepared to help programs start taking Steps for Quality. We have created new programming, offerings and resources to help Early Childhood Programs and Family Care Providers begin aligning their practices towards the standards within the QRIS: Granite Steps for Quality.

If you'd like to explore what that may look like in your program we invite you to contact us at ccrrta@snhs.org with questions or start your process by taking our Quality Readiness Pre-Assessment Survey.
New Training Collection Spotlight:
The Family Child Care Training Collection
The Family Child Care Training Collection is comprised of ten (10), one (1) hour trainings to support family child care providers in their work with children and families.

Click on the flyer for more information about the Family Child Care Training Collection or visit the "Trainings and Recorded Webinars" page to view the rest of our FREE training collections.
CCAoNH Employment Opportunities
Join the Child Care Aware of NH team!
We have open positions.
  • Child Care Aware of New Hampshire Program Manager
  • Training and Technical Assistance Specialists
  • Child Care Resource and Referral Outreach Specialist
CCAoNH Facebook Updates
Did you know that Child Care Aware of New Hampshire maintains two (2) Facebook pages?

Our Child Care Aware of NH: The Most Trusted Resource for Providers has all the latest information about professional development opportunities, weekly happenings, messages from our collaborative partners and fun resources for providers to enjoy.
Our Child Care Aware of NH for Families: The Most Trusted Resource for Families has articles about child development, statewide family-friendly events from collaborative partners and feel good quotes.
Keep an eye on our Facebook Pages this month as we celebrate
 "National Reading Month" with some special contests!
Starting The Conversation
5 Steps for Brain-Building Serve and Return
A "serve and return" communication is about responsive interactions between children and their caregivers. These types of interactions help support children’s development of communication and social skills. This video breaks down "serve and return" into 5 simple steps to practice with children. 
CCAoNH Professional Development Opportunities
Professional Development Training Reminders
Trainings are available to register for in the NHCIS Training Tile. You will find the accurate training times in the Trainings At-a-Glance Calendar, as times are currently listed incorrectly within NHCIS. Please see instructions on page two (2) in this Calendar on how to register for these trainings.
NH Cares Scholarship from Child Care Aware of NH
If attending any of our Conferences or Special Events is cost-prohibitive and you are a member of the NH Early Childhood Community, you qualify for this scholarship. This scholarship will cover the full fee to attend any of our 2021-2022 Conferences or Special Events. The “NH Cares Scholarship” is non-refundable and non-transferrable.

To receive the NH Cares Scholarship please send the information below to the ccrrtraining@snhs.org with the subject line "NH Cares Scholarship"
Name:
Email:
Phone Number:
Place of Employment:
How the NH Cares Scholarship Will Benefit You:
March 2022 Events
Join us at the Spring Leadership Summit:
Organizing Your Onboarding from Attraction to Retention
New employee onboarding is the process of integrating a new employee with your
program and its culture, as well as getting a new hire the tools and information needed to become a productive member of the team. You’ll need to cover all the necessary steps to prepare for onboarding a new employee and guide them through the process of becoming part of a successful team.

Date: Thursday, March 17, 2022
Time: 8:30 AM-1:30 PM
Do you have Training Bucks?

If you have Training Bucks earned by participating with your program in a CCAoNH Progressive Training Program or Cohort, you may use them to attend any of our 2021-2022 Conferences or Special Events.

Contact the Professional Development Support Coordinator (PDSC) at 603.903.0830 or email at ccrrtraining@snhs.org to use your earned Training Bucks today!
Early Childhood Focused Collaboratives
Collaborative Highlight of the Month


Business Management Practices Collaborative Topic:
This month, participants will partake in a Learn & Share session on "Managing Negativity in the Workplace". Participants are encouraged to bring examples of how they have addressed negativity in their programs.

CCAoNH is also offering nine (9) other virtual Early Childhood Focused Collaborative Meetings for Directors, Administrators, Teachers and other Early Childhood Professionals. Check out the other topics by clicking on the button below.
Progressive Training and TA Program
Monthly Health And Safety Resources
The resources found in this section can help support providers and families in planning for emergencies. You can find additional resources on the NH Connections Emergency Planning Page.
National CACFP Week is March 13-19, 2022
CACFP Week is a national education and information campaign sponsored annually the third week of March by the National CACFP Sponsors Association. The campaign is designed to raise awareness of how the USDA's Child and Adult Care Food Program works to combat hunger. You can register for free here with the National CACFP Sponsors Association to receive CACFP materials like this sample menu and be entered into their raffle!
You can learn about CACFP in NH and find the forms to sign up by visiting this NH Department of Education Website. You can also create an account with CACFP and access live webinars surrounding the topic of nutrition for all ages and how to implement CACFP guidelines in your center with fidelity! Join the CACFP Celebration today!  
Other Early Childhood News And Updates
Important Information From The Bureau of Child
Development And Head Start Collaboration
The NH DHHS Bureau of Child Development and Head Start Collaboration is pleased to introduce you to our new Quality Recognition and Improvement System, Granite Steps for Quality (GSQ).

This program supports NH’s Early Childhood and Out-of-School Time programs on their path to enhanced quality so that children thrive and succeed in school and beyond. The GSQ replaces the Licensed Plus Program and focuses on helping programs enhance their quality through self-study, professional development, coaching and other technical assistance.

It is time to get recognized for all you do and become one of New Hampshire’s “recognized” quality programs as a Granite Steps for Quality awardee.
The Pay By Enrollment Data Pilot officially started on Monday, February 28, 2022 a new tab has been created under "Financial Resources". Look for the "Pay by Enrollment Data Pilot" tab to find all the information you'll need to navigate and learn about this program.

Be on the lookout for additional resources within the next few days.
Upcoming Opportunities with The Bureau of
Child Development and Head Start Collaboration
Credentialing Office Hours
Please join Annie Censullo, Credentialing Specialist, The Bureau of Child Development and Head Start Collaboration for monthly office hours.

Please bring any questions related to the NH Early Childhood Professional and Out-of-School time Credentialing Process with you and we will do our best to provide guidance relating to this process.
• Tuesday, March 29, 2022 1:00-2:00 PM
• Tuesday. May 31. 2022 1:00-2:00 PM
• Tuesday, June 28, 2022 1:00-2:00 PM
Do You Have Open Positions?
Check Out Our Job Board
Now found on the front page of our website, is the link to the Child Care Job Board. Feel free to post your open positions and let perspective educators know about what makes your program unique. Posting is FREE and your position will stay up for six (6) months or until you take it down!
reKINDling Curiosity:
Every New Hampshire Kid
Goes to Camp!
The New Hampshire Department of Education is partnering with New Hampshire camps and school-age summer programs across the state to offer students the unique opportunity to move beyond COVID-19 and be a kid again. Students of all ages, backgrounds and abilities benefit from exposure to short-term summer enrichment programs, including in the areas of challenge, friend-making, positivity, and emotional safety. These are all things that New Hampshire camps and school-age programs do best.

For many children, especially those from low-income backgrounds or with disabilities, accessing summer
enrichment opportunities supporting social, emotional, and mental health is more important than ever. Read more about this opportunity and it's eligibility requirements in the links provided.
Child Care Aware of New Hampshire is a Child Care Resource and Referral Program powered by Southern New Hampshire Services. The preparation of this document was financed under a Contract with the State of New Hampshire, Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Economic and Housing Stability, Bureau of Child Development and Head Start Collaboration with funds provided in part by the State of New Hampshire and the US Department of Health and Human Services.