Spring is here, the sun is shining, flowers are blooming, and life just feels better! Now that many of our Lane County providers and early educators are vaccinated, Covid-19 rates are down, and many kids are headed back to school, it seems that life is returning to normal. We hope that you, too, are feeling a sense of renewal and joy!

When you have a moment, please read through our spring newsletter. We have planned some great online classes to meet your professional development needs. And, applications are still being accepted for the Infant and Toddler Focused Network and the Positive Leadership Network. Lastly, enjoy articles and information from some of our local partners.

Please feel free to reach out to us if you have any questions or need information about child care and early education. Due to the pandemic, our office is closed to visitors. However, we are continuing to work from home, and can take calls and respond to emails Monday through Friday, between 7:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. If we are not able to respond right away, we will get back to you within 24 hours on most business days. Our phone number is 541-463-3300. Thank you!

For registration support, please call 541-463-3300 or email us at qualitycareconnections@lanecc.edu

For full class descriptions or to register for our classes, please click the links below.

Online-only CPR/First Aid training will be accepted through July 2021 for both new and renewing providers. Quality Care Connections can arrange for your online CPR/First Aid class through Medic First Aid. The cost of this class is now $15.

Part One Required Online Course

Register and attend training here: http://campus.educadium.com/OCCD/

Part Two Required Webinar (2 class options!)

Thursday, April 22, 9:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. -or-

Thursday, May 20, 6:00-9:00 p.m.

Note: You must attend the online Part One online class before registering for the Part Two webinar.

The required online safety set classes are offered free by the Oregon Center for Career Development and the Early Learning Division. Click here for a Safety Set Flier from the Office of Child Care and here to access and register for these classes.

-Recognizing/Reporting Child Abuse and Neglect

-Introduction to Child Care Health and Safety

-Prevention is Better Than Treatment

-Safe Sleep

-Food Handler Certification

DHS Orientation Webinar (2 class options!)

Thursday, April 13, 6:30-8:30 p.m. -or-

Saturday, May 15, 9:00 -11:00 a.m.

This class helps you understand the Department of Human Services listing and billing process and how to become eligible for the Enhanced Rate.

You can help improve the quality of infant and toddler care, One Baby Step at a Time by joining the Infant/Toddler Focused Network! We have limited spots open in our Network for child care providers who are passionate about their work with infants and toddlers, 0 – 24 months. Our group “meets” virtually every other month, and each member “meets” virtually every month with the Network Specialist for coaching and support.

To join, you will commit to active participation in all activities for the duration of the Network. To find out if the Infant Toddler Network is right for you, contact Alex Curtis at curtisa@lanecc.edu. Click here for an application and informational flyer.

Join other child care directors, owners, and lead staff in learning how to build and sustain a successful business through positive leadership practices. Topics will include leading with vision and purpose, emphasizing positive relationships and collaborative partnerships, and creating a sense of community within your program. Ultimately, you will develop skills that will help increase morale, decrease staff turnover, and improve the quality of your program.

Participants will spend approximately 4-6 hours per month in Network activities for a total of two years. Active participation is expected and will include monthly group meetings and trainings, one-on-one coaching, peer support, self-study activities, goal setting, and change implementation.

To apply, click here to complete and submit an application, due no later than Friday March 26, 2021.

For more information or to add your name to an "interested" list, please contact Kristen Helton at 541-463-3308 or heltonk@lanecc.edu

In February and March, over 1,000 child care providers and early educators received the Covid-19 vaccine at four separate clinics held at Lane Community College (LCC). Quality Care Connections is grateful for the coordinated support received from Lane County Public Health, LCC, and the University of Oregon. Without this partnership, the clinics would not have been possible.

While there will not be any additional vaccine clinics specifically for Lane County child care providers and early educators, Quality Care Connections can add you to the Lane County Educators Vaccine list. To sign up, please contact Kristen Helton at heltonk@lanecc.edu. You will then receive an invitation for the vaccine from Lane County Public Health within 3-4 weeks.

You can also receive a vaccine at pharmacies participating in the Federal Retail Pharmacy Program. This includes 175 locations around the state. Participating pharmacies use their own scheduling systems and appointments will be provided as vaccines are available. Eligible early learning staff and child care workers looking for appointments at a Federal Retail Pharmacy Program participant can find them at the links below or through your Local Public Health Authority:

Find more detailed information at covidvaccine.oregon.gov or email ORCOVID@211info.org, text ORCOVID to 898211, call 211 or 1-866-698-6155 for the most up-to-date information. For additional information specific to child care providers and residents of Lane County, click the links below.

The Early Learning Division is partnering with Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU) to support Oregon child care providers with a COVID-19 nurse hotline. The number, 1-833-647-8222, will be available seven days a week from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. The hotline is a resource reserved for child care providers and staff at no cost. Language assistance is also available. Child care providers can access the toll-free hotline for assistance with:

Early Childhood CARES will offer two virtual parent chats this spring. Participation is free and open to all. Early Childhood CARES provides free developmental screenings and special education for services for Lane County children from birth to 5. If you have concerns about your child’s development, please call our office at 541-346-2578.

Early Childhood CARES provides free early Intervention and early childhood special education services for Lane County children from birth to kindergarten. To make a referral call 541-346-2578 or visit our website at: https://earlychildhoodcares.uoregon.edu/referrals-services/

School Garden Project is regarded as the primary resource in Lane County for educators seeking to establish garden learning programs. Through our support services, we help schools and other organizations build new educational gardens and sustain existing gardens with supplies, training and consultation. We provide seeds, starts, garden education and design consultation annually to over 40 schools and nonprofits in Lane County and beyond.

School Garden Project staff are available to support your efforts in the garden or any outdoor classroom space. We are putting together resources to share including tips for outdoor education, worksheets and lessons, and seasonal gardening information. If you would like access to these materials, or would like to connect with any questions you may have, please email sarah@schoolgardenproject.org.

Check out the School Garden Project's website for great resources! https://www.schoolgardenproject.org/

Junction City Preschool Promise is hiring a 5 hour Child Care Assistant. This position is in the Preschool Promise and is temporary for the remainder of the 2020-21 school year and starts at $12.56 an hour. The person in this position assists in the development and care of children enrolled in the daycare program. The position also assists in planning and organizing activities to meet the physical, emotional, and

intellectual needs of students. The person in this position provides a nurturing and safe environment for children enrolled in the program. For a full job posting, click here.

Contact Stephaine White at swhite@junctioncity.k12.or.us or by phone at 541-998-6311 ext 7

Early Childhood CARES is seeking teaching assistants to support in-person classrooms including children with developmental delays and disabilities.

Temporary positions, including substitute work, are available by sending your resume and 3 references (including professional references) to jetaylor@uoregon.edu or calling Jeanine at 541-735-1766.

Permanent full-time benefited positions are posted, when available, on the UO website: http://careers.uoregon.edu/cw/en-us/listing/ (search for Early Childhood CARES).

Pay range is $13.73 to $18.66 based on experience.