Greetings!
Our entire team here at All Our Kin is thinking of you and missing you, and we’re here to support you in every way we can.
We want to take the time to acknowledge June’s Pride Month, and our commitment to the protection and advocacy of the LGBTQ+ community. We strive to ensure that every educator feels fully supported and is provided support for offering a safe and affirming space for all children and parents. Make sure to check out the resources below for ways you can uplift the LGBTQ+ community this month, and always.
If you’re a family child care educator who has received support from us, or would like to work with us, we want to hear from you! In our effort to better serve all of our educators and families, we ask that you take a few moments to complete this survey. For participating, you will be entered to win one of two $1,000 gift cards. The information you share will be truly invaluable to our growth and in shaping the work that we do.
We look forward to seeing you at a virtual meeting soon, and we send our thoughts, friendship and love in the meantime.
In solidarity,
The All Our Kin Team
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The deadline to apply for child care stabilization grants has been extended through September 30, 2021. If you missed OEC’s webinar on child care stabilization grants, you can now catch the replay here.
All Our Kin's strategic plan sets the course for our work with you and our expansion to new communities. Our current strategic plan will wrap up at the end of this year, and we're in the process of creating a new plan for 2022 and beyond. We're looking for your input and voice to help shape what this plan will look like! Please join our focus group this Thursday evening, to contribute your thoughts, ideas and recommendations to the strategic plan. Participants will receive an Amazon gift card.
Make sure to register in advance, and look out for a confirmation email with details to join the meeting.
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The President continues to negotiate with Congressional Republicans over the total amount of infrastructure funding that will be included in the next federal budget. This will determine how much is available to New York and other states to rebuild the child care system and address long standing challenges including compensation. All Our Kin will schedule opportunities for family child care providers to meet with members of Congress when they are home in August. |
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Child Care Stabilization Funds |
All licensed family child care educators are eligible to receive Ready SET Rebuild child care stabilization grants. These funds can be used to cover costs incurred as a result of the pandemic. Applications will be accepted through September 30th. The Office of Early Childhood (OEC) recently shared steps for how providers can dispute parts of their application. You can find a document outlining the review process, here.
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Join OEC's Parent Cabinet |
OEC is forming a Parent Cabinet to lift up the voice of parents. Do you know parents who are thinking about applying or interested in learning more? OEC Commissioner Beth Bye will host an informational session on June 22nd from 7-8 pm. Please visit OEC’s website for more information and to access the application.
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Supporting LGBTQ+ Community During Distance Learning
June is Pride Month!
As we recognize Pride this year, we also recognize the impact that the pandemic has had on the students of the LGBTQ+ community. NEA EdJustice and HRC Foundation’s Welcoming Schools have joined together to offer a checklist and resources to help educators and allies navigate how to best support LGBTQ students, and to provide an inclusive, safe and affirming space in the state of distant learning.
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Partnering With Parents of the LGBTQ+ Community
The Office of Head Start has provided a series of resources developed to support programs in partnering with parents of the LGBTQ+ community. Here are some strategies to create an early childhood setting that is welcoming for both children and their families.
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Non-Traditional Hours of Child Care |
Researchers at Urban Institute, a non-profit research organization, are looking for working families in the New Haven, West Haven, and Hamden area, for a study on the non-traditional hours of child care.
To participate, you must live in 1 of the 3 communities, have a child under the age of 5 and work either in the early mornings, evenings, overnight or on the weekends. There is a $50 gift card rewarded to all participants who complete a 45 minute phone interview. Interviews are being conducted in both English and Spanish.
The information you share will be used to inform policies to help parents with child care. If you’re interested, please send an email to childcarestudy@urban.org or call Laura Wagner at 202-261-5388.
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To stay updated with the latest information on Covid-19 vaccines, frequent our COVID Vaccine Hub
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As we move beyond the challenges of COVID-19, Dr Rahil Briggs, National Director of ZERO TO THREE’S HEALTHY STEP PROGRAM, joins the Brain Architect Podcast to discuss the potential impact of the coronavirus on childhood development, the response of our pediatric health care system, and the importance of overcoming equity challenges and public fears to resume child visits.
On the topic of mental health, Dr. Rahil touts the importance of prioritizing self-care (reminder: self care is not selfish), avoiding toxic stress and bringing in daily mindfulness when you can. The effects of these conscious actions will not only serve our caregivers, but the welfare of our children.
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“Reducing caregiver stress will reduce baby and toddler stress, and when babies and toddlers are less stressed, they learn better just like us. We learn better when we’re less stressed and it’s exactly the same from them.”
Upcoming episodes of this podcast will feature conversations with experts on ways to implement meaningful changes that will improve the outcome for all children and families. Listen to the latest episode of this special 4-part series here.
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