Smart Start of Pender County Quarterly Newsletter July, August, September | Volume XXI, Issue I

Inside this Issue: CCR&R Provider Page Parent Page Training Schedule Early Intervention Page Resources Donation Page

Smart Start of Pender County would like to invite you to our annual Back to School Event. Join us as we distribute books and resources to children ages birth to 10 years of age. To receive books and supplies children must be present.   Date: August 7, 2021   Time: 9am to 12pm   Place: Smart Start of Pender County     600 N. Timberly Lane Burgaw, NC 28425      Call (910)259-9978 for more   information. The Resource Library will be open on this day!! Masks will still be mandated and capacity will be monitored!!   It is also open the first Saturday of every month unless the first Saturday is during a holiday weekend!! *All children must be present *This is a drive through contactless event.

Child Care Resource & Referral (CCR&R)

Join our Team – Smart Start is Hiring! Smart Start is looking for a Support Assistant to provide entry-level program and administrative support. The person will need to have the ability to understand some aspects of accounting and bookkeeping and work a minimum of 32 hours per week. Other responsibilities include: Providing programmatic, administrative and fiscal support to program staff and the Executive Director Assists with coordination of agency activities Accounts payable and receivable with some bookkeeping and/or accounting Managing spreadsheets and various databases This position requires a minimum of a High School Diploma and four years bookkeeping or accounting experience. Completion of a one or two year business course from an accredited community college or business school may be substituted for some of the required experience. If this sounds like you, please complete our employment application here or at our office. Please submit applications to 600 N. Timberly Lane or P. O. Box 429, Burgaw, NC 28425. Emailed applications to info@pender4kids.com or faxed to 910-259-9728 will be accepted. The position will be open until filled.

The Early Lending Library Fees The Resource Library will no longer be offering memberships to the community due to the COVID-19 crisis. We offer entrance fees according to what type of services the patron requests. The fees are based on three levels of service.   Level I: Individuals, parents, public agencies or businesses Level I entrance cost is $3.00. The patron will receive current limit of supplies with the exception of lamination, faxing and notary services. All lamination will be .50 cents per foot, faxing will be $2.00 per page, and notary services will be $3.00 per page.   Level II: Individuals, parents, teachers, public agencies or businesses Level II entrance cost is $5.00. The patron will receive double limit of supplies with the exception of lamination, faxing and notary services. All lamination will be .50 cents per foot, faxing will be $2.00 per page, and notary services will be $3.00 per page.   Level III: Childcare Providers: Centers and Homes Level III fees will be suspended until July 2022. The COVID-19 health crisis will then be reviewed and fees will be implemented upon the standing status of the pandemic. Childcare providers will receive current level of supplies with the exception of lamination, faxing and notary services. Classrooms will be allotted twenty feet of lamination per week. Faxing fees will also be excluded. Notary services will stand at $3.00 per page.   Patrons are encouraged to call and make 30 minute time slot appointments to ensure the area visited is sanitized and social distancing is practiced for their and staff’s safety. All patrons will pay upon entrance for the level of service they request. This practice will also be emphasized and used throughout the remainder of the fiscal year. A fee schedule and RL pamphlet is given to each patron to inform them of the new changes.

Monday, Tuesday & Thursday 8:30-4:30 Wednesday 8:30-5:30 Friday (Staff Only) 8:30-5:00   This schedule has been adjusted due to COVID-19.   The Resource Library will continue to follow Pender County Schools schedule for closings and delays for inclement weather.   Phone: (910) 259-9978 1-866-606-0909  Fax: (910) 259-28

Updates for Lending Library Patrons Due to COVID-19, all safety procedures for public facilities are continually updated to ensure that the public and staff are kept safe and healthy during these difficult times. The Early Lending Library has made the following updates: Appointments - patrons will no longer have to make appointments to use its resources. There will be a capacity restrictions in the Lending Library and a mask requirement to maintain a healthy environment for all. (Patrons, if you or any member of your family is sick please do not enter the library). Visitor Quantity - there will be no more than 6 patrons, including children, in the building at any given time. This is to ensure social distancing practices continue for everyone’s safety. Time limit - patrons will be asked to complete all tasks within a one-hour period to give staff time to sanitize areas used and other patrons can enjoy our resources as well. Cleanliness - sanitizer, tissue and wipes will be available at every computer and crafting area for patrons use. The crafting area will also have gloves available to get materials and not cross-contaminate other items. Book distribution & notary services - will continue outside on a portable table as long as the weather permits and then will be moved inside the building during the cooler months. Fees - patrons will continue to pay entrance fees until March 2022. Patrons with memberships that would have been active after March 2020 will be notified of a new expiration date if the membership was due to expire after that date. All months after March 2020 that were active will be honored and a new expiration date will be assigned.

Providers

North Carolina Early Educator Certification

History of NC Early Educator Certification  The NC Early Educator Certification system was developed in response to interests by the field in developing an individually-held, portable form of certification that would mirror professional certifications of other fields and serve as a step in the career pathway for NC early educators working directly with or on the behalf of children ages birth to twelve in out of home settings.   Use EEC for Facility License Education Points EEC is a teacher education equivalency in DCDEE rule. That means an EEC level can be used by the regulatory consultant as a verified form of education documentation during site visits. The DCDEE Workforce Unit can use the EEC level for individuals applying to be a Lead Teacher, Teacher, Family Child Care Home Provider and/or Program Coordinator. The updated Star Rating charts show how EEC can be used to calculate teacher education points for the positions above. EEC levels for all certified early educators are sent to DCDEE electronically each month so you do not need to send transcripts to DCDEE too. However, you do need to submit a copy of your EEC certificate or letter to the Workforce Unit to ensure your EEC level is recognized by DCDEE.   How to Apply for Early Educator Certification The simple, fee-based EEC Application process includes the submission of an application and official transcripts. EEC does not require a test or specific college course. Step 1: Choose which scale you want to be certified (or apply for both) Step 2: Order your official transcripts if you have completed college coursework. Step 3: Complete the application. Please double check your email address as this is where you will receive application information and updates. Step 4: Attach the fee to your application and send to the Institute. Step 5: Watch for an email with your EEC ID so you can begin using EEC Rewards.   For more information, please visit https://ncicdp.org/certification-licensure/eec-overview/

Parents & Families

BEGINNINGS is a free resource for NC parents of children who are deaf or hard of hearing. Our goals include educating parents about hearing loss, the different languages and communication modalities used by people who are deaf and hard of hearing, and about the choices parents will need to make to ensure their child acquires age-appropriate communication and language skills. We listen to concerns and connect parents with local and national resources and to other parents so they can talk to someone who has been in their shoes. We also educate professionals who work with children with hearing loss such as daycare providers, grandparents, and other service providers who work with the child. During the transition from Early Intervention Services to the school system, we help empower parents to make decisions that are best for their child and their family and to advocate to ensure their child is receiving appropriate services and accommodations.   All of these services are free and continue from birth to 22 years of age. Please contact us at www.ncbegin.org or 919-715-4092 if you are a family or professional in need of services.

Upcoming Parent Trainings

August 12th Part 1 Building Resilience (Parents) - Via Zoom 6:30-8:30 pm Cost: Free, 2 Credit Hours, Presenter: Regina Bass-Corley This workshop will help you and others decrease stress and anxiety in your daily activities. There will be a workbook available for all participants (as long as supplies last). You should have received a copy of the workbook “The Highway Inside of Me”, after taking Intro to Resilience; if you did not I would suggest picking up a copy of the workbook from our office to participate in this training. It will be very helpful but is not an urgency. The information introduced in the Intro Presentation was to familiarize and define what resiliency is in our daily lives. The Part I Building Resilience is a continuation but more intense training into using the tools of Resiliency. Each successful participant will receive a set of flashcards to help with implementing the skills after the training. September 15th  Part 1 Building Resilience (Parents) - Via Zoom 6:30-8:30 pm Cost: Free, 2 Credit Hours, Presenter: Regina Bass-Corley This workshop will help you and others decrease stress and anxiety in your daily activities. There will be a workbook available for all participants (as long as supplies last). You should have received a copy of the workbook “The Highway Inside of Me”, after taking Intro to Resilience; if you did not I would suggest picking up a copy of the workbook from our office to participate in this training. It will be very helpful but is not an urgency. The information introduced in the Intro Presentation was to familiarize and define what resiliency is in our daily lives. The Part I Building Resilience is a continuation but more intense training into using the tools of Resiliency. Each successful participant will receive a set of flashcards to help with implementing the skills after the training.

Car Seat Safety Training for Parents is Back at Smart Start!

Training includes an educational video, identifying the appropriate seat for your child, how use its features and proper installation in your vehicle and next steps as your child grows.   Class Registration is $25.00 and will take approximately 1 hour to complete. You must qualify and pre-register for the class. An appropriate car seat will be provided to you at no charge upon completion of the class if needed. SSPC is a Car Seat Checking Station registered with buckleupnc.org, technicians are available to perform a safety check on your seat free of charge!   When: Please call or stop by to schedule an appointment for these services. Where: Smart Start of Pender County                    (910) 259-9978 600 N Timberly Lane, Burgaw, NC

Apply HERE!

3 Ways to Learn Patience and Amp Up Your Well-Being

Discover a calmer, more positive you through the power of patience — a skill you can learn and practice daily. By Mayo Clinic Staff   Do good things really come to those who wait? Research tells us that, yes, there's a relationship between patience and well-being. Various studies have found that people who are more patient experience less low mood, are more empathetic and feel greater gratitude. Your level of patience may even be related to your level of happiness.  It seems our parents and teachers were right when they reminded us that patience is a virtue. But it's also a skill, one you can learn and practice. Ready to become a more patient person? Experts advise starting with mindfulness practices that help you become more aware of where you are and what you're doing right now. Like anything worthwhile, it'll take some work to improve your mindfulness. But if you commit to the effort, you'll reap the rewards that come with being good to yourself — lower blood pressure, less stress and anger, and an increasingly positive outlook. These three practices have all been shown to help build mindfulness and improve patience. Mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) — MBSR has been shown to actually strengthen areas of the brain used to regulate emotions and process learning and memory. Usually taught in an eight-week class led by professionals trained and certified in MBSR, this program includes breathing, stretching and awareness exercises. With practice, you can use these skills to increase your acceptance of what's happening in the present moment. On a practical level, that means transforming things such as traffic jams from anger triggers to mere inconveniences that you understand and accept are out of your control. Meditation — Studies have shown that people who meditate have larger volumes of gray matter in the areas of the brain that regulate response control. That may be why meditators have a more positive outlook, are more emotionally stable and are more mindful. With continued practice, meditation can help you summon the patience to deal stress-free with life's daily annoyances, from long lines in the grocery store to tedious work meetings. Mindful movement — Yoga, aikido, tai chi and qigong are all forms of mindful movement designed to help strengthen your body and your mind. Many research studies have shown that mindful movement practice helps reduce stress, negative thinking and depression. These controlled exercises teach you to focus on your breath and your body as you perform specific movements. A happy side effect is improved patience as you repeat the process over and over, gradually learning to quiet your mind. Practicing patience can help you learn to enjoy the times "in between." The stoplights, the grocery store lines, the elevator rides. The impatient you likely reached for your phone, anxious to fill the time between where you were and where you were going. The increasingly patient you keeps your phone in your pocket and, instead, engages your senses, appreciating the moment. Researchers have shown that appreciation can lead to greater life satisfaction. Seems our parents and teachers were also right when they urged us to stop and smell the roses. Retrieved from https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/stress-management/in-depth/3-ways-to-learn-patience-and-amp-up-your-well-being/art-20390072

SSPC Training Schedule

August 10th IT’S SIDS - Via zoom 6:30-8:30 pm Cost $10, 2 Credit Hours, Presenters: Shelly Martin and Candice Dillard Learn the steps that can be taken to reduce the risk of SIDS. At this training, we will review the Child Care laws and regulations written on Sudden Infant Death Syndrome.   August 17th Covid 19 Updates – Via Zoom 6:30-8:00 pm Cost: Free, 1.5 Credit Hours, Presenters: Shelly Martin and Candice Dillard In this session, we will review the Child Care Strong guidelines, recent rule changes as well as updates from DCDEE and Smart Start of Pender County.   August 26th Introduction to Resilience for Childcare Providers- Via Zoom 6:30-8:30 pm Cost: FREE, 1.5 Credit Hours, Presenter: Regina Bass-Corley This workshop will help you and others decrease stress and anxiety in your daily activities. We will use the workbook “The Highway Inside of Me” during the training. I would suggest checking with your facility director for a copy of the workbook. It will be very helpful but is not an urgency. Please contact our agency if the facility is low on copies. The information introduced in the Intro Presentation was to familiarize and define what resiliency is in our daily lives. The Part I Building Resilience is a continuation but more intense training into using the tools of Resiliency. A set of 12 posters will go to each center and family childcare home participating in this training. Each individual participant will receive one set of flashcards (as long as supplies last). **Due to change in demand, this training has been changed from Part I:Building Resilience to Intro to Resilience for Childcare Providers** September 16th Introduction to the Environment Rating Scales Location: SSPC 6:30-8:30, Cost: $10, Presenter: Shelly Martin In this session, we will define terms used in the scales, learn how to read and score indicators and discuss how the scales can be used to guide you in your classroom. September 21st Part 1 Building Resilience (Providers)- Via Zoom 6:30-8:30 pm Cost: $10, 2 Credit Hours, Presenter: Regina Bass-Corley This workshop will help you and others decrease stress and anxiety in your daily activities. We will use the workbook “The Highway Inside of Me” during the training. I would suggest checking with your facility director for a copy of the workbook. It will be very helpful but is not an urgency. Please contact our agency if the facility is low on copies. The information introduced in the Intro Presentation was to familiarize and define what resiliency is in our daily lives. The Part I Building Resilience is a continuation but more intense training into using the tools of Resiliency. A set of 12 posters will go to each center and family childcare home participating in this training. Each individual participant will receive one set of flashcards (as long as supplies last). September 23rd Literacy All Around Us –Via Zoom 6:30-8:00 pm, Cost $10, 1.5 Credit Hours, Presenters: Candice Dillard and Angel Parker This training will help us to recognize uses for environmental print and literacy opportunities in our everyday environment. We will also discuss ways to support emerging language and literacy skills. This training is only for Raising a Reader participants a separate literacy training may be offered later in the fiscal year for other child care providers.

**Due to change in demand, this training has been changed from Part I:Building Resilience to Intro to Resilience for Childcare Providers**

Early Intervention

Resources

Register your child today to receive a FREE, new book each month until age 5. Smart Start of Pender County and Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library are working together to bring books to North Carolina’s youngest children through funding provided by the North Carolina General Assembly. Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library is a FREE program for all families with young children in Pender County regardless of income or zip code.  You can register online by visiting  http://www.smartstart.org/dolly-partons-imagination-library  or contact Angel Parker, Early Literacy Consultant at aparker@pender4kids.com or at (910) 259-9978.  *Please keep in mind that the books can only be delivered to your mailing address.

ROR Podcast-Subscribe Today! We’re excited to announce that the Reach Out and Read Podcast launched on July 30, 2020!    The podcast is centered on the belief that children’s books build better brains, better family relationships, and happier, healthier children and societies.   Join us as host Dr. Dipesh Navsaria, medical director of Reach Out and Read Wisconsin and pediatrician with a children’s librarianship degree dives into a wealth of varied early childhood health and literacy topics with expert guests examining the many facets of supporting the parent-child relationship as key to early success.   For more information and family resources please visit www.rorcarolins.org.

Donate Today

Join Goodsearch.com to raise funds for Smart Start of Pender County.  Goodsearch donates money to your favorite cause when you search the Internet, shop online or dine out at local  restaurants! Use Goodsearch.com to search the Internet and they donate a penny per search to your cause. It's really easy; it's free and turns simple everyday actions into a way to make the world a better place. Please sign up today to support Smart Start of Pender County.   Go to  www.goodsearch.com  to get started and help Smart Start of Pender at here.

Smart Start of Pender County, Inc., is a public-private non-profit organization. All donations are tax deductible. Any form of contribution is greatly appreciated. If you would like to make a contribution to Smart Start of Pender County please complete this form and return it to our office. Make checks payable to Smart Start of Pender County, Inc. All contributions are used to enhance services to young children. Donate

Please consider supporting Smart Start of Pender County.   When you shop at Amazon Smile, Amazon will donate to Smart Start of Pender County.   www.smile.amazon.com

About Us

Board of Directors James “Jimbo” Robbins - Board Chair Sharon Willoughby - Secretary Donald Hall - Treasurer Leslie Green – Vice Chair Angela Beacham Dr. Charles Aiken Stacie Poulin Rev. Dean Walker Shontel Kirby Rachel Willaims Joan Taylor William Marshburn Edith Meza S. Eugene Jordan Tonya Hooks                                If you are interested in serving on the Smart Start of Pender County Board of Directors, or volunteering with our agency, please contact our office at (910) 259-9978 or stop by and visit with us.

SSPC Team                      Connie Carr-Costin, MSW Executive Director ccarr-costin@pender4kids.com  Ext: 31   Angel Parker Early Literacy Consultant aparker@pender4kids.com    Ext: 24   Shelly Martin Quality Program Manager smartin@pender4kids.com    Ext: 36   Regina Bass-Corley, M.A.Ed Resource Library Coordinator rbasscorley@pender4kids.com   Ext: 27   Candice Dillard Quality Consultant rcdillard@pender4kids.com    Ext:22   Jasmin Johansen, MBA Program Evaluation Coordinator   jjohansen@pender4kids.com

The mission of Smart Start of Pender County, Inc. is to support services that provide opportunities for every child to grow into his or her potential as a person.