Child Care Resource & Referral

Douglas: 541.492.6608 Klamath & Lake: 541.492.6609

Spring 2024 Newsletter & Training Bulletin

A Message from Our Program Coordinator

Hello Early Learning Champions!

Welcome to Spring and all the fun things that pop up this time of year for early learning professionals like yourselves. Here at Care Connections & Education, it is Spring Fling time. We have some big plans to make our Spring Fling Conferences over the top so make sure that you check those out! Our first conference is at Klamath Community College on April 27^th and our Umpqua Community College conference is on May 18^th. Both conferences feature great new training and early bird pricing you will not want to miss out on.

Spring also brings annual updates for those of you who are listed in Find Childcare Oregon. We are responsible to ensure that program information is updated annually and that quarterly we check in with you to see if anything in your program has changed. Some of you may know that providers have been given access to this program to make changes as they happen. If you would like more information about how to update your program or how you can access your profile, give Barbara a call at 541-492-6605.

Lastly, but always top of mind for us, we are here for you. Please do not hesitate to reach out if you have challenges with your program, business, inclusion, behaviors, contracts, and families. We have employed early learning professionals that stay current on these topics and are literally paid to help you. Reach out and let us know what we can do to help you build the quality of care you want to see in your program.

Best,

Heather Freilinger

Program Coordinator

Care Connections & Education

Spring Fling Conferences

Click here to register

Klamath April 27 Spring Fling Flyer

Douglas May 18 Spring Fling Flyer

Click here to register

Spring 2024 Training Bulletin

Do you need HSN or CPR? Check out the variety of trainings this term!

Click here to open Spring Training Bulletin

Community College Early Learning Cohorts

Winter term started with almost full registration in all ECE classes! It is so exciting to be a part of a program that continues to flourish and provide the support ECE students need to reach their educational goals. The cohort remains strong at 51 members with more interested people continuing to reach out. The cohort has grown so much that we had to move our cohort meetings to the Douglas ESD building.

For the first time, we asked the students to send in their school supplies list. We collected their requests such as writing utensils, notebooks, ink cartridges, printer paper, laptop bags, etc. during the mandatory meeting at the beginning of the term. Then during the middle cohort meeting, we passed out the school supplies that were approved. We were approved for 99% of the supplies requested!

UCC Spring term registration is open! Spring term starts on Monday, April 1^st and the last day to register for classes is Friday, April 12^th. Spring Fling Conference is May 18, check to see if you qualify for a scholarship to attend Spring Fling.

If you are looking to continue or start your college education in Early Childhood Education, email me and we can assess how the cohort can assist with your UCC journey.

Cherry Camonayan

Quality Improvment Specialist

UCC College Navigator

541.492-6623

cherry.camonayan@douglasesd.k12.or.us

Winter term has come to a close and the cohort continues to grow, with over 25 members. Spring term registration is open, and classes begin April 1, 2024 and the last day to register for classes is Friday April 5^th.

We are sad to announce that Jessica is moving out of state and appreciate all the work she has done to support and grow the Early Childhood Education Cohort, in the interim Alexis has returned to assist the KCC ECE students while we search for the new QIS/Navigator.

Do not miss Spring Fling on April 27, there will be a variety of classes and we look forward to Chris Singer’s keynote presentation on STEAM, and do not forget to stop by our table at Spring Fling. Click the link above to see the flyer for Spring Fling. Please check with Alexis or Kelley to see if you qualify for a scholarship to Spring Fling.

Kelley is pleased to provide a training opportunity for the ECE Cohort members it is a Pyramid model training on May 18 held at KCC, watch for more information.

If you are looking to continue or start your college education in Early Childhood Education of would like more information about the Pyramid Model training contact Alexis @ alexis.mann@douglasesd.k12.or.us or Kelley Fritz @ frtiz@klamathcc.edu.

Kelley Fritz, M.S.

Early Childhood Education Program Lead

fritz@klamathcc.edu

Can you bee-lieve its spring?!

Spring is a time for new growth. The days are filled with longer bits of sunshine, and the rain (and sometimes snow) brings green grass and blooming flowers. New growth is happening every day in our Preschool Promise classrooms as children and teachers are learning and practicing new skills.

Professional development opportunities are flourishing, and many of you are blossoming into the new skills you have learned or are signing up to plant the seed of new skills in upcoming professional development opportunities. Our Spring Fling events are right around the corner- see flyers in this newsletter. Register today! An effective workforce is the foundation of all high-quality classrooms.

We applaud your time and commitment to improve the quality of your already great programs! Thank you for letting us watch you bloom! If play is a child’s work, then spring must be their training camp. Thanks for being the score keepers! As you trudge through puddles, and dance in the rain, it is a good time to seek additional opportunities to take learning outside-do a safety check-scan your areas and fill up your first aid kits as you spring into spring!

Mark your calendar for April's Community of Practice. April 11 @ 5pm-6pm via Zoom. This month we will be talking about the difference in how ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorder) presents in boys and girls. We will also talk abut how environments and curriculum might look different for success ASD students. Watch your emails for registration. We look forward to seeing you soon.

Your Preschool Promise Team

Melisa Miner

PSP Facilitator

Klamath Office

melisa.miner@douglasesd.k12.or.us

Erica Hinshaw

PSP Facilitator

Klamath Office

erica.hinshaw@douglasesd.k12.or.us

Danielle McKiddy

PSP Facilitator

Douglas Office

danielle.mckiddy@douglasesd.k12.or.us

Coming Soon!

PSP Facilitator

Douglas Office

Network Updates & Information

Klamath Spanish Network

Jill Ramirez, who has been an essential part of our team, supporting our Spanish Providers retired as of March 5th. For the last 5 years, Jill has served faithfully with passion and joy the Douglas, Klamath, and Lake CCR&R helping the Spanish providers navigate Oregon’s Early Learning systems to provide quality childcare, assisted in grant application process, and so much more. Care Connections and Education honor and thanks Jill for her dedication serving the Spanish child care providers in our region.

Even though Jill has retired we are pleased to have her part of both Spring Flings. Jill is an amazing trainer and is providing a training in Spanish at Spring Fling in Klamath County and an interactive diversity training at Spring Fling in Douglas County.

Care Connection & Education will be looking for a new team member who will be bilingual to continue quality support for Spanish providers.