| Building Families Newsletter January 2009 |
Building Families Vision:
Every child, beginning at birth, will be healthy and successful.
Building Families Mission:
Building Families’ mission is for children, youth, and families to live in safe and nurturing environments that promote health, independence and success. Building Families will create a continuum of supports and services that embrace children and their families.
|
Congratulations to Twin River Valley High School for your bronze medal award for high academic achievement given by US News and World Report.
| | Save the Date!
Early Childhood Iowa Congress, February 10th-12th at the Airport Holiday Inn
Early Childhood Iowa Day on the Hill, February 12th at the State Capitol
|
Preschool Requirements: The Department of Education (DE) and the State Board of Education established early childhood as one of Iowa’s education priorities with a goal stating, “All children will enter school ready to learn.” In addition, the State Board of Education established program standard requirements for preschool and child care programs, including early childhood special education, operated by accredited school districts and nonpublic schools.
Iowa law requires accredited school districts and nonpublic schools operating preschools and child care programs to either meet DE Program Standards or obtain Department of Human Services (DHS) licensure [Iowa Code § 279.49, 280.3A].
The DE has defined the Preschool Program Standards as the following:
1.) Iowa Quality Preschool Program Standards (QPPS);
2.) Head Start Program Performance Standards; or
3.) National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) Accreditation.
In order for Early Childhood Special Education (ECSE) and Early Childhood (EC) programs serving children on an Individualized Education Plan (IEP) to meet the Preschool Program Standards requirement, it is most feasible to align with the implementation and verification process of the Statewide Voluntary Preschool Program for Four-Year-Old Children. Therefore, beginning in 2008 – 2009, ECSE and EC programs serving children on an IEP are expected to select and implement one of the required Preschool Program Standards.
FROM: Dr. LauraBelle Sherman-Proehl, Chief
|
Attention Early Childhood providers that work with children ages 3-5. Every Child Reads training is a research based training offering teachers and associates strategies to use in language, writing and reading.
If you have a group of 10 or more in your specific location, Prairie Lakes AEA will consider offering a 2nd class at a time and location convenient to staff! Contact Ann if you are interested in putting together a group.
| |
Iowa Program for Infant Toddler Care (IA PITC) Academy for Program Directors
The Iowa Child Care Resource & Referral (CCR&R) Network is developing a new Academy for child-care center directors, board members and owners; Early Head Start directors; and school-based infant toddler program administrators. The purpose of this three-day academy is to introduce directors and administrators to the IA PITC philosophy of care and support services available as programs strive to continually improve the quality of infant toddler care. The first Academy will be offered July 28-30, 2009 at the Gateway Hotel in Ames. NAC approval for continuing education is being requested. More information will be coming soon!
|
Attention Service Providers and child care employees! You are invited to a community planning meeting on January 7th from 9-12 at Building Families Office, 500 Fair Meadow Drive. We will be working on our community plan and re-designation for empowerment and we need your input. Please contact Ann if you plan to attend. January 14th will be our snow date.
|
Building Families 09 Child Care Survey Data:
Ninety-two registered child care providers were sent a survey with 33 (36%) returned. The highest special needs identified by the child care providers were: behaviors, 30%; language, 36%; and allergies, 27%.
Retaining child care services could be enhanced by the following: higher income, 76%; health benefits, (this was “starred” by several providers as being very important) 70%; retirement or savings account, 70%; and more respect for what they do, 64%.
With the exception of QRS and Environmental Rating Scale, providers would attend any training available as long as it was held in the home community.
Providers stated that it was very important to take training that fulfills state requirements (62%) and helps to improve the quality of care (62%).
They also stated that they strongly agreed or somewhat agreed with the following: 88% wanted a set of standards for training for child care providers needs to be in place; 78% believed all child care programs should be regulated for quality; 73% would like compensation for child care providers to be determined by their training and qualifications; and last, 55% stated that current level of state regulations for family child care makes it difficult to sustain a program. (Childcare providers who are not registered care for too many children and therefore take business away from them.) Thank you to all providers who filled out a survey for us.
|
Smart Discipline Seminar At the Bridge, 905 Des Moines St. in Webster City from 10-12 on January 17th. *Stops fighting and bickering *Stops disrespectful language *Puts end to homework hassles *Instills positive beliefs *Gets kids to clean up rooms *Gets kids to do what you ask the first time *Gets kids to bed on time *Builds self-confidence *Puts end to whining *Gets kids self-motivated *Stops interrupting *Curbs negative attitudes *Helps with ADD/ADHD kids To find out more visit the website below http://www.smartdiscipline.com/dandf/pdfs/sdpflyer.pdf
| | The Belmond-Klemme Education Association and Diversity Coalition are working together fundraising for preschool scholarships. The funds raised will be used in the Wright County preschools for parents of children needing assistance to attend preschool. Thanks to Tom Tyrrell for heading up the fundraising efforts and to the school faculty for making generous donations instead of giving each other Christmas gifts! We appreciate your generosity!
|
Love Our Kids Day Celebration is an event being developed for the families with children in Hamilton County. The purpose of the event is to provide a safe family friendly activity for parents and children, let the community know of the resources available to them, and promote child injury prevention.
Service providers, preschools, health providers, child care providers, faith, educators, community/civic groups at large are being invited to set up a resource table for your agency, hand out brochures and information about your services, or a toy or incentive; focus on one aspect of injury prevention for children; and provide an activity for children, youth or families to become engaged in.
Love Our Kids Day Celebration will take place on May 3rd from 1-4 pm at the Webster City Middle School. Call Ann for a registration form if you would like to set up a table and participate.
| |
|
