Connecticut

All Our Kin Holds Fifth Annual Family Child Care Conference

"El Corazon, the heart...its rhythmic contractions move blood through our bodies. It is the muscle that aches when someone hurts our feelings, it is the muscle that gives us the courage to carry on. It is also the muscle that motivates us to do what we know."-AlecSandria Colchico

On Saturday, April 10, 135 family child care providers, caring for over 800 children, joined All Our Kin staff and child care experts from around the country for a day of learning, growing, and professional development, sponsored by Yale University. The theme of this year's conference: "Teaching from the Heart." Workshop presenters included early childhood experts, psychologists, center directors and teachers from New Haven and throughout the country. Conference attendees were also treated to performances by two Yale undergraduate groups: Shades A Capella and the Yale Jashan Bhangra team.

AlecSandria Colchico, an imagination and creativity expert who appears daily on the PBS series A Place of Our Own, gave the keynote address, "What Does it Mean to Teach from the Heart?" She talked to the providers about how to listen to their hearts when caring for children, and how to look at the world from a child's point of view. Another important aspect of teaching from the heart is taking care of our own hearts. "How do we do this? One way ... is coming together in a forum like this, to rejuvenate and revitalize our heart's work. It is so important in this profession to network with other caregivers to share our heart's work and learn new things to keep the heart going strong," said Colchico.

In the words of one presenter: "[Speaking at your conference] was the highlight of my year, so far. I am still marveling at the joy and excitement that you and your whole staff at All Our Kin generated for the providers who attended." An attendee commented: "AlecSandria Colchico's message and the theme of the conference really touched and spoke to me. I left completely awestruck."

Vermont

State Legislative Update

Funding for Vermont’s Child Care Financial Assistance Program

As state revenues continue to fall short of need, there have been cuts to many public structures (infrastructure, programs and services).  However, Governor Douglas did not recommend reducing funding for the state’s Child Care Financial Assistance Program in his fiscal year 2011 (FY11) budget. So far, legislators have gone along with the Governor’s recommendation.

Child Care Licensor Caseload Dovetailing recommendations in the Kids Are Priority One Coalition’s 2010 Policy Agenda, the Child Care Advisory Board makes a clear case in its 2010 report to the Governor for more child care licensors. As the report states, “….Vermont is ranked number 4 [in the nation] for the strength of its child care regulations,” but it is ranked 44th for its “..ability to provide adequate oversight to child care programs, including routine inspections.”

The recommended licensor caseload is 1:50 (one licensor/50 programs). Vermont’s licensor caseload is 1:199 (1:319 when legally exempt providers are included). This high licensor caseload makes program oversight by the Child Development Division very difficult, which in turn negatively affects quality. Licensors cannot spend the time they would like to with programs, and it is hard to be proactive to prevent problems before they occur (such as providers caring for more than children than their license permits). Unfortunately, there is no talk in Montpelier of increasing funding to permit the Child Development Division to hire more licensors.

Challenges for Change

Many of you have probably heard of “Challenges for Change.” What started out as a report that included recommendations for cutting programs and services through “modernization” (using technology instead of people to deliver services where possible) and centralization of services has become legislation. The Governor’s goal with Challenges for Change is to cut approximately $38 million from the FY11 budget.

Many people and organizations are expressing grave concerns about the speed with which Challenges for Change recommendations are being adopted and implemented.  Many of the changes will be longlasting and will have an enormous impact on the public structures (programs, services and infrastructure) on which Vermonters depend to sustain our quality of life. One of the changes that affect Vermont’s early childhood system is the recommendation to consolidate all intake for the Child Care Financial Assistance Program through a central call center located within the Economic Services Division of the Agency of Human Services.  The Kids Are Priority One Coalition, the Vermont Association of Child Care Resource and Referral Agencies and others have expressed concerns about the impact on families of this proposed change.

While the Governor and the legislature are relying primarily on budget cuts to close the estimated $150 million gap in the FY11 budget, the One Vermont Coalition is advocating for a different, more balanced approach.

Kim Friedman, Organizing Director, at (802) 348-9879 or kfriedman@svcable.net.

New Jersey

New Jersey held its 3rd annual conference for family child care providers on Saturday, April 4th at Crowne-Plaza Hotel in Jamesburg, NJ. The conference was sponsored by The New Jersey Family Child Care Providers’ Association (NJFCCPA), The Family Child Care Organization of New Jersey (FCCONJ), New Jersey Association of Child Care Resource and Referral Agencies (NJACCRRA), Professional Impact NJ, and EAFCC (Educational Association for Family Child Care). Also featured at the conference was the multi-faceted teacher, composer, author, and performer, Peter Stewart as Key Note Speaker. His blend of music, humor and interaction with the audience make him a much sought out motivational speaker across the country. Out of state visitors to the conference showing support and spreading goodwill were Joan Hallett-Valentine, President of the Family Child Care Association of NY State and Debbie Strack, Secretary of the Family Child Care Association of NY State. Debbie is also the Regional Rep. for the states of NY & NJ for the National Association for Family Child Care.

New York

The Family Child Care Association of New York State held their annual conference on March 20th and 21st at the Sagamore Resort located on beautiful Lake George in Bolton Landing, NY. Keynote speakers were Jeanine Fitzgerald and Scott Noyes. Plans are underway for their next conference which will be held March 26 & 27, 2010 at the same location. Up to 15.5 hours of training is offered at the conference. For more information visit their website at www.fccanys.org

Alabama

Alabama FCC Conference
8th Focus on The Family CC Conference
Auburn, AL
June 25 - 26

Florida

FFCCHA
"Enhancing Our Minds...in 2010"
June 22 - 27, 2010
Sheraton Sand Key Resort
1160 Gulf Blvd.
Clearwater, FL

   Email: MPTenderStepsKid@aol.com

Wisconsin Regional News:

The 28th Annual Wisconsin Family Child Care Conference(WFCCA) is being held at the Chula Vista Resort & Convention Center in Wisconsin Dells May 7th to the 9th. We have fabulous keynote speakers, a silent auction, 50/50 raffle, numerous workshops and trainings, Friday night fun visiting the Dells Deer Park, riding the Ducks, taking a sunset cruise and visiting the Baraboo Chocolate Factory. Hope to see some of you there.

Our head state organization that WFCCA is under is Wisconsin Early Childhood Association (WECA). Their conference is being held also in Wisconsin Dells at the Kalahari Resort & Convention Center October 22nd - 24th. All resorts & convention centers in Wisconsin Dells have indoor water parks and amusement parks as well as theaters. This State conference will include a professional development luncheon celebrating the 10th Anniversary of T.E.A.C.H. WECA works to build a foundation for a lifetime of learning for Wisconsin's young children by promoting excellence in early education programs, supporting professionalism among their members and calling for a greater public investment in our future.

T.E.A.C.H Early Childhood Wisconsin & R.E.W.A.R.D are still awarding scholarships, however, there will be a waiting list by the end of the biennium (summer 2009). REWARD currently has a waiting list of over 900 and that list is growing. Wisconsin TEACH served 1,147 individuals on 1,521 scholarships. 275 were Family Childcare providers. REWARD awarded 1,882 stipends.

Submitted by Sharon A. Mras
Past Vice-President WFCCA
Board member to WECA ALG/MAC as well
Portage Co. Childcare Association
NAFCC region 5 Wisconsin spokeperson

Texas

Texas Professional Home Child Care Association (TPHCCA)

22nd Annual Educational And Enrichment Conference

September 23 - 26, 2010

To be held at
Omni San Antonio Hotel at the Colonnade
9821 Colonnade Blvd.
San Antonio, TX 78230
210-691-8888 or 1-800-theOmni
Contact person;
Website to register www.tphcca.org

Accreditation Support Group has been formed with the help of Camp Fire USA First Texas Council in Fort Worth, Texas.
The support group meets once a month at Camp Fire for providers who are interested in becoming Accredited.

Support Group dates:
March 30 Environment Part 1
April 20 Environment Part 2
May 18 Relationships
June 22 Learning Activities Part 1
July 6 Learning Activities Part 2
August 17 Health & Safety
Sept 21 Requesting Observation Visit
Oct 19 Business Practices
Nov 16 Developing a Professional Portfolio

Time 7-9pm

Location Camp Fire USA
2700 Meacham Blvd.
Fort Worth, TX 76137

For more information contact
Barb Luft 817-337-3695

New Mexico

Beverly Stokes was awarded accreditation on March 15, 2010
Beverly is president of the Alamogordo Family Child Care Association.

I Beverly Stokes work with the Children Youth and Families Department (CYFD) Child Care Taskforce May 10th,11th and last day well be on 25th of May 2010. It has been a great honor to be selected for this task. It also has been great. I hope I can help again I really learned alot. If you as a Family Child Care Provider ever get the chance to be on a task force do your best to go. You will not be disappointed if its like what I have just experience. We need more family child care providers out in the communities to show that we are good quality child care providers and we are very professional in what we do. We are out for the best care that we can provide for the children we take care of.

The Task Force Team is working on what is working ,or not working, and what we can do about it: for the Aim High Program, The Stars, Accreditation, and the Rating Scale System. We met on May 10-11,2010 and well finish up on May ,2010. There was about 35 people, Family Child Care Homes, Directors from Centers, PDS's,CYFD Officals This Task Force was formed to see what needs to be worked on in these areas. It was a very good team and we did get alot done and alot of good information was given. We well meet on the 25th of May to continue. Will keep you informed. Let me know if I covered everything you needed.

The Greater Albuquerque FCCA website is; www.dark-pheniox.net/gafcca-

Arkansas

Arkansas has a website for their state association. www.arkansasfamilychildcareassociation.com

Kansas

The 24th Annual Conference sponsored by Child Care Providers Coalition of Kansas, was held on April 24th and 25th, 2009 at the Ramada Hotel in Topeka, Kansas. The conference theme was Child Care: "Putting the Pieces Together." In order to accommodate providers with CDA's and NAFCC Accreditation credentials, twelve hours of CEU's were offered at the conference. We also offered eight hours of two hour workshops.
Awards given at the conference were:
Hunter Award: Janet Newton, Parents as Teachers
Provider of The Year Award: Lynette Weimen, Overland Park, Ks.
Affiliate of the Year Award: Capital Area Providers, Topeka, Ks.

 Next years conference is scheduled for April 23rd and 24th at the Holiday Inn Select in Wichita, Kansas.

Iowa

Iowa's Family Child Care Association held its annual spring conference on March 28, 2009. "Caring for Iowa's Future" was held at a new location, the Quality Inn, Iowa City. For more information please contact Kathy ONeill, President, Iowa Family Child Care Association, woodnbear@aol.com

   Email: artsyiris@hotmail.com

Alaska held its 20^th annual conference in Anchorage, Alaska on May 1-2, 2009. "Spark the Imagination While Caring for Yourself" was held at a new location, the Hotel Captain Cook in Anchorage. Debbie Gray, dgray@alaska.net

The North Idaho Family Child Care held its first workshop on November 15, 2008. The presenter was Dan Hodgins who spoke on the learning styles of boys and girls. The workshop was so successful that it will help and support additional providers who are seeking accreditation status.

As an organization, it is our goal to make sure all family child care providers is equally represented in all early childhood organizations. Our knowledge in this field needs to be fully recognized and our voices heard. We can make a significant difference.

In the Northern region we now have five providers who are accredited with two more starting the process! Way to go, Peggy Banks and Laurie Klug! We are continually increasing membership and hope to link up with a very active group of providers in the southern region. We can learn so much and together we can be a stronger voice across the state.

IdahoStars is again offering an enhancement grant for those who meet the criteria. The Idaho AEYC and Early Childhood Coordinating Council held a discussion on March 5, 2009 with Stacy Goffin, lead author of "Ready or Not: Leadership Choices in Early Childhood and Education".

Oregon Family Child Care Network (OFCCN) has a new chair: Renee Anderson. Renee also is OFCCN's newsletter editor. Ofccn1@gmail.com

Oregon AEYC had a professional development conference in Eugene, at Lane Community College April 24, 2009.

PCPO had a conference with Dr. Randy Hitz on February 28, 2009 at the Athey Creek Middle School in West Linn.

AFSCME/Child Care Providers Together, Local 132 had its first annual meeting and convention in Salem, April 3-4, 2009. Eight hours of training were free to members and a minimal cost to non-members.

Oregon's governor's budget is cutting millions of dollars from the subsidy increases that we gained only two years ago. For information regarding our legislative strategy and how you can help, check our website or contact Sue Mackey, Local 132 President, 503-391-4682. Local 132’s website also has helpful information that can assist licensed providers, www.oregonccpt.com

EWFFCA held their spring conference on March 7, 2009. "Reach for the Stars" at the Spokane Valley Church of the Nazarene. The theme was "Promises to Keep" and the keynote address, Melanie Dewberry Jones, spoke on "Getting to Serious Business of Love". Sherry Schleufer pantomime2@comcast.net

The Family Child Care Division of SEIU, Local 925 has developed a training/mentoring program taught by licensed family child care providers. The trainers/mentors are paid to provide ten hours of training and the providers are given a $600 bonus upon completion of the ten hours of training.

Regulations are being rewritten between the union and the state.

The conference committee is scheduled to hold its biennial conference April 24-26, 2009 at the Marriott Hotel Sea Tac.

The Department of Early Learning suspended the QRIS in order to continue other programs. There will be two QRIS demonstration sites that will continue with limited funding.