July 12th Meeting Minutes
July 12th - 10:00
AM - noon
Think Small, West Office - 2021 E. Hennepin Ave., Mpls
Presentation: Addressing Social Media Concerns in you Child Care program:
Speaker: Kat Kempke, Senior Policy Advocate for Think Small
Social Media Handout Link:
https://docs.google.com/open?id=0B8HfDSmFengkQm1sdWxubTdxTXM
· The most important thing to think about is having an formal, written agency wide policy regarding social media Within that policy address
What are your goals/what do you want to share about your center by using a social media site
Will you be posting pictures: create a parent release form and have parents review and sign it every year.
Be clear with your teachers what they can/cannot post on their own social media sites: have teachers read and sign your social media policy form
Be clear what parents can/cannot post on their social media sites.
Make your centers social media page fun and interesting, some things you can include are
1. Tips for parents (shows your expertise in the field)
2. Less promotional, more personality of your center
3. Photos: new toys, playground, classrooms. Do not tag photos
What resources are available in your community?
1. Debra S. Fish Library
Librarian Cathy Clair presented about library resources please contact her about How to use the Debra S. Fish Library and resources available 651-641-3544
2. Introducing the Minnesota Child Care Credential and CDA scholarships.
Learn more about opportunities for your staff to apply for The Minnesota Child Care Credential and CDA scholarships.
http://www.mnchildcare.org/credential/index.php
https://docs.google.com/open?id=0B8HfDSmFengkblJkQUFaZ0ZJMXc
State legislative update –
Cisa Keller from MCCA
Main Child Care Outcomes in the 2012 Session:
Accreditation Standards Improved.
Creates a process for approval by the Department of Human Services of organizations that provide child care accreditation. These accrediting bodies must have standards that review how the child care setting supports the physical, emotional, social and cognitive development of children.
Bill passed by the Legislature and signed by Governor Dayton.
Accreditation Differential Increase.
The House Health and Human Services (HHS) omnibus bill included a 1% increase in the reimbursement accredited child care providers receive for providing services within the Child Care Assistance Program.
The provision was not included in the final HHS omnibus bill enacted into law.
Child Care Affordability Act
The Child Care Affordability Act was introduced in both the House and Senate, but did not receive a hearing in either body, despite many requests from constituents and the bill authors. Senate and House authors tried to amend it on to the HHS omnibus bill, but the amendments were defeated. Specifically the bill sought to fully fund Basic Sliding Fee child care assistance, increase eligibility for child care assistance, and restore grants that went to the statewide child care resource and referral network. The bill also included professional development funding for child care providers.
Introduced but no hearings granted.
Restore Absent Days
The House Health and Human Services omnibus bill included a provision to restore the number of absent days families on child care assistance can use per year. As of January 1, 2013 this number will decrease from 25 days/year to 10 days/year for licensed child care providers and to 0 days for legally unlicensed providers. Despite bipartisan support in the House, full restoration of absent days was not maintained during conference committee negotiations. A smaller provision allowing exceptions for teen parents with children in school-based child care was included in the final HHS omnibus bill.
Restoration to 25 absent days/year for teen parents with children in school-based child care programs was included in the HHS omnibus bill enacted into law.
Cribs
Need to be purchased and documented for licensing by December 28th, 2012
Legislative changes regarding Background Studies
Changed from 45 days to 90 days.
Risk Reduction Plans
Sample Risk Reduction plan link:
https://docs.google.com/open?id=0B8HfDSmFengkdlE4UVJMczlFT3M
The changes that were supposed to occur by August 1st will not happen in till January 1st. Alerts to these changes will be sent out by October.
The biggest change to the risk reduction plan is the elimination of the first section which you were to assess the risk with vulnerability of children.
What will be added is Safety and Supervision during transition times, in hallways, special emphasise on naptime, crib rooms, drop off and pick up, outdoor play, and neighborhood walks.
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