Thursday, October 24, 2013


Calling All Center Directors

Join your colleagues for the next

 

Early Childhood Directors Group

November 14thth – 10:00 am – noon

2021 Hennepin Ave. E., Minneapolis  55413

Networking and discussion of leadership issues, public policies and “hot topics” for managing child care centers.

There is no charge for this meeting.

RSVP to Nancy Johnson – njohnson@thinksmall.org

          
The Early Childhood Directors Group meets monthly
 on the second Thursday from 10:00 am – noon
Think Small’s Minneapolis office
2021 Hennepin Ave. E., Suite 250, Mpls, 55413

 


New Scholarship Program Launched

The Minnesota Department of Education and Department of Human Services  announce that $40 million in Early Learning Scholarships are now available to Minnesota families.

Think Small administers the new scholarships in the Twin Cities Metro Area. Applications for interested families are available by calling the Scholarship Information Hotline at 651-641-6604.  Programs and families can also download the application at  Think Small’s website:



http://www.thinksmall.org/home/news/title/New_State_Early_Learning_Scholarhips

Up to $5,000 per year will be awarded to children aged three to five to improve their school readiness. Scholarships may be used at any early childhood program participating in Parent Aware.

Who can be in the program?

  • Families living in Scott, Washington, Anoka, Hennepin, Ramsey or Dakota county, and
  • Families with a child between the ages of 3 and 5 and not yet eligible for kindergarten, and
  • Families choosing a child care program rated by Parent Aware or that have signed a Parent Aware participation agreement, and
  • Families who have an annual income at or below 185% of the Federal Poverty Guideline, based on 2013 Federal Poverty Guidelines chart.                                        SEE INCOME CHART BELOW

Family Size 185% of FPG
2 $28,694
3 $36,131
4 $43,568
5 $51,005

What services will families receive?

  • Information about choosing a quality Parent Aware rated program
  • Scholarship amounts based on the quality rating of the program

For Applications call the Scholarship Information line at (651) 641-6604.

For scholarship information in other languages:

Yog nyob hauv ob lub nroog ntxaib: 651-665-0150

En el área metropolitana, Ilame al: 651-665-0150

Magaalada gudahed wac: 651-665-0150
 

Center Directors Invited to Public Policy Hour

Please join us for Public Policy Hour held the first Tuesday of each month, October 2013 - June 2014, from Noon-1:00 p.m. at Think Small (2021 East Hennepin Avenue, Suite 250, Minneapolis, MN 55413.) No RSVP is required.  Feel free to bring your lunch.

Upcoming Topics:

November 5th, 2013 when Marcie Jefferys, Director of the Governor’s Childrens Cabinet and Barb Yates, Chair of the Governor’s Early Learning Council will join us.  They will talk about the different scopes of the work that their groups cover as well as the mission, vision and goals of each group.

December 3, 2013: Members of the Minnesota Department of Health’s Healthy Food Team will present the preliminary findings learned from the Minnesota Food Charter events held this past summer. They will also describe the plan for development of a child care leader guide and gather feedback from the audience for the working group charged with drafting the leader guide.

January 7, 2014: Nan Madden, Director or the Minnesota Budget Project


Apply Now for the 2014 Director's Online Credential

The Eager-to-Learn Online Director’s Credential (pdf file) is recognized by NAEYC and meets all the director training requirements for NAEYC Accreditation. An added benefit for those in Minnesota: An approved Director’s Credential earns an extra point in the Parent Aware Quality Rating and Improvement System. Quality Improvement Support dollars can be used toward tuition for the Eager-to-Learn Director's Credential.

Participation in this unique learning community is open to professionals across the country including child care directors, assistant directors, and others in or preparing for leadership positions.

Applications are now being accepted. Flexible payment plan options are available.

The Director's Credential focuses on administration, supervision/management and leadership. In response to feedback from directors, new courses added in 2013 support skill development  in building cultural competency, professional ethics and coaching staff for continuous growth.

Apply Now


 

Heath Resources for Child Care Programs

 

Below, please find links to Affordable Care Act information as well as Health and Safety Resources from Jeanne VanOrsdal, Project Manager of Healthy Child Care America:

 

ACA:

 
Health Care Reform: The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act


 
The Affordable Care Act: What It Means for Children, Families, and Early Childhood Programs


 

Health and Safety Resources:
 



 

Healthy Child Care America Web site



 

Now Accepting T.E.A.C.H. Scholarship Applications
T.E.A.C.H. Early Childhood® MINNESOTA is a scholarship program intended to help early childhood and school-age care professionals increase their levels of education, compensation and commitment to the field. T.E.A.C.H. has a history of helping Minnesota child care professionals earn college credits, degrees and credentials.
For more information and to download an application, visit the T.E.A.C.H. section on the Child Care Aware of Minnesota website. Applications must be postmarked by November 1.

CDA Information and Consulting Available


Holly Meuers, Education Coordinator, Child Care Aware of MN helps teachers and directors plan your professional development.

· CDA advising and scholarship opportunities

· Support in planning your professional path to reach your goals

· Face to face, phone or online meeting options available

Contact Holly for information or to set up an appointment: hollym@childcareawaremn.org or 651-290-9704 ext. 109

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