Thursday, February 27, 2014


Join Your Colleagues at the

Early Childhood Directors Group

Thursday, March 13thth

10:00 am – noon

2021 Hennepin Ave. E., Minneapolis  55413

Ø Discussion Topic: Having Difficult Conversations With Staff

Ø Changes at the Center for Professional Development

Ø What you need to know to take action on behalf of children and families at the legislature

There is no charge for this meeting.

RSVP to Nancy Johnson – njohnson@thinksmall.org

The Early Childhood Directors Group meets on the second Thursday of the following months for facilitated discussion, resource sharing and networking.
All meetings are 10:00 am – noon at Think Small, 2021 E. Hennepin Ave., Suite 250, Mpls, 55413.
Upcoming Meetings:  March 13th, April 10th, June 12th, August 14th, October 9th, and November 13th.
These meetings are FREE and open to all directors and assistant directors.
Four times/year we hold Directors Trainings. All Directors Trainings are $22 and MNCPD approved for 2 clock hours. Trainings are from 10:00 am – noon at Think Small on 2021 E. Hennepin Ave., Suite 250, Mpls, 55413.
The next Directors Training:
THURSDAY - May 8th – The Kindness Curriculum, with author Judith Rice
Registration must be made 7 days in advance on www.mnstreams.org or by calling the Training Registration Line: 651-641-3549.
Questions? Nancy Johnson 651-233-2260 or  njohnson@thinksmall.org.
Also plan on joining us for the 2014 Tour of Quality Programs next Fall.

Help us tell ECE success stories

To be successful at the legislature we have to put a face on why quality child care and scholarships are important and what they mean to children, parents, providers and our communities. Send your stories so that the MinneMinds Coalition can share them with the Governor, legislators and the media. If you need some story prompts, click here. Then email your stories to stories@minneminds.com.

CCAP Higher Reimbursement Rates

Effective February and March 2014

Providers with a three- or four-star Parent Aware rating are eligible for higher rates effective March 3, 2014.

 

        Providers with a three-star Parent Aware rating are eligible for up to 15 percent above the standard maximum rate, not to exceed the provider charge.

        Providers with a four-star Parent Aware rating are eligible for up to 20 percent above the standard maximum rate, not to exceed the provider charge.

 

Parent Aware programs are NOT required to submit additional CCAP paperwork to receive the higher reimbursement rates.

 

Programs’ Parent Aware ratings will be entered into the CCAP rates authorization system to alert case workers to approve new Service Authorization rates for individual programs.

 

For specific rates, see the CCAP 15 Percent Quality Differential Maximum Rates - Effective February 3, 2014 (DHS-6442B) and the CCAP 20 Percent Quality Differential

 

Accredited programs eligible for higher rates

Licensed and license-exempt centers accredited by certain accrediting organizations are eligible for a 15 percent higher rate for quality, not to exceed the provider’s charge.  For List of Accrediting bodies, see DHS BULLETIN #14-68-03

 

Accredited programs must verify their accreditation to receive higher reimbursement rates

In order to receive the 15 percent higher CCAP rate for quality,

the provider must request the higher rate and submit

verification showing that they hold one of the approved accreditations. Programs may request the higher rate on their Registration and Acknowledgement Form(DHS-5190 and DHS-5191) or on the Quality Differential Rate Request Form (DHS-4795) or by sending a qualifying accreditation certificate with a written request.

 

Be An “In The Know” Advocate

Join Minnesota's Future at the next Policy Hour on March 4th  Noon – 1pm.  Policy Hour is a monthly opportunity for early childhood and school-age care professionals to connect with each other and learn about current policy issues in an informal setting. Policy Hour is held the first Tuesday of each month, through June 2014, from Noon-1:00 p.m. at Think Small -  2021 East Hennepin Avenue E., Suite 250, Minneapolis, MN 55413. No RSVP is required. Feel free to bring your lunch.

 

Curious about Parent Aware Ratings?

 

Come to a FREE Quality Tune Up  

Learn about the components of Parent Aware

 

Stop by between 5:30—8:00 p.m.

Monday, March 10th, 2014

Think Small, 2021 Hennepin Ave. East, Mpls,55413

 

The Quality Tune Up Open House includes information on:

 

        Options for Training and Education

        Completing your Learning Record on the Registry

        Daily Schedules, Lesson Plans and Curriculum

        Child Observation and Assessment

        Resources to Share with Parents

        Early Learning Scholarship Information

 


In 'brainpower' study, MN's children really are above average


Mpls St Paul Business Journal | February 27, 2014

Garrison Keillor’s signoff from Lake Wobegon, Minn., promises as much, so it shouldn’t be a surprise that the Minneapolis-St. Paul region ranked 9th out of 102 metros in an analysis by American City Business Journals of education levels of residents in the area, based on 2012 U.S. Census Data. [Read More]

 

Staff Need Training? Register & Pay Online

The online version of Think Small’s training calendar is now available 24/7 on www.MNStreams.org . Included are class titles, descriptions, instructors, dates, times, and fees. Mail in registrations are no longer accepted. Please register and pay for classes on www.MNStreams.org 

 
 
 
 

NOTE: Before starting a new account on MNStreams, call Think Small’s Training Line and ask for your ID and Password:  651-641-3549.

If you’re having trouble finding or registering for courses online you can always call Think Small’s Training Line – 651-641-3549.  Leave your message and a training coordinator will get back to you.

Presidential Priority:

Fund Early Childhood Education

Early Childhood Education   -   EDWeek Update - Jan 30th, 2014

President Obama renewed his pitch—kicked off in last year's State-of the Union speech—for Congress to enact a major, early- childhood education initiative that would entice states to expand pre-kindergarten to more 4-year-olds, improve program quality, and bolster access to Head Start. Lawmakers have already put a down payment on that plan, funneling more than $1 billion in additional money to existing early-childhood education programs—primarily Head Start.

But, so far, lawmakers have been much cooler to the core piece of Obama's early-childhood initiative—matching grants to help states begin expanding their own programs. The two top Democrats in Congress—Rep. George Miller of California, and Sen. Tom Harkin of Iowa—introduced legislation that would make much of the proposal a reality. But the legislation has attracted only a couple of Republican co-sponsors, in part because of its price tag: more than $30 billion over the first five years.

"I really want to get it done," Harkin said of his preschool expansion legislation that is part of a push by President Barack Obama to improve the economy by getting more children ready to learn.

In the meantime, however, Obama said he would pull together a coalition of business leaders, philanthropists, and elected officials to help expand pre-K for the neediest children. The House Education and the Workforce Committee led by chairman John Kline, R-Minn., held a hearing on early education on Feb 5th.

 

Save the Date: Voices for Children
Advocacy Day is March 26th
The 12th Annual Voices for Children Advocacy Day will be Wednesday, March 26 at 10:00AM at the Minnesota State Capitol.  The Voices for Children Advocacy Day is an opportunity for parents, teachers, early care and education professionals in Minnesota to stand up and counted as a voice for children.
More details will soon be announced. You can watch for more details at voicesforchildrenmn.org or the Voices for Children Advocacy Day Facebook page.
Parent Aware Update
Imagine Target Field jam packed full of people
Now imagine them all using Parent Aware Ratings
That’s the new reality. Driven in part by the Ratings Ad Campaign on radio, TV, billboards, and the web, 39,735 “unique visitors” have gone to the Parent Aware website over the last six months alone. As the new ad campaign continues, the number of new users will continue to grow.
Many parents who use the Ratings use them silently. But they are there. An average of 6,600 brand new website visitors every month. Month after month. Year after year.
78% of parents who recall the ads say that, all things being equal, they would choose a Star Rated program over an unrated one; 4% would choose an unrated program.
New families enrolling their children are only one reward available to Parent Aware Rated programs. Free coaching, improvement grants, community recognition and $60 million in new scholarships and CCAP bonuses are also available to the growing number if providers volunteering for Parent Aware.
The website’s search function is now location-based so that parents can view a map of Parent Aware programs in their area. Check out the updated site at parentawareratings.org
For information about how your program can get started in Parent Aware call Carol Stromme 651-641-6644 or cstromme@thinksmall.org and visit parentawareratings.org   

Monday, February 17, 2014


Thursday March 13th Directors Training

Has Been CANCELLED

Check back to see when More Than Raffi:  Musical Literacy in the Early Childhood Setting is re-scheduled.

The NEXT Early Childhood Directors Group
Will be Thursday, March 13thth
10:00 am – noon
2021 Hennepin Ave. E., Minneapolis  55413

Ø Discussion Topic: Having Difficult Conversations With Staff

Ø Changes at the Center for Professional Development

Ø What you need to know to take action on behalf of children and families at the legislature


There is no charge for this meeting.
RSVP to Nancy Johnson – njohnson@thinksmall.org

The Early Childhood Directors Group meets on the second Thursday of the month for facilitated discussion, resource sharing and networking.
Upcoming Meetings:  March 13th, April 10th, June 12th, August 14th, October 9th, and November 13th.
These meetings are FREE and open to all directors and assistant directors.
All meetings are 10:00 am – noon at Think Small, 2021 E. Hennepin Ave., Suite 250, Mpls, 55413.
Four times per year we hold Directors Trainings. All Directors Trainings are $22 and MNCPD approved for 2 clock hours. Trainings are from 10:00 am – noon at Think Small on 2021 Hennepin Ave. E., Suite 250, Mpls, 55413.
The next Directors Training:
THURSDAY - May 8th – The Kindness Curriculum, with author Judith Rice
Registration must be made 7 days in advance on www.mnstreams.org or by calling the Training Registration Line: 651-641-3549.
Questions? Nancy Johnson 651-233-2260 or  njohnson@thinksmall.org.
Also plan on joining us for the 2014 Tour of Quality Programs next Fall.

Mark your calendars!
With the 2014 legislative session kicking off, here are several important dates to take action to ensure that the media, legislators and the Governor’s office prioritize early education.
·         February 25th: Legislative session begins
·         February 26th: Senate Education committee
            hearing on early childhood
·         February 27th: Governor Dayton’s State of
            the State address
·         February 27th: Hennepin County Early Childhood
            stakeholder meeting

Save the Date: Voices for Children
Advocacy Day - March 26th
The 12th Annual Voices for Children Advocacy Day will be Wednesday, March 26 at 10:00AM at the Minnesota State Capitol. The Voices for Children Advocacy Day is an opportunity for parents, teachers, early care and education professionals in Minnesota to stand up and counted as a voice for children.
More details will soon be announced. You can watch for more details at voicesforchildrenmn.org or the Voices for Children Advocacy Day Facebook page.

CCAP Higher Reimbursement Rates
Effective February and March 2014
Providers with a three- or four-star Parent Aware rating are eligible for higher rates effective March 3, 2014.
        Providers with a three-star Parent Aware rating are eligible for up to 15 percent above the standard maximum rate, not to exceed the provider charge.
 
        Providers with a four-star Parent Aware rating are eligible for up to 20 percent above the standard maximum rate, not to exceed the provider charge.
 
Parent Aware programs are NOT required to submit additional CCAP paperwork to receive the higher reimbursement rates.
Programs’ Parent Aware ratings will be entered into the CCAP rates authorization system to alert case workers to approve new Service Authorization rates for individual programs.
For specific rates, see the CCAP 15 Percent Quality Differential Maximum Rates - Effective February 3, 2014 (DHS-6442B) and the CCAP 20 Percent Quality Differential
Accredited programs eligible for higher rates
Licensed and license-exempt centers accredited by certain accrediting organizations are eligible for a 15 percent higher rate for quality, not to exceed the provider’s charge. 
Accredited programs must verify their accreditation to receive higher reimbursement rates
In order to receive the 15 percent higher CCAP rate for quality,
the provider must request the higher rate and submit verification showing that they hold one of the approved accreditations. Programs may request the higher rate on their Registration and Acknowledgement Form(DHS-5190 and DHS-5191) or on the Quality Differential Rate Request Form (DHS-4795) or by sending a qualifying accreditation certificate with a written request.
 
Be An “In The Know” Advocate

Join Minnesota's Future at the next Policy Hour on March 4th  Noon – 1pm.  Policy Hour is a monthly opportunity for early childhood and school-age care professionals to connect with each other and learn about current policy issues in an informal setting. Policy Hour is held the first Tuesday of each month, through June 2014, from Noon-1:00 p.m. at Think Small -  2021 East Hennepin Avenue E., Suite 250, Minneapolis, MN 55413. No RSVP is required. Feel free to bring your lunch.
 
Curious about Parent Aware Ratings? 
Come to a FREE Quality Tune Up 
Learn about the components of Parent Aware
Stop by between 5:30—8:00 p.m.
Monday, March 10th, 2014
Think Small, 2021 Hennepin Ave. East, Mpls,55413
 
The Quality Tune Up Open House includes information on:
        Options for Training and Education
        Completing your Learning Record on the Registry
        Daily Schedules, Lesson Plans and Curriculum
        Child Observation and Assessment
        Resources to Share with Parents
        Early Learning Scholarship Information  
Staff Need Training? Register & Pay Online
The online version of Think Small’s training calendar is now available 24/7 on www.MNStreams.org . Included are class titles, descriptions, instructors, dates, times, and fees. Mail in registrations are no longer accepted. Please register and pay for classes on www.MNStreams.org 

 


 

 
NOTE: Before starting a new account on MNStreams, call Think Small’s Training Line and ask for your ID and Password:  651-641-3549.
If you’re having trouble finding or registering for courses online you can always call Think Small’s Training Line – 651-641-3549.  Leave your message and a training coordinator will get back to you.
 
Imagine Target Field jam packed full of people.
Now imagine them all using Parent Aware Ratings.
That’s the new reality. Driven in part by the Ratings Ad Campaign on radio, TV, billboards, and the web, 39,735 “unique visitors” have gone to the Parent Aware website over the last six months alone. As the new ad campaign continues, the number of new users will continue to grow
Many parents who use the Ratings use them silently. But they are there. An average of 6,600 brand new website visitors every month. Month after month. Year after year
78% of parents who recall the ads say that, all things being equal, they would choose a Star Rated program over an unrated one; 4% would choose an unrated program
New families enrolling their children are only one reward available to Parent Aware Rated programs. Free coaching, improvement grants, community recognition and $60 million in new scholarships and CCAP bonuses are also available to the growing number if providers volunteering for Parent Aware.
The website’s search function is now location-based so that parents can view a map of Parent Aware programs in their area. Check out the updated site at parentawareratings.org
 
For information about how your program can get started in Parent Aware call Carol Stromme 651-641-6644 or cstromme@thinksmall.org and visit parentawareratings.org