March 2017          
   914.761.3456
Parent Connections
Top 3 Things To Know
#1 Child Care Scholarships Available
* Must be living in Westchester, income eligible, working full time and utilizing child care full time. 
* Must use an approved OCFS regulated child care program/provider. 
Due May 30,2017

Family Size Scholarship Income Levels
2 $32,481 - $53,592
3 $40,841 - $62,485
4 $49,201 - $66,420
5 $57,561 - $77,706

#2 World Autism Awareness Day
April 2, 2017 is the World Autism Awareness Day.
For more information Click Here 

Here are some resources and things to do:
  • Autism Theater Initiative - for more information Click Here 
#3 Songs and Poetry
April is National Poetry Month
Yes songs are poems too! Nursery Rhymes are poems, Dr. Seuss books and many others are poems. Chants and finger plays are poems!

Learning to rhyme is a critical skill on the path to reading. So, celebrate rhymes and poems this month and every day!



 

Did You Know...
Taxes and Child Care

In
 order to claim your child and dependent care expenses on your taxes you need to have the appropriate information from each person or organization that provides care for your child. This includes their name, address and tax identification number (TIN). This could be their social security number or federal ID #.



Health & Safety Corner
Recalls Can Save Lives
 
 Recent Recalls: 
 
Little Tikes Recalls Toddler Swings Due to Fall Hazard More Info

Kids II Recalls Oball Rattles Due to Choking Hazard More Info

Juratoys Recalls Toy Trolleys Due to Impact Injury Hazard More Info 

Target Recalls Magnetic Tic Tac Toe Games Due to Choking and Magnet Ingestion Hazards More Info

Britax Recalls Strollers Due to Fall Hazard More Info

Kidde Recalls Combination Smoke/CO Alarms Due to Alarm Failure More Info

To Get Regular Updates on Recall Products Click Here
Advocacy 
~Child Care Needs Your Help~
 Governor's Budget Has NO New Child Care Subsidy Funding - Service Cuts Could Be on the Way 
 
Only 17% of NYS lower-income families that are eligible for a child care subsidy receive one.   
 
Contracted Westchester child care and after school programs haven't had a rate increase in years.
 
New federal regulations that make child care safer and higher quality are not being implemented in NYS.
 
It's time for NYS to make child care funding a priority.  
 
We have been meeting with the Westchester State Delegation and in Albany to get more child care funding.  To let the Governor and your state legislators know that child care is important to you, send a letter.   


 

What's Cooking?
Total Time: 70 minutes
 
By replacing the lasagna noodles with thin sliced zucchini you can create a delicious, lower carb (gluten-free) lasagna that's loaded with vegetables, and you won't miss the pasta!

INGREDIENTS:
  • 1 lb 93% lean ground beef
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt
  • 1 tsp olive oil
  • 1/2 large onion, chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 (28 oz can) crushed tomatoes
  • 2 tbsp chopped fresh basil
  • black pepper, to taste
  • 3 medium (8 ounces each) zucchini, sliced 1/8" thick
  • 1 1/2 cups part-skim ricotta
  • 1/4 cup Parmigiano Reggiano
  • 1 large egg
  • 16 oz (4 cups) shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese
DIRECTIONS:
  1. In a medium sauce pan, brown meat and season with salt. When cooked drain in colander to remove any fat
  2. Add olive oil to the pan and sauté garlic and onions about 2 minutes. Return the meat to the pan, add tomatoes, basil, salt and pepper. Simmer on low for at least 30-40minutes, covered. Do not add extra water, the sauce should be thick
  3. Meanwhile, slice zucchini into 1/8" thick slices, add lightly salt and set aside or 10 minutes. Zucchini has alot of water when cooked, salting it takes out a lot of moisture. After 10 minutes, blot excess moisture with a paper towel.
  4. Preheat a gas grill to medium high, and grill zucchini 2 to 3 minutes per side, until slightly browned. Place on paper towels to soak any excess moisture.
  5. Preheat oven to 375°.
  6. In a medium bowl mix ricotta cheese, parmesan cheese and egg. Stir well.
  7. In a 9x12 casserole spread 1/2 cup of sauce on the bottom and layer the zucchini to cover. Spread 1/2 cup of the ricotta cheese mixture, then top with 1 cup of the mozzarella cheese and repeat the process until all your ingredients are used up. The last layer top with remaining zucchini and sauce, cover with foil and bake 30 minutes. Uncover the foil and bake 20 minutes (to dry up the sauce) then place the remaining 1 cup mozzarella and bake until melted, 10 minutes.
  8. Let stand about 5 - 10 minutes before serving.
In This Issue
  • $$$ for Child Care
  • Recalls
  • Fun family activities
What's happening at the Council
2017 Spring Conference for Family/Group Family Child Care Providers 
Saturday, April 22, 2017... Treat your caregiver to a wonderful day of training. 

2017 Annual Awards Breakfast 
"Make Magic Happen"
Friday, May 19, 2017
8:00am-10:00am
Westchester Marriott
Tarrytown, NY 
 
 
Council Office Closing:
Monday, May 29, 2017
Do you have a child in a Family Provider Home? If so, send them to an ALL DAY training.. ..
2017 Family / Group Family Conference 
Saturday, April 22
in Ossining
BOOK DRIVE
March 15th to 
April 28th 
Donate Books to 
The Council at 
313 Central Park Ave
Scarsdale, NY 10583

Each year we collect thousands of new and gently used books for children that are distributed to child care programs throughout the county.   
Things To Do
Hiking and Outside Fun!
 
Croton Gorge Park & Historic Croton Dam 
914-827-9568  
Croton Dam Plaza Spillway Croton Gorge Park, a 97-acre property, is located at Route 129, Cortlandt Manor, NY 10520 in Westchester County. The Park is located at the base of the New Croton Dam, and affords impressive views of the dam and spillway.
 
Trailside Nature Museum - Cross River 
914-864-7322  
Entrance to Ward Pound Ridge The  Trailside Nature Museum  is located at 6 Reservation Road, (Junction of Routes 35 and 121 South), Ward Pound Ridge Reservation, Cross River, NY 10518 in Westchester County. The Museum is owned and operated by Westchester County Parks, Recreation, and Conservation. The museum was built in 1937 by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC), and is one of the oldest interpretive nature centers in the United States. . 
 
Croton Point Nature Center 
914-862-5297  
The Croton Point Nature Center is located at the 504-acre Croton Point Park, the largest peninsula of the Hudson River in Croton-on-Hudson. The scenic discovery trail winds its way through the park, enabling visitors to explore the Croton Point's many plant and wildlife species, including painted turtles and a variety of frogs, as well as its unique historical features.
 
Teatown Lake Reservation - New Castle 
914-762-2912  
Teatown Lake Reservation is located in the Towns of Yorktown, Cortlandt and New Castle.  Teatown programming includes: Environmental education, stewardship of Teatown's preserve and regional conservation activities throughout the Hudson Valley. Education efforts include a wide range of classes, lectures and outdoor activities, on and offsite, for children, families and adults - all focused on nature and the role of biodiversity in sustainable living
 
 
Blue Hill at Stone Barns Center 
914-366-9600  
Blue Hill at Stone Barns, offering a wonderful experience for kids and adults and a chance to learn about organic and sustainable farming, is located at 630 Bedford Road in Pocantico Hills, NY 10591 in Westchester County.
 
 
Cranberry Lake Preserve Nature Center 
914-428-1005  
The Cranberry Lake Nature Center is a 190-acre nature preserve comprised of forest, wetlands, and a 10-acre lake that was carved by glaciers thousands of years ago. There are three miles of trails, including a loop around the lake, and others that traverse the predominantly northern oak-hickory forest.  

Parent Education
Click below to see a full list of 
Training for Parents with Children with Special Needs ~ en Español
OSSINING ENTRENAMIENTO DE HABILIDADES PARA PADRES 
4/4/17
(914) 941-3461

Peekskill Parent Skills Coaching 
Thursdays in April
(914) 739-4725
 
More Info

CPSE/CSE Parent training
5/5/17
(845) 493-2902 

Positive Discipline for Preschoolers
5/27/17,  John C. Hart Library 
(914) 245-5262
Job Openings At the Council
We're looking for a Few Good Women & Men
 
Come work at the Child Care Council and make a difference in the life of a child. We currently have the following openings: