HEAR FROM OUR STAFF FOR AOK UPDATES

Dear Jessica,

This fall will bring about exciting new changes for the All our Kin team and our family of educators! As we begin transitioning staff, events and training offerings back in-person we want to assure you that your health and comfort are our top priority. Please make sure to read our COVID-19 safety guidelines for all office and site visits. During this transition, we encourage you to continue virtual participation if you feel most comfortable.

Speaking of changes — All Our Kin’s New Haven office is moving, and it’s just a few short steps away from our current office. We will officially open mid-October, but if you have any immediate needs, you can reach out to an AOK staff member directly, or call 203-772-2294. We look forward to welcoming you to our new location at 153 East Street on the 3rd floor.

As many of you may know, we have officially launched the new and improved All Our Kin website! Our team has worked hard to ensure that our educators have easy access to information around events, programs and other offerings. Please take some time to explore the site, ask questions and provide us with feedback. If you’re experiencing any trouble navigating, please do not hesitate to reach out to [email protected] for assistance.

We look forward to seeing you again in-person soon and continue to send our love, friendship and support.

In Solidarity,

The All Our Kin Team

Tell Congress to Fund Child Care

Policy

Congress is negotiating a bold plan to strengthen our country's care infrastructure, including child care and pre-k. This investment would expand access to child care, increase professional development and significantly improve compensation for family child care educators. For more information, click here to view slides. This plan is running into opposition from members who want o cut the proposed investment in half, jeopardizing child care funding. Please use this link to urge Senator Blumenthal, Murphy, and your Representative to hold firm on the infrastructure package and family child care! It's easy — we provided a sample letter and contact information for reference.

If you've already contacted them this week, urge them to #SaveFamilyChildCare on social media! Click here for social media handles.

Updated OEC

Memo #45

Policy

Governor Lamont issued an executive order requiring all child care workers including family child care educators and their staff to be fully vaccinated for COVID-19 by September 27th or submit to COVID-19 testing once per week. The OEC has made revisions to the vaccine guidance outlined in memo #45, including policy and testing requirements. There are several important forms included in memo #45 to help providers comply with the Connecticut’s vaccine mandate. You can find several below:

Medical, religious/spiritual exemption forms and vaccination attestation form

Care 4 Kids Online Applications

Policy

Care4Kids applications can now be completed and submitted online. Please feel free to share the information with your families!

APPLY TODAY

Listening Sessions on the

Staffing Crisis

Policy

OEC wants to hear from you about workforce recruitment and retention in our state. The agency will hold a virtual listening session with family child care educators to learn more about your recruitment and retention needs. Please share your insights and ideas about how OEC can support your efforts to find and keep good staff members. Session will be 1 hour; Spanish translation will be available. Select the time below and click to register today—space is limited!

September 29th at 1PM.

OEC Services

Resources

Earlier this month, we shared that All Our Kin is one of the Office of Early Childhood’s Family Child Care networks. As part of the OEC Staffed Family Child Care Networks, you have access to many great services. Check them out here:

WBDC Business Coaching

CTShares

FCC Educator Panel Series

Event

Are you interested in helping to inspire your FCC colleagues by sharing your knowledge and experience? Would you like to practice your public speaking skills? Do you want to present to others about the good and important work you're doing in your program?

All Our Kin is continuing our series of virtual evening FCC educator panels this fall and we're looking for panelists. We have been offering these panels since the beginning of the pandemic, and they've been a great space to connect with colleagues across CT, NY and beyond, as well as shining a spotlight on the wonderful educators we work with, their spaces and experiences. We encourage you to consider signing up to present at one or two of our panels. You can review this document to learn more about being a panelist.

If you're interested in presenting as a panelist, please complete this brief form. All panels will be offered on Zoom and will run from 6-7:15pm in English and 7:30-8:45 in Spanish.

Educational Coaching Orientation

Event

Join All Our Kin Early Education Coaches for an informative session about what it means to participate in the All Our Kin Early Education Coaching Program

Wednesday, October 6th

6:30-8pm

Contact:

Bridgeport: [email protected]; 203-392-4574

Danbury: [email protected]; 203-690-9726

New Haven: [email protected]; 203-301-8473

Stamford/Norwalk: [email protected]; 203-690-9726