August 2023
Hello Providers!

As we bid farewell to the sun-drenched days of summer, we welcome the refreshing breeze of change that August brings. We hope you all had a chance to relax and unwind, even amid the bustling schedules of caring for our young ones. As we reflect on the memories created during this vibrant season, we're eager to support you in preparing for the transition ahead. As summer draws to a close, let us work together in embracing the evolving needs of our children and families while cherishing the delightful moments that made this summer one to remember. This month, we stand committed to supporting you with valuable resources, empowering you to navigate the road ahead with confidence and enthusiasm.

Thank you for your continued dedication and passion in shaping the lives of the children you serve.

Warmest regards,

Child Care Aware of NH
CCAoNH Updates
Register for the Fall 2023 Keys to Quality Conference!
Child Care Aware of NH, a program of Southern NH Services, is excited to be presenting the Fall 2023 Keys to Quality Conference!

After three years, we are thrilled to announce that the conference will return in person, creating a dynamic environment for connection and growth. There are going to be plenty of amazing learning opportunities to choose from and the chance to network with fellow child care providers.
This event is happening Saturday, September 30th, 2023 from 8:30 AM to 4:00 PM. It is being held at Manchester Community College in Manchester, NH. To view all of the learning sessions available and for more details, click the image of the brochure above, OR click the button below!
***please note that this will be the last opportunity to use any Training Bucks earned through participating in a Progressive or Cohort with Child Care Aware of NH. To learn more about how to use them, see page 14 of the Conference Brochure.
Early Childhood Apprenticeship Program (ECAP)
Did you know if you complete the SNHS Department of Labor (DOL) Early Childhood Apprenticeship Program with a Child Development Associate (CDA) education pathway you are eligible to earn 9 college credits when enrolling in an Early Childhood Degree program at either NHTI-Concords Community College or River Valley Community College? If students are not apprentices and only have a current CDA they are eligible for 6 credits at River Valley Community College only. This includes anyone with a CDA Credential, including T.E.A.C.H. NH recipients.
Find out how you can advance your career to the next level at [email protected].

T.E.A.C.H. NH Scholarships are available for those who need financial assistance in earning their CDA.
CCAoNH Professional Development Opportunities
August Trainings At-a-Glance
August might be a little quieter than some of our other months, but there's still some great opportunities!

We have ERS and Revive & Thrive! Have you already taken the Intro and Overview of ERS and are looking for something more in-depth? We've got you covered! Check out our Community of Practice: Beyond the Intro and Overview of ERS.

You can find all of these amazing opportunities in the training calendar in your NHCIS account!
Progressive Training and Technical Assistance Program (PT&TAP)
Elevate your child care program to new heights this summer with our Progressive Training and Technical Assistance Program!

Just as summer presents a golden opportunity for personal transformation, it's also the perfect time to strengthen your child care practices. With our program, you'll receive unparalleled guidance and support tailored to your program's needs. Our team of experts will equip you with focused and facilitated training sessions, personalized coaching, and continuous technical assistance throughout the sunny season. By partnering with us, you'll witness remarkable growth and progress as you continue to provide exceptional care and education to the children in your program.
Check out the state initiatives we can support you with:
  • Environment Rating Scale(s)
  • NH Early Childhood Professional Development System (Credentialing)
  • Strengthening Families, Strengthening Care
  • Business Management Practices
  • Infant & Toddler Care
  • NH Early Learning Standards
  • Program Emergency Preparedness and Response
Seize the summer and embark on a transformative journey to elevate your child care program like never before.
Want to know more?

Contact us at
(603) 578-1386, ext. 2526 and ext. 2532
Monthly Health And Safety Resources
August is Children's Eye Health and Safety Month!
Nearsightedness has risen dramatically over the last 50 years. If nothing is done to help slow the increase, half the world’s population may be nearsighted by the year 2050. That means much more than a lot of people in glasses. It means a lot of kids today are at risk of developing vision-threatening eye conditions tomorrow. That’s why Child Care Aware of NH and the American Academy of Ophthalmology are sharing information about myopia and its progression.

People who have myopia, also known as nearsightedness, can see close-up objects clearly, but objects farther away are blurry. Myopia that begins in early childhood often worsens as the child grows. If these changes are too extreme, it can be hard to correct the blurriness with glasses or contact lenses and the risk of potentially blinding eye conditions rises.
Check out the video below for 5 tips for slowing near-sightedness.
Other Early Childhood News And Updates
Child Care Scholarship
Please see this important message from the Bureau of Child Development and Head Start Collaboration:

As you may know, the state budget bill (HB 2) mandated several changes to CCDF policies, including
child eligibility and provider payment rates. The Department is in the process of preparing a summary of all these changes with a projected timeline for implementation. In the interim, we wanted to update you on the changes to CCDF provider payment rates.
Free Environmental Health Training
Take advantage of this FREE Children’s Environmental Health e-course! It is a free online training on the ProSolutions website: Eco-Healthy Child Care. Use Code NHECO at checkout. The training was produced and created by the Eco-Healthy Childcare Program of the Children’s Environmental Health Network.

Why is it important?
Learn about low-cost, effective tips for reducing
potential environmental hazards like unsafe plastics,
pesticides and lead, and improving environmental quality in water, air, soil and dust to support healthy children as they learn and grow. This training counts as part of your required annual Health and Safety training hours
Have You Discovered the START HERE Tab on the SELA Platform?
This is a great place to begin learning about the ways you can save time, save money, and support quality in your program. Here you’ll find links to get you started – general overview, how to use the platform, reference sheets to show you all of the resources, tools, tip sheets, guides, etc. that can be found on the platform!

You can also take a general tour to see how SELA can save you time and money while supporting your quality work.

Click on this link to register and go to the START HERE tab https://www.selanhmembers.com/start-here/.
Log in or register for the SELA Platform for free at www.selanhmembers.com or use the register QR code (to the right).
QUESTIONS? Email [email protected] or schedule a half hour Zoom with us using this link https://calendly.com/jcowell-2/30min?month=2022-11 or use the QR code below. 
World Breastfeeding Week
Today marks the start of World Breastfeeding Week! World Breastfeeding Week is an annual celebration which is held every year from August 1st to August 7th in more than 120 countries. It is supported by the World Health Organization (WHO), UNICEF, and many Ministries of Health and civil society partners. This year's theme is, "Let's make breastfeeding and work, work!"

To learn more about how you can support breastfeeding families and staff in your program, check out the New Hampshire Breastfeeding Task Force. They have resources, tips, and toolkits, as well as plenty of resources to share with families.
Child Care Aware of New Hampshire is a Child Care Resource and Referral Program powered by Southern New Hampshire Services. The preparation of this document was financed under a Contract with the State of New Hampshire, Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Economic and Housing Stability, Bureau of Child Development and Head Start Collaboration with funds provided in part by the State of New Hampshire and the US Department of Health and Human Services.