What Is Happening at CCAoNH?
Hello Providers,

There is just something about long days and warm nights that are good for the mind and body! Hopefully, you have the opportunity to have some fun, while also doing some resetting and refreshing. Here at Child Care Aware of NH, we are continuing to stay busy.

The Child Care Resource and Referral Outreach Specialists are getting ready to hit the road again! After a long pause due to COVID precautions, the Outreach Specialists will be traveling throughout NH to spread the word about Child Care Aware of NH's services for families. They have also been sharing resources and articles geared towards families through our Families Facebook page.

Child Care Aware of NH would like to take this opportunity to thank all of those who attended our trainings and special events this year. Although the Professional Development year has come to a close, the Training and TA Specialists continue to support providers in a variety of ways. They have been helping providers get ready for the new Granite Steps for Quality system and will also be offering additional ERS trainings this summer. See below for more details about all of our professional development opportunities.

We would like to take this opportunity to thank you for everything you do for families and children. We hope that you enjoy this month's edition of Monthly Minutes.
CCAoNH Updates
Child Care Aware of NH Holiday Closing
CCAoNH will be closed Friday, July 1st and Monday, July 4th in observance of Independence Day.

We will reopen with normal business hours on Tuesday, July 5th.

Child Care Aware of NH wishes everyone a safe and happy holiday!
Need Professional Development Hours?
Do you need professional development hours? Looking for online or recorded trainings? Take a peek at our Training collections and MORE on the "Trainings and Recorded Webinars" page to view the rest of our FREE training collections.

Recorded Webinars can be used as professional development for Child Care Licensing if you complete a fillable Self-Study Professional Development Documentation Form or a printable Self-Study Professional Development Documentation Form.
We're Hiring!
Do you have experience supporting a knowledgeable and passionate Team of Individuals? Are you seeking an opportunity to implement systems-based thinking and strengths-based delivery of services? Do you have experience in any of the New Hampshire State Early Learning Initiatives? Southern New Hampshire Services' Child Care Aware of NH is seeking a Lead Training and Technical Assistance Coordinator (LTTAC) to join our team. Our Lead Training and Technical Assistance Coordinators are responsible for supervising and empowering our Training & Technical Assistance Specialists as they support Early Childhood programs in our Statewide model. Ideal candidates:
  • have advanced early childhood experience
  • have strong communication skills
  • are comfortable presenting to large audiences
  • have a strong technical knowledge of databases & technology
  • can demonstrate leadership qualities.
Starting The Conversation
National Maternal Health Hotline
Pregnancy and a new baby can bring a range of emotions. Many women feel overwhelmed, sad, anxious, or exhausted at different times during their pregnancy or after having a baby.

These feelings can make it hard to care for yourself, care for your baby, or even do basic daily tasks. Sometimes these feelings go away on their own. But for some women, these emotions, if they last more than two weeks, are more serious and need treatment.

The National Maternal Mental Health Hotline provides 24/7, free, confidential support before, during, and after pregnancy. Call or text 1-833-9-HELP4MOMS (1-833-943-5746).
CCAoNH Professional Development Opportunities
Need Training for Granite Steps for Quality?
Date: Tuesday, July 12, 2022
Time: 6:15-8:15 PM
Trainer: Katelyn Karugu, MBA, ECMPWT

Date: Thursday, July 28, 2022
Time: 12:30-2:30 PM
Trainer: Bekah Kistler, ECMPWT
Intro and Overview of the
Environment Rating Scales (ERS)
This training is an introduction and overview of the Environment Rating Scales. The training will provide basic information on the Environment Rating Scales, how to use the tools and the benefits of using the tools in your classrooms and program.

Date: Tuesday, August 16, 2022
Time: 6:15-8:15 PM
Trainer: Katelyn Karugu, MBA, ECMPWT

Date: Thursday, August 25, 2022
Time: 12:30-2:30 PM
Trainer: Bekah Kistler, ECMPWT
Progressive Training and TA Program
Apply to be a Progressive Training and TA Program when it works for your program! You will find the application on the Technical Assistance page or by clicking the button below.
We have several Progressive Training and TA topics programs can choose from this year:
  • Business Management Practices
  • Infant & Toddler Team Initiative
  • NH Early Learning Standards
  • Program Emergency Preparedness and Response
  • Q-Ready Environment Rating Scales
  • Strengthening Families, Strengthening Care
  • Q-Ready Staff Qualifications Initiative
CCAoNH has open enrollment for the Progressive Training and TA Program!

The Progressive Training and Technical Assistance Program is an opportunity for your program to participate in focused and facilitated teambuilding that promotes professionalism and program quality.
Want to know more?

Contact us at
(603) 578-1386, ext. 2526 and ext. 2532
or on LiveChat.
Monthly Health And Safety Resources
The resources found in this section can help support providers and families in planning for emergencies. You can find additional resources on the NH Connections Emergency Planning Page.
Heat Illness Safety

The summertime is here, which often means more time outdoors! It also means higher temperatures. Outside time is so important and offers many benefits, but with temperatures rising it is important to keep children and caregivers safe from heat-related illnesses. Children especially are more vulnerable to heat cramps, heat exhaustion, and heatstroke. Some signs to be on the lookout for include, but are not limited to:
  • weakness
  • headache
  • irritability
  • confusion
‌
If you see any of these symptoms, it is important to get the individual into a cooler place and encourage them to drink water or cool fluids. For more information about heat-related illness and what to do, click below.
Other Early Childhood News And Updates
Important Information From the Bureau of Child
Development and Head Start Collaboration
New Hampshire’s voluntary quality recognition system for licensed child care providers, known as Granite Steps for Quality focuses on improving the overall quality of Early Care and Education and Out-of-School Time (OST) programs in the state. Programs participating in GSQ will promote a culture of continuous quality improvement thereby improving outcomes for children and families to thrive and succeed in school and beyond.
Not sure how to get started? We invite you to contact Child Care Aware of New Hampshire and a TA Specialist will help answer questions, provide detail surrounding the rubrics and help you to become Q-Ready!
Change of Date: GSQ Monthly Call
The Monthly GSQ Call that was to be held on July 5th, 2022, is being rescheduled for July 12th due to the July 4th holiday. You will still be able to use the same Zoom link to access the call.
Important Message from the BCDHSC Regarding GSQ Application Deadline

Over the past five months, the Bureau of Child Development and Head Start Collaboration (BCHDSC) has encountered a number of unforeseen circumstances that have caused delays and challenges in the implementation of Granite Steps for Quality (GSQ). As a result, current Licensed Plus (LP) or Accredited programs with an expiration date of 2023 or 2024 may now enroll in GSQ through December 31, 2023. See below for the full annoucement.
Applying for Granite Steps for Quality?

The Bureau of Child Development and Head Start Collaboration announced a temporary pause on the use of NHCIS for Credentialing applications and GSQ applications. This does not mean Credentialing or GSQ is paused – paper applications will be used until the fall. To access an application, please click the buttons below.
Upcoming Opportunities with The Bureau of
Child Development and Head Start Collaboration
State of New Hampshire Child Care Webinar Session Five: Employers and Child Care Creative Solutions and Partnerships

Trainer: Dianne R. Chase, Assistant Bureau Chief
Date: Wednesday, July 20, 2022
Time: 5:30-7:00 PM

*this session is being combined with Session Four: Child Care – Successfully Meeting the Challenges that was scheduled June 29th
State of New Hampshire Child Care Webinar Session Six: Reaching Out and Reaching Up – Supporting Efforts to Address the Child Care Workforce Challenge Today and Tomorrow

Trainer: Dianne R. Chase, Assistant Bureau Chief
Date: Wednesday, August 17, 2022
Time: 5:30-7:00 PM
State of New Hampshire Child Care Webinar Session Seven: Operating in the Success Zone

Trainer: Dianne R. Chase, Assistant Bureau Chief
Date: Wednesday, September 21, 2022
Time: 5:30-7:00 PM
Choose Safe Places Private Well Water Testing Initiative
If your drinking water comes from a well and serves fewer than 25 people, you may be eligible for the Choose Safe Places Private Well Water Testing Initiative!

CSP is conducting a voluntary Private Well
Water Testing Initiative to provide free water testing for Early Care and Education licensed providers who get their drinking
water from a private well. If you're interested in learning more, you can click below to read the announcement and access some frequently asked questions. To register, click the image to the right.
Professional Development Opportunities from the NH Department of Education, Office of Social and Emotional Wellness
The NH DOE, Office of Social and Emotional Wellness is offering the 2022 Summer Professional Development Series. These sessions are FREE and will be held over Zoom, with one session offering the option of in-person training. To learn more about these opportunities and about the NH DOE Office of Social and Emotional Wellness, click the buttons below.
SELA Membership Update
Early Learning NH, the State Early Learning Alliance (SELA) and the New Hampshire Community Loan Fund are delighted to share that we have jointly raised funding designed to HELP YOU to SAVE MONEY, SAVE TIME and SUPPORT QUALITY!

ALL STAFF now have FREE access to the cost savings, tools and resources on the SELA Platform. Go to www.selanhmembers.com to register.


We are here to help! Email us at [email protected] with any questions!
  • Use the Job Posting (Acquire4Hire) to advertise job openings on Indeed, LinkedIn and 6 other places for FREE – STOP PAYING FOR INDEED TODAY!
  • Offer employees $1,000+ worth of valuable benefits, savings, and resources!
  • Access to a steep discount for 24/7/365 Telehealth services – no copays or wait times!
  • Teacher discount cards (we can help you put your logo on them) for savings at many stores!
  • Access to loan capital and the Business of Child Care Self Assessment from the Community Loan Fund!
  • SAVE TIME with free, quick access to top-notch resources– templates, policies, flyers, posters, ready-made toolkits like an orientation package, etc.
  • SUPPORT QUALITY with curricula, activities, and over 2,000 valuable resources for child care administrators and teachers.
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.