September 2023
Hello Providers!

September has arrived, and with it comes a chance to celebrate you and the incredible work you do. As the air turns crisper and the leaves start to change, we're reminded of the transformative role you play in shaping young minds. Your commitment and passion lay the foundation for a future full of potential. This September, let's embrace the possibilities together and find inspiration in the small moments of growth and discovery.

Here at Child Care Aware of NH, we've been hard at work preparing the 2023-2024 Annual Training Calendar and we couldn't be more excited for it to kick off. This carefully curated calendar is designed to provide you with a wealth of resources and learning opportunities that will enhance your skills and enrich your child care program. As you dive into this month and the months ahead, know that we're right beside you, supporting your journey and celebrating your dedication. Your efforts make a difference every day, and we're here to support you on this journey.
Here's to a September filled with positivity, progress, and the pursuit of excellence!

Warmest regards,

Child Care Aware of NH
CCAoNH Updates
2023-2024 Services and Supports Guide
We're excited to introduce our latest professional publication—the Services and Supports Guide! This comprehensive guide is designed to serve as your compass, navigating you through the wide range of resources available to support your journey as early educators. From professional development opportunities that enrich your skills to community connections that foster collaboration, this guide is a valuable toolkit tailored to your needs. Whether you're seeking guidance on NH Early Learning Standards, exploring furthering your career, or simply looking for ways to connect with fellow educators, the Services and Supports Guide has you covered.


At Child Care Aware of NH, we're committed to empowering you with the tools and knowledge you need to thrive in your vital role. Let this guide be your companion as you navigate the path of early education, ensuring that you have the support you deserve.
New E-Newsletters Alert!
Exciting News! Get ready for a fresh and focused newsletter experience. We're thrilled to announce the arrival of our new E-Newsletters, designed to cater specifically to your needs. As we bid farewell to E-News You Can Use, we're ushering in a new era of content crafted for those dedicated to working with infants/toddlers, preschoolers, and multi-age classrooms. Stay tuned for expert insights, valuable tips, and tailored guidance that will enrich your teaching journey. These e-newsletters are taking the place of the E-News You Can Use, and will be distributed on the 15th of each month, starting this September.

Don't miss out – subscribe today and embark on this exciting educational adventure with us!
CCAoNH Professional Development Opportunities
September Trainings At-a-Glance
September presents a plethora of growth opportunities through our diverse range of professional development offerings!

Explore our calendar brimming with enriching collaborative sessions designed to elevate your skills and knowledge. As the centerpiece of the month, don't miss out on the highly anticipated Fall 2023 Keys to Quality Conference, a full day of professional development.

Mark your calendars and seize the chance to thrive in your professional journey with us this September.
2023 Keys to Quality Conference
We are less than a month away from the Fall 2023 Keys to Quality Conference, can you believe it? This is a full day of incredible professional development opportunities! We're offering sessions on topics such as:
  • Exploring Vroom
  • Embracing Diverse Family Structures
  • Career Mapping in the Early Childhood Field
  • Loose Parts
  • Environmental Health Initiatives to Protect Children's Health
  • Supporting Grieving Children and Their Families

This is just a sneak peak of all the amazing sessions being offered! Be sure to check out the brochure for a full list.
Strengthening Business Practices
Are you interested in learning more about the Business of Child Care?

The Strengthening Business Practices for Child Care series will help anyone from a seasoned provider who needs a refresher, to someone who is growing in the profession. We know you're busy and it can be hard to carve out time, so we broke these modules down into small digestible pieces.

Join Kris Tabor-Hall and Donna Lake for just one hour a week and see what Strengthening Business Practices for Child Care Centers can bring to your program!
Progressive Training and Technical Assistance Program (PT&TAP)
As the fall season arrives, change is palpable in the air, and so is our commitment to supporting NH Child Care Providers!

We're thrilled to showcase this snapshot of our collaboration with Heather's Little Angels in Plymouth, NH, focusing their efforts on enhancing Emergency Preparedness. In this photo, you'll see two of our Training and TA Specialists alongside the enthusiastic program staff who are actively engaged in this important initiative.

At this moment, they're dedicating themselves to Program Emergency Preparedness and Response through focused training sessions, personalized coaching, and ongoing technical assistance. With a shared commitment to providing exceptional care and education, this team is at the forefront of ensuring a safe and nurturing environment for every child.

By partnering with us, you'll experience significant growth and progress as you continue to provide exceptional care and education to the children in your program. Discover the state initiatives we can collaborate with you on:

  • 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
Embrace the fall season as you embark on a transformative journey to enrich your child care program like never before. Don't miss this opportunity to enhance your practices and create a lasting impact on the children you serve.
Want to know more?

Contact us at
(603) 578-1386, ext. 2526 and ext. 2532
Early Childhood Collaboratives
Early Childhood Collaboratives are BACK!!! After taking a brief pause for the summer to reflect on the past year and plan for the upcoming one, we are so excited to be offering these collaborative professional development opportunities once again!

Are you an Infant and Toddler provider? We've got a collaborative for you! Looking to connect with other directors and learn more about Business Management? Don't sweat it, you're covered!

Collaboratives are a great opportunity to connect with peers with a shared interest and get resources, collaborate, and share expertise. Each month a different topic is covered, driven by group interest. The best part? These sessions count towards your required professional development hours!

So what are you waiting for? Check out Child Care Aware of NH's Early Childhood Collaboratives and connect today!
Early Childhood Cohorts
Child Care Aware of NH's Early Childhood Cohorts employ a dynamic approach, uniting diverse programs driven by a shared commitment to designated State Initiatives. Here, participants forge invaluable collaborations with peers, harnessing a wealth of resources and dedicated support. Through expert-facilitated professional development and technical assistance within a cooperative group dynamic, growth and innovation flourish.

We're working on the formation of new cohorts, and we want to know which areas truly resonate with you.
Which state initiative are you most interested in forming a cohort around?
Business Management Practices
Infant and Toddler
NH Early Learning Standards
Program Emergency Preparedness and Response
Staff Qualifications
Strengthening Families, Strengthening Care
To learn more about each initiative, visit the Technical Assistance page on NH Connections to read a description of each one.

*this poll is completely confidential and is only being used to determine the preferences of providers
Monthly Health And Safety Resources
Fathers, Families, and Mental Health
Fathers’ mental health, family involvement, and well-being are essential to the health of everyone in the family. Approaches that are tailored to support the mental health of fathers and improve engagement with their partner/co-parent and child can have lasting benefits for the child’s development and family health.
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In this webinar, scheduled on September 7, 2023 from 1:00 to 2:00 PM, discover how practitioners who engage with families can learn about the unique experiences of fathers, appropriate screening tools and interventions, and the impact of the father on the family to be equipped to best support the family system.
Other Early Childhood News And Updates
DHHS Child Care Strengthening Plan
This update provides a full status of the Child Care ARPA-Discretionary plans since the report issued March 13, 2023. New Hampshire’s plan to utilize $29,736,767 in ARPA Discretionary Funds (ARPA-D) addresses four areas of critical need within the federal Administration for Children and Families (ACF). The areas were identified by a broad array of stakeholders over a six-month period, see NH DHHS ARPA Discretionary Funds Summary Report.
New Funding Opportunity from DHHS (Time Sensitive!)
DHHS is pleased to announce the availability of one-time awards of quality discretionary funding to NH child care programs. The purpose of the funds is to recognize and support continuous improvement in the quality of child care programs in New Hampshire. Funds are available from the ARPA Discretionary Program and the CCDF discretionary funds for quality.

To accept quality funds: Please complete and submit the application (acceptance and confirmation) for each of your sites, found at the following link: https://NH CC Quality Incentive Awards

Applications must be submitted no later than Wednesday, September 6, 2023 by 11:59 PM. No exceptions will be made. You must answer all questions. As promised, we are making the process as simple as possible. You will not even need to submit an invoice –all the work will be done for you!

To decline the quality funds: Please complete questions 1 through 5 only. Your response is critical in order for DHHS to determine the amount of quality funding per program, and to meet federal requirements for documentation.
Enroll to Accept Child Care Scholarship
Have you ever considered enrolling as a provider to accept NH Child Care Scholarship?

This program offers financial assistance to eligible families, making quality child care more accessible and affordable. By participating, you can help families provide the best start for their children and play a key role in ensuring a strong foundation for both children and the community.

You can learn more about NH Child Care Scholarship and how to enroll to accept it at your program by visiting NH Connections.
The New Hampshire Association for Infant Mental Health's 28th Annual Conference
The New Hampshire Association for Infant Mental Health's 28th Annual Conference will be on September 21 and 22, 2023, at the Holloway Commons, UNH, in Durham. This year’s theme is “First Relationships: Fostering Emotional Resilience From the Start.” 
We are thrilled to be presenting an array of relevant topics and knowledgeable speakers. This two-day conference offers time for learning and time to network with colleagues.

Scholarships for child care professionals and student rates for certificate and degree candidates are available. Please click the buttons below for more information.
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.