"Teaching kids to count is fine, but teaching them what counts is best."
~Bob Talbert
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COVID UPDATES & RESOURCES
On August 18, 2021, public health and medical experts from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) released a statement on the Administration’s plan for COVID-19 booster shots for the American people. This statement goes on to explain that “the COVID-19 vaccines authorized in the United States continue to be remarkably effective in reducing risk of severe disease, hospitalization, and death, even against the widely circulating Delta variant. Recognizing that many vaccines are associated with a reduction in protection over time, and acknowledging that additional vaccine doses could be needed to provide long lasting protection, we have been analyzing the scientific data closely from the United States and around the world to understand how long this protection will last and how we might maximize this protection. The available data make very clear that protection against SARS-CoV-2 infection begins to decrease over time following the initial doses of vaccination, and in association with the dominance of the Delta variant, we are starting to see evidence of reduced protection against mild and moderate disease. Based on our latest assessment, the current protection against severe disease, hospitalization, and death could diminish in the months ahead, especially among those who are at higher risk or were vaccinated during the earlier phases of the vaccination rollout. For that reason, we conclude that a booster shot will be needed to maximize vaccine-induced protection and prolong its durability.”
For more information and COVID-19 resources, click here.
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Don't Miss Out On These Great Trainings! |
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Separation Anxiety: What to Expect and How to Help |
Thursday, September 23, 2021
6:30-8:30pm
Comforting crying children is a normal part of early care and education. However, the crying is different when it comes to "separation anxiety." Do you feel helpless and find yourself wondering how to help? How do you help a child who cries every morning when his/her family drops them off? Why do some children have a harder time separating than others? This training will answer those questions and more, so that the transition from home to school will be easiest for families, children and yourself.
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Cultivating Curiosity in the Preschool Years |
Wednesday, September 29, 2021
6:30-8:30pm
September is "Curious George Curiosity Month!" Let's celebrate by learning new ways to nurture curiosity in the preschool years. In addition to foundational skills such as literacy and numeracy, 21st century employers are also looking for skills such as creativity, curiosity and collaboration. Come learn how you can foster curious minds in the preschool years. You will not only be cultivating successful and lifelong learners, but also readying young children for the reality of today's work force needs.
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Looking for other trainings? View our current calendar here.
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APPLY TODAY
YOU COULD HAVE YOUR CDA CREDENTIAL IN A YEAR!
Starting October 2021
Two NEW
In-Person CDA Courses
at the Child Care Council of Westchester
Infant/Toddler - Family Child Care
CDA Course
&
Preschool CDA Course
These courses are exciting learning opportunities that will improve your understanding of young children and your skills for caring for them.
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2021-2022
INFANT/TODDLER -
FAMILY CHILD CARE CDA COURSE
First Class
Tuesday, October 19
Supported by a generous grant from the Westchester County
Office for Woman, the cost is only $50.
This CDA course is open to child care professionals who work in Westchester County with infants or toddlers in a child care center or family child care program.
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2021-2022
PRESCHOOL
CDA COURSE
First Class
Thursday, October 21
Supported by a generous grant from the Westchester Putnam
Career Center Network, the cost is only $50.
This CDA course is open to child care professionals who work or would like to work in Westchester County with preschool age
children in a child care center.
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Regulations Reminder: State Central Register (SCR)
414.2(a)(19)(i)
The Statewide Central Register database form necessary to complete required screening by the Statewide Central Register of Child Abuse and Maltreatment to determine if the applicant is the subject of an indicated report of child abuse or maltreatment;
416.2(a)(8)(i), 417.2(a)(8)(i)
The Statewide Central Register Database Check forms necessary to complete required screening by the Statewide Central Register of Child Abuse and Maltreatment to determine if the provider, employee(s), volunteer(s), and any person 18 years of age or older who lives in the prospective family day care home is the subject of an indicated report of child abuse or maltreatment.
418-1.13(b)(4)
Child day care centers must review and evaluate the backgrounds of all applicants for staff and volunteer positions. All applicants whose backgrounds must be checked are required to provide the following: the information necessary to determine whether the applicant is the subject of an indicated report of child abuse and maltreatment as required by section 418-1.10(b)(1)(i) of this Subpart;
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The COVID-19 Executive Order (EO) that was made to exempt the $25 payment fee for State Central Register (SCR) database checks for childcare providers expired at midnight on 6/24/2021. Therefore, the $25 fee per applicant for all childcare database requests that are in fee-paying categories are applicable again.
The Office of Children and Family Services is offering a Credit Card service as a payment option for all Fee Categories, which includes a shopping cart option. PLEASE NOTE that the Credit Card Payment Form in the Online Clearance System has been updated and modified. As a result, the screen used for processing credit card payments now looks slightly different from the prior format.
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LET'S GET BACK TO SCHOOL! |
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September marks the beginning of the school year. Although young children may attend the same child care facility year round, kindergarteners and primary school children may be switching from summer camps to before and/or after school programs. Just as one may see increased demand for such programs in September, you will see a corresponding increase in September's training schedule aimed at regulators, enrollment agencies, and staff overseeing subsidized child care.
The Professional Development Program of the University at Albany's Rockefeller College (under a training and administrative services agreement with the NYS Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS)/Bureau of Training and Development) offers a list of trainings for division of child care services staff in September. To view the list of trainings offered and to read more, click here.
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Over 26,000 Young Westchester Children
ARE IN WORKING FAMILIES THAT FIND IT DIFFICULT TO PAY FOR CHILD CARE!
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That's just one of the findings in a new report, Access to Child Care: The Key to Economic Recovery in Westchester County, which will be released by the Council after Labor Day.
While the Council has always advocated for policies and funding to make child care more affordable and to support child care businesses, this report lays out the scope of the challenge for families, and suggests new opportunities.
"An affordable, quality child care system is not an option for our economy - it's foundational to our recovery and growth. Let's build ours in Westchester to truly offer access to parents, especially women who had to step out of the workforce during the pandemic," said Kathy Halas, Executive Director.
Look for more on the report on the Council's social media. And SAVE THE DATE for the first Westchester Child Care Advocacy Day on October 28th - virtual this year.
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Reminder about the Updated Anaphylaxis Policy for Child Care Programs |
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Elijah's Law requires child care programs to be in compliance with the policy by September 15, 2021. At this date, OCFS will begin monitoring for compliance, ensuring child care programs have made the required policy updates.
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WHAT'S COOKING WITH CACFP?
The Child and Adult Food Program (CACFP) provides nutritious meal and snack ideas that can be offered in your program. The goal of the food program is to encourage healthy eating and an overall healthy lifestyle.
The CACFP also offers reimbursements for programs that provide children and/or adults with daily nutritious meals and snacks. So it pays to be healthy!
Interested in learning more about the CACFP and how you can get your program enrolled? Contact Latoya Carney-Ramsey at 914-761-3456 ex. 118 or by email [email protected].
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Want a delicious recipe? Click the link below. |
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It's been 20 years since the tragic 9/11 attack on the United States. As a country, we still hold those we've lost and their families in our hearts.
Westchester County will be holding a virtual celebration on Saturday, September 11th and will be unveiling a memorial dedicated to the first responders who lost their lives. For more details click here.
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Many families are in need of food on a daily basis. Feeding Westchester offers a map tool to help people find a food pantry, hot meal program, and/or an emergency food delivery service closest to them. Visit Feeding Westchester to find assistance near you.
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Fall Scented Playdough
What better way to kick off the start of another school year than by making playdough? Making your own playdough is simple, fun, and it means that you can create your own colors, scents and add anything else that you want! All you need is the few ingredients below mixed with lots of imagination and creativity!
You will need:
- 2 cups of plain flour (all purpose)
- 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil
- 1/2 cup of salt
- 2 tablespoons of cream of tartar
- 1 1/2 cups of boiling water (add more if needed)
- Cinnamon, nutmeg or pumpkin pie spice
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WHAT'S HAPPENING AT THE COUNCIL |
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The Council welcomes Teekeesh Corwell as our new Legally Exempt Enroller. We are excited to have her as a part of the team and look forward to all of the great work she will do. |
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The rain held up for us as we prepped bags of food for child care providers to distribute to families in need. We are so grateful to Feeding Westchester for delivering this food so that we may continue serving our community. |
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SAVE THE DATE:
- Westchester Advocacy Day, October 28, 2021
- Dream Big 2022, April 7, 2022
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For more events, click the button below. |
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The Child Care Council of Westchester’s Board of Directors are dedicated Westchester professionals who understand the vital importance of quality early care and education, and volunteer their time and resources to support our mission. We are always looking for new members to lend their voice for the children and child care professionals by bringing innovative ideas, through advocacy work, and more. If you are interested in becoming a board member, we would love to talk with you. Click the link below to find out how you can help. |
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If you are passionate about child care and making a positive impact, looking for a great career opportunity, or simply want to volunteer, we would love to work with you. Learn more about open positions, and how to apply, below! |
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THERE ARE SO MANY WAYS TO SUPPORT THE COUNCIL |
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Too many of Westchester's children and working moms face unnecessary and overwhelming barriers. Much of a child's future is influenced by what happens before he or she enters kindergarten. We work to give all children, no matter their family's economic circumstances, access to the quality early care and education that gives them the very best chance to reach their full potential. Universal access to quality child care would clear the path for opportunity and possibilities. If you believe that every child deserves a fair chance at quality education, please consider donating to Dream Big 2022.
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The Council has teamed up with Stop & Shop once again for their Community Bag and Giving Program! This program is designed to make it easy for shoppers to give back to their local communities while supporting the environment.
Each time a shopper purchases the $2.50 Community Bag at the Dobbs Ferry Stop & Shop, the Council will receive a $1.00 donation.
Visit the Dobbs Ferry Stop & Shop at 390 Broadway, Dobbs Ferry, NY 10522 by September 30th to support this effort.
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When you support quality early care and education, your donation lasts a lifetime. If you wish to donate monetarily or any other way, you can find out how to do so by clicking the link below. |
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914.761.3456
313 Central Park Avenue
Scarsdale, NY 10583
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