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Smart Start of Pender County

Monthly Newsletter

November 2022

OFFICE HOURS

Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday 9:00am - 5:00pm

Friday 9:00am-1:00pm 

We are open other times by appointment.

First Saturday of the month 9:00am - 12:00pm 

* First Friday of the month we are closed to the public. 

The Resource Library will continue to follow Pender County Schools schedule for closings and delays for inclement weather. 

The agency will be closed in observance of Veteran's Day

Friday, November 11, 2022.

The agency will be closed the week of November 21, 2022-November 25, 2022, in observance of the Thanksgiving Holiday.  

Phone: (910) 259-9978

1-866-606-0909 

Fax: (910) 259-9728

Email: info@pender4kids.com

Agency Resources

Smart Start of Pender County

Child Safety Seat Distribution Program and Permanent Checking Station

The primary goal of the Child Passenger Safety Program is to educate and assist families on the proper use and installation of child restraints.

Smart Start of Pender County offers two services to assist parents. We have a Car Seat Safety Distribution class for clients that qualify and need a car seat and car seat checks for clients with their own car seat.

The Car Seat Distribution is program designed for clients who have no other means of obtaining a seat, are driving children without a seat, or who may be utilizing an unsafe seat (expired seat, recalled seat). Pender County residents that are receiving at least two types of public assistance are eligible to take the class. The class consists of a 30-minute educational video that reviews how to choose, use and install the appropriate seat for their child. A certified technician demonstrates how to move and tighten straps and explains the features of the seat. The parent and technician then install the car seat in the vehicle. The class cost $25.00 for participants and includes an appropriate seat for their child.

Car Seat Safety checks are available to anyone. A certified technician and the parent work together to establish appropriateness of the seat based on the child’s age, weight and height, proper placement and installation in their vehicle. Seats are also checked against the NHTSA’s Safety Recall list.

Classes and seat checks are currently being offered by appointment. Please contact us with questions or to schedule an appointment.

Smart Start Staff & Car Seat Technicians-Shelly Martin, Angel Parker or Candice Dillard

Smart Start of Pender County

600 North Timberly Lane

Burgaw, NC 28457

910-259-9978

smartin@pender4kids.com

Community Partner Resources

Pender County Library

For More Information

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Pender County Library Upcoming Events 

2022

November is Family Engagement Month

FAMILIES, We Are Celebrating YOU!

Family Engagement Month is an opportunity to highlight and remind ourselves of the important role families play in the education and well-being of their children throughout the year. The research is clear, when Families are engaged in their child’s education not only does student achievement and behavior improve but the morale and effectiveness of teachers and administrators also improve. 

Below are activities that will be happening in the month of November. Visit the ECAC Family Engagement Month webpage at: https://www.ecac-parentcenter.org/family-engagement-month-2022/ for more information.

·      Family Engagement Month Activity Calendars. These calendars include resources and activities for families of Young Children, Elementary and Middle/High School students. 

·      “Tell Us Something GOOD”AWARD.  Families who have children enrolled in NC public schools (PreK – 12^th grade) are invited to nominate their child’s school for the, “Tell Us Something Good” award. The winning school will receive $1000.00 to support a family engagement activity and you could win a $200 Gift Card for submitting the winning entry! Read More.

·      “Tool Time” Tuesday. This is a 30-minute webinar segment featuring timely topics and resources for families. Register Now!

·      Parents as Leaders: November 9th from 10 am- 11:00 am. This training is for families of children birth - 5 years old who are interested in sharing their story. “Telling Your Story” is an interactive training that will explore the most effective ways to share your unique story to make a difference. Space is limited. You can Register Now!

·      “Unseen” Documentary: Join together with families and communities across the state in viewing the documentary “Unseen” on November 17^th at 11:00 am. With limited accommodations and uncertainty about the future, caregivers often face isolation and exhaustion.  Following the documentary there will be a panel discussion featuring families, providers and policy makers as they explore what can be done to meet the needs of families and caregivers across the state.  Watch the trailer, and REGISTER NOW!.

For more information, contact Beverly Roberts, ECAC Family Engagement Manager at Broberts@ecacmail.org. Check us out on Facebook, Twitter and join the conversation!

NC Digital Children's Reading Initiative - More information click the following link below:

https://www.dpi.nc.gov/students-families/parents-corner/literacy-home-digital-childrens-reading-initiative

Provider Resources 

NCDHHS Launches Raise NC to Highlight the Value of the State’s Early Care and Learning Network

The COVID-19 pandemic put a spotlight on the critical role of early care and education programs in supporting the economy. North Carolina used funds from the federal American Rescue Plan Act to make a historic $805 million investment in early care and education programs, providing temporary financial assistance to help sustain their operations. Even so, the network remains under strain and requires additional support to retain, train and recruit quality early childhood teachers and serve the North Carolina families who rely on them.

"Our top priority is ensuring our quality early care and learning network remains a model for the nation and an accessible resource for all of North Carolina’s families," said DCDEE Director Ariel Ford. "The Raise NC campaign highlights the value of North Carolina’s early care and learning network and the thousands of early educators who make it work."

Raise North Carolina includes public service announcements featuring local families, providers and community leaders discussing the value of the state’s early care and learning network, along with social media posts and online resources. The campaign website, RaiseNC.nc.gov, serves as a hub for the public to learn more and support quality early care and learning with an online toolkit that includes easy-to-use materials like flyers, sample social media posts, graphics, talking points and more. 

Excerpts taken from https://www.ncdhhs.gov/news/press-releases/2022/07/12/ncdhhs-launches-raise-nc-highlight-value-states-early-care-and-learning-network

New Background Check System Launched

The new Automated Background Check Management System (ABCMS) went LIVE, Thursday, September 29, 2022.

This system replaces the Criminal Background Check Portal and is where applicants will apply for their criminal background check to obtain a qualification letter to work in child care.

The process will still be the same. Applicants will log into ABCMS using their NCID and password, make application, pay the $26.50 fee for the background check and

print the fingerprint release form to take to their local law enforcement office to be fingerprinted. 

Once results have been received and the fingerprints processed by the Division of Child Development and Early Education Criminal Background Check Unit, the applicant will be notified by email that they can then log back into ABCMS using their NCID and password to see the results. Approved applicants can print their qualification letter directly from ABCMS.

For step-by-step assistance, see the Applicant Background Check Instructions.

Provider Trainings

November 2^nd-Calling All Smile Crusaders! & Brushing is fun! (In-Person)

6:30-8:30 pm, Cost: Free, 2 Credit Hours, Location: Pender County Annex Building 15050 HWY 17, Hampstead, NC 28443

Baby teeth are important! Beginning when the first tooth emerges, child care administrators, caregivers, educators, and staff play an important role in young children’s oral health. Hear the latest on early childhood oral health – everything from national statistics to policies of the American Academy of Pediatrics and American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry. If you work with young children or their parents, you’ll want to know this basic information and how  you can help prevent tooth decay. ‘Brushing is Fun!’ combines early oral health best practices and sanitation guidelines giving early care and education programs the information they need to establish a tooth brushing routine in the classroom. Participants will receive an oral health classroom kit and learn about the Healthy Smiles Grant (restricted to one per licensed Pender County facility). This training fulfills the professional development requirement for Healthy Smiles grant, provided by Delta Dental Foundation. Register at: Calling All Smile Crusaders! & Brushing is Fun! (google.com)

November 10^th-Environment Rating Scale Fundamentals- (In-Person)

6:30-8:30 pm, Cost: $10, 2 Credit Hours, Location: SSPC, Presenter: Shelly Martin

In this session we will review and practice scoring indicators in the Environment Rating Scales. We will define commonly used terms, and identify resources available when using the scales. (This training is free to Pender County Early Educators, call for more info.)



November 15^th- Emergency Preparedness and Response- Via Zoom

6:30-9:00, Cost: $25, 2.5 Credit Hours, Presenter: Candice Dillard

Be prepared! Knowing what to do before, during, and after an emergency is a critical part of being prepared and may make all the difference when seconds count. 

November 29^th - CPR & First Aid (In-person)

6:30-8:30 pm, Cost: $30, Location: Hampstead Baptist Church, 67 Factory Road, Hampstead NC 28443 Presenter: Lakeasha Glaspie

This training teaches early childhood educators and others how to respond to and manage illness and injuries in a child or infant during the first few minutes until professional help arrives. Class size is limited.   Register at: CPR & First Aid (Recertification) Pender Providers Only - Smart Start New Hanover County (newhanoverkids.org)

Fundraising Event

Holiday Giftwrapping Event

November 28th - December 17th

More Information call 910- 259-9978

Please consider supporting Smart Start

of Pender County.

When you shop at AmazonSmile,

Amazon will donate to Smart Start of Pender County.

https://smile.amazon.com

Financial information about this organization and a copy of its license are available from the State Solicitation Licensing Branch at

919-814-5400.

The license is not an endorsement by the State.

Board of Directors

James “Jimbo” Robbins -

Board Chair

Sharon Willoughby - Secretary

Donald Hall - Treasurer

Leslie Green – Vice Chair

Angela Beacham

Stacie Poulin

Rev. Dean Walker

William Marshburn

Edith Meza

S. Eugene Jordan

Allen Phillips-Bell

Sandra Sarmiento

Kimberly Trotman

     If you are interested in serving on the Smart Start of Pender County Board of Directors, or volunteering with our agency, please contact our office at (910) 259-9978 or stop by and visit with us. 

SSPC Team

Connie Carr-Costin, MSW

Executive Director

ccarr-costin@pender4kids.com

 Ext: 31

Angel Parker

Program Manager

aparker@pender4kids.com  

 Ext: 24

Shelly Martin

Program Manager

smartin@pender4kids.com  

 Ext: 36

Regina Bass-Corley, M.A.Ed

Consultant

rbasscorley@pender4kids.com  

Ext: 26

Candice Dillard

Consultant

rcdillard@pender4kids.com   

Ext:22 

Lisa Worley

Program Evaluator/ Coordinator

lworley@pender4kids.com

Please like us on Facebook, check us out on Pinterest, follow on Twitter and connect with our website at www.pender4kids.com