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A Leader In Community Services
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Greetings!
Welcome to the Mid-State Regional Key STARS Newsletter!!
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STARS Updates from the Mid-State RK
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Grant Expense Report Due Date!
June is upon us and that means grant closures. We want to remind you that all grant expense reports are due back to the Regional Key no later than June 30th. This includes any unspent funds that need to be returned. Should you find the need to revise your expense report in any way, please contact your STARS Specialist as soon as possible so you don’t miss this June 30th deadline.
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Keystone STARS Revisioning Launch webinars
For more than a year, OCDEL has worked with the Keystone STARS Think Tank and stakeholders to revise the Keystone STARS system to support quality improvement in early care and educational programs while reducing administrative burden.
In anticipation of the July 1 launch, OCDEL is hosting three Keystone STARS public webinars. Please click the link below to register.
During these webinars, attendees will preview the new Performance Standards, new coaching and financial supports, and the process for moving up the Keystone STARS ladder.
If you cannot attend, recordings and materials will be posted on the PA Keys website.
Join Us After the Revisioning Webinars for our STARS Revisioning Workgroups!
- 6/20/17, 10:00-12:00 at Calvary Kid Care, 150 Harvest Fields Dr, Boalsburg, 16827 with Elizabeth & Michaelle
- 6/20/17, 1:00-3:00 Cumberland & Dauphin counties at Capital City Mall Food Court with Corrie, Alyssa Christina & Jen D.
- 6/21/17, 10:00-12:00 at United Way of York Community Room with Carrie & Jen D.
- 6/22/17, 12:30-2:00 at Lebanon YMCA Office with Corrie
- 6/22/17, 6:30-8:00 at Lancaster Farm and Home Center with Jenn W, Alyssa & Jen D
- 6/23/17, 11:00-1:00 at Union County Library, 255 Reitz Blvd, Lewisburg 17837 with Michaelle
- 6/23/17, 12:30-2:30 at Lancaster Farm and Home with Jenn W, Jen D, Alyssa
- 6/27/17, 6:30-8:30 pm at Child Care Consultants, 29 N Duke Street, York with Jen D. & Carrie
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Family Provider News - Carrie Kitchen
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National Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Month!
June is National Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Month! Here are a few fun ideas to share with families or incorporate into your learning program this month:
- Caterpillar kabobs
Assemble chunks of melon, apple, orange, and pear on skewers for a fruity kabob. For a raw veggie version, use vegetables like zucchini, cucumber, squash, sweet peppers, or tomatoes.
- Delicious dippers
Kids love to dip their foods. Whip up a quick dip for veggies with yogurt and seasonings such as herbs or garlic. Serve with raw vegetables like broccoli, carrots, or cauliflower. Fruit chunks go great with a yogurt and cinnamon or vanilla dip.
- Frosty fruits
Frozen treats are bound to be popular in the warm months. Just put fresh fruits such as melon chunks in the freezer (rinse first). Make “popsicles” by inserting sticks into peeled bananas and freezing.
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Health & Safety News - Anne Dodds
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A well-stocked emergency kit is an essential part of disaster planning. There may not be access to food, water, or electricity for several days. A kit should contain enough food, water, and other items for 72 hours (3 days) for each child and adult. https://www.ready.gov/build-a-kit).
The CDC emergency kit suggests at least a 3-day food supply per person. You may want to store more than this amount, having extra food is better than running out. Focus on foods that are easy to prepare and won't spoil, like canned soup, dry pasta, and powdered milk.
- Choose foods that last a long time and don’t need to be refrigerated; are easy to make; high in calories and nutrition; familiar so they can help provide comfort during stressful times.
- Plan ahead for children and staff who require special diets and have allergies. Find special canned foods, juices, and soups. Nursing mothers should have formula; they may be unable to breastfeed during the emergency.
- Pack a manual can opener and disposable utensils.
- Water - one gallon per person, per day
According to the CDC here are some examples of foods that can be stored long term:
Foods that last for six months:
- Boxed potatoes
- Dried fruit
- Dry, crisp crackers
- Powdered milk
Foods that last for about 1 year:
- Canned soup, fruit, vegetables
- Canned fruit juice
- Canned nuts
- Peanut butter and jelly
- Ready-to-eat cereal and uncooked instant cereal
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Infant & Toddler News - Kim Alloway
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Show Us What You Do!
A few months ago I started a Facebook page/group dedicated to the Infant Toddler World. I have resources and ideas, and sometimes post pictures of great things that I see when I am out in the field. Please visit the page and “Friend Request” me. If you are proud of something that you and your center do, take a picture and send it to me at [email protected]. Please be sure that if children are in the picture doing a cool activity, that we don’t see their faces. Go to Facebook and search for Infant Toddler. You might see three choices, but pick the one from Child Care Consultants.
I look forward to receiving some great pictures and ideas from all of you!
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Summer Camp Field Trips
Field Trips are a big part of summer day camp, and can be a valuable and fun way to learn about nature, history and the local area. Safety concerns may arise on field trips but preparation can minimize potential problems. Below are some tips for ensuring your trips are safe and fun for everyone.
- Prior to the trip, review emergency procedures with staff.
- Whenever possible, increase adult to child ratios to minimize safety issues. If you utilize parent volunteers, they must have all state mandated clearances, and make sure that parents understand that they are to stay with the group.
- Each staff must have the contact information for every child.
- Make sure your child knows their contact information, (phone numbers, addresses, where parents work)
- Emphasize to your child how important it is that they stay with their group. Have children partner up, and know where their partner is at all times.
- Wear camp shirts to make the children in your group easily identifiable.
- Children must always be accompanied by a counselor when going to the restroom.
- Play a brief reminder game about Stranger Danger and what to do. Ideally each staff should carry a first aid kit.
Following these tips will help to keep your campers safe on field trips.
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Join us for a STARS Networking Meeting!
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Grant Closure Work Group 6/7/17, 12:30-2:30, Panera Bread, Jonestown Road with Corrie
STEPPs/LICC Adams County 6/8/17, 9:30-11:30, at Lincoln Intermediate Unit in New Oxford with Christina Information Here
ERS Work Group 6/21/17, 10:00-11:30 at Panera Bread, Carlisle Road, York with Amy Hoffman and Carrie
Other Community Meetings
ECE Coalition Meeting 6/14/17, 1:00-3:00 at BLaST Intermediate Unit 17, 33 Springbrook Drive, Canton. RSVP Desiree Rockwell [email protected]
Lycoming County Early Learning Team 6/15/17, 11:00-1:00 at James V. Brown Library, 19 E. 4th Street, Williamsport, RSVP Angela Mamrak [email protected]
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Professional Development Updates
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Training Highlights
Last Minute PD Events!!
- June 6, E3, 6:15-9:15, Lancaster Recreation Commission, 525 Fairview Avenue, Lancaster
- June 13, ITERS, 6:30-8:30, CAECTI, 2001 N. Front Street, Building #1, Harrisburg
- June 27, E3, 6:00-9:00, York Day Nursery, 450 E. Philadelphia Street, York
*E3 PD is “A Strengths Based Approach to Best Practice Using the ECERS, Third Edition”
Sign up for the above courses in the PD Registry on the pakeys.org website.
NEXT WEBINARS On ECIW:
New On Demand Modules- Better Kid Care:
Each link above includes an informational flyer for you and also to share the information with others.
Training Lists
Online Training
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Grant Reminders & Updates
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Grant Closures
– If you have received your grant funds, please keep in mind that you must CLOSE your grant by the date listed on your grant agreement, or by June 30th, whichever comes first. Again this year, you are not required to send in receipts with your closing paperwork. However, you MUST KEEP your receipts on file for your records. We conduct on-site monitoring visits for 25% of our grants. If your grant is selected, your receipts will be reviewed to confirm that you purchased and spent what you attested to in your closing paperwork. If you are unable to document your purchases, you will be required to return your award funds and will risk suspension of your STAR level.
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Resources from our other ECE Partners
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Thursday, June 8, 2017 - 3–4 p.m. EDT!
Fatherhood Connection Webinar Series
Leveraging Community Partnerships to Support Fathers’ Well-being
Join the National Center on Parent, Family, and Community Engagement for the Fatherhood Connection Webinar Series. This three-part webinar series focuses on effective fatherhood engagement. It also supports program efforts to be more intentional about engaging fathers to promote children’s learning and development and strengthening the parent-child relationship.
In this second webinar, discover ways to support fathers in your program through effective community partnerships. Explore using the family partnership process to learn about the strengths, interests, and needs of fathers. Presenters will discuss examples of the types of community connections that can support paternal well-being.
Topics for the webinar include:
- Applying the family partnership process to uncover the strengths and needs of fathers
- Identifying opportunities for community partnerships that can support fathers’ well-being
Who Should Participate?
This webinar will benefit an array of audiences, including: Head Start, Early Head Start, and child care directors, managers, and parent leaders; T/TA providers; and other early childhood leaders who support child and family progress. Register Online Now!
Certificate of Participation
Participants will receive a certificate of participation upon completion of the webinar.
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Newsletters and Community Events
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Thank you for all you do for children, families, and your community by being part of the STARS program!
Sincerely,
Mid-State Regional Key/Child Care Consultants
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