The Star Gazette
In this Edition:
  • Share Your Feedback About Participation
  • Earning Credit for Professional Developing Indicators is Now Easier
  • Translation and Interpretation Support for Providers
  • Input on Trainers and Training Organizations to Add to MIRegistry
  • MiRegistry Training Series
  • Let Families Know Your Program is Open
Share Your Feedback About Participation
To better understand providers’ feelings about participation in Great Start to Quality, amid a global pandemic, we have created a way to gather your feedback. Please take a minute to share your thoughts. We encourage you to share this opportunity with your fellow child care providers. We are hopeful the feedback can help us better determine supports needed to help providers successfully navigate the rating process during this time and into the future.
Earning Credit for Professional Developing Indicators is Now Easier
The way programs and providers earn credit for professional development indicators has changed temporarily. Credit will be earned for the appropriate professional development indicator, when:
  • a program indicates they meet the indicator,
  • all staff members are connected to the Organization Profile,
  • all staff have an individual MiRegistry membership or are in the membership approval process.
 
This change is in response to the overwhelming influx of individuals seeking MiRegistry membership which has caused approval timelines to exceed the 6 week processing goal. This adjustment, for the indicators listed below, will be made through December 31, 2021. Learn more.
Translation and Interpretation Support for Providers
Great Start to Quality now offers interpretation services for Application, Validation scheduling, and Validation phone calls to better support providers who speak a language other than English. A variety of languages are supported. We encourage you to share this opportunity with your colleagues. Please contact your local Great Start to Quality Resource Center at 1-877-614-7328 to learn more or email: greatstarttoquality@ecic4kids.org.

We have also made two versions of the Program Quality Indicator Guidance Documents available in Spanish. We are planning to offer translations in other languages in the near future.
Input on Trainers and Training Organizations to Add to MiRegistry
Thank you to the many providers and partners who have shared suggestions for trainers and training sponsor organizations to be added to MiRegistry. If you have not done so already, please take a moment to complete this form and list the trainers or training sponsor organizations that staff at your program engage with for professional development. Your input is appreciated!
MiRegistry Training Series
A new, free online training is now available. This training is the first in a 3-part series geared toward becoming a Training Sponsor Organization (TSO). Part 1 of this training is now available and focuses on the trainer application process. If you or anyone in your program is interested in becoming an approved trainer, this 1-hour training provides an interactive tutorial and is highly recommended. This training will also count toward training requirements for Great Start to Quality.

 
To register for this FREE training, click on your Resource Center link below:
Not sure which Resource Center to register with? Locate your Resource Center.
Let Families Know if Your Program is Open
Did your program close for a period of time, but is now open? Let families know! Great Start to Quality collects open/closed statuses of child care providers so that families searching for care know which programs are open and accepting children. Be sure to complete the simple survey on your Great Start to Quality profile to share if your program is currently open or closed. So far, 80% of licensed programs have responded – make sure your program's status is included!  

Go to www.greatstarttoquality.org to fill out or update your profile. Need help? Call your local Great Start to Quality Resource Center: 1-877-614-7328. 
Great Start to Quality on Facebook
Great Start to Quality is on Facebook! Like and follow our page to get the latest updates for you and resources to share with your colleagues and families. 
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If you are thinking about how to maintain or continue making quality improvement, or if you’re ready to learn more and need help, contact your local Great Start to Quality Resource Center by calling 1-877-614-7328 or visit www.greatstarttoquality.org.
Funding from the Office of Great Start within the Michigan Department of Education supports the implementation of Great Start.