Harford cecil newsletter winter 2015 copy

Winter 2015 Harford/Cecil County Child Care Links Resource & Referral Center Newsletter

Harford/Cecil County Important Numbers

Child Care Links

Main Office: 443-512-0461

Fax: 443-512-0185 Training: 443-512-0462

www.hcchildcarelinksinc.org

Maryland Family Network

410-659-7701

LOCATE: Child Care Referral Service

1-877-261-0060

LOCATE: Child Care (Provider Updates)

866-752-1614

Office of Child Care

410-569-2879

Office of Credentialing

410-767-7852

Credentialing Hotline

1-877-605-1539

Family Child Care Association

Harford County: Theresa Milburn- - - - - - - 410-893-2984 Cecil County: Nancy Tyler - - - - - - - - - - 410-392-8872

Directors Associations

Harford County: Dodi Manley - - - - - - - - - 410-893-5252 Terri Rhodes - - - - - - - - - 410-399-9678 Cecil County: Sandy Jackson - - - - - - - -- 410-287-2708

Social Services -Harford County

Child Protective Services - 410-836-4713 DSS - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 410-836-4700 M-CHIP - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 443-643-0343 POC - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 410-836-4700 WIC - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 410-273-5656

Social Services– Cecil County

Child Protective Services - - 410-996-0100 DSS - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 410-996-0100 M-CHIP - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 410-996-5126 POC - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 410-996-0100 WIC - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 410-996-5255

PLEASE NOTE: CHILD CARE LINKS is closed daily

for lunch from 12:00pm to 1:00pm

CLOSED FOR LUNCH

Child Care Links is on Facebook

Don’t forget to “Like” us!! You will receive up-to-date training information, technical assistance tips, and other special offers!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

In moving into 2015 Child Care Links is making some new changes. Our new joint training calendar should have been received. If not, please call the office to request a calendar be mailed to you. The hope with the Baltimore, Harford and Cecil calendar is to provide you with more options for work-shops for training needs. Our calendar is a little more streamlined; and you should also notice numerous new workshops that are available. When you see a special workshop that you would like, providers are able to register for the training at any of the Child Care Links locations.

Child Care Links has also hired a new Director of Training who might be familiar to many providers already – Kori Wilson! Kori is also contacting many providers looking to expand our Off Site workshops and meet your needs on a more individual basis. Kori currently has numerous Off Site workshops available but if you want something specific, give Kori a call. Kori has worked with centers and family providers over the years and knows child care. Read Kori’s profile in the newsletter under training.

Tara Bartosz was also added to staff at the Baltimore County office as a new Breakthrough Center Specialist working with providers in Title 1 school areas. Tara and Marge Kilczewski (Harford office) are developing a new Beyond Orientation for providers who need more than the OCC beginning orientation. Many new providers have been asking for this kind of a support in the beginning of their career.

Child Care Links has plans to provide a Curriculum Conference and to begin offering the Director’s Retreats again. There are several new initiatives in the works with Provider Cafes and Coffee, Tea, and TA – stayed tuned and watch your email and newsletter for upcoming events!!!!

Here’s wishing you all a productive and safe New Year!

Remember…. Update your child care information by either filling it out online, or downloading

the LOCATE questionnaire from our website, and mailing to:

LOCATE: Child Care

1001 Eastern Avenue, 2nd floor

Baltimore, MD 21202

You MUST do this once a year!

LOCATE for Providers...

CALL 1-866-752-1614 (24 Hour Hotline) To report changes to fees, telephone number,

or e-mail address Report vacancies Leave a question

VISIT www.mdchildcare.org To report vacancies

LOCATE for Parents…

LOCATE: Child Care helps parents find and choose child care to best meet their needs. If you know of a parent who needs help finding care for their child, please tell them to call toll-free:

1-877-261-0060 Monday-Friday 8:30am—4:30pm

*Special counseling and referral services are available for military, special needs, and Spanish speaking families.

Please mark February 3, 2015 on your calendars NOW to attend

Maryland Family Network’s Annapolis Day!

This is an important opportunity for young children, their parents, and providers, and staff come to Annapolis

to thank their elected officials for supporting the State’s Family Support Centers, Child Care Resource

Centers, home visiting, infants and toddlers programs, the child care subsidy program, and other parts of

Maryland’s infrastructure for early care and education. The Governor or Lieutenant Governor and State Su-

perintendent of Schools are usually on hand to welcome the crowd.

This year is a key year for us in Annapolis because well over a third of the legislators are new. We want to

make a big and positive first impression, and we need as many of you as possible to attend. This year we

will have the use of the entire first floor of the Miller Senate Office Building and can accommodate a large

crowd from all regions of the State.

The event starts at about 9:30 and ends by about 2:30 pm, and a morning snack and lunch will be provide for

all who attend. More details will be coming your way soon!!

Please join us for our FREE Maryland Excels Support Sessions,

Now in 2 locations! At these free, monthly support sessions you will receive important updates regarding

Maryland EXCELS, OCC regulations and the Maryland Credential. We can assist you

with updating your policies, contracts or handbooks, improve your program, help nav-

igate the Maryland Excels website and much more! Also, if you qualify to be a part of our Breakthrough Center, you can receive 2 PAU’s for

credentialing by participating. Call Christy Coyne at 443-512-0461 for more information!

Winter Dates and Locations for Support Sessions:

I’ve Registered, Now What?

January 20th, 6pm-8pm @ Child Care Links, Bel Air

January 26th, 6pm-8pm @ Holly Hall ES, Elkton

Contracts, Policies and Handbooks

February 19th, 6pm-8pm @ Child Care Links, Bel Air

February 23rd, 6pm-8pm @ Holly Hall ES, Elkton

Daily Schedule

March 18th, 6pm-8pm @ Child Care Links, Bel Air

March 23rd, 6pm-8pm @ Holly Hall ES, Elkton

These sessions are FREE, but pre-registration is

required. For more Information or to register, please call 443-512-0461

What to Give to Parents at Tax Time: Social Security Number or EIN?

Family child care providers should not give parents their Social Security number.

Parents want this number so they can claim the federal child care tax credit. They can use either your Social Security number or a business identification number.

The reason child care providers don't want to pass out their Social Security number is because of the growing problem of identity theft. Giving out your Social Security number to different families year after year increases the chances that it will fall into the wrong hands.

Instead, get an Employer Identification Number (EIN) from the IRS and give this out to the parents of the children in your program. If you are hiring employees you must get an EIN.

You can get your EIN at www.irs.gov. It will take you less than fifteen minutes to fill out the online screens after which you will instantly receive your number. Only one question may be confusing to answer: "Why is the Sole Proprietor requesting an EIN?" Unless you are hiring employees, answer "Started a New Business" even if you have been in business for years.

There is no fee to get your EIN. If you already have an EIN from a previous business you can use the same number as a child care provider.

If you prefer, you can call the IRS at 800-829-4933 and get your EIN on the phone after answering a few questions.

Reprinted from Tom Copleland’s Blog Taking Care of Business 1/5/11

COFFEE, TEA...

or TA?

Do you need help or have questions

for the Technical Assistance Staff at

Child Care Links but can’t stop in

during our regular office hours?

If the answer is yes, then we can

help!!

Beginning in February, a member of the

TA staff will be available in the office one

Saturday each month from 9am to 12pm.

We are ready to help you learn

more about:

Starting and Maintaining Your Business

Professional Development

The MD Child Care Credential

Accreditation

Maryland Excels

* Help with understanding the goals and requirements

* Computer help with the application process and uploading documents

Please call 443-512-0461 for information

Winter Dates:

Saturday, February 21

Saturday, March 21

9:00am - 12:00pm

Dance Like Snowflakes

(Are You Sleeping)

Dance like snowflakes,

dance like snowflakes

In the air, in the air

Whirling, twirling snowflakes Whirling, twirling snowflakes

Here and there, here and there

I'm a little snowman short and fat, Here's my scarf and here's my hat. When I see the snowfall, Hear me shout - All you children please come out!

Waddling Penguins

sung to “Twinkle, Twinkle “

Penguins, penguins having fun.

Waddling in the winter sun.

Waddling fast and waddling slow

Waddling to and waddling fro.

Penguins, penguins Oh what fun,

Waddling in the winter sun.

Snowflakes, Snowflakes

Snowflakes, snowflakes, dance

around.

(dance fingers)

Snowflakes, snowflakes, touch the

ground.

(touch floor)

Snowflakes, snowflakes, in the air,

(flutter fingers upward)

Snowflakes, snowflakes, everywhere.

(flutter fingers outward)

My Mittens

Mittens for the snow time,

(fingers flutter down like snow)

When the world is white,

Mittens for my two hands,

(hold up two hands)

Mittens left and right,

(wave left hand, then right hand)

Mittens with a thumb place,

(thumbs up)

Mittens warm and snug,

(hug self as if nice and warm)

Mittens make me feel like,

A bug inside a rug!

(wrap one hand over the other, like a

blanket)

Falling Snowflakes

Snowflakes falling from the sky,

To the earth below.

(flutter fingers downward)

Watch them as they dance and whirl,

Soft, white winter snow.

A FUNNY SNOWMAN

A funny little snowman Had a carrot for a nose.

Along came a bunny, And what do you suppose?

That hungry little bunny Looking for some lunch Ate that little snowman's

nose,

Kori Wilson Director of Training

Kori Wilson is a National Presenter on Curriculum, Recruiting

and Retaining Talent, Challenging Behaviors and Team Building.

For over 20 years, she owned a child care training company

located in Baltimore, MD. She is now the Program Manager

and Training Director for Child Care Links, Inc., Resource and

Referral Center for Baltimore County. She began her career

with an A.A. Degree in Early Childhood Education and taught

infants through school-agers, later becoming a center

director. Kori has a Bachelor’s Degree in Business

Administration with a concentration in Management.

As a presenter/trainer, she is known for educating while

entertaining. Her humor, insight and understanding of what

goes into a typical day have earned her the title of

Edu-tainer.

Sarah Nelson joined the Harford County Child

Care Links location at the end of September 2014.

She is replacing Shannon Hamer as the Training

Registrar. Sarah has been a licensed home daycare

provider for over 14 years, as well as having

worked in an office type environment.

In 2010, Sarah obtained a degree in English and

plans on furthering her education so that she can

also be a trainer for Child Care Links.

The mom of 2 daughters moved from Baltimore to

Harford County almost 10 years ago and is readily

available to assist you with any questions or

concerns you have. Sarah is excited to begin this

new and challenging chapter in her life.

Sarah Nelson Training Registrar

Definition of a Child Care Provider

Child Care Pro-vi-der (child'kâr prõ vid'er) n.

Chef, baker, janitor, sock and shoe finder, coat buttoner, boot fitter, bottle washer, grocery shopper, diaper

changer, protector, dish washer, nose wiper, vegetable pusher, floor sweeper, waiter, story teller, playground

attendant, PE teacher, activity director, driver, zoo keeper, inspector, aerobics instructor, tutor, entertainer,

therapist, manager, derby instructor, performer, bookkeeper, self-esteem builder, teacher, helper, well wisher,

nurse, traffic controller, noise controller, life saver, thinker, problem solver, engineer, designer, counselor,

safety instructor, arbitrator, creator, inventor, companion, musician, historian, technician, dietitian, athlete,

beautician, fire marshall, analyst, artist, dentist, scientist, biologist, technologist, accountant, manicurist,

receptionist, environmentalist, pharmacist, hygienist, speech therapist, reader, builder, informer, composer,

supervisor, author, navigator, peacemaker, friend. . . .

Harford County

Debra Wilson

Blessing Okoro

Vernice Hughes

Sybil Gallion

Heather Cantos

Kristin Wittstadt

Connie Hedges

Julia Saegesser

Sherri Sesko

Deborah Parsons

Best Buddies LC

Cecil County

Allison McCurry

Jennifer Adams

Betty Lawyer

Gayle Simon

Tot’s Landing

CCL Welcomes New Providers!!

Don’t forget to fill out the survey at the back of this newsletter

Submit it for the chance to win a

3-hour training!

FREE

Harford County Community Health Survey

In order to better understand the health needs of Harford County residents,

Upper Chesapeake Health is conducting a comprehensive Community Health

Needs Assessment survey with community leaders, stakeholders, and

residents. Results from the survey will be used to guide community health

improvement planning efforts. The survey should take about 10 - 15 minutes to

complete. You will be asked to answer questions about your personal health

experience as well as community health issues. At the end of the survey, you

can enter your name and email for a chance to win a $200 Wal-Mart gift card.

All responses will be kept strictly confidential.

To access the survey, please click visit the website at:

http://www.tinyurl.com/UCHealthSurvey.

REGISTRATION FORM

Phone-In Registration to 443-512-0462 (Requires a Visa or Master Card payment) Mon. thru Fri. 8:30am to 3:30pm

OR

Mail registration form to: Child Care Links,

2105 Laurel Bush Road, Suite 105, Bel Air MD 21015

Name: _

Last Name First

Address: _

City/St./Zip: ____________________________________

Email Address:_____________________________________________________________

Please circle one:

Family Provider, Child Care Center Director, Child Care Center Staff, Prospective Provider, Parent, or Other

Work Phone: __________________

Home Phone: __________________

Center Name: __________________

WORKSHOP TITLE: DATE COST

1. / $

2. / $

3. __________________________ / $______

4. ______________________________________/____________________$_______

TOTAL_______________

I would like to become a Child Care Links Member

Family Provider - $25

Center Director - $25

Center Staff - $25

Payments Accepted are: Visa/Master Card/

Money Order/Center Check /Cash

NO PERSONAL CHECKS PLEASE Signature: __________________

Account #: _________________________ __________________

Expiration Date: ___________

Child Care Links of Harford & Cecil County Training Policies and Procedures

Registration. All workshop participants must pre-register ; meaning, participants must register AND PAY for workshops in advance. Registration is accepted by phone, mail or in person. The training line for phone-in registration is operational from 8:30am-3:30pm, Monday-Friday. Visa or MasterCard required for all registrations done by phone. Mail registration form to Child Care Links of Harford/Cecil Counties 2105 Laurel Bush Rd., Suite 105, Bel Air, MD 21015. Child Care Links does not accept personal checks.

Fees Paid are NON-REFUNDABLE. Should you miss a workshop, credit or transfer to another workshop may be given if Child Care Links is notified prior to the workshop. If after hours, please leave a message on Child Care Links’ answering service. No credit or refunds are issued for “no shows”. Call 443-512-0462 with any questions or concerns about our refund or credit policies. Any credits issued are good for one year from the date of issue.

Late Arrivals. Workshops begin at stated time. Our instructors reserve the right to refuse admittance to any workshop for any participant arriving 15 minutes or more past the start of the workshop. Credit or transfer will be issued at the discretion of the Child Care Links staff for any participant turned away from training for lateness.

Cancellation or change policy. Child Care Links may need to cancel a workshop due to lack of enrollment; in this event, a CCL staff member will contact you at the phone number or address you provided upon registration. If we need to cancel a workshop and you do not wish to be transferred to another training, you will be issued credit good for one year or refunded fees paid for the canceled workshop. If you are phoning in your registration please verify that we have the correct contact information, including more than one telephone number where you can be reached.

Rude and/or disrespectful behavior during workshop will not be tolerated. Please remember to exercise good judgment and respect for both the trainer and other participants in your session. It is okay to disagree with facts or opinions presented by the trainer or other participants but please remember to remain professional. Should you violate this policy, the instructor may ask you to leave the workshop and you will not be re-admitted, nor will you receive a refund for the class.

Certificates. Core of Knowledge certificates will be issued at the conclusion of the training session for all participants who successfully complete all requirements set forth for the course.

Child care is not provided during workshops. Workshops provided by Child Care Links are intended for adults only. Please make other arrangements for care of your children during workshop hours.

Workshop locations. Child Care Links has two locations where we offer trainings. One location is at our main office on 2105 Laurel Bush Rd. Suite 105 Bel Air, MD 21015. The second location is at the YMCA of Elkton on 25 YMCA Blvd. Elkton, Md. 21921. If you need directions to either locations please let us know upon registering for the train-ings.

Inclement Weather - Please note that the training department of Child Care Links follows Harford & Cecil Counties Public School Weather Policy for closings and delayed openings. If you are scheduled for a workshop and Harford or Cecil County Schools close for inclement weather, our workshop will be canceled. During the weekend our workshops will be canceled if Parks and Rec cancels school activities. If, for any reason, this changes, a CCL staff member will contact you. Attempts will be made to reschedule

Visit us on the Web at

www.hcchildcarelinksinc.org

Child Care Links Resource and Referral Agency for Harford and Cecil Counties

Child Care Links of Harford &Cecil County 2105 Laurel Bush Rd. Suite 105 Bel Air, Md. 21015 Phone: 443-512-0461 Fax: 443-512-0185

Business Hours: Monday-Thursday 8:30am-4:30pm Friday 8:30am –4:00pm

Training Department 443-512-0462 Hours: Monday-Friday 8:30am-3:30pm

LOCATE CHILD CARE Maryland Family Network 1-877-261-0060 Hours: Monday-Friday 9:30am-3:30pm

MISSION STATEMENT

Child Care Links addresses available, affordable, quality child care issues in

Harford and Cecil Counties.

Child Care Links is committed to ex-panding and enhancing the quality of

child care in Harford and Cecil Counties by helping parents, child care provid-

ers, and the community understand and implement the indicators of

quality enabling all children to receive optimum early care and education

experiences.

Child Care Links is committed to enhancing the quality of the child care

delivery system in Harford & Cecil Counties by providing pertinent

resources, training, and referrals to families, child care providers, and the

Newsletter /Training Survey: Please fill out and return to Child Care Links and you could win a

Are you a (circle one please):

Family Child Care Provider

Center Child Care Staff Member: Other: Owner/Operator Parent

Director Informal Child Care Provider (family member providing care for a relative) Senior Staff Member Community Member Group leader Government Aide *Not Listed _______________________________________________________

How do you rate your overall opinion of the Newsletter and Training Calendar (circle one)

1 2 3 4 5 Poor Fair Good Very Helpful Excellent

How long have you been a Daycare Provider?

1. Less than one year 2. One to two years 3. Three or more years What topics related to child care and development would you like to see on the training calendar? ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________.

How can we make our Newsletter better ? (please explain)

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

After completion please fold and stamp and return to Child Care Links or fill it out online at www.hcchildcarelinksinc.org and e-mail it to us at [email protected].

To be entered in our drawing you must include your name, address and telephone number. Good Luck to you all! Thank you for your feedback we appreciate it!

Name: __________________________________ Address: __________________________________

Phone #_________________________________ City, State, Zip: _____________________________

4. What features of the newsletter are helpful to you?

1.

Strongly

disagree

2. 3. 4. 5.

Strongly

agree

“Advice” columns/articles

Technical Assistance Articles

Other events/announcements

Special announcements on events in

the region (e.g. conferences, etc)

“News” articles on events, (licensing

and other) policies, etc.

Enter to win a Free 3 Hour

$25 Training

This publication was produced as a work for hire for the benefit of, and with funds from, the

Maryland State Department of Education

FIND IT FAST FOR FAMILIES— a resource locator document with web links for families of

young children on topics such as Choosing Child Care, Transitioning to School, Health, Wellness

and Safety and Supporting Your Child’s Development.

http://www.marylandpublicschools.org/MSDE/divisions/child_care/commres

FIND IT FAST FOR PROVIDERS - a quick reference guide

with links for professional development, program improvement,

Career building and financial supports.

http://www.marylandpublicschools.org/MSDE/divisions/child_care/credentials