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#1 - Title XX Child Care Subsidy Funding is Available
Approximately 100 new slots were funded in this year's Westchester County budget. We know that the need is there, so please reach out to your families and encourage them to contact the Council to see if they might be eligible for Title XX. We can also help them with their subsidy applications. They should call (914)761-3456 ext. 140. If you would like more information, please contact Nicole Masucci, Director of Family and Employer Services at (914) 761-3456 ext. 139 or [email protected].
#2 - Vote for Kids
We will elect a governor, state senators and assemblymembers this fall. Make sure your staff and your parents are registered to vote. Voting registration forms are available in Spanish and English from the Westchester County Board of Elections, open 9:00am to 5:00pm M-F at 25 Quarropas Street in White Plains. Or pick some up at the Council office in the reception area. Remind everyone that voting is important and urge your voters to check out candidates' positions on issues that matter to children, youth and working parents - like child care! For more info, contact Kathy Halas, Executive Director, at [email protected].
Click the website below to download a registration form:
#3 - Learn About CACFP For Free!
We are offering free info sessions for family and group family providers interested in reimbursement for the nutritious meals and snacks they serve their children. Check out our Child and Adult Care Food Program on Wednesday, August 13th at 10 am. If you are interested please contact Sydney Jenkins-Hall at (914) 761-3456 ext. 167.
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YOUR BUSINESS IS OUR BUSINESS
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Exciting Summer Trainings
To see our wonderful workshops for you this summer, click on:
Is It Time for Your CDA?
Have you thought about getting your CDA (Child Development Associate) credential? If you enjoy working with infants or toddlers, our in-person Infant Toddler CDA course may be right for you! Funded by a generous grant from the Westchester County Office for Women, your cost is only $25 - for a 120 hr course that is your first step toward earning the CDA credential.
Our next class starts Wednesday, September 10th. To learn more, please contact Idie Benjamin, Director,
Professional Development, at [email protected] or (914) 761-3456 ext.108.
Click below for the course application:
IT CDA Application
Twenty-three (23) women completed our CDA class that finished in June 2014 - see the article below. You can be part of the next one!
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 Health Tip - Swimming Safety
Summer is here, and the children are spending more time outdoors. While planning fun activities, safety must always be on our minds.
Swimming is a great recreational sport that can be enjoyed by people of all ages. It is also the most popular summer activity. But it's important to know how to be safe while you're in the water.
Click below to learn more:
Swimming Safety English
Swimming Safety Spanish
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Know Your Regs!
Reg Reminder: 417.5 (g)(1)
When looking for ways to cool off this summer, please remember the use of spa pools, hot tubs and fill-and-drain wading pools is prohibited.
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WHAT'S HAPPENING AT THE COUNCIL
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Business Series for Providers Wraps Up
Congratulations to all the family and group family providers who learned new business info and skills in a Saturday series funded by the Westchester Community Foundation. Coordinated beautifully by the Council's Aniberca Rosario and with the help of instructors from WEDC (Women's Enterprise Development Center), the sessions covered taxes, insurance, marketing, business records and more - in Spanish.
At the final session on June 28th, participants celebrated with a festive and delicious luncheon. The Council wants to thank this hard-working group of women for their hard work and determination: Jenny Arvelo, Gladys Arvelo, Paula Cabreja, Victoria Cabreja, Beronidia Collado, Lillian Frias,
Cecilia Galvez, Maria Glade, Esperanza Hidalgo,
Jessica Jimenez, Monika Mercedes, Carmen Minier,
Santos Morales, Miriam Morgado, Angelica Munoz,
Maria Olaya,Paola Pajares, Maria Rafael, Eileen Rivera, Maria Rivera, Fior Rodriguez, Ana Rojo, Andrea Rosendo, Alodia Sandoval, Grace Scamarone, Mercedes Suriel, Anatolia Torres, Esperanza Velasquez and Carmen Youngs.
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Congratulations To Our CDA Course Students Who Are Now Child Development Associates!!
We are very proud of our Infant-Toddler In-Person CDA course students and online eCDA students who completed the required CDA course and are now Child Development Associates, a credential given by the Council for Professional Recognition.
These early childhood educators have worked hard to improve their skills and knowledge of working with young children. The children in their care, their parents, and their programs are very fortunate to have such dedicated caregivers working with them.
Infant-Toddler In-Person CDA course Child Development Associates:
- Yohanny Alejandro
- Tishauna Dawkins
- Sophie Kyreakedes
- Margaret Lewis
- Barbara Logath
- Stephanie O'Neil
- Susan Piko
Online eCDA course Child Development Associates:
- Michelle Bohuniek
- Christina Mayo
- Lisa White
To find out more about the CDA credential or for information about the Council's CDA classes, please contact Idie Benjamin, Director, Professional Development, at [email protected].
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Asthma Friendly Child Care Endorsement
The Council has partnered with the American Lung Association of New York to develop a pilot project directed at creating the safest child care environments for children with Asthma.
For more information regarding the benefits and the process for endorsement read the Asthma Friendly Child Care Endorsement Informational Sheet, click here:
AFCCE Informational Sheet
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Block Play:
Important Learning and Fun for All Ages
What is the most important area in an early childhood classroom? Some early educators will argue it is the block center. From infants playing with stacking cups or cubes, to toddlers needing to knock down whatever blocks they stack to preschoolers coming up with an elaborate plan, blocks are essential for children's growth and development.
"Block play is a great way to build skills that we ordinarily think of as academic or school-related. Blocks are especially beneficial when children are allowed to freely explore and manipulate the blocks in a variety of engaging ways. Children's creativity is further expanded through encouragement to make their own accessories from throw away junk items. When it comes to blocks, it's all in their imaginations!"
- Karen Stephens, Director of Illinois State University Child Care Center and ISU instructor
Click below to read more:
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Fun Days in August!
Celebrate August and have some summer fun with these special weeks and days -
- Week 2 is National Smile Week. Find 5 things each day for the children and you to smile about.
- August 2nd - National Ice Cream Sandwich Day - Make homemade ice cream and your own ice cream sandwiches.
- August 3rd - National Watermelon Day - What happens if you plan a watermelon seed?
- August 6th - National Wiggle Your Toes Day - Isn't it fun to do that in a sprinkler on a hot day?
- August 9th - National Book Lover's Day - Read even more than you usually do to the children. Make your own simple books with photographs and captions.
- August 21st - Senior Citizen's Day - Invite the children's grandparents for a visit or maybe the nice neighbor next door.
Click the website below to learn more:
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Inside the Community Fun:
Free Crafts For Kids
There's no fee, just paints, glitter and fun when kids do enjoyable craft projects.
On August 9th children make and decorate their own spinning tops for outdoor summer play from 11am-3pm.
Lakeshore Learning Center, Midway Shopping Center, 969A Central Park Ave., Scarsdale. 472-1820.
For more information click the link below:
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Council Conferences
Wednesday, October 22nd at Burke Rehab Center
School Age
Saturday, November 1st
Burke Rehab Center
Watch for registration info!
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2015 Council Awards Breakfast
Friday, June 5th
Look for early announcements for Joey Award nominations
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Juliana was hired in September as a Community & Health Care Consultant Services Assistant. She will begin her new administrative assistant position on August 4th. We are delighted to welcome her to this new opportunity.
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COUNCIL
MID-YEAR MEMBERSHIP
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Join the Council in 2014!
Reduced rates available!!!
Benefits include:
Valuable discounts on workshops, on-site trainings and conferences
* Free postings on the Council's job bank
* Membership Certificate to post at your program
* Listing on the Council's web site
* Free use of the Council Resource Library
* Access to the Council's Children's Resource Corner
Call (914) 761-3456 ext. 106 or visit our website below.
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Special Discounts for Council Members
Magical Memories Entertainment is a one stop shop for all your entertainment needs. They currently provide discounted rates for their services for all Council members.
For more info click here:
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News Magazine Network
Do you need guidance on how to find a quality program? Do you want to know what to look for?
Click below to visit their website:
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Need Back to School Shots?
Westchester
County
Department of Health is holding free clinics.
Click below to read more:
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Get stats and the latest info on Westchester's children
Visit the new blog from the Westchester Children's Association.
Click the website below:
Children By The Numbers Blog
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Keep Our Children Safe
Graco Children's Products is recalling several car seat models due to a faulty buckle. The buckle can get stuck in the latched position, making it hard to remove your child from the seat, increasing the risk of injury in an emergency.
Visit the Graco website to find out if your car seat is included in the recall. If so, you can order a free replacement harness buckle.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Admin. (NHTSA) urges parents and caregivers to consider using an alternative car seat until the buckle is fixed.
For more info about the Graco recall, or for any other car seat, you can look up car seat recalls over the past 10 years, call the NHTSA hotline at 1-888-327-4236.
Be sure to register your car seat so you are notified in the event of a recall.
Click the website below for more information:
Graco
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Reading Rockets
Are you interested in helping prevent struggling readers?
Help our future leaders become successful readers.
Click the website below for more information:
Reading Rockets
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New York State Community Caf� Orientation Training Series
Learn how to host a community cafe and become a parent leader!
Click the links below for more information:
Community Cafe Flyer
Community Cafe Invitation
Community Cafe Registration Form
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