Thursday, May 19, 2011

3rd Annual Touch a Truck on May 21st from 9am-Noon!

Join Washtenaw Success by 6 for the 3rd Annual Touch a Truck event on Saturday, May 21st from 9am to 12noon in the back parking lot at Briarwood Mall.


Kids can get up close with some of their favorite trucks and vehicles including fire engines, school buses, and much, much more! Free fun for the whole family!

Monday, May 16, 2011

Washtenaw County Child Care Homes Network 5.18.2011

Washtenaw County Child Care Homes Network
There are still a few spaces available!
Wednesday, May 18th from 6:30-8:30 pm

Join us to learn about the resources that Leslie Science and Nature Center offers and how important nature is in the lives of children.

Registration required! Please call Kim at 734-975-1840 ext. 29 to save your space!

Thursday, May 12, 2011

Child Care Development Fund State Plan Posted: Open for Comments

--- A message from the Department of Human Services---

Every two years states are required to complete a State Plan for the Child Care Development Fund (CCDF) dollars received by the state to support low-income families with access to child care and improving the quality of child care.


This year, the Office of Child Care reorganized the State Plan to better reflect State and Territorial practices in CCDF. The plan has been condensed into three sections:

• Overall Administration
• CCDF Subsidy Program Administration
• Health and Safety and Quality Improvement Activities

The Office of Child Care included significant enhancements to the Health and Safety and Quality Improvement section with a focus on building systems for child care quality improvement. The revised quality section puts into place a three part process.

1) A self-assessment on current quality improvement activities
2) Goal-setting for quality improvement in the upcoming biennium
3) Reporting back on progress at the end of each fiscal year through a new Quality

Performance Report
The revised quality section is organized into four core components:

• Health and Safety
• Early Learning Guidelines
• Program Quality Improvement Activities, including Quality Rating and Improvement Systems (QRIS)
• Professional Development Systems and Workforce Initiatives.

A draft of the state’s CCDF Plan will be posted at the DHS website for your review and comments during the month of May. It can be located at www.michigan.gov/childcare.

If you would like to make a comment on the draft CCDF Plan you can do so in one of four ways:

On June 9, 2011 from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.:
Come to a public hearing at the Ingham County Health Department building, 5303 S. Cedar Street, Lansing, MI 48911 in Conference Room A.

Before close of business on Friday, June 10, 2011:
Submit written comments to the Office of Early Education and Care at the Department of Human Services, 235 S. Grand Ave, Suite 1512, PO Box 30037, Lansing, MI 48909.

Submit written comments via fax at 517-241-8125.

Submit comments via email at DHS-CDC-ADMIN@michigan.gov

As always, the department appreciates your support and comments.

Tuesday, May 3, 2011

Supporting Dual Language Learners in Home Care Settings on May 7th

Attention Washtenaw County Home Providers! Spaces Available in this May 7th Class!

Supporting Dual Language Learners in Home Care Settings
If you're interested in this training, please contact Jennifer Morse at 734-994-8100 ext. 2178

From time to time, we hear from organizations who offer training/events in the community that is consistent with our mission. We'll be sharing this information with you in our "Just Sharing" features here on the blog. Please note that Child Care Network does not necessarily endorse the programs, organizations or businesses listed. If you are interested in sharing your early childhood training opportunities, let us know!

Monday, May 2, 2011

CDC Report Highlights Lack of Healthy Food Environments for Children

CDC Report Highlights Lack of Healthy Food Environments for Children April 26, 2011


Communities can influence children's diets by ensuring that nutritious, healthy food choices are accessible in their areas. The 2011 Children's Food Environment State Indicator Report and National Action Guide, newly released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, includes data about food access, regulations, and policies that may improve childhood obesity. Policy and environmental indicators across early care and education (child care), school, and community settings are included along with behavioral indicators on sugar drinks, family meals, and television viewing.

REPORT and NATIONAL ACTION GUIDE: The 2011 Children’s Food Environment State Indicator Report compiles data from a variety of sources. To view the full report and National Action Guide visit http://www.cdc.gov/obesity/resources/reports.html  

NEW TOOL! Communities can assess their retail environment to better understand the current landscape and differences in accessing healthier foods. See CDC’s new document -- Healthier Food Retail: Beginning the Assessment Process in Your State or Community. http://www.cdc.gov/obesity/childhood/solutions.html

STATE ACTION GUIDES: Association of State and Territorial Public Health Nutrition Directors site featuring Children’s Food Environment Indicator Report State Action Guides as well as customizable PowerPoint presentation for presenting the Indicator Report to audiences within your state
http://astphnd.org/resources_search_results.php?order=sequence&training_class=3&sid=f9a1a4

Additional information on childhood obesity is available at http://www.cdc.gov/obesity/childhood and http://www.cdc.gov/obesity/childhood/solutions.html

Please address all inquiries and comments to foodenvironmentreport@cdc.gov