The Michigan Autism Partnership Presents: Autism: Focus on the Family
Keynote Speaker Dr. Laura Marshak
Other speakers include:
Dr. Richard Solomon MD http://www.aacenter.org/
Dr. Mark Bowers PHD http://www.aacenter.org/
Attorney Laura Athens
Join us for a day dedicated to discussing the challenges of building strong family relationships and making healthy decisions that are in the best interest of your family after your child or children have been diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Topics of the day include, “Married with Special Needs Children,” Autism: What to do about Activities of Daily Living,” What Happens When your child with ASD Grows Up?’ and ‘How to Advocate for Your Child through the Lifespan.’
Saturday, March 19, 2011, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Crystal Gardens Banquet Center
5768 East Grand River, Howell Michigan
Tickets are $80.00 per person and they include lunch
Please call (810) 348-7926 to reserve tickets.
Dr. Laura Marshak is a professor in the Department of Counseling at Indiana University of Pennsylvania (Indiana, PA). Her doctorate is in Rehabilitation Counseling so disability issues have been central to her career. In addition, she is a licensed psychologist and founding partner of North Hills Psychological Services. As psychologist, she specializes in working with individuals and couples who coping with the intensified pressures of raising children with a broad range of disabilities and/or illnesses. Many of these parents have one or more children with autism spectrum disorders. Others have a range of developmental and/or physical disabilities. In addition she works with parents of medically fragile children. Her focus has been on enhancing the quality of couple relationships and individual life under extremely challenging external circumstances
She has written six books on disability related topics. They include Married with Special Needs Children [A couple’s guide to keeping connected]. She has written many journal articles and chapters on different aspects of family and disability. In addition, she speaks nationally and internationally on the topic of marriage, long term relationships, family and disability. Dr. Marshak is the professional advisor of the Friendship Circle, a large inclusion group for children in Pittsburgh, PA.
She is married and has three sons. Dr. Marshak knows the topic of family and disability both from a personal and a professional perspective.
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, January 31, 2011
Thursday, January 27, 2011
Training effort improves health and safety skills for nearly 20,000 Michigan child care providers!
LANSING – Thirty thousand Michigan children are better off today thanks to a massive safety training effort involving nearly 20,000 unlicensed Michigan child care providers.
A total of 19,498 providers – many grandparents, neighbors and other relatives assisting low-income parents – completed the mandatory first aid/CPR course in 2010, according to a final tally by the Department of Human Services.
The training, provided by Michigan’s nine Great Start Regional Child Care Resource Centers, was required by the state Legislature for all “relative and aide” providers who earn modest child care subsidies through DHS.
The resource centers are part of the Early Childhood Investment Corporation’s Great Start Child Care Quality Program, one of the most comprehensive child care quality initiatives in the nation. It helps parents find quality early-learning environments for their children and helps early childhood professionals provide top-notch experiences.
The training should enhance the quality of child care for more than 30,000 children, said Judy Y. Samelson, chief executive officer of ECIC.“Outside of the family home, children spend more learning time in child care than anywhere else. So it’s crucial that child care environments be as safe and nurturing as possible.”
Samelson said enhancing child care in Michigan is a priority for the state’s economic well-being.
“It’s very simple: Better child care enhances school readiness, and children who are ready to thrive when they arrive in kindergarten tend to do better in school and go on to become the kind of strong, contributing workforce adults that Michigan needs to thrive economically once again.”
The ongoing training – the first of its kind in the nation – will continue to provide a long-term safety boost for children throughout Michigan, Samelson said. In the short-term, providers in at least three instancesemployed their new-found skills to help choking and heart attack victims.
According to Lisa Brewer-Walraven, director of the DHS Office of Early Education and Care, the percentage of providers who completed training indicates a high level of commitment by caregivers to the children they watch. “We’re encouraged that so many providers took advantage of this training because it impacts both their ability to care for children and their own professional development,” she said. “This is one more way we can make certain that every child in Michigan is exposed to opportunities that ensure their success in the future.”
While Michigan has required licensed child care providers to master life-saving skills, this was the first time that unlicensed providers were required to complete such safety training.
The training program’s emphasis on home-based, unregulated providers is significant because the vast majority of children in child care in Michigan are in these unlicensed, private homes.
After completing the basic training course, nearly a thousand providers went on to complete an additional 10 hours of voluntary training in child care topics, thereby earning an additional 25 or 35 cents per hour from the state.
Karen Roback, director of the Great Start Child Care Quality Program, said many providers found that the training changed the way they view their work. “It went beyond first aid and CPR training. It opened up a whole new group of providers to the potential they have to shape the learning and development of children in their care.”
Child care provider Naomi Davis, 69, a retired licensed practical nurse from metro Detroit, was initially skeptical about taking the training. With 16 grandchildren and great grandchildren, she wondered, “What the heck could they teach me?”
After taking the course, Davis, who cares for twin grandsons and a toddler, said she loved working with the instructors “and the material was phenomenal. As a care provider for children, I think everyone should go through it.”
Roback said Davis’ views were echoed by trainees across the state. Many said it personally changed the way they think about what they do with children in their care.
A total of 19,498 providers – many grandparents, neighbors and other relatives assisting low-income parents – completed the mandatory first aid/CPR course in 2010, according to a final tally by the Department of Human Services.
The training, provided by Michigan’s nine Great Start Regional Child Care Resource Centers, was required by the state Legislature for all “relative and aide” providers who earn modest child care subsidies through DHS.
The resource centers are part of the Early Childhood Investment Corporation’s Great Start Child Care Quality Program, one of the most comprehensive child care quality initiatives in the nation. It helps parents find quality early-learning environments for their children and helps early childhood professionals provide top-notch experiences.
The training should enhance the quality of child care for more than 30,000 children, said Judy Y. Samelson, chief executive officer of ECIC.“Outside of the family home, children spend more learning time in child care than anywhere else. So it’s crucial that child care environments be as safe and nurturing as possible.”
Samelson said enhancing child care in Michigan is a priority for the state’s economic well-being.
“It’s very simple: Better child care enhances school readiness, and children who are ready to thrive when they arrive in kindergarten tend to do better in school and go on to become the kind of strong, contributing workforce adults that Michigan needs to thrive economically once again.”
The ongoing training – the first of its kind in the nation – will continue to provide a long-term safety boost for children throughout Michigan, Samelson said. In the short-term, providers in at least three instancesemployed their new-found skills to help choking and heart attack victims.
According to Lisa Brewer-Walraven, director of the DHS Office of Early Education and Care, the percentage of providers who completed training indicates a high level of commitment by caregivers to the children they watch. “We’re encouraged that so many providers took advantage of this training because it impacts both their ability to care for children and their own professional development,” she said. “This is one more way we can make certain that every child in Michigan is exposed to opportunities that ensure their success in the future.”
While Michigan has required licensed child care providers to master life-saving skills, this was the first time that unlicensed providers were required to complete such safety training.
The training program’s emphasis on home-based, unregulated providers is significant because the vast majority of children in child care in Michigan are in these unlicensed, private homes.
After completing the basic training course, nearly a thousand providers went on to complete an additional 10 hours of voluntary training in child care topics, thereby earning an additional 25 or 35 cents per hour from the state.
Karen Roback, director of the Great Start Child Care Quality Program, said many providers found that the training changed the way they view their work. “It went beyond first aid and CPR training. It opened up a whole new group of providers to the potential they have to shape the learning and development of children in their care.”
Child care provider Naomi Davis, 69, a retired licensed practical nurse from metro Detroit, was initially skeptical about taking the training. With 16 grandchildren and great grandchildren, she wondered, “What the heck could they teach me?”
After taking the course, Davis, who cares for twin grandsons and a toddler, said she loved working with the instructors “and the material was phenomenal. As a care provider for children, I think everyone should go through it.”
Roback said Davis’ views were echoed by trainees across the state. Many said it personally changed the way they think about what they do with children in their care.
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
Calling all Licensed Programs in Michigan! Market Rate Survey!
A message from the Department of Human Services Office of Early Education and Care:
The Department of Human Services Office of Early Education and Care receives Child Care and Development Funds (CCDF) to help low-income families subsidize the cost of child care expenses. States that receive these federal funds must conduct a market rate survey of child care providers every two years.
Please help by completing the survey at the following link so we can accurately assess the cost of child care in Michigan! https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/MichiganMRS
Special instructions:
• If you are both a licensed provider and an unlicensed provider (aide or relative) please complete this survey ONLY.
• If you operate a program and have multiple license numbers you should fill out the survey for a minimum of one location (however, if you choose we’d appreciate you filling out the survey for multiple locations).
• If you do not have access to the internet and want someone to assist you with the completion of the survey please call 517-241-9492. Please make sure you have your license or registration number when you call.
https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/MichiganMRS
Thanks so much!
The Department of Human Services Office of Early Education and Care receives Child Care and Development Funds (CCDF) to help low-income families subsidize the cost of child care expenses. States that receive these federal funds must conduct a market rate survey of child care providers every two years.
Please help by completing the survey at the following link so we can accurately assess the cost of child care in Michigan! https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/MichiganMRS
Special instructions:
• If you are both a licensed provider and an unlicensed provider (aide or relative) please complete this survey ONLY.
• If you operate a program and have multiple license numbers you should fill out the survey for a minimum of one location (however, if you choose we’d appreciate you filling out the survey for multiple locations).
• If you do not have access to the internet and want someone to assist you with the completion of the survey please call 517-241-9492. Please make sure you have your license or registration number when you call.
https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/MichiganMRS
Thanks so much!
Friday, January 14, 2011
Just Sharing: WAEYC Training Opportunity
Washtenaw County Association for the Education of Young Children Presents:
Music, Movement & More For 2s to 5s.
Speaker: Gari Stein: Music for Little Folks
January 19th 6:15 p.m.
(registration begins at 6 p.m.)
Research supports the importance of music & movement as a foundation for learning. Sample methods and activities that capture attention, peak listening & stimulate imaginations. New ideas and old tunes enhance circle time or anytime throughout the day.
Location: UM Towsley Children’s Center. 710 S. Forest Ave. Ann Arbor.
Please park in the street (FREE after 6 p.m.) or in the parking structure next door.
Free for WCAEYC members. $10.00 for non-members
Email WCAEYC to register for this event
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!
Music, Movement & More For 2s to 5s.
Speaker: Gari Stein: Music for Little Folks
January 19th 6:15 p.m.
(registration begins at 6 p.m.)
Research supports the importance of music & movement as a foundation for learning. Sample methods and activities that capture attention, peak listening & stimulate imaginations. New ideas and old tunes enhance circle time or anytime throughout the day.
Location: UM Towsley Children’s Center. 710 S. Forest Ave. Ann Arbor.
Please park in the street (FREE after 6 p.m.) or in the parking structure next door.
Free for WCAEYC members. $10.00 for non-members
Email WCAEYC to register for this event
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!
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
Metro Parent's 22nd annual event hits Ann Arbor!
It’s one-stop shopping for 60-plus camps!
When: January 29. 2011 11:00am - 3:00pm at
Where: Washtenaw Community College, Morris Lawrence Building in Ann Arbor
For more information visit Metro Parent
When: January 29. 2011 11:00am - 3:00pm at
Where: Washtenaw Community College, Morris Lawrence Building in Ann Arbor
For more information visit Metro Parent
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
Winter Training Schedule
The Winter Training Schedule is available, view and Register for classes at http://www.greatstartconnect.com/!
Have an awesome day!
Have an awesome day!
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