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Partnering for Business Navigator Toolkit

The Business Navigator Toolkit Project

Child Care Council, Inc. is partnering with the Early Care & Learning Council and Finger Lakes Regional Economic Development Council as part of a statewide project to build and launch a Child Care Business Navigator Toolkit. The Business Navigator Toolkit is designed to help employers understand their employees’ child care needs and connect them with employee benefits, HR services, other child care resources, and relevant tax credits. The Toolkit will be launched in early 2025.

The Business Navigator Project surveyed businesses of all sizes and types to understand their benefits, child care challenges for their workforce, and current knowledge of available tax credits and incentives. Businesses interested in more information about the project, who would like to learn about being a Child Care Champion, or would like to request child care information or referral services for employees, can reach out to Child Care Council CEO Jeff Pier.

Toolkit activities include recorded webinars and Live Launch Events in each Economic Region.

Get Involved

Finger Lakes Region Live Launch

Date: January 22, 2025
Time: 7:30 a.m. – 9:00 a.m.

Child Care Council, Inc. is hosting a Live Launch of the NYS Business Navigator Child Care Toolkit on Wednesday, January 22, 2025.

Register for the Live Launch

Overview of Business Navigator Toolkit Project

Child care is an economic issue. Through the collaborative efforts of Early Care & Learning Council (ECLC), the Child Care Resource Center (CCRC) network, and the Regional Economic Development Councils (REDCs), the strategic rollout of The Business Navigator will connect businesses with child care services and focus on understanding the needs of both businesses and employees, navigating economic and logistical considerations, accessing tax benefits, and delivering resources that can be meaningful in a variety of circumstances across the state. The Business Navigator Toolkit will provide business leaders with key strategies that they can use to support caregivers, along with tools to support implementation. New York State employers who are seeking to deliver a child care strategy that focuses on the specific needs of their employees, and provides a strong return on their investments, will find the essential resources, case studies, and regional contacts to begin this process, or augment a plan already in place.

The Business Navigator Toolkit is funded by the Office of Children and Family Services, created by Early Care & Learning Council, and supported by 10 leading Child Care Resource Centers.

Project Timeline

June – August 2024:  Awareness Campaign; Employer Surveys; Identification of Child Care Champions
September – November 2024:  Pre-Launch Webinars
December 2024 – February 2025:  Live Launch Events in all 10 Economic Regions

Statewide Webinars

Solutions to child care challenges faced by both employers and employees are multi-faceted. The Business Navigator Toolkit is intended to reduce the overwhelm that employers may experience as they seek to solve this critical workforce and economic problem. By providing a clear outline of options, coupled with actionable steps for decision making, this toolkit is designed to meet business leaders where they are today, and provide impactful child care solutions to keep their businesses and employees growing tomorrow. 

The Webinars are informational sessions to introduce the toolkit. Learn more and register here.

Regional Live Launch Events

The Business Navigator Child Care Toolkit is a pioneering resource developed by Early Care & Learning Council, funded by the Office of Children and Family Services. This statewide initiative provides crucial strategies and tools for New York State employers dedicated to enhancing workplace support for caregivers.

What You Will Gain:
  • Insightful Strategies: Learn how to tailor child care solutions that meet the specific needs of your employees and provide a substantial return on investment.
  • Implementation Tools: Access practical tools that facilitate the implementation of effective child care strategies within your business.
  • Resource Connections: Discover essential case studies, regional contacts, and additional resources to kickstart or enhance your child care programs.
  • Data-Driven Solutions: Understand the critical areas of child care needs through comprehensive data available to employers and child care providers.
  • Networking Opportunities: Connect with other business leaders, HR professionals, and policymakers committed to fostering family-friendly work environments.

This toolkit not only aims to align work responsibilities with caregiving needs but also enhances your company’s competitiveness by ensuring equitable economic opportunities for all employees.

Who Should Attend:
  • Business owners
  • Human Resources professionals
  • Policy makers
  • Anyone interested in creating a supportive and productive workplace

For information on Live Launch Events throughout New York State, click here.

GCSD’s KidsCare Becomes First School-Based Child Care Program in the State to Implement Social-Emotional Development Model

For the first time, Child Care Council Inc. is collaborating with a school-based child care program in New York to implement the Pyramid Model of social-emotional development.

The Pyramid Model is an evidence-based framework proven effective in building social and emotional competence in early care and education programs by promoting positive behavior and well-being in early childhood.

Greece Central’s KidsCare program began implementing the Pyramid Model last fall in collaboration with Child Care Council. KidsCare Coordinator Kelly Giudice said using the Pyramid Model in child care settings makes sense because it reinforces the behavioral expectations and social-emotional skills children already use in schools. Now, in addition to offering traditional recreational programming, KidsCare staff are working with children to build effective strategies to regulate emotions, develop conflict-resolution skills and strengthen friendships.

“The Pyramid Model has been instrumental in assisting us in the process of developing site-specific goals around our work on explicitly teaching social and emotional competencies to the children we serve,” said Giudice. “We believe that our focus on social and emotional competence will not only assist the children in their academic achievements but will also help them to grow as healthy and happy humans.”

Child Care Council is providing specialized training, technical assistance and ongoing support to KidsCare staff as they implement Pyramid Model strategies into their daily practices. By adopting the model, the district aims to fortify the social-emotional foundational skills of children, laying the groundwork for a successful and fulfilling educational journey.

“KidsCare has fully embraced the Pyramid Model,” said Rose Shufelt, director of Health and Social Emotional Wellness, Child Care Council. “It has been inspirational to work with the KidsCare coordinator and staff and to see their commitment to promoting children’s social and emotional development.”

KidsCare has been providing before- and after-school child care to Greece Central School District students since 2021 and now serves 300 students in grades PreK-5 at seven Greece school sites. KidsCare has always sought to balance children’s daily academic experiences with interest-based recreational programming. To learn more about KidsCare, visit greececsd.org/kidscare or call (585) 966-2456.

Kiara Warren Elected Board Chair

Warren becomes Council’s first African American board chair

Kiara Warren has been elected to serve as chair of Child Care Council Inc.’s board of directors. Warren is the first African American and youngest board chair in the Council’s history, and her three-year term as chair started Jan. 1, 2024. A member of the board since 2017, she most recently served as vice president.

“It is an honor to be elected by the board to serve Child Care Council as chair, said Kiara Warren. “I have enjoyed being part of the board guiding the Council as it transitions from a referral agency to a more holistic organization that helps families and advocates for improvements to the child care system. I look forward to working with board members, Council leadership and staff to further this transition and to continue expanding program offerings.”

“I am excited to continue working with Kiara on the board in her new leadership role,” said Child Care Council CEO Jeff Pier. “Kiara is a forward-thinking, innovative young professional who brings strategic thinking, great perspective and communications expertise to our board.”

Kiara Warren serves as a public relations associate at the University of Rochester Medical Center’s Golisano Children’s Hospital. In this role, she is a lead writer and develops and publishes content and communications programs for internal and external audiences. Prior to that, she was executive assistant to the Commissioner, City of Rochester’s Department of Recreation and Human Services.

Warren is working toward earning a master’s degree in Communication Management from Syracuse University, and she earned a bachelor’s degree in Communications: Advertising and Public Relations from RIT. She resides in the city of Rochester’s 19th Ward.

Council Earns DEI Leadership Seal

Child Care Council has worked closely with 540 West Main during the last three years to become an agency that will always strive to learn, grow, and become a leader in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. CCC is proud of earning this seal from 540 West Main to recognize what we have accomplished so far. We are committed to continuing our DEI journey.

Thank you, 540 West Main and Calvin Eaton, for your professionalism and leadership throughout this process.

Child Care Council Receives Additional Grant Funding for Special Needs Service

Child Care Council has been awarded additional grant funding for its prevention-based, consultative service that helps ensure children with disabilities have access to quality child care.

The Mother Cabrini Health Foundation has awarded $285,000 in grant funding for Child Care Council’s special needs consultation service, which equips caregivers with strategies and supports to reduce suspension and expulsion for young children with disabilities in child care. Built on relationship-based practices, the service is provided through observation, modeling and collaboration. The special needs consultation service was initially funded by a $175,000 grant from the Mother Cabrini Health Foundation.

“Child care suspensions and expulsions of children with special needs is a troubling issue that disproportionately impacts Black and Brown families,” said Child Care Council CEO Jeff Pier. “We are grateful that the Mother Cabrini Health Foundation is continuing its strong support of this important service, which has already shown tremendous results.”

Since the service started in fall 2022, more than 90 children have been served with no suspensions or expulsions. To date, the Council has trained 75 child care providers in the service.

The Council’s team of special needs consultants provide a caring, compassionate, responsive and effective service to meet each program and child’s unique needs. The service, which does not provide 1-to-1 care to children, is available in Monroe, Wayne and Livingston counties. Child care providers interested in learning more about this service can contact Bethany Williams, director, special needs department, at 585.654.1287 or [email protected].

Mother Cabrini Health Foundation is a private, nonprofit organization whose mission is to improve the health and wellbeing of New Yorkers, bolster the health outcomes of vulnerable communities, eliminate barriers to care, and bridge gaps in health services. Named after a tireless advocate for immigrants, children, and the poor, the Mother Cabrini Health Foundation funds programs and initiatives across New York State that either provide direct healthcare services or address the social determinants of health. For more information, visit https://www.cabrinihealth.org/.

New Service Aims to Reduce Child Care Suspensions, Expulsions of Children with Special Needs

A new prevention-based, consultative service at Child Care Council Inc. will help ensure children with disabilities have access to quality child care.

Child Care Council’s special needs consultation service will equip caregivers with strategies and supports to reduce suspension and expulsion for young children with disabilities in child care. Built on relationship-based practices, the service is provided through observation, modeling and collaboration.

According to a 2018 article by the Center for American Progress, “Suspensions Are Not Support,” children with disabilities in early childhood settings represent about 13% of enrolled children but account for 75% of suspensions and expulsions. Children with autism are the most likely to be suspended or expelled, according to Child Care Council, which served 125 families who self-reported at least one child was diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorders between January 2016 and December 2019.

Child Care Council’s team of special needs consultants will provide a caring, compassionate, responsive and effective service to meet each program and child’s unique needs. The special needs consultation service is funded by a $175,000 grant from the Mother Cabrini Health Foundation.

The service, which does not provide 1-to-1 care to children, is available in Monroe, Wayne and Livingston counties. Child care providers interested in learning more about this service can contact Bethany Williams, special needs services supervisor, at 585.654.1287 or [email protected].

Mother Cabrini Health Foundation is a private, nonprofit organization whose mission is to improve the health and wellbeing of New Yorkers, bolster the health outcomes of vulnerable communities, eliminate barriers to care, and bridge gaps in health services. Named after a tireless advocate for immigrants, children, and the poor, the Mother Cabrini Health Foundation funds programs and initiatives across New York State that either provide direct healthcare services or address the social determinants of health. For more information, visit https://www.cabrinihealth.org/. Further information: [email protected].