NOTICE OF OCFS PUBLIC HEARINGS

April 15, 2013

The Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS) will hold three public hearings on New York State’s proposed two-year plan to receive assistance under the Social Security Act and the Child Care and Development Block Grant Act of 1990, also known as the Child Care and Development Fund. The state’s proposed plan will cover the period of 10/1/13-9/30/15.

The purpose of this federal block grant program is to increase the availability, affordability and quality of child care services. Federal funds would be available to assist New York State in supporting subsidies for child day care services to low-income families upon the plan’s approval by the United States Department of Health and Human Services. Funding also would be available for improving the quality of child day care services and increasing the availability of early childhood development programs, as well as before- and after-school services.

Pursuant to the Child Care and Development Block Grant Act, the public is invited to provide input into the development of the final plan. Areas for comment include program priorities for child care and suggested avenues for local input in shaping the state’s child care agenda. Information about the state’s proposed two-year child care plan will be available on the OCFS website by April 3, 2013 at www.ocfs.state.ny.us/main/CCDFStatePlan. Members of the public can e-mail comments to: [email protected].
Persons interested in providing oral testimony during the public hearings must register their intent to do so five days prior to the public hearing with the Division of Child Care Services, Office of Children and Family Services, 52 Washington Street, Room 309 South, Rensselaer, NY 12144. People can also register by calling (518) 474-9454, or by submitting the registration form posted on the OCFS website: www.ocfs.state.ny.us/main/CCDFStatePlan. Oral testimony is limited to ten minutes in length and must be followed up with written testimony within five days after the hearing. Persons interested only in submitting written comments must mail such comments within five days after the public hearing to the Division of Child Care Services, attention Kimmarie Slade, at the address above.
Our local hearing will be the following;
Date: Tuesday, April 30, 2013
Time: 11am-3pm
Place: Child Care Council, Inc.
595 Blossom Road
Rochester, NY 14620

Click CCC – OCFS Hearing release for the press release.

Celebrate Earth Day by visiting our recycle shop!

April 9, 2013

Genesee Valley Parent magazine published a great article about our recycle shop! The month of April features the 43rd annual Earth Day celebration on April 22. To read the article, click here.

April 2013 Caring Matters

March 28, 2013

CM April 2013

Cameras & Kids 2013 is here!

March 1, 2013

Cameras & Kids 2013 is running December 10th 2012 to April 30th 2013.

The Award Ceremony will be held at Springdale Farms on May 18th, with more details
to come. Participation packets can be picked up in any of our offices,
mailed at your request, or downloaded and printed from the following documents:

1) Provider Letter

2) Parent Letter

3) Contest Guidelines

4) Participation Forms

5) Photo Release Form

Groups Partnering on Child Care Program to Reduce Toxics, Safeguard Kids’ Health, Protect Great Lakes

February 4, 2013

Clean and Healthy New York and Child Care Council Inc. announced today a new partnership to educate child care providers in the Great Lakes basin about common toxic chemicals and how to
choose safer products. Clean and Healthy New York received a two-year Great Lakes Restoration Initiative grant for “Toxics Reduction through Day Care Provider Engagement” from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

Using the framework of the award-winning Eco-Healthy Child Care® program run by the national Children’s Environmental Health Network, the two organizations will reach out to all the child care providers in New York state’s Great Lakes basin, offering trainings and on-site technical assistance. The program goals are protecting children’s health by making their daily environment safer, while reducing use of chemicals prioritized by U.S. EPA through the agency’s Chemical Action Plans.

To find out more information and to read the press release, EPA-EcoHealthy Release

Excellus BCBS Helps Lung Association Create More “Asthma-Friendly” Child Care Centers

Child Care Council Inc. has partnered with the American Lung Association of New York to develop a pilot project directed at creating the safest environment for children with asthma to receive care. To begin the process of becoming endorsed, attend one of the Asthma 101 trainings, then self-complete the Asthma Friendly Child Care Endorsement Guide. Child Care Council’s Registered Nurses will guide you through the process of becoming an Asthma Friendly endorsed child care program.

Read the new press release describing the program! Asthma Friendly Childcare Project Excellus BCBS Press Release 1 29 12

Child Care Council is hosting a series of workshops called Family Talk in January!

December 13, 2012

Family Talk provides the opportunity to discuss:
• What children need to know at what age
• How parents can effectively share information so children understand it
• How to answer children’s questions
• Help parents, grandparents and other caregivers connect with children about sex and sexuality, healthy relationships, substance use and HIV

Who it is for:
The workshop series is recommended for parents of children
who are infants – age 14, who want to give their children
information and guidance that is appropriate to their age and
stage of development.

Family Talk provides:
• Practical suggestions and guidelines to communicate
accurate information about sex and sexuality, healthy
relationships, substance use and HIY.
• Encouragement to examine parents’ own values and
positive ways to convey values to children.
• Information about how children develop and how
they mature sexually through puberty.
• Information about substance use.
• Support for setting limits and engaging children in
healthy activities.
Family Talk Workshops are being offered on Tuesdays, January 22th -February 12th, 2013
from 6:30 pm-8:30 pm
Where: Child Care Council, Rochester office
Cost: Free
To learn more, and/or to register contact:
Renee Scholz, Referral Services Coordinator
585-654-1286 or email: [email protected]

Are you ready for the new crib guidelines?

October 30, 2012

Beginning December 28, 2012, any crib provided by child care facilities and family child care homes must meet new and improved federal safety standards. The new standards took effect for manufacturers, retailers, importers and distributors on June 28, 2011, addressing deadly hazards previously seen with traditional drop-side rails. Standards now require more durable hardware and parts and mandating more rigorous testing.

Go to the following websites to get more information and a flyer for your program.

http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/pubs/5023.pdf

http://www.cpsc.gov/info/cribs/index.html

“Breaking the Cycle of Adverse Childhood Experiences” Conference

October 9, 2012

Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACES) impact not just childhood, but the physical and emotional lifetime health trajectory of its survivors. We often see the impact and are frustrated in our efforts to help. Can anything we do now alter the life course health trajectory of the children and adults who have experienced childhood trauma and bear its scars? Many of today’s leading thinkers say YES. The Perinatal Network of Monroe County and the Monroe County Office of Mental Health will host a week-long event anchored by a keynote conference on Wednesday, November 14, 2012. Join us for a day with America’s leading experts on the impact of Adverse Childhood Experiences and how to break the cycle of trauma. There is a special Saturday workshop for child care providers. Register at www.ACESConference.info and click here for the flyer. ACESchildcare workshop 2

New York State Awards Four Contracts to Child Care Council

September 21, 2012

ROCHESTER, N.Y., Sept. 20, 2012 – Child Care Council Inc. has been awarded four contracts from New York state to provide services that enhance child care and early childhood education programs.

Under the five-year contracts, which are funded by the New York State Office of Children and Family Services, Child Care Council will continue to serve as the Rochester Region Infant/Toddler Resource Center and to provide child care resource and referral services in Monroe, Livingston and Wayne counties.

The Infant/Toddler Resource Center provides services designed to enhance programs for the care and education of infants and toddlers. Services include ongoing education, technical assistance and support for early childhood educators, licensors, registrars, enrollers, child care centers, family and group family child care homes, and legally exempt child care providers. The Council will continue to provide an infant toddler specialist in every child care resource and referral agency within the nine counties of Chemung, Livingston, Ontario, Monroe, Schuyler, Seneca, Steuben, Wayne and Yates.
The three child care resource and referral service contracts enable Child Care Council to provide comprehensive services focused on the support of high-quality child care programs that promote safety, permanency and well-being for children, families and communities. Services include child care referrals and education for families seeking out-of-home care for young children, technical assistance, business start-up and continued education, health consultation, enrollment and support for legally exempt child care providers.

“Child Care Council is extremely pleased that New York state has selected us for these four grants,” said Child Care Council CEO Barbara-Ann Mattle. “The state’s continued faith in the Council is a testament to our efforts to improve local child care and early education programs, through the work of our excellent professional staff and through the outstanding providers and educators that we collaborate with in the Finger Lakes region.”

Community Resources Posts

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

NOTICE OF OCFS PUBLIC HEARINGS