UPDATE - Child Care Council of Westchester, Inc.

UPDATEEarly care and education...where our future begins Winter 2009WESTCHESTER COUNTY MAINTAINS SUPPORT OFCHILD CARE DESPITE STATE CUTSDespite an anticipated $26 million declinein revenue from state aid, interest incomeand mortgage taxes, County ExecutiveSpano kept a promise made at the Council’sfall Infant Toddler Conference to continuehis strong support for child care. To offsetcutbacks in state funding for the child caresubsidy program, the County’s share willgrow from $4 million in 2008 to a projected$13 million in 2009.The County Executive also proposed$500,000 for the Westchester County ChildCare Scholarship Program for workingparents just over-income for the publicsubsidy program. This increasingly popular scholarship,which has been administered by the Child Care Councilsince the summer of 2006, was increased to a total of$600,000 by the Board of Legislators in theirbudget deliberations.An educator prior to his governmentservice, County Executive Spanounderstands that a quality early care andeducation system is essential to a healthyregional economy. Westchester Countycontinues to offer parents the lowest childcare subsidy co-pay allowable by the stateand is the only county with a waiver from thestate for the child support cooperationrequirement. The County has also fundedthe Council’s Subsidy Coordinator, ArleneLeuzzi, to help more parents gain access tothe subsidy program. Continued access to affordable childcare will help Westchester’s families immearsurably in thisvery difficult economy.INSIDE THIS ISSUEUnited Way TeacherScholarship - page 2New Council - Pro BonoPartnership Project -page 42009 CouncilMembership Drive -page 5Recruiting and RetainingGood Staff - page 9Child Care Plays Essential Role in Economic RecoveryAdvocates all over the country aremaking the case for including newfunding for child care in the EconomicRecovery Package under considerationby the in-coming Obama administration.Funding for the Child Care DevelopmentBlock Grant (CCDBG), the source ofchild care subsidies along with variousquality initiatives, has been virtually flatsince 2002; during that same period, NewYork State’s share of those federal dollarshas also declined. As a result, 46,000fewer NYS children received subsidyassistance in 2007 than in 2004.Advocates are calling for an increase ofat least $3 billion for CCDBG.Over the last six years, Head Startsuffered a real funding cut of 13%leading to reductions in staffing, hoursand services. Additional funding of $3billion is requested for this program, too.Investing in child care and Head Startprovides immediate and long-termeconomic benefits, enabling parents towork while helping children prepare totake their place in the increasingly globalworkforce. Expansion of access toquality child care must be included in any(Continued on p.12)

Council Launches New United Way Teacher Scholarship FundThe Council’s latest child carepartnership with the United Way ofWestchester and Putnam addresses theneed to strengthen educationalqualifications in the Westchester childcare industry. The new scholarshipprogram will make it possible forteachers in non-profit child carecenters serving low-income families toobtain an Early Childhood Certificateor A.A.S. degree in Early ChildhoodEducation from area colleges.Westchester Community College isexpected to be the primaryeducational partner in the initiative.Candidates must obtain at least a Bin their early childhood courses and atleast a C in their other courses tomaintain eligibility for theirscholarship, which must be applied foreach semester.An Early Childhood Certificate (35credits) or an Associate’s Degree (64credits) may be earned over the courseof several sessions (up to 6 creditseach session) while candidatescontinue to work in their child carecenters.“Child care centers face everincreasingdemands for staff withdegrees. This past year, the Councilsuccessfully introduced a new CDAprogram, which we always saw asanother step in professionaldevelopment, but not the final step.Thanks to the United Way ofWestchester and Putnam, we can offereven more opportunities to thetalented and dedicated teachers in ourcenters,” noted Council ExecutiveDirector, Kathy Halas.The scholarships are currentlyavailable. Details are on the Council’sweb site:www.ChildCareWestchester.org.The ECE Forward Initiative Improves the Business of Child CareThe Seed Day Care Center inYorktown, NY, completed its newbuilding in 2006 to increase theirenrollment capacity. Contrary to whatthey thought would happenimmediately, enrollment did not fillup. Through the ECE Forwardinitiative, The Seed won a grant tostudy their business model and addresstheir enrollment problem.They recognized that they needed astrategic plan to see what they mightbe doing wrong. At the New YorkState Child Care Coordinating Council(NYSCCCC), The Seed found aconsultant who was not only a businessstrategy expert but also understoodthe child care industry. They startedtheir planning process with a retreat toget everyone involved and on board.“The way to ‘put the children first’ isto think of the business first,” saysAdministrative Director, Diane Turcin.“I know that may sound shocking, butit’s so important to know that it’s abusiness in order to be able to providequality care and to serve children theway we all want to.”While The Seed’s stakeholderscontinue to finish up the last aspects ofthe strategic plan with their consultant,2The Seed Day Care Centercreates strategic plan to addressenrollment issue.enrollment has already goneup. Ms. Turcin notes, “We’velearned new strategies alongthe way and made smallchanges and readjustmentsthat have helped. We’vetaken a fresh look at ourfinances, marketingtechniques and the way we attractcustomers.”Ms. Turcin believes that working witha professional who is able to beobjective and provide an outside lookat the business was the key to creatingan effective strategic plan. She isconfident that they are now muchbetter prepared to move their businessforward.

UPDATEQuality Forward Centers to be CongratulatedFourteen centers tookadvantage of theCouncil’s QualityForward initiative, acomprehensiveassessment and technicalassistance programdesigned to strengthenmarketability andfinancial sustainability.While the final reportwill not be completeduntil February,preliminary findingsindicate that all theclassrooms madesignificant gains while businesschallenges were addressed. Much ofthe classroom technical assistancefocused on strengthening the use oflanguage and critical thinking,expanding the diversity of materialsand offering a broader mix ofactivities to children. “Nature, science,music, and sand and water play, forexample, are important activities thatbenefit all children,” observes ECEForward Director Nicole Hazard.“The Quality Forward assessmenthelps determine whether this is due tolack of resources or the need for stafftraining in program development; theprogram improvement plan providesassistance accordingly.”On the business side, centers workedon multiple areas including budgetingand financial reporting, boardgovernance, marketing, parentengagement and personnel policies.To bolster enrollment, the Council’ssubsidy specialist provided training onhelping parents obtain and keep thechild care subsidy. Participatingcenters were also linked to otherCouncil resources such as literacygrants through the WestchesterCounty Office for Women and bulkpurchasingopportunities supported bythe IBM Global Work Life Fund.Directors and board members of theQuality Forward centers wererecognized at a special luncheon at theChild Care Council on Friday, January16th to thank them for theircommitment to a process which wastime-consuming and challenging.Although the County funding forQuality Forward ended on December31st, the Council will use a grant fromthe Frog Rock Foundation to continuerelated activities and seek newsupport.Observed Kathy Halas, ExecutiveDirector, “Directors and center staffare already working really hard, so theadditional effort they made to be partof Quality Forward is an expression ofremarkable professional integrity anddedication. Quality Forward can only3Program participants celebratetheir accomplishment at aCouncil Party on January 16.succeed to the extent thatthe center staff and boardopen themselves up toreally evaluating wherethey are and how theymight strengthen whatthey do. It is not easy andfrankly, some centerspassed on thisopportunity. Thefeedback that we’vereceived from theparticipants is all verypositive. Parents want quality, thestate is moving along with its qualityrating improvement system, QualityStars NY, and the financialenvironment is not getting easier, sowe are committed to provide this levelof technical assistance to theWestchester child care community. Weapplaud the leadership that theydemonstrated to better serve theirchildren and parents.”• Accent on Learning• Children’s Village Project Explore• Easter Seals• Eastchester Child DevelopmentCenter• Harrison Children’s Center• Lois Bronz Children’s Center• Mt Kisco Child Care Center• Mt Vernon CAG• New Little Branches• New Rochelle Day Care Center• Pelham Children’s Center• Port Chester Children’s Place• Westchester Jewish CommunityServices Family Center• Whitney Young Head Start

Westchester County Child Care Scholarship Programis Refunded for 2009Now in its 4th year, the WestchesterCounty Child Care ScholarshipProgram assists working families inWestchester who are just over-incomefor public subsidies yet still havedifficulty affording quality child care.Administered by the Child CareCouncil through a contract with theDepartment of Social Services,$600,000 was approved for 2009, downfrom the $1 million awarded in 2008.Given the very tight Westchesterbudget this year, the Council is verygrateful to the County Executive andthe Westchester County Board ofLegislators for continuing thisimportant financial assistance forworking parents.To be eligible, parents must beemployed full time, reside inWestchester County, and enroll theirchildren in a child care programregulated by the Office of Childrenand Family Services. “I am happy thatthe Westchester County Board ofLegislators recognizes how importantthe Scholarship Program is toWestchester families that needsupport,” says Legislator Judith Myers,who is an advocate of the program.“Affordable and quality early childcare is so critical to the healthy andsuccessful development of Westchesterchildren.”The Council is in the process ofestablishing the framework for theScholarship Program this year. Watchthe Council website for guidelines,applications and other details:www.ChildCareWestchester.org.The Council thanks thechild care programs andparents who have receivedthe Westchester CountyChild Care Scholarshipfor their expressions ofsupport during theCounty budget process.Your voices were heard.SAVE THE DATE! NYSAEYC’S ANNUAL CONFERENCE TOBE HELD APRIL 30-MAY 2NYSAEYC’s AnnualConference will be heldat the New YorkMarriott at theBrooklyn Bridge inBrooklyn, New York,on April 30-May 2, 2009.NYSAEYC’s conference is the largestearly childhood conference in NewYork State and the Council encouragesmembers to attend.The benefits of attending thisconference are many, including theopportunity to receive up to 15.5training hours (from Thursday, 5:00pm-Saturday, 5:30 pm). Depending onyour specific needs and interests, youmay choose from a number of featuredtracks and workshops: Leadership,Infant/Toddler, PreK-3, Trainers,School Age Child Care, Family ChildCare, Inclusion, and New andExperienced Teachers.The annual conference providesunique opportunities to meet andnetwork with colleagues, choose fromover 150 educational sessions, and visitover 80 early childhood exhibitors.4Because NYSAEYC’s AnnualConference will be in nearbyBrooklyn, the Council will not hold itsAnnual Consortium Day this year, andencourages you and your colleagues tojoin us at NYSAEYC’s event instead.Their conference brochure is available.Questions concerning the annual stateconference can be directed toNYSAEYC at (518) 867-3517;Fax: (518) 867-3520, or by email atnysaeyc@capital.net.

UPDATEChild Care Council of Westchester 2009 Membership Benefits YouAt the Child Care Council ofWestchester, we count on our membersas much as our members count on us.Your support of the Council funds ourpublic education and advocacyactivities which are key to the successof all our Westchester child carebusinesses.Membership rates have held the lineonce again. Remember, there’s a $500cap on the amount center-basedprograms will pay. Your Councilmembership pays you back with:! Discounts for all workshops,conferences and on-site trainings! Free posting of jobs on the Councilwebsite! Free notary public services! Access to the Council ResourceLibrary! Listing on the Council website! Group purchasing servicesCHILD CARE COUNCIL OF WESTCHESTER 2009MEMBERSHIP FORMTo enroll, simply check the appropriate membership category below and mail or fax the form to:Child Care Council of Westchester313 Central Park Avenue, Scarsdale, NY 10583; Fax: 914-761-1957.Checks should be made out to: Child Care Council of Westchester, Inc. The membership year runs fromJanuary 1 - December 31, 2009. Hold on to your Membership Card!MEMBERSHIP CATEGORIESIndividual/Family Child Care Provider.......................................................................................................................$40Group Family Child Care Provider.............................................................................................................................$50Center-Based Program ............................................................................$4 per child/licensed or registered capacity:$4 x _____________ children = $____________ (Maximum of $500)For more information contact Mae Pleasant at (914) 761-3456, Ext. 106.Name: __________________________________________________________________________________________________Organization: ____________________________________________________________________________________________Address: ________________________________________________________________________________________________City: ____________________________________________________ State: ____________Zip: ________________________Phone: __________________________________________ E-mail: ______________________________________________MEMBERSHIP TYPE:______ Individual ______ Family Child Care ______ Group Family Care ______ Nursery School Program______ Early Childhood Center______ School Age Program ______ Early Childhood Center/School Age ProgramCheck Amount: $ __________________________________ Please charge our: Visa MasterCard (Circle one)Card # ________________________________________________________Expiration date __________________________Name on Card ____________________________________________________________________________________________Billing Address: __________________________________________________________________________________________City: ____________________________________________________ State: ____________Zip: ________________________Signature: ________________________________________________________________________________________________5

7th Annual Conference Addresses the Challenges of ProvidingHigh Quality Care for Infants and ToddlersOver 150 enthusiastic learnersattended the Council’s 7th annualInfant and Toddler TeacherConference on October 30th atManhattanville College in Purchase,NY.Thelma Harms, Ph.D., delivered thekeynote address, explaining howteachers trained in best practices inearly care and education can applytheir knowledge of child developmentto support healthy emotional andsocial growth for babies and toddlers.Left: ThelmaHarms, Ph.D.,Keynote SpeakerBelow: Dr. PatriciaVardin ofManhattanvilleCollege speaks toan attentiveaudience.Dr. Harms is Director of CurriculumDevelopment, Frank Porter GrahamChild Development Institute, amultidisciplinary institute at UNC-Chapel Hill. She is the lead author offour internationally used, researchbased program evaluation instruments,including the Infant ToddlerEnvironmental Rating Scale-Revisedand works with early childhoodleaders all over the world.Westchester County’s Child CareAdvocate, Brenda Resnick Spano,presented an award to Polly Peace,Executive Director of the CountryChildren’s Center, who received thisyear’s Infant/Toddler ExpansionGrant. The grant, which enabled theCountry Children’s Center to createadditional infant and toddler slots atits new facility in Yorktown Heights,was funded by the Westchester CountyOffice for Women.A particular highlight of theconference was the opportunity toapply for an early literacy grant. TheCouncil is awarding grants of $1,000 toas many as 15 programs to improveearly literacy practices and materials ininfant and toddler programs.Teachers chose from a variety ofworkshops to further hone their skillsor learn how to solve specificchallenges. Topics included ITERS-Rfor Directors; Assessment; LiteracyUnlimited – All Materials andExperiences Contribute to Literacy; ILove You … You Love Me –6Relationships as Curriculum; Literacyand Language for the Littlest AmongUs: Infants and Toddlers; KeepingEveryone Healthy in the Child CareSetting: Song Time for Infants andToddlers; Creating a ResponsiveEnvironment: The CreativeCurriculum Way; and Move it, Baby!For questions regarding upcomingtraining opportunities, please contactthe Council at (914) 761-3456, ext. 108.

UPDATEChild Care and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP)Improves Nutrition and Cash FlowThe Child and Adult Care FoodProgram (CACFP) is a reimbursementprogram that is an excellent way toprovide nutritious meals and snacks tothe children in your care, and putssome cash back in your pocket. Asfood costs continue to increase, andmore parents are concerned abouttheir children’s nutrition, CACFP canhelp providers recoup out-of-pocketcosts and avoid the problem of someparents sending in less nutritious foodthan others.The Child Care Council administersCACFP in Westchester for registeredfamily providers, licensed groupproviders and legally exempt providers.Once enrolled, participants arereimbursed for meals and snacks thatmeet Federal nutritional guidelines.Many providers have been reluctant totake advantage of the program becausethey fear the paperwork may bedifficult and time-consuming; however,providers have found that it requireslittle more than providing a menu andattendance sheet that is submitted onceSAVE THEDATE!2009 Child CareChampion and JoeyAwards Luncheon and25th Annual MeetingFriday, June 5, 2009The Woman’s Club,White Plainsa month. In addition, the Council’sCACFP Specialist, Evelyn Copeland,offers on-site technical assistance andon-going support to help providerslearn the process.CACFP plays a vital role inimproving the quality of child care forchildren and the elderly by makingcare more affordable for many lowNY Life Foundation Funds Another Round ofLiteracy, Science and Math, Oh My!The Child Care Council and theInstitute for School Age Child Care(ISACC) are pleased to announcethat the New York Life Foundationhas funded Building Math, Literacy,and Science Content in After SchoolPrograms. ISACC is partnering withSouthern Westchester BOCES toincrease program quality and staffcapacity through the use of BOCESeducational consultants. Ten afterschool programs are participating inthe project, which began in Decemberand runs through May 2009.Programs may select either literacy,science or math as a focus. Specificprogram goals for the project aredeveloped by each director andassigned BOCES consultants basedon the needs of the children enrolled.Through weekly visits, the consultantsintroduce innovative and creativeways to present subject matter andteach staff new ways to work with thechildren. Each program also receivesgrant funds to purchase subjectincome families. Through CACFP, 2.9million children and 86,000 adultsreceive nutritious meals and snackseach day.Free CACFP training courses areoffered once a month at the Council.For more information about CACFP,call the Child Care Council at (914)761-3456, ext. 110.specific materials recommended bytheir consultant.All the participating programs willparticipate in a Literacy, Science andMath Fair at the end of the project topresent the activities and work createdby their children.Maria Valdovinos, Director of the SanAndres Educational Program inYonkers states ‘The experience ofexposing children to these different yetinterrelated subjects is great. Thematerial is rich and helpful to theirfuture growing and learning processes.The children see that these subjectsare necessary and part of everyday life.This is our third year of involvement.Children now like to read on theirown, even after the consultant leaves.They create mini-books on thecomputer that are bound for them.Math games are played afterhomework is completed and thechildren don’t think of it as math, justas games. We are so glad that this hasbeen possible.’7

Child Abuse Workshop Features the Shaken Baby Simulatorto Demonstrate Dangers of SBSThe Council hosted a special daylong child abuse seminar entitled,“Child Abuse is Not Pretty,” onSaturday, October 18. The workshopwas led by Darryl Gibbs, nationalchild advocate and founder ofthe Cynthia Gibbs Foundation.The in-depth training wasattended by family child careproviders, school age programstaff and center staff who learnedabout the dangers of shaking infantsand young children and theimportance of learning how to copewith crying, the primary reason forshaking. The seminar also coveredrecognition of the signs and symptomsof traumatic brain injuries caused bythis under-reported form of childabuse, how to support a child when aCPS report is made, and how to helpparents connect with communityresources and adopt positive methodsof discipline.Mr. Gibbs employed thelatest teaching tool tocombat Shaken BabySyndrome - the life-sizedShaken Baby InfantSimulator. The electronically hi-techsimulator allows one to observe thedamage across the brain throughilluminated LED lights, which arevisible through the transparent headstructure. When shaken, affectedsections of the brain light up toillustrate where brain damage hasoccurred. Hearing the piercing crystop abruptly is heartbreaking. Theelectronic simulator clearlydemonstrates the devastating effectsof shaking a baby.Shaken Baby Syndrome (SBS)continues to be a majorhealth/criminal issue nationally.Approximately 25 percent of allbabies who are shaken die from theirinjuries. SBS is under-reported becausethe damage to the brain isn’t alwaysimmediately seen, the abuse may notbe reported, and perpetrators often lieto medical personnel about the causeof the baby’s injuries.Education is a key component inpreventing this senseless form of childabuse.For questions regarding upcomingtraining opportunities, please contactthe Council at (914) 761-3456 ext. 108.Save Money ThroughNew Bulk BuyingBased on the success of the currentgroup purchasing program featuringProftech for office supplies and H&HPurchasing Services for wholesalefood, arts and crafts, paint andmedical supplies, a new cereal bulkbuying programs to family providersbegan in January. The Council is alsoconsidering an energy discountprogram. For more information,contact Kathy McBride, Director ofFinancial Services, 761-3456 ext. 105.8

UPDATEHOW TO RECRUIT & RETAIN THE BEST STAFFFOR YOUR PROGRAMHiring staff is one of the mostdemanding and critical tasks in anybusiness, but none more so than in achild care business where overallprogram quality is directly linked tostaff quality.Before you even begin writing a jobdescription, spend a few momentsthinking about what you expect fromyour staff. Following is a short list ofqualities to consider when hiring stafffor your child care business:! Punctual – being on time isimportant since parents must getto work and staff to child ratiosmust be met! Reliable – children need adults whoare there for them consistently! Helpful – willing to do things youand other members of the teamneed! Honest – someone who tells thetruth and behaves ethically! Takes Direction – willingly followsthe directions of the supervisor! Communicative – talks easily withadults and children! Flexible – comfortably responds tochange which is a constant in acenter or program! Self-Reflective - thinks abouthis/her actions as part of aprofessional approach to the jobTraining and experience can beimportant, but sometimes personalattributes are even more critical forsuccess on the job.WHERE CAN YOU FINDPOTENTIAL CANDIDATES?! To both post your job opening andview candidates’ resumes visit theCouncil’s new Job Posting service atwww.ChildCareWestchester. org! Establish a relationship with thecareer development office in localcolleges! Use staff and parents as referralsources and offer a finder's bonusINTERVIEW CAREFULLYDevelop written questions to use withall the candidates to make sure thatyou are consistent and thorough inyour interviews. Be sure to bringothers into the interview process inorder to get their impression of thecandidates. Check references andemployment history very carefully.Investigate employment lapses orfrequent job changes thoroughly.Put your offer in writing, including adetailed job description, hours, salary,9benefits, vacation and sick time.NOW THAT YOU’VE FOUNDGOOD STAFF, HOW DO YOUKEEP THEM?! Provide a thorough orientation! Provide paid training opportunities(Visit the Council’s Website for alist of training opportunities)! Involve staff in programdecisions whenever possible! Show appreciation and rewardquality work! Build in some time away fromthe children for planning andprofessional growthHiring the right person is aninvestment in your child care business.To get the best return on yourinvestment, take the time to find andhire the best candidate. When you’vedone your homework, you can feelconfident that you’re hiring the personbest suited to meet your needs.

Coming Soon fromthe Council! The Council has reached anagreement with Teaching Strategies,Inc., a national leader in earlychildhood professional development,to roll out their exciting, new on-lineCDA in spring 2009.! A report on salaries and benefits inWestchester’s center-based child careprograms is at the printer and will bedistributed soon.! The 2009 Spring ProfessionalDevelopment Calendar will beavailable soon.! The Council’s website,www.ChildCareWestchester.org isgetting an update with a new look andincreased content. Look for thelaunch announcement in lateFebruary.! Last year Westchester Countycelebrated its first Child CareAppreciation Day. Join us this year onFriday, May 8th, 2009 to recognize thewonderful work of thousands ofdedicated early care and educationprofessionals. More to come!The Child Care Council ofWestchester would like tothank child care providersAntoinette Cantone-Denning, Shari Lewis andElizabeth Gonzalez, whoseprograms suppliedornaments made by some oftheir children as a thankyou to Council donors inDecember.FREE Job Postings for Child Care Programsin Westchester and RocklandThe Child Care Council ofWestchester is pleased to announcethe availability of free job postings toall Westchester and Rockland areachild care businesses that seek to fillan open position.As part of a United Way initiativeand the Council’s efforts tostrengthen the local child carecommunity, the free job postingservice strives to help child careproviders find qualified candidates.The free service is available to allchild care centers, group family careand family care providers who needto fill vacancies, and allows them topost openings and review candidates’Pro Bono Partnership is pleased toannounce that it has created theWestchester Child Care CenterInitiative (the “Initiative”), a newprogram focusing on legal issuesregularly faced by day care centers inWestchester County. The Initiative willprovide direct legal services to not-forprofitchild care centers in Westchesterand the lower Hudson Valley andconduct several legal workshops thatspecifically address the needs of childcare centers. The Partnership willwork closely with the Council andother umbrella organizations toidentify clients and set workshopagendas. This program, which wasfunded by the Frog Rock Foundation,will be directed by Leslie Kimball, whohas been practicing law for over 20profiles. Jobseekers also have freeaccess to the website to find aposition that matches their ownrequirements.The job posting service savesproviders the cost of more generaljob search services that can costanywhere from $25 to $100 for eachlisting. The Council’s website is adirect connection between providerswith open positions and individuals inthe job market who seek a positionwith a quality child care program.For more information, visitChildCareWestchester.org or callKathy McBride, Director of FinancialServices at 761-3456 ext. 105New Legal Resources for Child Care Businessyears, much ofthat time focusedon employmentlaw, a primaryissue for childcare centers. Ifyour center is inneed of generallegal information,Leslie Kimballplease call the Partnership's legalresource helpline at 914-328-0674 andadvise that you are calling from a childcare center. If your center has aspecific legal issue with which youneed help, please fill out the Requestfor Legal Advice at the Partnership'swebsite www.probonopartner.org/requestform.htm. Additionally, Lesliecan be contacted directly atLKimball@probonopartner.org10

UPDATEIs your program approved to administer medications?The following are some reasonswhy your program should becomeapproved to administermedications:! Increase your marketability. TheCouncil’s Resource & ReferralDepartment reports that more parentsare requesting child care programsthat are approved to administermedications.The Office of Children & FamilyServices provides a brochure, As YouThink About Child Care, to parentslooking for child care. This brochureinforms parents what questions to askand what to look for when seekingquality child care. One of thequestions is whether the child careprovider/program is approved toadminister medications.! Have the ability to accommodatechildren with special health care needsthat may require an Epi-Pen orinhaler. Programs may opt to onlyadminister Epi-Pens or inhalers whenneeded.Several programs that are approvedto administer medications since themedication regulations went intoeffect state that the need to actuallyadminister medications has decreaseddrastically. Parents can no longerverbally request medications for theirchildren. Instead, the parent andhealth care provider permission andconsent form must be completed formedication to be administered. Thishas greatly reduced the inappropriateadministration of medication.! Participants who have successfullycompleted the MAT Course have beenconsistently enthusiastic.! Health Care Consultant Servicesare still available at the Council toassist and guide you in the process ofbecoming approved to administermedications.Still having doubts about whetherto administer medications in yourprogram?Consider taking the MAT Course.You can earn eight hours of training inone day, Grant funds are stillavailable, and the MAT certification isvalid for three years. Join the manyprograms / providers that areapproved to administer medications.IF you are considering notadministering medication youmust still comply with the ADAIf you have chosen NOT toadminister medications it is importantto understand that you must stillcomply with the Americans DisabilityAct (ADA). The ADA requires thatchild care programs not discriminateagainst children with disabilities orspecial health care needs unless havingthose children in care would pose adirect threat to the health or safety ofothers, or require a fundamentalchange in the nature of the program.This means that you must comply withthe ADA and become approved toadminister medications if you care fora child or will care for a child:! requiring a nebulizer because of aknown asthma condition! requiring an Epi-Pen because of aknown severe allergy! in your program who subsequentlydevelops asthma or a severe allergyafter enrollmentYou have to be prepared to accepta child with a disabilityIf a program has such a child alreadyin the program or a parent seeks toenroll such a child, the provider musttake steps to become certified toadminister medications in accordancewith OCFS regulations, modify itshealth care plan with the approval of ahealth care consultant to provide forthe administration of medications, andadminister any medication required bythe ADA. If it is determined that aprovider must enroll a child with adisability and must administermedications to that child to be incompliance with the ADA, then theprovider must enroll that child withinthe same time frame the providerwould enroll a child without a disability.Call our Health Care ConsultantService Department for moreinformation about the MAT Courseand the Health Care Consultant Serviceat 761-3456, ext.154 or visit our websiteat www.childcarewestchester.org.11

UPDATE is publishedquarterly by the Child CareCouncil of Westchester. TheCouncil is a private, nonprofitresource and referralorganization that championshealthy development ofchildren, families andcommunities by promotingquality early care andeducation.Council Executive StaffKathleen HalasExecutive DirectorRenette Bayne IssakaControllerMae PleasantDirector, Administration andPersonnelSusan EdelsteinDirector, Institute forSchool Age Child CareNicole La BarDirector, ProfessionalDevelopmentDaniela FloresDirector, Special ProjectsKathy McBrideDirector, Financial Servicesfor Programs and ParentsDorothy Jenkins,Director, Registration/Legally ExemptNicole MasucciDirector, Employer andParent ServicesElissa GuzzardiDirector, Health ServicesSchool Age Quality Forward InitiativePicks Up MomentumModeled after the ECE Forward Quality initiative, the Council’s new assessment andtechnical assistance project for school age programs is almost fully enrolled for its firstyear. Funding comes from the Wallace Westchester Fund through the WestchesterCommunity Foundation. Designed to improve the business operation and the quality ofthe educational experience of after school programs serving children with child caresubsidies or who are from economically-disadvantaged families, the project providesthousands of dollars of resources to participants. For more information, contact SusanEdelstein, Director of the Institute for School Age Child Care at 914-761-3456 ext. 127.Favorite Recipes from the Child Care Counciland Westchester ProvidersA brand-new cookbook containing acollection of over 100 recipes fromWestchester child care providers andtheir families and friends andCouncil staff is available for$12 and $10 for CouncilMembers. The cookbookfeatures recipes in traditionalcategories such as appetizers,soups and salad, main dishes,and more, plus a specialChild Care and Economic Recovery from page 1successful effort to rebuild our nationalinfrastructure and strengthen our economy.We urge you to contact your senators andmembers of congress to support newSpanish/ International Recipe section.The cookbook, Favorite Recipes fromthe Child Care Council of Westchester,makes the perfect gift! You maypick up a copy in the Counciloffice, or order online throughwww.cookbooksforsale.com andthe Council’s web site:www.ChildCareWestchester.org.funding for CCDBG and Head Start in theEconomic Recovery Package. For moreinformation, contact Kathy Halas,Executive Director at kathyh@cccwny.org.313 Central Park AvenueScarsdale, NY 10583(914) 761-3456www.ChildCareWestchester.orgEarly care and education...where our future begins.