VOLUME 2, ISSUE 3

SPRING, 2014

Childcare Connections
A joint newsletter of the Alamance Partnership for Children and the Alamance Alliance for Children and Families

Spring Day of Training a Roaring Success!

Over 140 child care providers joined the Alamance Partnership for Children at the Spring Day of Training on Saturday, March 15th, at Alamance Community College. Providers received 820 hours of training and spent a great day together learning and laughing.

Congratulations to Dr. Rosemary Stein

Appointed to the NC Partnership for Children Board of Directors
Dr. Rosemary Stein was officially sworn in as a member of The North Carolina Partnership for Childrens (NCPC) Board of Directors on January 17th. NCPC is the organization that leads Smart Start across the state. As part of the 26-member board, Dr. Stein will provide oversight to ensure that all North Carolina children have access to the high quality early care and education, health, and family support services they need to thrive. This is an outstanding group of new members that will further enhance Smart Starts ability to ensure that every child arrives at school healthy and ready to succeed, said Dr. Nancy H. Brown, Board Chair of NCPC. We are very pleased to welcome these community leaders to our dedicated Board of Directors. Dr. Stein is a pediatrician with over 26 years experience and is the owner of International Family Clinic (IFC) Pediatrics in Burlington, NC. She graduated from Universidad Nacional Pedro Henriquez Urena a Medical School in the Dominican Republic.

Shape NC: Healthy Starts for Young Children is a six-year, $6

million partnership, started in 2010, between the Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina (BCBSNC) Foundation and The North Carolina Partnership for Children, Inc. (NCPC) created to increase the number of children starting kindergarten at a healthy weight. Shape NC assists communities across the state to promote healthy eating and active play among North Carolinas youngest children, from birth through age five. The initiative works with child care programs to instill healthy behaviors early on, creating a solid foundation for a healthy life. In its first three years, Shape NC has engaged 19 communities spanning 27 counties to improve healthy eating and active play for our states youngest children. If you have an interest in participating in Shape NC-phase two, please contact Carey Ann Watkins at (336)513 -0063 X108 or cawatkins@alamancechildren.org

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FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR CARRIE THEALL

Lately it seems the popular topic of discussion is the weather. With the recent ice storms, snow, and constant rain showers, all anyone can talk about is when will spring arrive? I remember growing up and being told, March comes in like a lion, but out like a lamb. I dont think that will be the case for 2014. Probably the most difficult part of all this bad weather is the disruption it caused in our day to day lives. Schools closed for a day or a half a day and parents had to scramble to make arrangements. Meetings got cancelled and then had to be rescheduled. Trees fell, power was lost, cable was out and we all had to adapt to doing without these services. These circumstances can certainly put us all under a tremendous amount of stress. The question is does it have to? My mother used to tell me that my attitude was all in my perspective. If you view the past few weeks as a terrible crisis, then your body and mind will react in accordance. However, if you can see the weather for what it is something we have absolutely no control over then there can be some positives. For example, I was definitely able to catch up on some reading when my power and cable were out. Of course I was reading by flashlight, but that was kind of reminiscent of childhood. The power outage forced me to clean out my refrigerator, which has needed to happen for a while now. Friends came over and helped me clean up my yard and even pushed a big

limb off of my car. We then sat on my porch and relaxed while catching up with each other. Here at the Partnership we actually gave out a prize to a staff member for the worst weather story. And no, my story was definitely not the worst. So lets look back on the last few weeks and be glad we made it through some minor and even some major inconveniences. Its taught us all to appreciate switching on a light and having a hot shower, but most of all its shown us that there are positives everywhere we look. We just have to look in the right places.

Meet Penny Scott

The Alamance Partnership for Children is pleased to welcome Penny Scott who has joined the staff as Executive Administrative and Program Support Assistant. Penny will oversee the day to day operations of the Partnership office, offer assistance to the Executive Director and Finance Director and work as staff liaison to the Alamance Partnerships Board of Directors. Penny comes to the Partnership after thirty years in education at the Burlington School. Her experience includes teaching in the elementary and middle schools, Director of Admissions, Division Head of the Kindergarten, Assistant to Head of School and accounting and finance. Penny graduated from Elon University with a B.A. in Education and Business Administration. Welcome Penny!

Looking for child care? Call Referral Central toll free at 855-327-5933 or visit www.childcareservices.org/fs/finding .html.

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Program Updates:

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The next Motheread session will be held April 1st - May 20th. This 8-week session will meet Tuesdays at Eastlawn Elementary School from 5:00p7:30p. Dinner and child care are offered free of charge and a free childrens book is given each week of class. The class will be exploring childrens books and learning essential preliteracy skills to help prepare children for kindergarten. Techniques will be offered to strengthen the bond between parent and child and sharpen listening, speaking and writing skills in a fun and relaxing atmosphere with other families. To enroll contact Shonna Trinidad at 336-513-0063 ext. 103.

NC Pre-K applications are now being accepted for the 2014-15 school year. NC Pre-K, ABSS, and Head Start will all accept the same application. Parents only need to fill out one application to be considered for all of the Pre -K programs. To qualify a child must turn four years of age on or before August 31, 2014. Parents may pick up an application by contacting the Alamance Partnership for Children, ABSS, or Head Start. The application is also available on our website. www.alamancechildren.org For more information, contact Kristie Kylander at 336.513.0063 or kkylander@alamancechildren.org

Twenty eight parents completed the Incredible Years sessions in Fall 2013 impacting over 45 children in Alamance County. Three classes were offered at Eastlawn Elementary and Alamance Partnership for Children. The Partnership is currently conducting three Incredible Years sessions that began in February for parents of children ages 3-12. The program has over 50 parents enrolled for the classes at Eastlawn Elementary, First School of Elon, and Alamance Partnership for Children. Included is a Spanish class for parents of 3-5 year olds. The Incredible Years Program is now taking applications for the Fall 2014 sessions. Classes will begin September 2nd and 15th for parents of children ages 3-12. Please contact Kim Morabito at 336.513.0063, ext. 118 or kmorabito@alamancechildren.org to register or for additional information. Classes, dinner, and child care are provided at no cost. Funding for the Incredible Years Program is made possible by the Department of Health & Human Services, United Way of Alamance County, and Smart Start.

Parents as Teachers (PAT) is currently serving 93 families with 126 children age birth to five in Alamance County with a minimum of one home visit per month. Each month, PAT educators provide at least one group meeting to the families they serve. This quarter PAT group meetings included playing in the Outdoor Learning Environment, learning about healthy shopping habits at Just $ave Foods and learning from nurse midwife, Karen Saxer, at the Alamance County Health Department.

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Events and Trainings

Join us for

The School Ready Child

Tuesday, April 8th 11:30a1:30p National Agents Alliance Event Center 1214 Turrentine Street Burlington, NC 27215 To register: 336-513-0063

To register for the conference go to

NC Smart Start
For more information call 336-513-0063

4th Quarter Training Calendar Register at http://www.childcareservices.org/ps/training.html

The following workshops are being held at the Alamance Partnership for Children, 2322 River Road, Burlington, NC 27217, unless otherwise noted. Date Mon., Apr. 7 Thurs., April 10 Thurs., April 10 Thurs., April 24 Thurs., May 1 Tues., May 15 Thurs., May 29 Thurs., June 5 Tues., June 10 Thurs., July 10 Workshop Title Choice and Preference: Preventing Power Struggles With Preschoolers Big Movement, Small Spaces Its SIDSAlamance Co. Health Dept. To register call: 570-6273 Best Practices in the Outdoor Learning Environment CPRAlamance Co. Health Dept. To register call: 570-6273 Motor Skills and Movement Concepts Gardening With Children First AidAlamance Co. Health Dept. To register call: 570-6273 Literature in the Outdoor Learning Environment Time 6:00p-8:00p 6:00p-8:00p 6:00p-7:30p 6:30p-8:30p 6:00p-8:00p 6:00p-8:00p 6:30p-8:30p 6:00p-9:00p 6:00p-8:00p Cost $5.00 $5.00 $5.00 $5.00 $37.00 $5.00 $5.00 $32.00 $5.00 Credits 2 2 1.5 2 2 2 2 3 2 Trainer_______ Gwen Adair-Howell Carey Ann Watkins Kelley Kimrey Carey Ann Watkins Kelley Kimrey Carey Ann Watkins Carey Ann Watkins Kelley Kimrey Carey Ann Watkins

*Be Active Kids Movement Guide Training-Health Dept. 6:00p-8:00p FREE 2 Kelley Kimrey To register call 570-6273 *The NEW Movement Guide is aimed at improving childrens physically active life experiences as they develop motor skills through various activities. Over 80 developmentally appropriate lesson plans for infants, toddlers, twos, and preschoolers are available. The following training is offered through Alamance Community College. Register at http://www.alamancecc.edu/continuing-education-site/registration/

Apr. 5, 2014

BSAC-Basic School Age Care

9:00a 2:00p

$20.00

.5 CEUs

Lisa Rettie

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DOLLY PARTONS IMAGINATION LIBRARY REGISTRATION FORM

Dolly Partons Imagination Library

In 1996, Dolly Parton launched a reading program to benefit the children of her home county in east Tennessee. Dolly wanted to foster a love of reading among her countys preschool children and their families. She wanted children to be excited about books and to feel the magic that books can create. In Alamance County, eligible children receive a free book in the mail per month until they reach their fifth birthday. The books, distributed by the Dolly Parton Foundation, are carefully selected to be age -appropriate and to deliver positive, developmentally important skill opportunities for children. Alamance Partnership for Children is currently providing this service to the Eastlawn, Newlin, Andrews, Haw River, Grove Park, Pleasant Grove, and North Graham school zones. To be eligible, a child between the ages of birth to five years of age needs to reside within one of these districts. Please mail in the completed enrollment form above, if you are interested in enrolling your child.

Alamance Partnership for Children

VISION: All children arrive at school healthy, happy and ready for success in school and life.
Our Board of Directors: Board Chair-Stephanie Williams Vice Chair-Ron Waters Treasurer-Eddie Boswell Secretary-Jeremy Ireland Barry Bass Tim Beshel Rachel Blunk Patsy Byrd David Carter Chris Clemmons Mark Cryan Bryan Hagood Martha Krall Kris Moffitt Susan Osborne Jeannie Proctor Stacie Saunders Granville Simmons Davina Woods Our Staff:
Carrie Theall-Executive Director-ctheall@alamancechildren.org Tamatha Kohler-Program Director-TKohler@alamancechildren.org Melinda McGuire-Finance & H.R. Manager-MMcGuire@alamancechildren.org Penny Scott-Executive Administrative and Program Support Assistant pscott@alamancechildren.org Kim Morabito-Incredible Years Coordinator-kmorabito@alamancechildren.org Kristie Kylander-NC Pre-K Coordinator-kkylander@alamancechildren.org Shonna Trinidad-Literacy Specialist-strinidad@alamancechildren.org Bonita Brown-Lead Early Childhood Specialist-bbrown@alamancechildren.org Lisa Rettie-Early Childhood Specialist-lrettie@alamancechildren.org Jessica Johnson-Lead Parents as Teachers Educatorjjohnson@alamancechildren.org Gaby Quinteros-Parents as Teachers Educator-gquinteros@alamancechildren.org Jessy Estrada-Parents as Teachers Educator-jestrada@alamancechildren.org Nelgi Moreno-Parents as Teachers Educator-nmoreno@alamancechildren.org Mary Erwin-Outreach Specialist-merwin@alamancechildren.org Carey Ann Watkins-OLE Specialist-cawatkins@alamancechildren.org Contact us: 2322 River Road, Burlington, NC 27217-8359 Phone: 336.513.0063 Fax: 336.226.1152 Website: www.alamancechildren.org

.. Board Meetings are held on the second Wednesday of every month at noon. These meetings are open to the public. Should you have an interest in attending, please contact the Partnership at 336.513.0063.

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A System of Care Newsbrief In Alamance County, North Carolina

From the Director: Connie Windham
As Spring approaches (or at least we think it will be here soon!) we at the Alliance automatically begin to think about a very important date May 8th, Childrens Mental Health Awareness Day! Since the grant began we have planned at least one major event to celebrate this day and to raise awareness within the community of the importance of positive social and emotional health. This year, as part of Childrens Mental Health Awareness Day activities, we have expanded our Behind the Seen project to make available to the community during the months of April and May, an 18 minute video, highlighting the struggles and successes of three families served through the Alliance and the community artists who worked with them. The video is accompanied by a self-facilitated discussion guide. The discussion guide, entitled Behind the Seen: A Conversation about Young Child Mental Health, is available to church, agency and civic groups interested in learning more about young child mental health. If you or someone you know is willing to facilitate a discussion at your church, agency or civic group contact Mary Erwin, outreach specialist for the Alliance, at merwin@alamancechildren.org for more information. And remember to wear your green ribbon on May 8th, Childrens Mental Health Awareness Day!

Whats Up Breakfast
Friday, April 11th. 2014 Whats Up with Young Children
Kernodle Senior Center 8:30 AM - 10:30 AM RSVP to Linda.jones@alamance-nc.com or Fran.Harvey@cardinalinnovations.org

IF YOU NEED HELP...

The Alamance Alliance for Children and Families supports the social and emotional health of young children and their families in Alamance County. A community-wide initiative, the Alamance Alliance partners with local child-serving agencies, the community, and most importantly, with families. The end result? Keeping families safe, healthy and together.

Infants2 year olds, CDSA: Phone: 336-449-4055 ext. 201, Fax: 336-449-7368 35 year olds, Alamance-Burlington School System: Phone: 336-570-6130, ext. 37819 Clinical Coordinator at the Alamance Alliance: Phone: 336-202-3188 Classroom Management in Child Care: Alamance Partnership Early Childhood Specialists: Phone: 336-513-0063, extensions 107 and 116 Andrew Cline, Family Solutions, 336-899-8800, ext. 27 Parents looking for child care: Toll Free: 855-327-5933 or http://ncchildcaresearch.dhhs.state.nc.us/search.asp Alamance County Health Department: 336-570-6273 Alamance Department of Social Services: 336-570-6273

Visit the Alamance Alliance for Children and Families website at www.alamancesoc.org for more information.

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New Resource for Alamance County! ABCD: Assuring Better Child Health and Development
Secondary Screening Tools, including Autism in young children (MCHAT) (required at 18 and 24 month WCCs for Medicaid clients) Social Emotional Assessment (Ages and Stages Questionnaire -Social-Emotional) Maternal Depression (Edinburgh) Our goal is to help you better serve young children and, in the process, increase your compliance with Technical assistance for medical providers and staff about: Medicaid requirements regarding screening, referring, and moni- Referring children at risk for developmental delay to early toring children at risk. intervention services Information about services available to children through What Do We Offer? community agencies. The ABCD Coordinator assists staff and providers through individ- Follow-up and tracking of at-risk children. ual and group meetings, phone calls and emails, and biannual Anticipatory guidance materials including parent handouts on chart reviews. Contacts can range in frequency and duration from brief calls as-needed, to weekly visits. You set the pace de- child development and behavior issues for children 0 -5 in English and Spanish. pending on your needs. Resources include: ABCD is supported by the Chatham County Partnership for ChilAges and Stages Questionnaire (ASQ-3), a validated, standarddren, in partnership with AccessCare of Community Care of ized developmental screening tool for use at well child visits: North Carolina. Training on administration and scoring; Contact: Sara Garrison How to talk to parents about positive screens; Alamance & Caswell Counties ABCD Coordinator Problem-solving the case of borderline scores. (919) 255-9756, sgarrison@kidscope.chtop.org ABCD is a quality improvement project helping pediatricians and Health Departments serve children birth five years old by providing assistance with developmental screenings and referrals to early intervention and other community services.

Behind the Seen: A Conversation about Young Child Mental Health is available for training

Meet Andrew Cline:

Early Childhood Mental Health Consultant

Hello! I am grateful for this opportunity to serve children and families in Alamance County as an Early Childhood credits for child care providers. Mental Health Consultant (ECMHC). My primary focus is It can also be shown at parent facilitating the social and emotional development of premeetings as a program. Training is FREE! Conschool-aged children in their school and home environtact Mary Erwin, 336-513-0063, to schedule a ments using short-term, needs-based interventions. I workshop or email merwin@alamancechildren,org. work side-by-side with teachers in the classroom, helping them learn and utilize strategies for managing individual and group behavior. I also act as a behavior coach for children, helping them resolve conflicts and use The WRCAC will host a onepositive behaviors with their peers. This work includes helping children time session of Parenting Under Two Roofs on Satur- understand and express their feelings, practicing coping skills, and maximizing opportunities for success at school and home. I also provide reday, April 5 from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. The session will be held at the WRCAC, located at 411 -B W. sources and consultation for parents looking to learn new behavior management strategies and ensure a successful partnership with their childs Fifth Street in Burlington. To register, you must come to the WRCAC to complete and sign your ap- educators.
plication during business hours of 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Monday through Friday. Spaces are limited and are offered on a first-come, first-served basis. The WRCAC will pay the $40 fee for those who qualify.

If you are interested in these support services for your child or student, please contact me at 336-899-8800 (x27) or by email [andrew@famsolutions.org]. I look forward to working with you!

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Resources for Young Children

Sesame Street Learning Kits Sesame Workshop, the creators of Sesame Street, developed these free, bilingual multimedia kits in partnership with PNC Grow Up Great. Theyre a great way to help turn everyday experiences into learning opportunities.

Also from Grow Up Great Little Children, Big Challenges Young children face new challenges at every age and stagethat's why it's so important to help them build the skills they need to become resilient. With self-confidence and the ability to express themselves, little ones will be able to handle whatever may come their wayand will just keep getting stronger. http://www.sesamestreet.org/parents/topicsandactivities/toolkits/challenges FRIZZLE: Scholastics Blog about Education and the Power of Learning Repeated read alouds may lead to reading success for young children . Click to read

Zero to Threes Free Resources for Parents

You Decide: What is your Cultural and Linguistic Competency IQ?

Cultural and Linguistic Competence is the ability to understand, appreciate, and effectively interact with persons whose native language, culture, and/ or belief systems differ from ones own (Modified from Segen's Medical Dictionary). The Alamance Alliance for Children and Families Cultural and Linguistic Competence (CLC) Committee, in partnership with the North Carolina Collaborative for Children, Youth, and Families, developed two FREE 90minute online cultural competence modules to support the provision of culturally responsive services

from the individual and organizational perspective. Self-awareness is explored through the individual module through an examination of the individuals cultural identity and the impact that it has on their personal and professional values and beliefs. The organizational module examines how an organization and its personnel can become more culturally and linguistically competent in their service delivery. After completing these FREE 90-minute modules and a short evaluation, participants can download a training certificate. These modules can be accessed at https://nccti.org. For questions, contact Dr. Teresa A. Smith at Teresa_Smith@abss.k12.nc.us or Linda Jones at Linda.Jones@alamance-nc.com.