Fall/Winter 2024 Fall/Winter 2024
September-December 2024 Volume 37, Issue 1
CHILD CARE CHOICES UPDATES CHILD CARE CHOICES UPDATES
Due to significant changes in funding and underutilization, Child Care Choices will no longer have a physical office space in Carroll County and Washington County, effective the end of July. We will still be providing services in person and virtually in Allegany, Carroll, Frederick, Garrett, and Washington Counties. However, our only physical office location will be in Frederick (226 S Jefferson Street, Frederick, MD 21701). If you need to come by the office, we do encourage you to make an appointment in order to ensure someone is available immediately upon your arrival. While there is always someone in the office Monday-Thursday 8:30-4:30 you may have to wait until a staff person is able to help.
Additionally, effective July 1st, MSDE has determined that we will not be providing Child Care Scholarship assistance and the Family Resource Specialist positions will be centralized at Maryland Family Network. Parents looking for assistance in finding child care should call 877-261-0060 or visit the website.
Child Care Choices is planning to host workshops for parents on the Child Care Scholarship program, however, there will be no one on one assistance for Child Care Scholarship due to the funding cuts. Please contact us if you would like to schedule a family information session regarding the Child Care Scholarship
As a result of these funding cuts and the changes to credentialing we will not be offering a conference this year. See page 8 of the Chronicle to see Super Saturday training dates. As always, we will be offering workshops throughout the year, both virtually and in-person, to meet your training needs.
Our team is still here to support all your training, technical assistance, challenging behavior, and start up needs.
Please feel free to reach out to us if you have questions and need any assistance.
MD
800-456-8900
Project ACT 301-695-9505
410-828-7700
Information and Referral Call 2-1-1
National Mental Health Crisis and Suicide Prevention Hotline 9-8-8 Poison Control 800-222-1222
Frederick County
MSDEOfficeofChildCare301-696-9766
ChildCareFoodProgram301-600-6263
ChildProtectiveServices301-600-2464
ChildSafetySeatHotline301-600-7328
FamilyChildCareAssociationofFrederickCountyMariaVionet,President240-409-4687
NorthernFrederickCo.EarlyChildhoodEducators -HeatherFitzgerald,President301-748-8798
ChildCareSubsidyProgram866-243-8796
InfantsandToddlers301-600-1612
ChildFind301-644-5292
Allegany County
MSDEOfficeofChildCare301-777-2385
ChildProtectiveServices301-784-7122
ChildSafetySeatHotline240-727-4336
AlleganyCountyChildCareProfessionalsAssociation-Tammy Courtney,President301-689-9717
ChildCareSubsidyProgram866-243-8796
WIC301-759-5020
InfantsandToddlers/ChildFind301-759-2415
Carroll County
WIC301-600-2507 MSDEOfficeofChildCare410-549-6489 ChildProtectiveServices410-386-3434
ChildSafetySeatHotline410-876-4448
FamilyChildCareAssociation-PattiJoGreen,President410848-6686
ChildCareSubsidyProgram866-243-8796
Garrett County
MSDEOfficeofChildCare301-334-3426
ChildProtectiveServices301-334-3005
ChildSafetySeatHotline301-334-7730
GarrettCountyEarlyChildhoodProfessionalsAssociation-Autumn Ramsey,President301-895-5498
ChildCareSubsidyProgram866-243-8796
WIC301-334-7710
InfantsandToddlers/ChildFind301-533-0240
Washington County
MSDEOfficeofChildCare301-791-4585
ChildProtectiveServices240-420-2100
ChildSafetySeatHotline301-790-8380
WashingtonCo.ChildCareProvider’sAssociation-RockyWillis, President301-524-4734
ProfessionalChildCareAssociationofWashingtonCountyDonnaTolland,President301-432-4134
ChildCareSubsidyProgram866-243-8796
WIC240-313-3335
BirthtoKindergarten301-766-2971
MSDE Child Care Resource Center of Western MD Professional Development
High-qualityearlychildhoodworkshopsatalowcost
Onsiteworkshopsatchildcarecenters
BusinessseriesAllOurKin&StrengtheningBusinessPractices
Resourceroomwithavarietyoftoolsforeducatorstouse
Starting,Expanding,OperatingaChildCareProgram,andRoomArrangement
AssistancewithMSDEQualityInitiatives:MarylandEXCELS,andAccreditation
AssistancewiththeCDA
PracticeBasedone-on-onecoachingandmentoringforeducators
InfantandToddlerfocusedcoaching
Childrenbirthto5withsocial-emotionalorbehavioralconcernsinchildcare
Empoweringchildcareeducatorsandparentstomanagedifficultbehaviors
Strengtheningtherelationshipsbetweeneducatorandfamilies
Teachingchildrensocialandemotionalskills
ParentEducationWorkshops
ProgramsAvailableProgramsAvailableProgramsAvailable
CDA
With the support of one of our coaches you can earn your Child Development Associate® (CDA) in record time. We can help you find a Professional Development Specialist (PDS) for your verification visit and assist you in scheduling a verification visit!
Call us today!
Accreditation Support
Did you know there is a support fund to help your program achieve accreditation?
The Accreditation Support Fund for National Accreditation helps both centers and family child care businesses with the application fees including the initial application, the renewal application and the annual application.
The Accreditation Support Fund for Maryland Program Accreditation helps cover the cost of the materials required to complete the Maryland Accreditation.
More information can be found at the Accreditation Support Fund page HERE Need help? Give us a call to schedule a meeting with one of our coaches.
Laura Kefauver
Monique Dawkins
Petrea Hicks
Maryland EXCELS
Quality Assurance Specialist Contact Information
Allegany, Garrett and Washington County laura.kefauver @maryland.gov
Carroll County monique.dawkins@maryland.gov
Frederick County petrea.hicks@maryland.gov
The Child Care Career and Professional Development Fund:
An award under the Fund can be used toward the cost of tuition, college fees and textbooks. The funds can only be used toward completion of a two year or four year college degree in an approved field. Students "pay back" the grant by working in licensed child care for two years after the Associate degree or four years after a Bachelor’s Degree. Please contact the coordinator for your county for more information.
***NEW*** FUNDING NOW AVAILABLE FOR MASTER'S DEGREE
Allegany County/Garrett County — Frostburg University Dr. Maureen Hamilton : 240-527-2733 / mdhamilton@frostburg.edu
Carroll County — Carroll Community College Jess Sichel : 410-386-8383 / JSichel@carrollcc.edu
Frederick County — Frederick Community College Delaine Welch : 301-846-2559 / dwelch@frederick.edu
Washington County — Hagerstown Community College Alison Hess : 240-500-2615/ amhess@hagerstowncc.edu
Deadlines
First-time applications—due by March 1st Continuation applications— due by June 30th
If you are currently not in the program, reach out to the point of contact at the college you prefer to ensure you are ready for the next round!
HELLOFALL
fINE MOTOR
Science
DRAMATIC PLAY Song SENSORY BIN
Five Red Apples
Original Author: Unknown
Five red apples hanging in a tree (Hold up five fingers)
The juiciest apples you ever did see. The wind came by and gave an angry frown (Fingers flutter downward)
And one little apple came tumbling down (One finger falls)
Four red apples, hanging in a tree, etc.
M a t h
Super Saturday Super Saturday In Person Class In Person Class Schedule Schedule
Saturday September 28th: Carroll County (255 Clifton Blvd., Westminster)
9:00am-12:00pm: Learning Math with Thrift and Dollar Store Finds (3hrs Curriculum)
12:30pm-3:30pm: Redesign Your Circle Time (2hrs Curriculum and 1hr Special Needs)
Cost: take one class for $30 or take both for $40
October 5th: Washington County (Hub City Vineyard Church: 17805 Oak Ridge Drive, Hagerstown)
9:00am-12:00pm: Fun with Found Materials (3hrs Curriculum)
12:30pm-3:30pm: A Child’s View Inspiring Wonder through Environmental Design (3hrs Curriculum)
Cost: take one class for $30 or take both for $40
October 19th: Garrett College (687 Mosser Rd, McHenry, MD 21541)
9:00am-11:00am: Workshop Presented By Laura Kefauver with Maryland EXCELS
12:00pm-3:00pm: Exploring the Great Outdoors in Autumn (3hrs Curriculum)
Cost: take both classes for $20 total
November 16th: Frederick Child Care Choices (226 South Jefferson Street)
9:00am-12:00pm: Pancakes, Pancakes! (3hrs Curriculum) **involves making pancakes**
12:30pm-3:30pm: Baby Picasso: Process Art Experiences for Infants and Toddlers (3hrs Curriculum)
Cost: take one class for $30 or take both for $40
R E G I S T R A T I O N policies
Four ways to register:
Call 301-662-4549
Monday through Thursday 8:30am-4:30pm
Online at https://training.fcmha.org/CVSFLis tfull.aspx
Registrations may be mailed to:
Child Care Choices
226 S. Jefferson Street Frederick, MD 21701
Fax registration to 301-695-4826
Checks can be made payable to the Mental Health Association
Child Care Choices training workshops provide MSDE Office of Child Care approved training credits for early education providers. Workshops are also open to parents, teachers, and others who share an interest in children’s growth and development. MSDE Office of Child Care Approval Number CKO-156225, expires 01/01/2026
Pre-registration and pre-payment are required for all trainings. Returned check fee is $20.
Registration fees are non-refundable unless a class is cancelled by Child Care Choices. You must notify us one business day in advance in order to substitute another person, transfer to another workshop or receive credit towards future workshops. After hours, leave a message on extension 170.
A class may be cancelled if it does not have eight or more participants registered one week prior to the starting date.
You must be present and active in the class for an entire workshop to receive a certificate for the credit hours. Participants signing in or arriving late will not receive a certificate, credit, or refund.
Webinar participants must use a computer or a tablet, a phone is not acceptable.
You will not receive credit hours if you have already taken a Child Care Choices training session of the same title or content with the same instructor.
Workshops are designed for adults—children are not permitted during a webinar or in-person training. Please note if children are present, you may be asked to sign out/leave without a refund or credit.
Professional conduct and participation are expected from all training participants.
Certificates will be sent at the conclusion of each workshop. Training certificates will be mailed within five business days of the conclusion of the class (Monday-Thursday). All of our classes include an assessment component to allow participants to earn Core of Knowledge hours. Assessments must be turned in (via google form for webinars) to ensure that the attendee has met the class objectives and gained the knowledge necessary to receive a Core of Knowledge certificate. CCC will offer further assistance to participants who do not meet or exceed the outlined objectives.
For inclement weather cancellation information or to leave a training related voice mail after hours, please call Child Care Choices at 301662-4549 when the automated system answers, dial 170.
Policies
MARYLAND CHILD CARE RESOURCE NETWORK COMPLAINT POLICY
Every member agency of the Maryland Child Care Resource Network strives to provide high quality service to the child care programs and families in their jurisdiction and throughout Maryland It is our mission to ensure that every interaction with staff at the Child Care Resource Centers is positive and professional
If you have concerns about an incident or some aspect of service at a Child Care Resource Center, please contact the director/manager directly Contact information for these individuals can be found here (https://marylandfamilynetwork org/for-providers/find-your-child-careresource-center)
If you are not satisfied with the way your concernis handled by the director/manager at the Child Care Resource Center, please contact Maryland Family Network at 410-659-7701 or at MCCRNinfo@marylandfamilynetwork org As the Statewide Coordinating Entity of the Maryland Child Care Resource Network, MFN will investigate the complaint or concern regarding services and take appropriate action
LOCATE COMPLAINT POLICY
Through the LOCATE service, parents share feedback with the LOCATE staff on the programs in the files: licensed child care centers, registered family child care providers and accredited preschools and camps While this feedback is at times positive, it sometimes concerns complaints parents have about child caregivers. Of course, LOCATE and the Maryland Child Care Resource Network want to use this information in a way that is fair to providers and parents, while protecting children, as well Therefore, the LOCATE Complaint Policy was developed and has been in effect since its approval by the Maryland Committee for Children Board in November,1983 According to this policy, all complaints made to LOCATE about child care providers/facilities are recorded. The type of complaint is then determined: Less Serious Complaint – No Violation: complaints which do not involve violations of child care regulations; complaints about situations which do not pose a threat to the safety, health or welfare of a child Less Serious Complaint Involving Violation: complaints of any violation of Office of Child Care (OCC), Maryland State Department of Education(MSDE) regulations, and/or the Health Department which do not pose a threat to the health, safety or welfare of a child Serious Complaint: any threat to the immediate health, safety, or welfare of a child When a parent calls LOCATE with a complaint, the referral specialist advises him/her to register the complaint directly with the appropriate regulatory agency and/or Protective Services. Names and telephone numbers of the person with whom the parent should speak are provided When a Serious Complaint is received concerning one of the providers of facilities in the LOCATE system, no referrals are made by the referral specialists to that provider/facility The LOCATE Director also communicates with the appropriate regulatory agency personnel about the complaint, and maintains the “hold” on the provider/facility until the agency’s disposition of the complaint is known. Should the investigation result in no action, the “hold” status is removed from that provider’s/ facility’s records Should the license or registration be revoked, the record is removed from the LOCATE files Providers are advised of LOCATE’s actions in writing A provider may appeal the LOCATE Director’s decision to cease referrals. Appeals are first addressed to the LOCATE Advisory Committee. Final appeals may be made to the board of the Maryland Family Network It is the position of LOCATE and MFN that the Complaint Policy is both fair and workable Safeguards and due process are afforded to the care givers in the files, and parents’ and children’s rights to safety are addressed, as well. Any questions on this policy should be addressed to FloJean Speck, Director, LOCATE: Child Care at 410-659-7701.
Including All Children and the Americans with Disabilities Act 3 hrs Special Needs $30
Workshopwillcoverinformation, strategiesand resourcesonhowto developandimplementanearlychildhood environmentthatisinclusivetoallchildrenandtheirfamilies.TheprinciplesoftheAmericanswithDisabilitiesActwillbe coveredusingbestpracticesstandardstocreatepoliciesand proceduresthatreflecttheADAandstrategiesforinclusion. Thiswillmeetthelicensing requirementforthe IncludingAllChildrenandtheADATraining.
THUR. SEPT 12
630-830PMZOOM
Respecting All Family Structures 2 hrs Comm $20
Familystructureshavemovesawayfromthetraditionalnuclearfamily. Identifydifferentfamilystructuresthatyou mayencounterinyourprogram. Explorewaystomakeallchildrenandtheirfamilieswelcomeinyourprogram.
SAT. SEPT14 9AM-3:30PM 255 CLIFTON BLVD WESTMINSTER, MD
Medication Administration 6 hrs HSN $65 Please bring a bag lunch
ThisMSDE OCCapprovedworkshopteacheschild careproviderstosafelyadministermedications, properlystore themand accurately complete record keeping. Pleasebringabaglunch.
TUE, SEPT 17
6:30-8:30PMZOOM
Calm in the Chaos: Tools toIncrease the Peace 2 hrs CD $20
In this engaging training, participants will learn about theneuroscience behind understanding emotional awarenessand regulation. They willexploreand experiencemindfulnessbased evidence informed toolsthat willincreaseemotionalregulationinchildrenand adults. Participantswillleavewith a plan tohelpwithoverall wellbeing.
WED, SEPT 18
6-9PMZOOM
The Child CareProvider as a Professional 3hrsProfessionalism $30
Gainagreaterunderstandingofchildcareinitiatives,resources,andprofessionalorganizationswhichcanassistyouinyour business.Discusswhatitmeanstobeaprofessionalinchildcare.Plus,examinetheNAEYCchildcarecodeofethicsand discusshowitcanassistyouwithyourprogram.
SAT SEPT 21 9AM-12PM Child Care Choices-Frederick
EMS CPR/First Aid $80
ThisprogramincludesAdult, Infant, ChildCPR, andchoking procedures. Theclassisalsoappropriateforallchildcare providerswhoneedtolearnorreviewbasicfirstaid.Thiscoursesatisfiesallstaterequirementsandcoursecompletion cardswillbeemailedwithin48hours.ThisisacomboCPRand FirstAidclassthatwillresultinbothcertifications.
WED, SEPT 25
6:30-8:30PM ZOOM
Celebrating Culturally Diverse Early Childhood Classrooms 1 hr Com, 1 hr Cur $20
Inthistraining, earlychildhoodprofessionalswillexplorehowcultureimpactstheirprograms.Theywillalsoexplore ideasforintegratingactivitiesthatreflectthechildren,families,andcommunitiesoftheirprograms.
Making Meaningful Connections
6:00-9:00pm
TUE. OCT 1
6-9PM ZOOM
Making Meaningful Connections: Building the Foundation of the Young Brain 1 hr CD, 1 hr PRO, 1 hr SN $30
Thisinteractivetrainingwillbuildparticipants'knowledgearoundhowayoungchild'sbraindevelopsbetweentheagesof birth throughfive. Participantswillactivelyengagein "buildingabrain", exploretheimportanceofdevelopingtheirown capacity, and learn specificstrategiesandinteractionsthat grow healthy brains. Afterengaging with thecontentofthis training, participantswillhaveabetterunderstandingofthecorecomponentsusedtosupportthegrowthofalllearners.
THUR. OCT 3
6-9PM ZOOM
Center Aide Orientation 3 hrs Pro $20
Thisworkshopsatisfiestheregulatoryrequirementforchildcarecenteraides. Participantswillreviewprofessionalism, thebasicofsupervisions, andinteractingwithfamilies.
Basic Health & Safety Training with Supporting Breastfeeding in Child Care 3 hrs HSN
ThistrainingwillsatisfytheCCDF HealthandSafety Requirementsaswellastherequirementforthe Breastfeeding Workshop.Thistrainingismeanttobehighlyinteractiveandisbasedontheresearch-basedconceptof "learning disfluency"whichchallengesthelearnerto 1.Thinkaboutwhattheyknow; 2.Throughdiscussionandresearchconfirmor expandtheirknowledgebase; and3.Sharetheirexperiencewithothers.
WED. OCT 16
6-9PM ZOOM
Reducing Stress and Burnout for Those Caring for Kids
3 hrs HSN $30
Thechildcareenvironmentcanbestressfulattimes.Withoutgoodself-care,theremaybeapointwhenyouhavenothing lefttogiveduetostress.Throughhands-onactivitiesand experiences, aswellasself-reflections, providerswillexploreand ·ncreasetheirfamiliarityandknowledgewithbestpracticesinself-careandways reducestressandpreventburnout.
TUE. OCT 22
6-9PM ZOOM
ActiveSupervision for Center Staff 3 hrs CD $30
Gaingreaterunderstandingofhowtosupervisechildrenofallagesappropriatelyandeffectively.Exploretechniquesfor indoorandoutdoorsupervision.Ensurechildren'ssafetythroughactivemonitoringtoenablechildrentomaximizetheir learningopportunities.Thisworkshopcanbeusedforlicensingcompliancerequests.
THUR. OCT 24
6:30-8:30PM ZOOM
BeyondCounting: Games and Activities to SupportPreschool Math 2 hr CUR $20
Teachingmathtopreschoolchildrencanbeafunandengagingexperience. It'simportanttomakelearningenjoyableand hands-ontocapturetheirattention. Inthisworkshopwewillexploresomeengagingmathactivitiesforpreschoolers.
SAT. OCT 26
9AM-3:30PMCHILD CARE CHOICES- FREDERICK
Medication Administration
$65
**Please bring a bag lunch**
ThisMSDEOCC approved workshopteacheschildcare providerstosafely administer medications, properlystorethem andaccuratelycompleterecordkeeping. Pleasebringabaglunch.
TUE. NOV 5
6:30-8:30PM ZOOM
Empowering Infant Toddler Understanding through Discovery 1hr CUR, 1 hr PRO $20
Whenweempowerinfantsandtoddlerstoexplorethroughplay, wearegivingthem thebuildingblocksfor criticalthinkingneeded tosucceedlater in life. Weare encouragingthemasindividualstoexploretheirworldusingtheirinnateurgetoplay and acquire an individualized understanding ofthatworldbased ontheir experiences usinga techniquecalled Heuristic Play.
WED. NOV 13
6:30-8:30PM ZOOM
SIDS, SUIDS and Other Sleep Related Infant Deaths 2 hrs HSN $20
Asinfantandtoddler caregivers, itisimportanttounderstand SIDS andsleep-related deaths, includingthemanystrategieswhichcanbeimplementedtoreducetherisk of sleep-relateddeath. Participants will reviewwhatis SIDS and sleep-relateddeath, reviewrecentresearchandstatistics, gaingreaterunderstandingoftherolechild care playsin keepinginfantssafe, andtherecommendationsandstrategiesfor keepingchildrensafe.
WED, NOV 20
6-9PM ZOOM
Reporting
Child
Abuse and Preventing Bullying
1 hr CD 2 hrs HSN $30
Didyouknowthatchildcare providers aremandatedbylawtoreportchild maltreatment? Inthistrainingyouwill develop a policyforpreventingand reporting childabuseaswellasthesignsandsymptomsofbullyingbehaviors andvictims' behaviors
THUR. NOV 21
6:30-8:30PM ZOOM
Connecting Child Care, Families and Community 2 hrs COM $20
Whenschools,families, andcommunitygroupsworktogethertosupportlearning, children tendtodobetter inschool, stayinschoollonger,andlikeschoolmore. Inthisworkshop, participantswilllearnabouthowthecommunityimpactschildren'slearning, howfamily systemsinteractwithinthecommunityandthatcollaborativepartnershipsbenefitchildren.
I'm Not Biased, Am I? Implicit Bias: What is it and What Can I do about it? 6:00-9:00pm
TUE.DEC3 MoreThanRunning Around: ConnectingtheMind
6:30-8:30PMZOOM and Body 1 hrCD, 1 hrCur $20
Thistrainingpresentsinformationtodeveloppracticeandskillstocreatean environmentdesignedtosupportchildren'slearningthroughmovement. Participantswillengageindiscussionsandactivitiesthatwillhelpthemlearnhowto explainhowmovementinfluenceslearningandhowtodevelopenvironmentsthat incorporatemovementforlearninginmultipleareasofthelearningenvironment.
THUR.DEC 12
6-9PM ZOOM
I'm Not Biased,Am I? ImplicitBias:What isitandWhatCan IDoaboutit
3hrsPRO $30
Throughself-reflection, participantswillrecognizetheimportanceofantibias/culturallyresponsivepractices. Engagingactivities,thoughtprovoking discussionsandintentionalintrospectionwillencourageparticipantstoexaminetheir own biasesandunderstandhowthese biasescanimpacttheirprogram. Strategiesto addressmicroaggressions, prejudices, and biaseswill besharedandshared.
WED,DEC 18
6-9PMZOOM
WorkingwithMixedAge Groups
3hrsProfessionalism $30
Workingwithagroupofchildrenwhoaredifferentagespresentschildcareproviders withuniquechallengesandopportunities. Learnstrategiestoovercomechallenges, createdailyschedulesandmeettheneedsofeachchild.
Child Care Choices Workshop Registration
Registerbyphoneat 301-662-4549, onlineat childcarechoices.info orbymailingor registrationfaxingthetheform