Child Care TODAY · Thanksgiving, Giving Tuesday is a global day of giving fueled by the power of social media and collaboration. It has been built by individuals, families, organizations,

Child Care TODAY

Child Care Resource Network Participates in#NYGivesDay

Page 1Child Care TODAY

Celebrated on the Tuesday following Thanksgiving, Giving Tuesday is a global day of giving fueled by the power of social media and collaboration. It has been built by individuals, families, organizations, businesses, and communities in all 50 states and in countries around the world. Now in its sixth year, Giving Tuesday demonstrates how every act of generosity counts, and that they mean even more when we give together.

In New York State, the New York State Council of Nonprofits and United Way of New York State lead the way for the statewide #NYGivesDay campaign. It’s a 24-hour online challenge to celebrate nonprofits across New York State, who work together to raise awareness, collect donations, and build a stronger sense of philanthropy. On Tuesday, November 28,

2017, the #NYGivesDay campaign raised over $1.6 million dollars! Campaigns included Kevin Guest House, United Way of Buffalo & Erie County, Meals on Wheels, and ACCESS of WNY.

Child Care Resource Network participated in #NYGivesDay again this year! As we did last year, our fundraising efforts will go to purchasing diapers for child care programs serving low-income children. This year, we raised $1,425! That means over 10,000 diapers to give to child care programs in Western New York. Thank you to the 39 donors who helped make it happen!

Why diapers? Because one-third of moms report suffering from diaper need. Babies go through about 300 diapers a month – and with the average cost of 30¢ per diaper, that’s $90 per month in

diapers alone! Clean, fresh diapers for infants and toddlers are one of the most important ways to keep them healthy and safe. We want to ensure every child always has access to fresh diapers, no matter their income level. By purchasing diapers at the lowest cost possible, we’ll be able to distribute in mass quantities to the child care providers who need

By Carrie Truesdell, Information Specialist

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Page 2 Child Care TODAY

Child CareResource Network’s

Board ofDirectors

PresidentChristine Ellington-Rowe, Ed.M.

Research Foundation of CUNY

Chief Executive OfficerAmanda Kelkenberg, MBAChild Care Resource Network

Vice PresidentRonald Brown

City of Buffalo Sewer Authority

TreasurerMikhael S. Rubin, CPA

Buffalo Auto Acceptance Corp.

SecretaryMary Ellen Mitchell, CPA

Chiampou, Travis, Besaw & Kershner LLP

Member at LargeSuzanne Tomkins, J.D.

Diane AbramToot-Toot Daycare

Antoinette M. AmosRagan & Amos Consulting

Marissa BachM & T Bank

P. Rudy MattaiSUNY Buffalo State

Kinzer Mark PointerAgape Fellowship Baptist Church

Danise C. WilsonErie Niagara Health Education Center

Elizabeth Perry, J.D.Lippes Mathias Wexler Friedman LLP

Meet Our New Staff Members

Q: What did you do prior to coming to Child Care Resource Network?A: “I am a recent college graduate from SUNY Geneseo, so prior to this I focused mainly on my studies and volunteer experiences. Last year I spent two months in Quito, Ecuador to study and volunteer abroad. I was able to work with children at a local daycare center and after-school program while also studying Spanish literature and history.”

Q: What drew you towards working at a non-profit organization?A: “I preferred working with a non-profit rather than

Dejia James, Legally Exempt Enrollment Specialist

Q: What did you do prior to CCRN?A: “I graduated from The College at Brockport in the spring of 2015. Since then I have spent several years working as the Events Manager for iHeartMedia in Rochester and most recently I moved back to Buffalo and spent a short time working as a Social Media Specialist in Amherst.”

Q: What drew you towards working at a non-profit organization?A: “I like to help people. I had been searching for a way to make a difference in my community for some

time when the opportunity to work for a non-profit presented itself I couldn’t pass it up.

Q: What is the most rewarding part of your job?A: “I think that the most rewarding part of my job is some of the outreach that we do. Knowing that the work we do is making a difference to a members of our community. ”

Q: What do you enjoy most about working in an organization that interacts with children, families, and child care providers?A: “I love the dedication to early childhood education. Having positive educational experiences early in life can really change the way a someone approaches education forever. I was very fortunate, when I was little, in being able to attend a center that had varied approaches to child care. They really strove to find the best fit for me and the way I learned. It made all the difference in the world for me moving forward in life. I would like to hope that my work here can help families find the best fit for their child and help providers to make that kind of an impact on the lives of the children they care for.

a large institution or company because I value the connection and importance of community based work. Many companies consider community work a bonus rather than a foreseeable goal.”

Q: What do you enjoy most about working in an organization that interacts with children, families, and child care providers?A: “I especially appreciate CCRN’s dedication to children as they are the future of our communities and our legacies. I am a firm believer that children and child-like imagination carry the cures and resolutions to our worldly issues. As such, it is important to foster them in a safe, positive, and healthy environment. By aiding childcare providers and families we ensure the security and future of our communities.”

Kaley Donaldson, Marketing & Communication Specialist

them most.

Why child care programs? Child care programs are required to have sufficient diapers and wipes on site for each child in care. A family that is unable to supply the 4 to 5 diapers needed to follow this regulation are not able to leave their child or children in care. Supporting child care programs with extra diapers on hand will supplement families struggling to make ends meet. This year, we will also be supporting families who choose

family members or friends as their child care provider. Legally-exempt child care providers who are enrolled with us to care for children in families receiving child care subsidy will also be eligible to receive diapers.

Didn’t get a chance to donate but want to? Save the date – Spring It On starts on March 20, 2018 at 6:00 pm! We will once again be raising funds to support child care programs in Western New York.


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10 Minute Veggie PizzaIngredients1 loaf – bread, French2 tablespoon – olive oil1 cup – cherry tomatoes1 medium – carrot1 medium – bell pepper, yellow1 cup – broccoli, florets1/2 medium – onion, red1/2 cup – feta cheese crumbles

Directions1) Preheat oven to 375 and move one oven rack to the top rung.2) Chop veggies; shred carrots.3) Slice French Bread in half, lengthwise.4) Brush with olive oil.5) Sprinkle with veggies of your choice.6) Drizzle some olive oil over your veggies.7)8)

Sprinkle with feta cheese. Arrange pizzas on a baking sheet, and put them in the oven on the top rung. Increase the temperature to 425 and broil for 8-10 minutes. Watch carefully!

By Billie Jo Meehan, CACFP Specialist

Nutrition Facts Calories: 300Nutrition Per Serving % Daily Value

15%18%13%8%

20%

Fat: 12gCarb: 39gFiber: 2gProtein: 10gSugar: 3gSource: https://www.superhealthykids.com/10-

minute-veggie-pizza/#.WhnEMR2GYJ4.email

Page 4 Child Care TODAYPage 6

Earlier and earlier each year, we are inundated with holiday messages. The stores start selling Halloween costumes and some start putting out Christmas decorations. Locally, a radio station starts playing Christmas

music on November 1st. Preschool classrooms start “talking” about the various holidays weeks in advance. The day after Thanksgiving, the turkeys come down and the Christmas trees and other decorations go up. There is a flurry of festivities, leisure time, late nights, loads of sweets, and activities with family and friends they rarely see but during this time.

Once January comes around, children return to regular routines. The decrease in celebrations and excitement can affect children’s moods, causing disappointment and even more melancholy feelings. The following are four tips for helping children through this time.

Stay with structure.Between school vacations, parties, and travel, it’s easy to let routines and structure slide. Children crave routine in their schedule. Try to keep their sleep, eating and play schedules the same. If children receive too little sleep on a regular basis, their learning is affected. Write out your schedule with pictures on your fridge (or if you are a provider, somewhere in the day care environment.) Show the schedule to the children and allow them to move a marker as they complete each item. If there is a change to the schedule, let them know as soon in advance as possible. Then go back to the original routine when you can.

Create new traditions.The holidays are full of traditions. Start a new one, such as an “un-decorating party.” Children will love taking each decoration down and packing it away as you talk about memories that are connected to each. People also practice more gratitude during the holidays. Keep this tradition all year long. In January, make a point to reflect on what experiences you loved about the holiday season. I bet your child won’t say a

favorite toy they received. Their response will be the time they spent with family or the jokes that a family member shared.

Get healthy.After months of consuming candy, cookies, and other foods, get your children involved in making healthy foods. Load up on low sugar snacks and plenty of fruits and vegetables. Encourage the children to stay hydrated by drinking a lot of water. But don’t forget about physical activity. Physical activity increases good feelings and decreases frustrated behaviors.

Give back.Acts of kindness and generosity are mood lifters no matter the season. Service projects do not have to be complicated. It can be as simple as sending cards to children in the hospital or baking brownies for your local firefighters.

Getting Past the Post-holiday Let DownBy Kathleen Kiblin, Education & Training Specialist

School-Age Leadership

SummitFriday, March 23, 2018

7:30 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.

Registration: $50

Child Care Resource Network is proud to announce the first annual School-Age Leadership Summit, Building a Culture of

Communication. This event will bring together after-school professionals from across

Western New York for a day full of dynamic presenters, an impactful panel discussion, a

dynamite resource fair, a variety of networking opportunities,

and more!

Get more information & register at wnychildren.org


Winter Weather Safety

Brrrrrr……The cold weather is upon us. It is important to remember that children still need outside time during the winter months. Use these tips and more from the American Association

of Pediatrics (AAP) to keep all of the children in your care safe as you play outside during the colder months.

• It is important to continue to usesunscreen in the winter. The reflectionof the sun off the snow can still causesunburn.

• Coats, snowsuits and even bootsshould be free of drawstrings so as tonot get caught while playing outside.

• You can prevent frostbite by making sure children’s hands and feet are covered properly, and even using a scarf to cover their face. It is important as well to bring children in if their clothing gets wet.

• Provide parents with information in Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) and the importance of keeping heavy blankets and quilts out of cribs and sleeping areas. More information on the Safe to Sleep campaign can be found on the National Institute of Child Health and human Development website.

• Infants and toddlers should get outside time as well. Make sure they are dressed warmly and ask parents to provide hats, boots, mittens and even a snow suit.

• Encourage parents to visit the AAP website for suggestions on car seat safety during the winter months and discourage heavy jackets for car seat use

By Kim Puma, Infant Toddler Specialist

Winter is an exciting time of change for children. Taking them outside provides rich opportunities to experience what winter has to offer. Making sure they are safe will create worry free experiences and fun for everyone.

Sources: https://www.aap.org/en-us/about-the-aap/aap-press-room/news-features-and-safety-tips/pages/Winter-Safety-Tips.aspxhttps://www.nichd.nih.gov/sts/Pages/default.aspx


Imagine a community where every child is participating in a high-quality early learning program. Imagine a community where every family can afford to access that high-quality

early learning program. Imagine a community where every early childhood professional earns a family-sustaining wage. This vision is a big one - but one that can be recognized through the power of advocacy.

Many early care and learning professionals get nervous when the word “advocacy” is mentioned. It seems intimidating. Some of us think that there are others more qualified to do that work. That we don’t – individually - have the power to influence local, state, or federal policies that increase supports to children, families, and the early childhood workforce. In reality, very little in our teacher training or credentialing really focuses or prepares us to fill that role. So, what does it mean to be an early care and learning advocate? There are many right ways to engage in this work. Let’s look at a few things that you can do right now.

Inspire and Tell Your StoryIf you care for and educate young children, you know exactly why early learning is so important. You see every day that quality early education matters, helping children grow to their full potential. Helping families work and achieve economic success. However, not everyone knows what you know. So create your story. Write down a few of the successes that you have observed as an early childhood professional. Such as the child who now receives early intervention services and no longer has a speech delay. Or a parent who just received child care assistance and is working a full-time stable job.

Now share that story with anyone who will listen – including your friends and families. You have the power to create more advocates and inspire others to share what they know.

Stay InformedThere are many organizations that have resources to help you stay connected. The more you know about changing policies and new trends in the early childhood field, the more prepared you will feel and the better you will understand the impact these changes will have on you and the children and families you care for. Child Care Resource Network offers trainings on a regular basis that address changing regulations and policies that affect young children. AEYC of WNY is another local organization that has opportunities to learn about policies and trends in the field that will affect you. In addition to local resources, there are many other state and federal organizations designed to help you navigate through all of the information you need to know. Most are just a click away with great social media availability. Child Care Resource Network is active participants in many active groups and often share ways on both Facebook and Twitter that you can get involved. If you would like to stay up to date with information, like us on Facebook (@WNYchildren), follow us on Twitter (@WNYChildren) or simply join our mailing list. We are always sharing pertinent information on simple ways that you can get involved, and updates from the field.

Join InThere are also groups that need your voice to carry these critical messages to policy-makers and influencers at a local, state and federal level. Winning Beginning NY is a statewide coalition working to inform policymakers and the public about the many benefits of early care and learning for children from the prenatal period through age eight.

Their priorities include high-quality afterschool, child care, early intervention, home visiting, and Pre-K. The coalition aims to build a broad-based constituency to make investment in quality early care and learning a top public priority in New York State. New this year is the Empire State Child Care Campaign, a grassroots coalition of committed early childhood professionals and influencers, with the long term goal to develop and implement a clear plan to provide equitable access to quality child care for all New York children and working families, and a family sustaining income for child care providers.

You are the keeper of stories - your own story and the stories of the children and families that you care for. You have the ability to inspire and influence others with the knowledge that you hold in your head and your heart. You have the ability to impact the future of early childhood education today.

What Does it Mean to Be an Early Care and Learning Advocate

By Amanda Kelkenberg, CEO

Learn More:

http://www.winningbeginningsny.org/

https://www.empirestatechildcare.org/


Bring the Outdoors In With These Wonderful Winter Books

Though the weather outside may be frightful, inside with a good book is most definitely delightful. Bring the outdoors in with these wonderful winter themed books!

The Snowy DayNo book has captured the magic and sense of possibility of the first snowfall better than The Snowy Day. Universal in its appeal, the story has become a favorite of millions, as it reveals a child’s wonder at a new world, and the hope of capturing and keeping that wonder forever.

The SnowmanIllustrated in full color, this is a wordless story. The pictures have “the hazy softness of air in snow.” A little boy rushes out into the wintry day to build a snowman, which comes alive in his dreams that night. The boy invites him home and in return is taken on a flight high above the countryside.

The MittenWhen Nicki drops his white mitten in the snow, he goes on without realizing that it is missing.

One by one, woodland animals find it and crawl in; first, a curious mole, then a rabbit, a badger and others, each one larger than the last. Finally, a big brown bear is followed in by a tiny brown mouse and what happens next makes for a wonderfully funny climax.

As the story of the animals in the mitten unfolds, the reader can see Nicki in the boarders of each page, walking through the woods unaware of what is going on.

Winter is the Warmest SeasonMost people think summer is the warmest season. This story, however, is brimming with evidence to the contrary--from roaring fires to grilled cheesesandwiches to toasty flannel pajamas. Aunique twist on the traditional wintertimepicture book, the beautiful visual narrativefollows a boy and his family through aday of hot breakfasts, steaming afternooncocoa, and a festive candlelit party beforebed.

With its inviting scenes, poetic text, and gorgeous illustrations, Winter Is the Warmest Season celebrates all the wonderful things that make winter the coziest time of the year

The Story of SnowThe Science of Winter’s WonderHow do snow crystals form? What shapes can they take? Are no two snow crystals alike? These questions and more are answered in this visually stunning exploration of the science of snow. Perfect for reading on winter days, the book features photos of real snow crystals in their beautiful diversity. Snowflake-catching instructions are also included.

Chicken Soup With RiceThis rhyming book cleverly uses a little boy’s love for soup to teach children the months of the year and features Maurice Sendak’s imaginative drawings and lyrical verses. Who says you can only slurp chicken soup with rice in cold January or freezing December? Chicken soup with rice is nice all year round!

By Rebecca Gibson, Registration Specialist

Reviews courtesy of goodreads.com


Cold & Flu season is upon us. Across the country, hospitals and doctors’ offices are reporting widespread cases of the flu. Emergency rooms are bogged down and hospitalizations

have increased because of flu-related symptoms. We’ve all been told that we need to get the flu shot every year, and if you haven’t gotten your shot yet you might still want to, considering this year is shaping up to be a particularly nasty year for the flu.

Pregnant women, adults 65 years of age or older, children younger than 5, and those with certain medical conditions are all at high risk of flu-related complications. Anyone who is high risk, or lives or works with high risk individuals should take proper precautions to avoid the flu.

Thousands of children younger than 5 are hospitalized with flu complications every year, the CDC estimates that since 2010 6,000-26,000 children younger than 5 were hospitalized for flu-related complications. So what can you do to keep your home, classroom or daycare facility as flu free as possible?

Get Vaccinated: Obviously, the best way to help stop the spread of the flu virus is to not get it at all & getting vaccinated can help in that effort. According to the CDC getting vaccinated is the single best way to avoid getting the flu. The flu vaccine is recommended for all children 6 months and older.

Stay Home: We know it’s inconvenient to not go to work or school when you get sick. But if you have the flu (or even a cold) it is best for everyone if you stay home. Staying home allows you to rest and recuperate faster and keeps your co-workers/classmates from getting sick. Trust us, they will thank you for not getting them sick.

Wash Your Hands: This one is easy and something we all know we need to do. Washing your hands often with soap and warm water will stop the spread of germs.

Avoid Touching Your Face: Germs can spread from your hands to your mouth, nose, or eyes.

Clean & Disinfect Correctly: Studies have shown that the flu virus can live on a surface for up to 48 hours. Washing surfaces with simple household cleaners should do the trick in removing the flu virus from surfaces.

Use disinfecting wipes on electronics that are used frequently such as phones, tablets, & computers. Always follow directions on cleaning products and disinfectant wipes.

Handle Waste Properly: Follow standard procedures for handling waste. Throw out disposable disinfectant wipes immediately after use. Use touchless waste baskets whenever possible, avoid touching anything when emptying wastebaskets, and always wash your hands after emptying wastebaskets.

Together we can all help keep our classrooms, homes and offices flu free with a little extra hand washing and disinfecting!

Stay Cold & Flu Free This SeasonBy Kaley Donaldson, Communications Specialist

Sources: https://www.cdc.gov/features/fluhighrisk/index.html https://www.nytimes.com/2018/01/08/health/flu-season-cdc.html?auth=login-email


Congratulations to our Education Specialist Maryann Ciskal (top) for successfully re-certifying her CLASS (Classroom Assessment Scoring System) Toddler certification.

The CLASS is an observation tool that focuses on the effectiveness of classroom interactions among teachers and children, because it is these daily interactions that promote children’s social and cognitive development. Children thrive when teachers create nurturing, well-managed setting and provide frequent and engaging opportunities to learn. The CLASS tool measures emotional support, classroom organization and instructional support. If you would like more information, please contact Susan DiNatale at 877-6666 ext. 3031

Education Specialist Sara Honsberger (bottom) was selected by the New York Association for the Education of Young Children to present her Wide World of STEM training at their annual conference this April in Verona, New York. Sara’s training will introduce educators to the meaning of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) and guide them through a variety of different hands-on challenges/experiences that will be sure to keep any child engaged. Congratulations Sara on this great achievement and thank you for your continued commitment to educating our educators!

For more information on the conference please visit: http://bit.ly/2GA8SH0

Exciting Things in Education By Jodi Schwegler Director of Community Impact & Sara Honsberger Education Specialist

CACFP Staff Continue Their EducationMembers of CACFP, the director Karen Kopacz, and three specialists, Terell Chambers, Billie Jo Meehan, and Maria Navarro, are currently participating in a Nutrition and Health

Continuing Education Certification Program through Niagara University. We have completed our first Certificate in Food, Nutrition and Health. This was a 16 contact hour course where we became more aware of what we eat, why we eat it, how it is prepared, and what impacts food choices have on health as well as the well-being of the planet. We studied the impact of stress on the body and the health crisis posed by obesity in the U.S. We learned how to change eating behaviors to be healthier to share with our providers.

By the end of the year we will complete the Dual Certification.

The second Certification is Nutrition, Chronic Disease, and Health Promotion. During this 12 hour certification, we will gain an understanding the role food and water play in health, and see how making appropriate changes in your diet can have powerful effects on health throughout life. We will examine how the problem of chronic diseases is rapidly increasing worldwide due to the food choices we make.

We will explore the relationship between nutrition and disease. We will share this information with the providers we work with so they can choose quality foods that support optimal health for the children in their care as well as themselves.

By Karen Kopacz, CACFP Director


The Child Care Resource and Referral agencies across New York State are always looking for ways to improve the services we offer to parents, child care providers, and other community members. Every two years, we band together to create, distribute, and analyze a parent survey. The results are then used to adjust current services, develop new ones, and advocate for children, families,

and child care providers.

In order to reach as many parents as possible, we’re counting on you to encourage the families you work with to make their voices heard. They could also win a $100 Visa gift card just for participating.

There are 4 ways to participate in the survey. You can go online, download and print the survey then either fax, mail or email it back to us here at Child Care Resource Network. Or take the full survey online. If you need a copy of the survey or have questions please reach out to Kristin Macha at 716-877-6666 ext 3089.

You can find more information by visiting: http://bit.ly/ParentSurveyCCRN

2018 Parent SurveyBy Kristin Macha, Director of Community Impact


Volunteer Spotlight

CCRN among Buffalo Business First’s “Best Places to Work” Finalists

CCRN would like to thank Ibtisam Omar for the regular volunteer time that she provides to our Legally Exempt Department. Ibtisam was first associated with CCRN as a Legally

Exempt Child Care Provider and a participant in the Child and Adult Care Food Program. As a student at Erie County Community College pursuing her Associates Degree in Human Services she arranged to do an unpaid internship with us. Ibtisam is very committed to her work, providing more than the required 80 hours during her Fall semester and continuing to assist us after completing her degree. Ibtisam is currently pursuing her Bachelors degree in Social Work at Buffalo State College. We are pleased to continue to benefit from her strong desire to both learn and serve.

Ibtisam is an amazing grandmother. Since 2014, she has been a Legally Exempt provider and works hard to create an environment for her grandchildren which is healthy and safe. Ibtisam is an active participant in the Child and Adult Care Food Program. She loves to cook, and is a chef in her own-right.

If you have ever worked with Ibtisam you would know that is she is very neat and orderly. She is amazing at turning over and producing a high volume of work in a small period of time. If a project is given Ibtisam you can always count on the project being completed with excellence. She was very instrumental in developing our newest Health and Safety Grant. What make Ibtisam extraordinary is that she is always looking for the opportunity to learn, grow, and go to the next level.

CCRN says, Thank you to Ibtisam for all you do!

CCRN has been named a finalist in the Business First’s “Best Places to Work.” Our agency will be recognized at the annual awards luncheon at Buffalo RiverWorks on

Thursday March 15, 2018.

In order to be eligible for this recognition, employees are given a survey which asks questions a variety of questions about their workplace, including staff interactions, overall environment, trust in leadership and communication. Surveys are then tallied and each company is given an overall score based on those responses. The reason this recognition has such an important meaning is because we were essentially nominated by our employees.

“This is really an accomplishment to be proud of! This is an amazing team, and their dedication to the work of this agency’s mission and making the lives of children and families better is tremendous and I am honored to be a part of it all,” says Amanda Kelkenberg, CEO of CCRN.

Keep an eye out on our Facebook because as soon as the article is released, we will post the link for everyone to see.

By Jackie Roberson Jr. Director of Legally Exempt Services

By Jodi Schwegler Director of Community Impact


Inside this issue:Child Care Resource Network Participates in #NYGivesDay

Getting Past the Holiday Let Down

Winter Weather Safety

What Does it Mean to Be an Early Care and Learning Advocate

Bring the Outdoors In with these Wonderful Winter Books

How to Stay Cold & Flu Free this Season

Exciting Things in Education

CACFP Staff Continue Their Education

Volunteer Spotlight

2018 Parent Survey

Like us on Facebook at Facebook.com/WNYchildren and follow us on Twitter

@WNYchildren for updates, conference info, contests, news, and giveaways!

Documents

Child Care TODAY · Thanksgiving, Giving Tuesday is a global day of giving fueled by the power of social media and collaboration. It has been built by individuals, families, organizations,