Newsletter Date

Kids Quarterly Press A Newsletter of Choices Child Care Resource and Referral

January, February, & March 2020

In this issue:

Helpful Tips

2

Training Tidbits 3

Professional Development Calendar 4-5

Important Announcements 6

Food and Fun 7

Have You Heard about WV Invests?

West Virginia Invests is a state-funded grant program that covers the full cost of basic tuition and fees for select certifi-cate and associate degree programs at a West Virginia public two- or four-year institution. Priority is given to programs in high-demand fields, such as information technology or healthcare, as determined by the West Virginia Department of Commerce. Early childhood and child development programs are also included. This is a last-dollar-in program, mean-ing that it will pay for any amount up to the total cost of tuition and fees that isn't already covered by other state or feder-al grants or scholarships. Eligibility criteria for a West Virginia Invests Grant include:

• Legal resident of West Virginia for at least 1 year immediately before applying;

• U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen for federal financial aid;

• Are a graduate of a public, private or homeschool program, or have successfully passed a high school equivalency test;

• Have not already earned a college degree (associate level or higher) or have attempted 90 or more college credit hours;

• Not be in default on a federal student loan;

• Are willing to make a commitment to improving the state by living in West Virginia for at least two years after grad-uation and completing at least 2 hours of unpaid community service each academic term;

• Meet the minimum admissions requirements at an eligible institution and register for at least 6 credit hours;

• Pay for and pass a drug screening before the start of each academic term

For more information about this program and a full list of eligibility requirements visit wvinvests.org.

Page 2 Kids Quarterly Press

Provider Payment Pointers

Having trouble with payment forms? These tips will help ensure quick processing of your monthly

billing. Each child must have an attendance sheet with their name, birth date and the month and

year you are billing for. Remember a full day of care is equal to four or more hours. If there is a

non-traditional day, you must mark both the full and non-traditional fields on the attendance sheet

for the accurate number of days.

Non-traditional hours are at least 4 hours on Saturday or Sunday, a 12 hour shift (split shifts are

included), 4 hours after 7pm or 4 hours before 6am. If you have a three hour day, you will use the 2

-4 hour field; (exactly 2 hours to 3 hours and 59 minutes). If you have a one hour day, you will use

the 0-2 hour day. (1 minute to 1 hour and 59 minutes)

Request for Payment forms are required to have all information entered on the form before it is

submitted, including each child’s name and the parent’s name, the child’s date of birth, child fee and

number of days on the attendance sheets.

Remember to sign and date all forms where it says Provider Signature.

Feel free to contact Paula Taylor at Paula.A.Taylor@wv.gov, or at 1-866-966-2668 with billing ques-

tions or to schedule individual payment training.

Have You Checked Out TRAILS?

The Choices TRAILS van offers developmentally appropri-

ate toys, games and books for the use of children in family

childcare homes, centers, and facilities. A wide variety of

caregiver resource books and curriculum materials are

also available. To schedule an appointment to see all of the

items TRAILS has to offer contact Jennifer Powell at

1-866-966-2668 or by email at Jennifer.S.Powell@wv.gov.

Staying Healthy: Quick Tips for Avoiding the Flu

1. Avoid close contact with people who are sick

2. Stay home when you are sick

3. Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you sneeze or cough

4. Wash your hands with soap and water

5. Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth

6. Practice good health habits

7. Get a flu shot

Page 3 Kids Quarterly Press

Training Tidbits

Celebrate a Nation of Diverse Readers on

NEA’s Read Across America Day!

Those who are six, sixteen, sixty-four, and

more have all kinds of great events in store

for the National Education Association’s

annual observance of NEA’s Read Across

America. NEA is calling America’s children,

both young and old, to celebrate the joys of

reading on March 2.

For more information about how to gener-

ate excitement for reading among Ameri-

ca’s children and their families, or a list of

recommended diverse children’s books,

visit www.readacrossamerica.org.

CPR/First Aid Training Resources

Clarksburg and Surrounding Areas:

American Red Cross:

Call 304-624-7689 to register

City of Clarksburg Fire Department:

Call 304-624-1665 for information

United Summit Center:

Call 681-342-1000 for information

Parkersburg and Surrounding Areas:

American Red Cross MOV Chapter:

Call 304-485-7311 for course schedules

Marietta Memorial Hospital:

Call 740-568-1677 for information

Mid Ohio Valley Health Department:

Call 304-485-7374 for more information.

For more information visit

https://www.seca.info/conference

Page 4 Kids Quarterly Press

Date and Time Title and Presenter/Description Core

Competency Location

Wood County Professional Development Calendar

January 7, 2020 Medication Administration Rachel Richard

5:30PM-8:30PM This session will discuss proper administration of medication in child care set-tings. Participants must register online at wvstars.org.

HSN Choices

January 9, 2020 1, 2…What To Do? Kayla Lewis

6:00PM- 8:00 PM In this training we will learn about and experience hands-on math activities that keep children engaged.

CGD Choices

January 25, 2019 Overview of Autism with an Emphasis on Sensory Needs Joanna Stansberry

9:00AM-3:30PM This training will provide an overview of Autism and some of the sensory chal-lenges individuals with Autism experience. Participants will also make and take helpful classroom tools.

CGD/ EC

Choices

February 1, 2020 WV Elements of Family Child Care Series (EFCCS) Jennifer Powell

9:00AM-1:00PM This 7-week course is for Family Child Care providers. These modules will focus on best practice, child development, organizing your home and your day as well as developing individual goals for providers

ALL Choices

February 4, 2020 WVIT II Administrator’s Course Destiney Uebel

9:00AM-4:00PM

This training is an overview of the West Virginia Infant Toddler Professional Development Program for Caregivers: Relationship Based Care (WVIT II). This course is required for new program directors OR directors who have never sent staff to the course.

PL/ AM

Choices

February 5, 2020 WVIT II: Relationship Based Care Destiney Uebel

5:00PM-8:30PM This 10-session course is an extension of WVIT 1 that focuses on developing and maintaining relationships with children and families. Participants MUST have attended and completed WVIT 1 and be registered with STARS.

CGD Choices

February 6, 2020 Family Style Dining Kayla Lewis

6:00PM-8:00PM This training will discuss the purpose and elements of family-style dining, and the learning that takes place during the experience.

EC/CGD

Choices

February 11, 2020 Creepy, Crawly, Creatures Rachel Richard

6:00PM-8:00PM This training will present information about the parasites commonly identified in a childcare setting. It will look at both prevention of the spread of parasites and exclusion guidelines. Register online at wvstars.org.

HSN Choices

February 12, 2020 Early Learning Standards Framework for Infants & Toddlers (ELSF I/T) Destiney Uebel

6:00PM-8:00PM The ELSF for infants and toddlers is a comprehensive guide that breaks down areas of learning for ages 0-36 months.

CGD Choices

March 4, 2020 Collective Leadership for Child Care Directors Sarah Harvey

6:00PM- 8:00PM DIRECTORS ONLY- This course we will discuss specific conditions for the success as a whole while learning about and following the collective leadership strategies.

PL/ AM

Choices

March 24, 2020 Picky Eaters Renee Stonebraker

6:00PM-8:00PM How to encourage children to eat a variety of foods, including different cooking methods, family style meals, and food shapes. Register online at wvstars.org.

CGD/EC/HSN

Choices

Page 5 Kids Quarterly Press

Date and Time Title and Presenter/Description Core

Competency Location

Harrison County Professional Development Calendar

January 8, 2020 West Virginia Infant Toddler Professional Development Program (WVIT) Alicia Hundley

10:00AM-4:00PM This 10 session course provides information about working with infants and tod-dlers. Participants MUST be registered with STARS.

All Choices

January 9, 2020 Making a Difference: Preventing and Reporting Child Abuse and Neglect Rachel Richard

6:00PM-8:00PM This training is the approved course for child care providers in recognizing, re-porting, and preventing child abuse and neglect. Register online at wvstars.org.

HSN Choices

January 11, 2020 Free and Guided Play Shannon Valles

9:00AM-11:00AM This course explains the differences between free and guided play and how to support each in a preschool classroom.

EC Choices

January 16, 2020 Shaken Baby Syndrome Alicia Hundley

6:00PM-8:00PM We will cover what SBS is, how it happens, and the effects. We will discuss the signs and symptoms, how it’s diagnosed and how it can be prevented.

HSN Choices

January 23, 2020 Medication Administration Rachel Richard

5:30PM-8:30PM This session will discuss proper administration of medication in a child care set-ting. Register online at www.wvstars.org.

HSN Choices

February 6, 2020 Creepy, Crawly, Creatures Rachel Richard

6:00PM-8:00PM This training will present information about parasites commonly identified in a child care setting. It will look at both the prevention of the spread of parasites and exclusion guidelines. Register online at wvstars.org.

HSN Choices

February 13, 2020 Infant Attachment Alicia Hundley

6:00PM-8:00PM Attachment: Why it has value in early childhood and how it’s formed. EC Choices

February 18, 2020 Understanding Special Dietary Needs Renee Stonebraker

6:00PM-8:00PM Types of special dietary needs, including food allergies and celiac disease, symp-toms, menu adjustments, and determining if a child care center has to make ad-justments for certain dietary needs. Register online at wvstars.org.

HSN Choices

March 7, 2020 Daily Schedules: Being Flexible in a Predictable Environment Shannon Valles

9:00AM-11:00AM This course will cover how to create classroom schedules that incorporate daily routines and substantial free play while remaining flexible to unexpected changes and the interest of the children.

CGD/EC

Choices

March 12, 2020 Harmonizing Cultural Diversity Meagann Morris

6:00PM-8:00PM Participants will explore cultural expectations. The importance of diversity and communicating with families will also be discussed.

FCR Choices

March 19, 2020 Infant Toddler ELSFs Alicia Hundley

6:00PM-8:00PM This training covers the Infant Toddler Early Learning Standards Framework and how to use it.

COA Choices

Gilmer County Professional Development Calendar

February 6, 2020 Daily Schedules: Being Flexible in a Predictable Environment Shannon Valles

6:00PM-8:00PM This course will cover how to create classroom schedules that incorporate daily routines and substantial free play while remaining flexible to unexpected changes and the interest of the children.

CGD/ EC

Gilmer Co. Library

Page 6 Kids Quarterly Press

Is Tier II for You?

Important Announcements

Is your program interested in applying for Tier II? Does the application process or paperwork seem confusing or overwhelming? Choices can help! Our professional development team provides: • A Quality Improvement Specialist to answer questions and help you through the application process • Training in required areas • Resources for your program through training and the TRAILS program • On-site technical assistance to help you implement the standards If you would like more information on applying for tiered reimbursement contact Sarah Harvey, Quality Improvement Specialist, at 304-485-2668 or by e-mail at Sarah.N.Harvey@wv.gov. For the most cur-rent Tier II applications and forms visit https://dhhr.wv.gov/bcf/Childcare/PagesTieredReimbursement.aspx

Page 7 Kids Quarterly Press

Food and Fun

Foil Leaves Foil leaf imprints are a great way to preserve the beauty of leaves. In the leaf imprint, you’ll notice all the in-tricate veins that moved water and food throughout the plant. This ac-tivity is a great way to use your sense of touch to explore the many details of leaves. Materials: Piece of cardboard, Alu-minum Foil, Permanent Markers , Leaves, Glue Directions: Gather a few different types of leaves for the imprints. Choose one leaf to start with. Cut a piece of cardboard about the same size as the leaf. Place a dot or two of glue on the cardboard to help hold the leaf in place and press the leaf facedown (veins facing up) onto the glue and cardboard. Center a piece of foil that’s slightly larger than the cardboard over the leaf. Fold one side of the foil around one side of the cardboard. Smooth the foil over the surface of the leaf and fold the remaining edges of foil over the cardboard. Tape the foil edges to the back of the cardboard. Press down on the foil over the leaf gently with your finger. Rub your finger all over the part of foil covering the leaf. As you press down, you should begin to see the veins and edges of the leaf appearing in the foil. Once you’ve pressed down over the whole leaf

and have a complete foil print, take a permanent marker and trace around the edges of the leaf. Color the leaf in with permanent marker however you would like. Use your finished artwork as a decoration around the house or give it as a gift.

Easy Snowman Snack Ingredients: 5 oz bag of Craisins Dried Cranberries, semi-soft cheese rounds, thin pretzel sticks, Craisin Fruit Clusters Cranberry Granola

Directions: On a serving dish lay out 3 semi-soft cheese’s end to end. Press Craisins gently into the cheese to make the snowman’s eyes, nose, and buttons. Add more to the top in the shape of the hat and on the bot-tom for the ground. Next, take 2 pretzel sticks and break them into thirds. Stick one third into each side of the center cheese round for the snowman’s arms and place the re-maining pieces at the end of the 2

sticks to be the ends. Serve with a small bowl of Craisins Fruit Clusters Cranberry Granola for an extra punch of whole grain oats and a sweet crunch.

Magic Reindeer Food Recipe This extra-special reindeer food reci-pe is easy to make and bird-friendly (in case Santa’s reindeer leave be-hind crumbs). I’ve seen recipes that use glitter or other inedible items, but it’s best to use animal-safe ingre-dients to protect wildlife friends. Here’s how to make magic reindeer food. Ingredients: 2 cups of raw oats; 1 Tbsp of red sprinkles; 1 Tbsp of green sprinkles; Bird seed Directions: Once you’ve assembled the ingredients, shake them all to-gether and divide them into cello-phane food bags. You can usually find these bags near the cake and cookie decorating section of your local craft store. You can also find bags online. For more Food & Fun ideas, contact Cassie Starcher, TRAILS Associate at 304-485-2668, or by email at Cassie.R.Starcher@wv.gov

Child Care Food Program Wood County: 304-485-9238 ext 18

Harrison County: 304-203-3711

www.frac.org Benefits to child care providers include:

• Reimbursement for food costs

• Nutrition education & support

• Meal and snack planning • Workshops & newsletters

West Virginia WIC provides nutrition & health education as

well as other services free of charge to pregnant women, post-

partum women, infants, and children up to the age of five.

www.wvdhhr.org/ons

West Virginia Children’s Health Insurance Program

www.wvchip.org

Health care for children & expectant moms

Apply online at www.wvinroads.org

Choices Child Care Resource and Referral

4421 Emerson Ave, Ste 102

Parkersburg, WV 26104

304-485-2668 or 1-866-966-2668

www.wvdhhr.org/choices

Choices Child Care Resource and Referral Child Care Providers’ Newsletter and Professional Development Information

Choices Child Care Resource and Referral is a program of River Valley Child Development Services. This program is being presented with

financial assistance as a grant from the West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources.

Visit us on the Web: www.wvdhhr.org/choices.