Now More Than Ever: Have Your Voice Be Heard
If the legislative session were a horse race, they would now be rounding the bend and galloping into the home stretch. They must finish by May 18. Now, more than ever, it is important to “spur” our leaders on to support policies that will improve school readiness.
Progress Report from Todd Otis, Executive Director, Ready 4 K
What has been happening over the past four weeks has been very encouraging, given the nearly $5 billion deficit. It appears that neither the House nor the Senate is proposing cuts to early care and education, and there is even reason to believe there could be a small increase in funding of programs to improve school readiness. If that happens, it is a testament to the power of voices like yours being heard all over our state.
Another piece of perspective is that the Governor’s proposed budget has relatively modest cuts to child care, certainly not what we want, but far better than what happened to early childhood program during the last budget crisis. We are starting the “home stretch” with very strong legislative support and stronger support by the Governor than before.
So please, contact your own legislators and encourage sustained support for early care and education.(You can click here to find your legislators.) If you know they voted for the bills funding the great programs and initiatives we have to advance school readiness, THANK THEM. ( Legislators are just like you and me: they like to be appreciated!) Also, I suggest that you call the Governor’s office (651-296-3391) and leave a brief message to support early childhood funding. They really do pay attention to those calls.
I also want to encourage you to contact your local school superintendents and school board members. School districts throughout Minnesota are receiving an infusion of additional Title I money from the federal government, and an important possible use for such funds is for preschool programs. Let your local school officials know of your support for using Title I money to improve school readiness. Many education leaders at the local level already support our issue, but again your voice can help move them in the right direction. (Click here to read a letter from Todd Otis to superintendents and a memo outlining suggested uses for these resources.)
The momentum of support for early care and education is continuing to build in Minnesota, but it only keeps moving forward when individuals speak out, on a consistent and sustained basis. Thanks in advance for standing up for our youngest citizens.
April 28, 2009
UMD offers Autism Spectrum Disorders Certificate
The University of Minnesota Duluth Department of Continuing Education, in collaboration with the College of Education and Human Service Professions, offers the opportunity for professionals to expand their knowledge and expertise in the area of Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) through a three-course online series.
The ASD certificate is designed for special education teachers, paraprofessionals, and other teachers and professionals working with children and youth with ASD. Participants in the 12 credit certificate program will learn research based best practices in the field of ASD, consistent with Minnesota Department of Education competencies.
The certificate program begins with the Foundations of Autism Spectrum Disorders course offered each fall semester. The second course, Methods for Teaching Children and Youth with Autism Spectrum Disorders, is offered spring semester. The third class in the program, Language and Social Skills for Children and Youth with Autism Spectrum Disorders, is offered during the summer semester. These courses must be taken in this order.
Detailed course information, including class times, may be viewed at www.d.umn.edu/courseinfo.
For information on admission and completion requirements, and to obtain application materials, visit www.d.umn.edu/ce/html/certificate.html.
For more information regarding the certificate program, contact Suzan Gonia, UMD Continuing Education Program Associate, at 218/726-8149 or sgonia1@d.umn.edu.
All courses will be offered through Internet-delivered Moodle. To be successful in the courses, CEHSP strongly recommends that computers meet the specifications listed on the following Web site, www.d.umn.edu/cehsp/technology/index.html.
To contact the ITSS Help Desk call
218/726-8847 or go to helpdesk@d.umn.edu.
For more information on autism, visit www.autismspeaks.org
Understanding Your Child’s Temperament
A child is born with his/her temperament or personality. Parents can begin to determine their baby’s temperament by watching how she/he reacts to feeding, bathing, other people and all that is in the environment. Understanding a child’s temperament is one part of knowing him/her. When a parent knows the child’s temperament, a parent can see things through his/her eyes, anticipate when things maybe difficult and adjust the situation or a parent’s attitude and expectations to help the child be ready for what comes.
Understanding our own temperament as a parent can help us work with our child’s. If our temperament is very different than our child’s, it can be a challenge to find ways to adjust. Also, if children and parents are similar, things maybe easier but stressful in other ways. Parents have to adapt to their children because children can’t yet control or change their behavior.
Here are some ways to work with your child’s temperament to help life go more smoothly:
1. Accept the temperament and talents of each child. Look for the good qualities and take each into account when planning activities, disciplining, and playing.
2. Resist labeling each child. Tagging a child with a label limits his/her ability to be who he/she really is. Everyone will have expectations of behavior, which may or may not come true.
3. Match discipline and positive parenting methods to each child’s temperament. For example, “time out” can work in different ways for different temperaments. Social children like being part of a group and may be willing to change their behavior to rejoin a group. A quiet child may enjoy the chance to sit by himself/herself before coming back to a group.
4. Teach children how to handle situations that may be difficult because of their temperament. A parent’s job is to help their children develop skills and tricks for getting along in life.
Jill Phillips
Parent Educator
Free Training: 10 Principles of Respectful Caregiving
Title: Free Training: 10 Principles of Respectful Caregiving
Location: Mesabi Range College, Virginia, Rm C158
Description: Free! Based on the work of Janet Gonzalez-Mena & Diane Widmeyer Eyer, this informal training will provide opportunities for childcare providers to interact & share examples of best practices. Call 749-7713 or e-mail Dawn Olson for more information.
Start Time: 17:00
Date: 2009-04-28
End Time: 19:00
Please support this playing field — we got nominated!
Greetings Friends!
You may remember showing your support of our YMCA Field Project last month. Thank you so much! We got nominated! It’s now time to vote for our field so we can hopefully be chosen.
The link is below. You can follow the directions. There is also information posted by our Sports Director explaining the need if this is your first time into the site …thanks so much for your support!
Nancy Henderson-Korpi, Executive Director
Mesabi Family YMCA
admin@mesabiymca.com
 |
The Mesabi Family YMCA is participating in the Kellogg’s Frosted Flakes Plant A Seed fundraiser to improve and expand the outdoor playing field used for Iron Range Youth Spring and Fall Soccer, T-Ball, Summer Camp and other YMCA programs. Click on Tony the Tiger to show your support for the Mesabi Family YMCA soccer field project or visit frostedflakes.com for tips and tools to help spread the word! |
April 22, 2009 - Action Alert: Early Childhood Bill to be Heard in the House
From Ready 4 K — Call the Capitol Today!
A major piece of Early Care and Education legislation will be voted on by the full House this Thursday, and your legislators need to hear from you!
Background:
HF 2088, the Omnibus Early Childhood Bill, takes important steps towards creating an effective early childhood system, beginning to put in place the kinds of policies that will ensure that all Minnesota children are ready for kindergarten by 2020.
Recognizing the sizable return on investment the state gets by investing in early care and education, HF 2088 includes no cuts to funding for early education and child care programs in MDE and DHS. It increases access to quality early learning, promotes quality across the system, supports parents in their critical role as their children’s first and most important teachers, and builds system supports.
Specifically, the House Omnibus Early Childhood Bill:
* Moves forward in establishing a quality rating system and common quality standards
* Creates a Director of Early Learning to coordinate state departments and funding for early care and eductaion.
* Uses federal stimulus dollars to enhance access and affordability by increasing funding for child care assistance
* Specifies that quality set-aside dollars in the federal stimulus package should be used to continue Family Friend and Neighbor Grants, fund quality improvements, and continue the Parent Aware QRS pilot.
For a more detailed analysis of the bill, including how it it compares to other proposals, check out Ready 4 K’s Omnibus Bill Tracker.
Solution:
We know that investing in high quality early care and education is one of the best investments the state can make, and House File 2088 increases access to quality early learning, promotes quality across the system, supports parents in their critical role as their children’s first and most important teachers, and builds system supports. Please support House File 2088.
Action Needed:
Contact your legislator and urge them to support House File 2088, the Omnibus Early Childhood Bill.
Please take action by Thursday, April 23, 2009.
Side-by-Side Comparison of Omnibus Bills on Early Care and Education
April 17, 2009 - This Week @ the Capitol
From Ready 4 K
This week at the Capitol saw further movement of various omnibus bills, including three separate hearings of the House Omnibus Early Childhood bill.
On Tuesday, the House Early Childhood Committee took up its omnibus bill, at which point members had an opportunity to offer amendments. The most noteworthy one deleted the requirement that School Readiness programs serve children for a minimum of 12 hours a week, despite the lack of new funding. It passed unanimously. Other adopted amendments included a provision making it easier for Head Start programs to serve homeless children and their families, clarifying that the QRS is voluntary, and adjusting the uses of the federal stimulus dollars. Amendments to eliminate the Office of Early Learning and the QRS from the bill were defeated. The bill passed out of the committee, had quick stops in Finance and Taxes by week’s end, and will be heard in Ways and Means next week before being voted on by the full House.
The other omnibus bills we’re tracking—the Higher Education Omnibus bill, which contains funding for TEACH scholarships and child care assistance grants for college students, and the Public Health and Housing Omnibus bill, which contains funding for Family Home Visiting—also continued moving through the process. Funding for home visiting is currently untouched in the House bill, however, early childhood funding in the House Higher Education bill is being adjusted. The base funding for TEACH scholarships is eliminated, and replaced with one-time funding, but increased in the current biennium from $500,000 to $600,000. Additionally, funding for the higher ed child care assistance grants is increased by $982,000 in the biennium. The Senate leaves the funding at current levels.
The Senate Omnibus Health and Human Services bill has yet to be released.
For a more detailed analysis and comparison of the various omnibus bills, see our new omnibus bill tracker. (Note: this will replace the overall bill tracking going forward.)
We Agree: Creating a Parenting Plan
A 90 minute workshop for parents who care for their children in separate homes. Ideas for developing a parenting plan that meets the needs of their children. Cost $15 and includes booklet/class materials. Call 651-293-5330 for information or registration.
April 29, 2009, 11:30 am - 1:00 pm
Location: Webinar: you can participate from your computer
Child Abuse Prevention Month Coffee and Celebration
Please join us for coffee and refreshments to learn more about child abuse prevention. You are welcome to attend our Interdisciplinary Child Protection Team meeting from 2 p.m. - 3:30 p.m. immediately following. For further information, please call Melissa at 749-9740 or Denise at 742-9595.
Date: 2009-04-27
Time: 1:00 - 2:00 p.m.
Location: 307 1st Street South, Virginia, 3rd Floor, Liz Prebich Room
YMCA Strong Kids Auction
Title: YMCA Strong Kids Auction
Location: Mt. Iron Community Center, Hwy 169
Description: $7 admission includes dinner, live & silent auction, & entry in $500 cash raffle. Items to bid on include gift certificates, art work, events, clothing, local merchandise and fishing trips! Tickets are available at the YMCA, from board members, volunteers, staff, and at the door. All donations will help support programs for our area youth! Contact the YMCA, 749-8020 for more information!
Start Time: 17:00
Date: 2009-04-24