CONNECTIONCONNECTIONMarch - May 2012

Published Quarterly by Child Care Solutions

ConneCtion is published by Child Care solutions (315) 446-1220 www.ChildCaresolutionsCny.org

Child Care Solutions has some good news to share. At the beginning of February, we moved our Auburn office to the North Star Business Center at 34 Wright Avenue. You’ll find us in Suite 2B along with our office mates from Freedom Recreation Services. If you park in the rear parking lot and enter by the back door, Suite 2B is the first office on the left when you enter the building.

Why are we so happy with the new space? Besides Freedom Rec, there are two other non-profits in the building - Partnership for Results and Unity House. We’re looking forward to getting to know all the friendly staff members we’ve met from the other agencies and finding ways to share resources and ideas with them.

The office is large with lots of windows and has the room we need to host meetings and trainings for child care staff and providers. We used money raised at our fall Trivia Night event to purchase tables and chairs for the training room so it will be professional and comfortable. See our most recent training schedule at www.childcaresolutionscny.org to get information on upcoming training classes.

We’ll be co-hosting a Business at Noon Open House with Partnership for Results on Mar 22nd, 11:30 am - 1:30 pm. The cost is $5 for Chamber members and $7 for non-members and includes light refreshments. I hope you’ll come to see us and have a chance to see the new space and meet our neighbors. Contact the Cayuga Chamber of Commerce at 315-252-7291 to register!

Child Care Solutions announced new office hours in February for both our Syracuse and Auburn offices. We’ve decided to eliminate our Tuesday evenings because Tuesdays are not always the best days for providers and parents to meet with our staff members. Instead, we’ll be setting up evening meetings by appointment at a time that meets our customers’ needs. To request an evening meeting at either office, call 315-446-1220 or 888-729-7290. We’ll do our best to schedule the meeting at a time that works for you.

We’re also increasing the number of days that the Auburn office is open. We’re also installing a “drop-box” in Auburn outside the building’s back door so providers can drop off paperwork any time they’re in the neighborhood.

The new office hours are:

• Syracuse office, 6724 Thompson Road: Monday - Friday, 8:30 am - 4:30 pm

• Auburn office, 34 Wright Avenue, Suite 2B: Tuesday - Thursday, 8:30 am - 4:00 pm

Peggy Liuzzi, Executive Director

Look inside for:

Immunization Survey Help ............................. page 2

Tax Credits You Don’t Want to Miss ............ page 3

Next Steps QualitystarsNY ............................. page 5

CSEA Union Dues Clarified ........................... page 6

New CDA Classes Starting ........................... page 9

Our Strategic Plan ......................................... page 9

New AuburN Office ... New Office HOurs ...

CONNECTION Mar - May 2012

NYS Race To The Top: Can New York State Affordto Quit Now?On Friday, December 16th NY State was notified that it was not a recipient of $100 million of federal Race To The Top Early Learning Challenge Grant money. NY’s application for the grant focused on establishing a statewide 5 star rating & improvement systems for all early education programs called QUALITYstarsNY, standardizing Kindergarten assessment and creating a data tracking system to better coordinate children’s services. This setback, although very disappointing, has to serve as a wake-up call to our leaders in Albany that we cannot be caught sleeping in the Race To The Top. Child Care Solutions, the child care resource & referral agency for Onondaga & Cayuga counties, believes we cannot abandon the initiatives set forth in the Race To The Top grant application. Although the money would have obviously eased the financial burden of implementing these programs, we must keep our eyes on the finish line and continue to move forward. The parents and employers of our state need QUALITYstarsNY to establish a standardized rating system for early education and child care programs. Child care providers and educators also require training & support that will improve the quality of care & learning for the children of New York. QUALITYstarsNY will provide for this. Most importantly, children need high quality early learning experiences so that they will have the tools they need to be prepared for school and life-long success.

Finding and choosing child care should not be an obstacle course or a guessing game. NY needs to raise the bar and set standards so that parents know what kind of early care their children are receiving. Child care teachers and providers need to elevate their profession to meet higher standards so that all of the children of our state are afforded equal educational opportunities.

“We now know that 75% of brain growth and 85% of intellect, personality and social skills develop before age five,” said Marsha Basloe, Executive Director of the Early Care and Learning Council in Albany. “Early learning is key. And while we did not win this grant, our proposal can still serve as the blueprint to ensure our youngest children

are getting the quality early learning they need to compete in a 21st century workforce.

Please let your voice be heard in Albany and urge our leaders to continue with the initiatives set forth in the Race To The Top. For the sake of our children and our states economic future, let’s continue towards the finish line.

To learn more about the importance of high quality early learning, go to: www.winningbeginningny.org.

Need Help with the NYS Department of Health’s Day Care Immunization Survey?Day Care Centers and Group Family Day Care providers should have received a yearly survey on immunizations from the NYS Department of Health recently. NYS Department of Health Law, section 2164(11) of the Public Health law, requires that day care centers and group family day care homes respond to this survey.

We know that it may seem a bit overwhelming but we are here to help. If you would like assistance completing this survey please call Shannon Gillen at 446-1220 ext. 307. She will be happy to set up a time to come to your site and help you complete this form.

Remember, it must be completed and returned by March 5, 2012, so please give Shannon a call right away!

ConneCtion is published by Child Care solutions (315) 446-1220 www.ChildCaresolutionsCny.org2

CONNECTION Mar - May 2012

Calling All Families - Don’t Miss Out on Tax Credits!Whether or not you owe income tax, you could get thousands of dollars in tax credits. You may qualify for:

• Up to $2,100 from the federal Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit, up to $2,310 from the New York State Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit.

• Up to $5,751 from the federal Earned Income Tax Credit, up to $1,725 from the New York State Earned Income Tax.

• Up to $1,000 per child from the federal Child Tax Credit and $330 per child from the Empire State Child Tax Credit.

The Federal Child and Dependent Care Credit is designed to offset some of the child or dependent care costs that families incur in order to work. The Dependent Care Tax Credit is not refundable and can only be used to offset taxes owed. This means that families, who qualify for a credit that is larger than the amount of tax they owe, only receive a portion of the credit - up to the amount of tax they owe. For example, a family that qualifies for a credit of $800 but only owes $200 in taxes will receive a credit of $200.

To receive the Dependent Care Tax Credit, you will need to identify all persons or organizations that provide care for your child.

To identify the care provider, you must give the provider’s:

1. Name2. Address3. Taxpayer identification number or

social security number

If the child care provider information you give is incorrect or incomplete, your credit may not be allowed. However, if you can show that you used due diligence in trying to supply the information, you can still claim the credit. The IRS defines due diligence as getting and keeping any of the following:

• A provider’s completed Form W-10 • A copy of the statement furnished by your

employer if the provider you use is included in your employer’s dependent care plan

• A letter or invoice from the provider if it shows the necessary information

Care providers can be penalized if they do not provide this information to you or if they provide incorrect information. If the provider refuses to give you the identifying information, you should report whatever information you have (such as the name and address) on the form you use to claim the credit. Enter “See Attached Statement” in the columns calling for the information you do not have. Then attach a statement explaining that you requested the information from the care provider, but the provider did not give you the information. Be sure to enter your name and social security number on this statement. The statement will show that you used due diligence in trying to furnish the necessary information.

Please note that licensors and registrars are not allowed to share programs’ taxpayer identification or social security numbers.

If your family is low or moderate income, free tax preparation is available.

In Cayuga County, call the CA$H Program at 282-0533 to make an appointment. To download a detailed CA$H brochure you can visit: www.unitedwayofcayugacounty.org.

In Onondaga County, call P.E.A.C.E., Inc. at 634-3756 to make an appointment with the EITC, You’ve Earned It! tax preparation program.

ConneCtion is published by Child Care solutions (315) 446-1220 www.ChildCaresolutionsCny.org 3

CONNECTION Mar - May 2012

Child Care Solutions Staff UpdatesLaura Maloney of our Legally Exempt team gave birth to a baby girl on January 3rd. Gina Lee Bennett weighed in at 9 lb 2 oz and is doing fine.

Colleen Closter-Gray will start as a Professional Development Specialist on February 13th. Colleen’s most recent professional experience was as a Family Educator with the Groton Even Start Family Literacy Program. She has a BS in Elementary Education from SUNY Oswego and earned her adult education certification in 2009.

Michelle Wolstenholme will be transitioning into a new position. Many of you know her as one of our Registrars but this month she will take on new responsibilities as Provider Srvices Coordinator. In that position she will lead the CACFP program and provider recruitment and technical assistance.

Congratulations!We would like to congratulate the following individuals who have earned their Child Development Associate (CDA) Credentials.

Family Child Care CDA earned by:

• Linda Barnes, Licensed Child Care Provider in Baldwinsville

Preschool CDA earned by:

• Stephanie Fleming, YMCA Skaneateles

Books We LovedAs a child my parents sang to me. Mom sang all the nursery rhymes, and my father wrote songs. Unfortunately the one I remember as a 4 year old was a bit frightening, although not intended to be. “Ice is on the roof again” he would sing in such a way that I knew that “Ice Roofagain” (what I heard) was NOT a positive thing! He took me to the window; we’d look up to see “Ice Roofagain” and he’d quickly pull me away. I somehow pictured a Grinch-like monster hiding above the window.

Although I sing a lot to my daughter too (now 2), we do enjoy reading. Lizzie’s favorite book the past year is “I Love You Through and Through” by Bernadette Rossetti-Shustak. We enjoy this book because it identifies emotions, and body parts, and gives the message that I love all of you no matter what. She enjoys identifying what she see’s in the illustrations.

by Melody Scanlon, Health Care Consultant

One of my favorite books fromchildhood is “The Five LittlePeppers and How They Grew”by Margaret Sidney. This bookwas published in 1881, but thestory of the perseverance,resourcefulness, positiveattitude and courage of a verypoor family really resonatedwith me. The family had astrong religious faith, unbreakable loyalty to each other , and they never, indulged in self-pity even though they would have had every reason to. I especially liked Polly, the oldest daughter who so often held things together.

I still read this book, and gave it to my granddaughter when she turned 8. She was thrilled to be able to read it on her own and fell in love with the five little Peppers. So the book published in the 19th century, that meant so much to me (born in the middle of the 20th century) continues to touch young people born in the 21st century.

Gretchen Kinnell, Sr Professional Dev Specialist

ConneCtion is published by Child Care solutions (315) 446-1220 www.ChildCaresolutionsCny.org4

Office ScheduleWe will be CLOSED from

10:30 - 12:00 pm for Staff Meetings on:• March19,2012• April16,2012• May21,2012

We will be CLOSED:May28th-MemorialDay

CONNECTION Mar - May 2012

Next Steps for

QUALITYstarsNY has completed its field test and is ready to take the next steps toward implementation across the state. Through this program, New York will join the growing number of states that already use Quality Rating and Improvement Systems (QRIS) for all types of early childhood programs. These systems consist of a uniform set of standards that are graduated according to levels of quality, and linked to a corresponding set of “star ratings,” much like star ratings we’re familiar with for hotels and restaurants.

To begin the implementation process, QSNY has created three workshops to explain the system to programs and providers and to help them get ready to participate. These workshops are being offered throughout the state at no cost to programs and providers. Child Care Solutions has been selected to provide the workshops in our region which consists of Cayuga, Cortland, Madison, Onondaga and Oswego counties.

The three workshops:• explain the concepts of quality rating and

improvement systems and present specific information on New York’s system,

• help programs learn to use the Environment Rating Scales to conduct a self assessment which is required for QUALITYstarsNY and

• help programs set up improvement plans based on the results of the self assessment.

The workshops in our region will take place in March, April and May. You’ll receive a flyer with descriptions, dates, times and locations along with a registration form. You will need to register to attend. We’ll also post the flyer on our website.

These workshops – including all materials – are FREE, and enrollment is limited. Come and join us; QUALITYstarsNY is worth checking out.

Benefits of Creating A Child Care Solutions Website LogInJust recently some of you found out the real benefit of creating a LogIn on our new website payment portal. We hit some snags in getting our last Training Schedule out in a timely manner and many of you called wondering when it would go out. Even though the paper copy was not yet delivered, the classes were built and were available on our website.

Providers who had a LogIn were able to enroll in any of our classes even before the Training Schedule arrived by mail. Many of you took advantage of this feature.

If you don’t have a LogIn username, it is easy to create. All you need is access to a computer and an active e-mail account. Click the LogIn button at the top of our home page and follow the directions to create one. If you need assistance, call Pam at 446-1220, Ext. 306.

Once you have your LogIn set up, you can review all of the trainings we offer and enroll in any one of them using a Visa or MasterCard. If a class is full, you can put yourself on the “Wating List” for that class. You can also become a member of Child Care Solutions or renew your membership so you can take advantage of great discounted prices on trainings.

We are so glad that many of our students are finding this way of signing up for trainings easy, fast and fun. It is now the only way some students are signing up for classes. Not only can you choose the trainings you want, you get immediate confirmation of your transaction to your e-mail account even if it is the middle of the night. You no longer have to wait to call us to see if a class is full or wait for your credit card receipt to be mailed to you.

We are encouraging everyone with computer access, an e-mail account and a Visa or MasterCard to use this system. It is the best way to guarantee your enrollment in classes that fill fast. Please check this out the next time you want to use your charge card to pay for training.

Pam Borreggine, Systems Administrator

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CONNECTION Mar - May 2012

Welcome to NewChild Care ProgramsNew Child Care Center:• Brewerton Community Child Care -

Orangeport Rd, Brewerton

New Family Child Care Homes:• Deborah Booker - Syracuse• Tina Cherchio - Camillus• Andrea Cuddy - Fayetteville• Betzaida Cruz - Liverpool• Jovan Dunlap - Syracuse• Julia House - Cicero• Desiree Lyles Clark - Syracuse• Michele McAllister - Liverpool• Patricia Patterson - Clay• Christina Pendock - Baldwinsville

New School Age Program:• YMCA of Greater Syracuse - East Syracuse

Elementary

CSEA Union DuesAll family and group family child care providers received a letter from the NYS Office of Children & Family Services in December discussing the collection of VOICE/CSEA union dues. VOICE is the union that represents home-based child care providers in NY State.

As described in the letter, ”fair share” union dues will be collected from the subsidy payments that providers receive through their local DSS or HHS starting in 2012. The fair share dues of 2% are automatically deducted each month from providers’ subsidy payments up to an annual maximum amount of $690.

Because this is a new system for providers, there may be questions about how union dues payments will work. The CSEA Membership Department can answer those questions. Contact them at 877-483-2732 on M, W, F between 8:30 am - 4:30 pm or T & Th between 10:00 am - 6:00 pm or visit their website at www.voicecsea.org.

Child Care Solutions and Spanish Action League Work Together to Keep Babies SafeThanks to a grant from the Syracuse SIDS Prevention Fund, we will be collaborating with the Spanish Action League to share the latest research on safe sleep for babies with both the child care and the Latino communities. This grant builds on earlier funding to update a curriculum on SIDS and other safe sleep issues and to translate it into Spanish. One feature of the project is a workshop for infant caregivers and family child care providers at a reduced fee. The next training flyer will have all the details. We are thankful to the Central New York Community Foundation which administers the Syracuse SIDS Prevention Fund for this opportunity to work with the Spanish Action League and to help keep babies safe.

ConneCtion is published by Child Care solutions (315) 446-1220 www.ChildCaresolutionsCny.org6

If you are caring for children inyour home you can put some

extra cash in your pocketby participating in the

Child&AdultCareFoodProgram

Give us a call to find out howeasy it is to get on the program.

(315) 446-1220, ext 318.

CONNECTION Mar - May 2012

Enter our Extreme Literacy Makeover Contest!

The Week Of The Young Child is coming April 22nd -28th, and Child Care Solutions is celebrating in a special way this year. In honor of the hard work and dedication of child care professionals we are excited to offer our first ever “EXTREME LITERACY MAKEOVER” contest. Child Care Solutions will be giving away 5 hours of professional assistance and $200 worth of materials to one family based child care program and one center based program to create more literacy rich child care environments. Research shows that children’s ability to read is a strong predictor of their chances of success in school and beyond. Child Care Programs and teachers play critical roles in facilitating literacy in our youngest citizens. That is the motivation behind this makeover contest. We want to help not only the winners of this contest; we want to show all child care professionals simple changes that can be made that will positively influence the literacy skills of the children in their care.

Entrants must tell us the reason why they want and need the EXTREME LITERACY MAKEOVER for their program. The entries will be judged by a panel some of whom are also Child Care Solutions employees. The winners will be chosen based on the persuasiveness of their entry.

This contest is co-sponsored by the Literacy Coalition of Onondaga County and Lakeshore Learning.

HowtoEnter:WEBSITE: Click the EXTREME LITERACY MAKEOVER CONTEST image that is located on our website at www.childcaresolutionscny.org. Click the link that states “Enter the Contest.” Fill out the online Entry Form and submit.

FACEBOOK: Like our Facebook page (Child Care Solutions) and find the Extreme Literacy Makeover Tab on our wall. Click on the tab, fill out the entry form and submit.

MAIL: Call Child Care Solutions at 315-446-1220 to receive an entry form. Complete and mail to: Child Care Solutions, 6724 Thompson Rd, Syracuse, NY 13211.

Deadline for entries is 11:59 pm March 23rd.

Child Care Solutions Welcomes New Board Members Child Care Solutions is so grateful to the wonderful Board members who volunteer their time and talents to make our organization successful.

In January, three new members joined the Board of Directors. They are:

• Michele Abdul-Sabur (Syracuse City School District)

• Peggy Rowe, back for a second Board term (Dannible & McKee)

• Nancy Tehan (E. John Gavras Center and Cayuga Success By 6).

New officers also began their terms in January including:

• Chair, John McGraw (National Grid)• Vice-Chair, Lynn Gerrity Ames (community

volunteer)• Secretary, Peggy Rowe

Returning to the Executive Committee are:

• Treasurer, Tim Rake (Firley, Moran, Freer & Eassa)

• First Vice-Chair, Marisol Hernandez (CNY Latino)

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CONNECTION Mar - May 2012

Activity AreaListening & Talking With Toddlers

Children ages 24 - 36 months enjoy listening to stories. They enjoy acting out verbs like clap, run, jump, or walk. With that in mind “Let’s Play!”

• Let’splaywithdollorTeddy.

• Have a doll or a Teddy read a story to me.

• They can ask me questions during the story time, like “What is the dog doing?” or, “Who is climbing the tree?” Yes, it is the kitty.”

• I may have my favorite books that I like to read over and over.

• Let’splay“DoasIsay.”• Teddy tells us to pat our tummy. You pat

your tummy and I can do it too. • Next Teddy tells us to jump. Jump and

encourage me to jump with you. • Now it’s your turn. • Sing, and ask me to sing what you’re

singing. • “Clap, clap, clap your hands. Clap your

hands together.” • “Wiggle your finger,” “pound your fist,” and

“stomp your feet.”

• Ilikelisteningtostories. • How else are stories told? Through music

and folktales. • Or, you can tell a happy story about me

and the things we do together or the adventures we had today.

• We can hop to the car, roll across the floor, brush our hair and teeth, or march to the table for lunch.

• Acting out the verbs in stories or music adds fun too.

• Do you know “Ring-Around-the-Rosy?”

Susan DeCarlo, Infant/Toddler Network

Technical Assistance…On-site help when you need it.

Sometimes center staff and providers need very specific suggestions to help solve a problem or make their programs better. Child Care Solutions can help with our one-to-one technical assistance program.

Centers and family child care providers have used our technical assistance program to improve room arrangement, get new ideas for activities that support math and literacy learning, revamp daily schedules, and find new ways to respond to children with challenging behaviors. Directors have used us to provide basic

board training and enhance their marketing activities. Child Care Solutions will send you the staff person who has the best experience to meet your needs.

Sue DeCarlo, Coordinator of our local Infant Toddler Resource Network has special expertise in working with infant and toddler caregivers. She can help you plan a strategy to improve parent communication, choose an infant curriculum, respond to temper tantrums or stop biting in your toddler classroom.

Depending on the program’s needs, on-site technical assistance is often free to centers and providers because it’s supported by a grant from the NYS Office of Children & Family Services. If you’d like to find out how on-site technical assistance can help you and your program contact: Susan DeCarlo (for requests regarding infants or toddlers) at 315-446-1220, ext. 335 or SusanD@childcaresolutionscny.org.

Or connect to a member of our Professional Development Team at 315-446-1220, ext. zero or CCS@childcaresolutionscny.org.

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CONNECTION Mar - May 2012

Child Care Solutions 2012 - 2013 Strategic PlanI love this quote from Alan Lakein. “Planning is bringing the future into the present so that you can do something about it now.”

The staff and Board of Child Care Solutions are hard at work envisioning our future and the steps we will take to get there as we work on a two-year strategic plan for our organization.

With the help of a grant from the CNY Community Foundation, we’ve spent the last three months working with Kerry Carney of Grenell Consulting reviewing data, discussing priorities and looking at trends in the child care field. You’ll find our new strategic plan on our website soon. Important issues for us include increasing the number of Cayuga County parents who know about and use our services, translating our parent consumer materials into Spanish, improving our ability to collect and use data, strengthening Board engagement and completing our Child Care Resource & Referral accreditation though our national organization, NACCRRA.

Child Care Solutions did its first strategic plan in 1990, and we’ve had a strategic plan in process or in place ever since. When I look back over those old plans, I’m impressed by how much influence they had in determining who we are as an organization and how we developed and grew over the years. It’s so good to have a path laid out before us, especially in times of great change.

Do you have a long-range plan for your child care business? If not, there’s no better time to start than now. Let us know if we can help.

CDA Class Begins

Tuesdays,6:00-9:00pmclassesstartMarch27,2012

Classes are forming for sessions at Child Care Solutions location on 6724 Thompson Road in Syracuse.

Course Cost: $1,500.00

5 Easy Steps to Get You Started:

1. Send your completed application along with your $50 registration fee (this fee is refundable to you if you qualify for 100% scholarship funding).

2. File for an EIP scholarship (if applicable) by going to www.tsg.suny.edu.

3. Follow up on your EIP within 2 weeks to check your status by either going online or calling 800-295-9616.

4. Look for your award notification in your mailbox.

5. Sign your award notification and mail it to Child Care Solutions to receive your registration fee refund.

You will need to complete an application and return it with a $50 registration fee. Application and registration fee must be received by March7,2012 to be able to enroll in this course.

Many students qualify for full or partial EIP scholarships. For more information on EIP, visit www.tsg.suny.edu or call us at 446-1220, ext. zero for assistance with your EIP scholarship application.

Full details and applications can be found on our website at: www.childcaresolutionscny.org or by calling us at 446-1220.

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CONNECTION Mar - May 2012

Directors’ Meetings!SYRACUSE: 6724 Thompson Road, Syracuse

9:30-11:00 am: Wednesday, March 21, 2012

Topic: Leigh Charron, Hear2Learn and Tracey Menapace, Early Childhood Directions Center will discuss creation of a guidebook for therapists who provide special services in child care settings.

9:30-11:00 am: Wednesday, April 25, 2012

Topic: What’s New in Playground Design presented by members of SAEYC

Auburn: 34 Wright Avenue, Auburn

9:30-11:00 am: Tuesday, April 17, 2012

Topic: NYS OCFS Syracuse Regional Office Director Dianne McLaughlin will provide updates and answer Center, Head Start and SACC Directors’ questions about regulatory issues.

For information, contact Peggy Liuzzi at 446-1220, ext. 310 or PeggyL@childcaresolutionscny.org.

Professional Development Program (PDP) Video Conference TrainingsOnondaga County VideoConferences held at: Child Care Solutions 6724 Thompson Road in Syracuse

Cayuga County VideoConferencesheld at: Child Care Solutions 34 Wright Avenue, in Auburn (located in the former Red Star building)

Currently there are no PDP Video trainings scheduled. To register for future trainings go to www.tsg.suny.edu or call (888-399-0549) for additional information. You MUST pre-register through PDP in order to attend these conferences.

Professional Development Events

• March10,2012SAEYC Spring Institute - to be held at Drivers Village in Cicero, NY from 8:00 - 1:00 pm. Cost: $25.00 members, $15.00 students or $60.00 non-members. Registration form available on-line at: www.SAEYC.org.

• April19-21,2012NYS Association for the Education of Young Children Annual Conference - to be held at the Hyatt Regency in Buffalo, NY. Program available on website at: www.nysaeyc.org.

• April26,2012Children With Social, Emotional and Behavioral Challenges - Including Autism Spectrum Disorders - is sponsored by the Margaret L. Williams Developmental Evaluation Center and will be held at the Sheraton Syracuse University Hotel from 9:30 - 5:00 pm. Early Bird Cost: $85.00 professionals or $55.00 parents/family, must be received by April 6th. Online registration is available at: AutismSyracuse.com or for more information call 472-4404.

• April27&28,2012Family Child Care Association of NYS, Inc - 21st Annual Conference - to be held at the Villa Roma Resort & Conference Center in Callicoon, NY. Early Bird Cost: $285.00 Package A, $255.00 Package B or $120.00 Package C, must be received by February 21st. Details available on website at: www.fccanys.org

• May11,2012SAEYC Annual Membership Dinner - to be held at the Embassy Suites. Details to be mailed or go to www.SAEYC.org.

• Wednesday,May14-18,2012Dr Alice Honig’s - 36th Annual QIC Workshop - (Featuring the 6th Annual Jack Reilly FREE Lecture “Human Infancy: How Mastery Begins!” on May 16th) - this course is offered free to child care providers who would like to attend the QIC for noncredit and receive continuing education credits. For information or to register call 443-4135.

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CONNECTION Mar - May 2012

Child Care Solutions - Membership & Support FormIndividual or Contact Name _________________________________________________Organization _____________________________________________________________Street Address ___________________________________________________________City ________________________________ State _________ Zip ___________

ProfessionalMembership(check one):

_____ $ 25 an Individual or a Family (Registered) Child Care home

_____ $ 40 Group Family (Licensed) Child Care home

____ $ 55 per site / Small child care or early education program (five or fewer staff)

____ $100 per site / Larger child care or early education program or non-profit agency

CommunitySupporter(check one):

_____ $ 25 Friend

_____ $ 40 Advocate

_____ $ 75 Sponsor

_____ $150 Corporate Partner

_____ $ Donation to the First Teacher Scholarship Fund

* To pay by Visa or Mastercard call 446-1220.

Please mail this form with check to: Child Care Solutions 6724 Thompson Road Syracuse, NY 13211

Information on membership benefits and multi-center discounts are available by calling (315) 446-1220 ext. 301.

Membership The following individuals and organizations have recently joined Child Care Solutions or have renewed their memberships. We truly appreciate their support.

Professional Members

Teretha AlexanderSharon BerryEffie BuieTorey ChaplinShaniece ClarkLaurie CollinsGloria ColonLisa CoonNancy CranchAndrea CuddyMaria DerbyCindy DixonClaudia EspinosaDelia GarciaMaria GodinezYanelis GonzalezDeborah GreenJacquelyn GrilloLisa GrilloLinda GriselKim JohnsonBeth KazelMarianne KellyMarsha Kernan

Dawn LauerNancy LundyLinda MartineauDonna McClarinMary McClendonDarlene MillerCathleen MonroeKathy NeumanDebbie PhelpsDeborah PiascikMelissa Pratt-McDonellJill PutmanCynthia RutkowskiOlgaliz SantosAlys SariolMary Beth SchuffeneckerWendy SchugConstance ScottDarlene Shanahan-JonesDebbie StewartTempie WallaceArlethia WilliamsPatricia Wilson

Tommasa WiseBrenda WoodsChristy Yenny

Bernice Wright Nursery SchoolBright Starts of CNYCanal Side Center Head StartCayuga Community College Pre- SchoolCazenovia Head StartCelebration Childrens CenterCreative EnvironmentEastwood Baptist Nursery SchoolEnableLiving & Learning CenterMadison County Head Start

Morrisville Head StartMothers Day OutOneida City Center Head StartParkside Childrens CenterRothschild Early Childhood CenterStepping Stone Child Care CenterThe Growing PlaceThe Learning TreeUtica Urban MinistryWestcott Community CenterYMCA Christ Community ChurchYMCA Easthill ElementaryYMCA Heffernan ElementaryYMCA Lyncourt School

YMCA Onondaga Road ElementaryYWCA of Cortland

Community Supporter

Lora Lee BuchtaRob ButkowskiJohn McGrawBeth PastelTim Rake

_____ New_____ Renewing

Child Care Solutions6724 Thompson RoadSyracuse, NY 13211

Non-Profit Org.U.S. Postage

PAIDSyracuse, NY

Permit No. 1027

Executive DirectorPeggy Liuzzi ext. 310

Assistant DirectorShannon Gillen ext. 307

Finance DirectorCecilia Casion-Lizzi ext. 304

Director of Professional DevelopmentPatricia Beck ext. 309

Marketing/Development DirectorPatrice Robinson ext. 354

Systems AdministratorPam Borreggine ext. 306

Senior Administrative AssistantLinda Mocciaro ext. 315

Administrative TeamKay Brown ext. 345 (Accounting Asst)Suzanne Goodell ext. 401 (Registrar Asst)Sara Pastore ext. 333 (Leg Exempt Asst)Kim Sabatine ext. 301 (Admin Asst)

Senior Professional Development SpecialistGretchen Kinnell ext. 308

Professional Development CoordinatorPatti Sofranko ext. 312

Health Care ConsultantMelody Scanlon ext. 332

Professional Development SpecialistsColleen Closter-Gray ext. 347Katie Howell ext. 326

Infant/Toddler Region III CoordinatorSusan DeCarlo ext. 335

NutritionistPat Kuhl ext. 314

Health and Safety CoordinatorRose Walsh ext. 319

Provider Services CoordinatorMichelle Wolstenholme ext. 346

Provider Services SpecialistsTracey Hare ext. 348 (Leg Exempt)Laura Maloney ext. 305 (Leg Exempt)Diane Thomas ext. 323

Parent Services CoordinatorTonia Thornton ext. 320

Parent Services SpecialistsAimee Fletcher ext. 313Ana Sojo ext. 353

Registration DirectorBeth Henderson ext. 416

Registration CoordinatorSiobane Hall ext. 414

RegistrarsSue Benjamin ext. 412Faith Gilliam ext. 405Laura King ext. 432Mary Lanno ext. 411Selena LaPoint-Dice ext. 430Casey Miner ext. 436Linda Russell Shepherd ext. 438

Our MissionChild Care Solutions promotes early learning, healthy devel-opment and high quality care for all children through educa-tion, advocacy and support for families and early childhood professionals.

Our Locations & Business Hours

syrAcuse 6724 Thompson Road Syracuse, NY 13211

HOurs Mon - Fri 8:30 am - 4:30 pm

AuburN 34 Wright Ave Auburn, NY 13021

HOurs Tues - Thur 8:30 am - 4:00 pm

Our Phones & Contact Information

MAiN PHONe (315) 446-1220fAx (315) 446-2010

registrArs Office (315) 701-2707fAx (315) 701-1254

tOll free (888) 729-7290

website www.childcaresolutionscny.orge-MAil CCS@childcaresolutionscny.org

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