Officer Kendra Overla, Alma PD - Certified Child Safety Seat Technician - I was so excited to attend Child Safety Seat Technician School a few weeks ago.  I did pass both written and hands on testing and I am certified as a technician now.  What this means is that I can check seats for proper installation and give instruction to parents on how to properly secure the child safety seat.  I have not set up any "event" type dates as of yet because the goal is to be able to have parents leave with their children safer than they arrived and I am not able to supply parents with new seats in the event that their seat is recalled, unsafe, or not appropriate for their child.  I also would like to get the word out that since there aren't any other officers in Gratiot county with this certification that I am available every Tuesday and Friday at Alma PD for checks. 

A Brave New World of Junk Food Marketing - The report is a wake-up call for policymakers and anyone concerned by the escalating epidemic of childhood obesity.  Even as junk food marketers claim to be cleaning up their act, the food industry is exploiting the latest technologies to target children in new and insidious ways. 

Parental Deployment and Youth in Military Families:  Exploring Uncertainty and Ambiguous Loss - Read about how parental deployment has substantial effects on the family system,  among them is ambiguity and uncertainty. 

Michigan's Children - Visit the Michigan's Children website to get up-to-date information regarding issues that affect Michigan's Children.  Click on the What's New Page on the left hand side. 

New Advocacy Video Reinforces Arguments for Supporting Early Care and Education -  "Say Yes, Now!" is a new advocacy video. It’s a free online resource you can use to raise awareness and encourage more investment in early care and education. This 10-minute video celebrates high quality early care and education programs and shows what happens when children do not have access to these experiences.   "Say Yes, Now!" acknowledges how teachers and staff help lay the foundation for later academic skills. But it particularly emphasizes how the social skills and emotional development nurtured in these settings are, in fact, the very same skills employers value most. They are the life skills we all need. When children have rich opportunities to learn and practice in their early years, they are most likely to be successful in school, and beyond. 

Federation of Families for Children's Mental Health--In Response - The Federation of Families is an advocacy group that supports efforts to raise awareness of children's mental health needs/issues, promote policies and advocate for appropriate services and supports, including prevention. Please review and share with your networks. 

Child Care Fees in North America - For the past decade Exchange has been conducting bi-annual surveys on fees charged throughout the continent for children of different ages. The last survey, conducted in the spring of 2005, found that fees varied dramatically not only by age of children served, but also by regions — no surprises here! For example, on average, fees for 4-year-olds were 7% lower than fees for 2-year-olds; fees for 2-year-olds were 37% lower in the South than in New England; and fees for 4-year-olds were 30% lower in the Southwest than in the Mid-Atlantic.  Over the decade there has also been a steady increase in fees across the board. However, the increases have generally been modest, well below the increase in the cost of living index. We need everyone's help to conduct a robust survey of fees in the USA and Canada in 2007. Please go to the Exchange Insta Poll and share with us the typical fees in your community. 

Three Community Conversations On the Future of Michigan - As you know, a growing community coalition is holding three Community Conversations on the Future of the State.  These conversations are designed to involve all of us, as community members, in making decisions and taking action to address the state's fiscal condition.  The participants of these Community Conversations will be: community members from across the tri-county region: parents, educators, workers, business leaders, elected officials, health care and human services providers, and community and neighborhood activists. 

The Realities of Special Education Funding - Parents of Students with Special Needs  Do you ever wonder why some services are available and not others? Do you wonder about the differences between an RESD and local school district classroom? 

 

Moms Rising - Things that go around come around, the saying goes. And so it does! One of the latest stages in American women’s activism in an organization called www.MomsRising.org, an advocacy group organized around consciousness-raising that has met up with the Internet. Fifty-year old issues (those who remember the first go-around know who you are!) have resurfaced as family and economic issues. One of a variety of mother’s rights organizations, MomsRising.com is joining colleagues nationwide to share information, join in public rallies, and sign each other’s petitions. 

 

Get Organized - Unionizing Home Based Child Care Providers. 

 

Helping Homeless and Abused Women - Women's shelters in the U.S. go through thousands of tampons and pads monthly. Assistance agencies generally help with expenses of "everyday" necessities such as toilet paper, diapers, and clothing, but one of the most BASIC needs is overlooked - feminine hygiene products.   Seventh Generation, a green paper products and cleaning products company, will donate a box of sanitary products to a women's shelter in your chosen state - just for clicking the link. Talk about easy (and, yes, it is Legitimate)!  http://www.tampontification.com/donate.php  

 

Ages & Stages Questionnaires : A Parent Completed, Child-Monitoring System - Do you want to learn more about your child's development?  Read this study. 

 

Child Care Solutions by Little Tikes - This web site contains childcare approved climbers and toys from Little Tikes. 

 

Families Forgotten:  Administrations Priorities put Child Care low on the list - The Administration’s 2008 budget follows a predictable pattern. The President has once again sent a message that America’s hardworking families are on their own, especially when it comes to child care. Stable, affordable child care is essential for families to work and to succeed financially. The federal Child Care and Development Block Grant (CCDBG) was created in recognition of this need and has successfully helped millions of families go to work. The President’s budget shows little recognition of the importance of the child care assistance program. Rather than making child care a priority for investments, the Administration has proposed a freeze in discretionary funding for CCDBG—for the sixth consecutive year.  

 

Providers EIN regarding Parents filing income tax returns - This is regarding parents filing taxes.  I have had two calls today from parents that haven't been able to get information from their provider in order to file their income tax returns. 

 

Income Tax Assistance Resource - Helpful information about tax filing. 

 

Helping Families Pay for Child Care With Tax Credits - As income tax filing season gets underway, early childhood professionals can help families learn about Federal and state tax credits that can provide thousands of dollars in helping them offset the cost of child care and other expenses. The National Women's Law Center has launched a campaign with state advocates to help eligible families take full advantage of these credits.  

 

Michigan Summer Food Program - When school lets out, the Summer Food Service Program offers summer activities and FREE nutritious meals to children ages 18 years and younger!  Children attending “open” sites in eligible neighborhoods can participate without completing any application papers.  At-Risk After school information   Got Food? 

 

Press Release from The National Institutes of Health - Scientists Discover How Maternal Smoking Can Cause Cleft Lip and Palate.  click to read more!  
 

Make a Donation to the Children's Trust Fund - "Check to Protect" Put your money where you heart is.  Make a donation on your state income tax form.  By donating you can help prevent child abuse and neglect in Michigan.  It's a simple way to protect Michigan's children. 

 

Relative Aides & The Food Program - As of the first part of January 2007, DHS Relative Aides are now eligible to participate in the food program.  Register by calling: 1-800-PIC-FOOD or visit their web site Mid Michigan Child Care Food Program or call Child & Adult Care Food Program @ 1-800-234-3287