Family and Group Family Mini Conference | March 9, 2024
SATURDAY, MARCH 9, 8:00 AM - 3:30 PM
Check in begins at 7:30 AM
Doubletree by Hilton, 100 Nott Terrace Heights, Schenectady
6 hours, 0.6 CEU | Lunch is included
Family and Group Family Child Care Program OWNERS may REGISTER FREE USING CSEA/VOICE
Assistants will not qualify for csea/voice and are encouraged to apply for EIP here OR REGISTER & PAY
Owners & assistants may apply for EIP Scholarships | ONLY OWNERS may use VOICE CSEA professional development | QSNY scholarships may be available for assistants, if you think you are eligible please call Katrina Davidson at 518-426-7181 Ext 340
SESSION DESCRIPTIONS
MORNING SESSIONS
8:00 AM-10:00 AM
Nurturing Children Through Babydoll Play
Speaker: Deanna Clements and Kathleen Harland
Discover a play model that builds one-on-one joyful play exchanges between you and your children. Then, discover opportunities for children to experience those feelings of joy again when playing with baby dolls during small group times. This is a fun and easy way to multiply the benefits of those attuned, connected, individual play exchanges. Together we will walk through this play model, practice social games, and reflect on how this might impact children.
Ongoing Financial Management
Speaker: Kiersten Kennedy & Jennifer Callaghan
Learn how to establish solid financial record-keeping practices. This will include developing an accounting system, the difference between income and expenses, proper documentation and record keeping for revenue and expenses, and establishing baseline revenue and expenses for individual programs.
Becas/Subvenciones e Proyectos de Instalaciones
Speakers: Yari Gonzalez & Amy Shea, Low Income Investment Fund (LIIF)
Ya sea que sea su primera vez o haya solicitado y recibido subvenciones en el pasado, este taller tiene como objetivo compartir las mejores prácticas, pautas y el punto de vista de los donantes para que sus solicitudes de subvenciones sean más efectivas. El contenido de este taller equipará a los propietarios de empresas de cuidado infantil con el conocimiento y las herramientas necesarias para buscar y solicitar subvenciones. También hablaremos sobre las instituciones financieras de desarrollo comunitario (CDFI) y cómo pueden apoyar su negocio de cuidado infantil, el trabajo de LIIF en proyectos de instalaciones y asistencia técnica, así como otras posibles oportunidades de financiamiento en sus comunidades.
MID-MORNING SESSIONS
10:15 AM-12:15 PM
Understanding the Family Child Care Environment Rating Scale
Speaker: Kathleen Harland, Director of Infant and Toddler Services & Raquel Saddlemire, Director of Education and Development
The Family Child Care Environment Rating Scale is a tool used to analyze the quality of the whole program and categorize it into its different facets, identifying strengths of the program and potential areas of growth. Through lectures, small group discussions, case studies, hands-on activities, and practice with videos, you will learn how to use the tool to evaluate your early childhood program and develop and action plan for best practices.
Business Administration Scale for Family Child Care
Speaker: Heather Sweet, Director of Professional Development
The Business Administration Scale for Family Child Care (BAS) is a reliable tool for measuring and improving the overall quality of business and professional practices in family child care settings. It is applicable for multiple uses, including program self-improvement, technical assistance and monitoring, training, research and evaluation, and public awareness.
Escala de Evaluación de la Administración de Negocios Para el Cuidado de Niños en el Hogar
Speakers: Yari Gonzalez & Amy Shea, Low Income Investment Fund (LIIF)
La Escala de Evaluación de la Administración de Negocios Para el Cuidado de Niños en el Hogar (BAS) es una herramienta para evaluar las prácticas de su negocio y profesionales. Durante esta sesión, como evaluadores certificados de BAS, utilizaremos la presentación desarrollada por el Centro McCormick para el Liderazgo en la Primera Infancia de la Universidad Nacional Louis, para brindar una descripción general de la herramienta que le ayudará a evaluar sistemáticamente las prácticas comerciales en su programa de cuidado infantil familiar y utilizar esos datos para desarrollar un plan de acción para mejorar su programa.
AFTERNOON SESSION
1:15 PM-3:15 PM
A Fireside Chat with Commissioner Brandy Hillard-Bouldin
Speaker: Brandy Hillard-Bouldin, Commissioner of Schenectady County Department of Social Services
Kate Smith, Director of Communications, will be joined by Commissioner Brandy Hillard-Bouldin for a fireside chat about the Commissioner’s vision for early care and education in Schenectady County. This session will be driven by open dialogue through audience questions. The chat will feature information about services available throughout the county, goals for the future, and important lessons learned.
At the heart of Commissioner Hillard-Bouldin's mission is her commitment to helping individuals lead fulfilling lives, both personally and economically. Under her leadership, Schenectady County has spearheaded an ambitious campaign known as Schenectady County Cares, which focuses on supporting young children, their families, and child care providers. Through their efforts, eligible families now have easier access to vital child care assistance, thanks to an innovative online portal that streamlines the application process, reducing wait times and enhancing convenience.