CHILD CARE COUNCIL OF ORANGE COUNTY INC.

ANNUAL REPORT 2018

Our mission is to coordinate, assist, strengthen, and expand child care in Orange County for all children.

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2018 BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Ann Pagliaro- President, Mark Thabet- Vice President

Joy Palazzola– Treasurer Jill Meyer– Secretary

Irene Hammer Sr. Jean Graffweg

Nancy Lussier Janee’ Holness

Nancy Wolff Larry West

Josh Horner Matthew V. DeMaio Gregory Townsend

40 Matthews St. Suite 103 Goshen, NY 10924

(845)294-4012 or 1-844-461-4689 Fax: 845-294-4045

Web: childcarecounciloc.org Email: info@childcarecounciloc.org

FUNDING

Office of Children and Family Services, Orange County Department of Social Services, NYS Department of Health, 21 Century Grant, Membership fees, Training and Event fees

CHILD CARE COUNCIL STAFF ADMINISTRATION

Linda Martini - Executive Director

Thomas Elwood - Assistant Director

REGISTRAR

Margaret Spiezio - Registrar Supervisor

Carole Nolan- Registrar Specialist

Janet Baker- Registrar Specialist

CCR&R

Jen Brown- CCR&R Referral Specialist

Beth Mindes - Infant Toddler Specialist

Shauna Best - Resources Specialist

Tonnia Weaver- Legally Exempt Enrollment Coordinator

Jessica Smith- Legally Exempt Enrollment Specialist

Fred Sussman—Education Specialist

Jennifer Warm- Health Care Specialist

CACFP

Sandy Blanco- CACFP Program Specialist

Legally Exempt

Helena Soberal - Child Care Subsidy Clerical

Starla Burks- Child Care Subsidy Clerical

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MESSAGE FROM

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR,

LINDA MARTINI

Child Care Council of Orange County Inc. is THE resource for child care services in Orange County. The Council was founded as a nonprofit in 1971, to provide free referrals to working parents. We were able to contract with the NY Health Dept. to administer CACFP (the Child and Adult Food Program) and help in home providers receive reimbursement for serving meals and snacks. In 1992, we received a contract from SUNY to train child care providers. In the later 1990’s, we received CCR&R (Child Care Resource and Referral) funding from the Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS) to provide free referrals to regulated child care programs and offer technical assistance and grants to regulated child care providers. Other funding from OCFS and OC DSS (Orange County Department of Social Services) expanded our services to performing inspections on registered and enrolled child care providers; reviewing health care plans; reaching out to businesses to help support their employees; providing referrals at Employment and Training orientations to those seeking work; and presenting parent education classes. The Council also provides professional development opportunities for regulated child care providers. Since 2013, the Council has renewed its National Accreditation from Child Care Aware of America for meeting quality standards in governance, consumer education, child care referrals, child care provider education and technical assistance. Our professional and experienced staff provide parents, child care programs, community and businesses with their expertise, as they promote high quality child care in Orange County. We educate and update our legislators and community on the need to improve child care systems and funding. Children deserve quality child care!

MISSION

Child Care Council of Orange County, Inc., purpose is to coordinate, assist, strengthen, and expand child care in Orange County for all children.

VISION

As a Child Care Resource and Referral Agency, the Council is a partner in state and national activities and a leader in local initiatives to bring about accessible, affordable, quality Child Care and Early Learning Services.

To assist parents, child care programs and the community with information and resources to choose child care, provide child care and/or support Child Care and Early Learning options in Orange County.

VALUES

Respond to the needs of parents and providers and provide caring and

professional technical assistance, information, and resources to meet

Child Care and Learning needs.

Appreciate the diversity of children, parents, providers and the

community and recognize their knowledge, experience and choices

Promote innovative and effective resources that will have a positive

impact on high quality Child Care and Early Learning.

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HOW THE CHILD CARE COUNCIL MEETS THE CHILD CARE NEEDS OF ORANGE COUNTY Meeting the Needs of Parents:

Uses a national software system to provide referrals based on location, hours, and other criteria

Helps parents understand what to look for in a quality program

Supports parents with information to other community resources

Supplies Parent Education classes throughout the county

Meeting the Needs of Providers:

Provides consultation and training to become a provider in the home and/or after school program

Provides limited number of startup grants, health and safety grants, incentive awards

Provides technical assistance and professional development opportunities (on business practices and programmatic competencies) to build knowledge and skills so as to offer high quality child care

Promotes providers’ participation in the serving of nutritious food to children as a Sponsor for CACFP (Child and Adult Care Food Program)

Provides Medication Administration Training

Works with initiatives to meet the needs of infant and toddlers and children with special needs

Meeting the Needs of Communities:

Shares the issues concerning child care — supply and demand, the cost of child care, trends — with legislators, businesses, and community by writing newspaper articles and letters to the Editor, distributing research based documents and advocacy tools and information

Our data serves as the foundation for promoting effective policies: Council assesses strengths and gaps in service through research and surveys; identifies strategies to better meet the community’s child care needs

Tumble Bus at the Council!

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STAFF PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Council staff are required to complete 24 hours of training annually, i.e., webinars, conferences, face to face trainings

Our professional staff includes:

• NYS Early Learning Credentialed Trainers

• Approved certified CPR/First Aid/AED and Health & Safety Competency Trainers

• Approved advisors for credentials and accreditation in child care

• Approved PDP videoconference co-trainers

• Approved Medical Administration Trainer

Additional strengths:

Staff have appropriate degrees, credentials and experience

Bilingual staff available to translate and do field work as needed

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CCR&R SERVICES PROVIDED BY THE COUNCIL (2017—2018 contract) 123 basic technical assistance by phone or walk in to child care regulated providers which included such topics as: best practices for providing child

care, indicators of quality child care, information on business administration practices and regulations governing program compliance issues specific

to that program

70 Intensive Technical Assistance hours (minimum one hour) to help Group and Family Child Care Providers improve their programs

4 Incentive Awards (Group and Family Child Care Providers awarded for working on quality improvements to their programs)

4 Startup Grants awarded to potential Group and Family Child Care Providers

16 Health and Safety Grants awarded to Legally Exempt Providers

14 Health Care Consultant visits to assist child care providers in complying with the regulations concerning Health Care Plan requirements for the

Administration of Medication Regulations

CHILD AND ADULT CARE FOOD PROGRAM 2018 CHILD AND ADULT CARE FOOD PROGRAM (CACFP)

Child Care Council of Orange County Inc. recognizes that eating the right foods helps children be healthy and stay healthy and diminishes obesity. The Council is a sponsor of CACFP for Family, Group Family and Legally Exempt child care programs. CACFP is federally funded by the USDA (United States Department of Agriculture) and provides reimbursement for meals and snacks served in all types of regulated or approved child care settings. Breakfast, lunch, supper and two snacks may be reimbursed to the Child Care Program. A maximum of two meals and one snack or one meal and two snacks per day may be claimed per child.

Child Care Council was funded through our 2017 – 2018 CACFP contract.

Average number of providers 184

Meals served by Providers 198268

Claims submitted 531

Monitor Visits to programs 123

Parent Audit 2

Total FDC & GFDC

Providers Average Number of CACFP

Providers

Percentage of Providers Using the CACFP

2015

142

56

39%

2016 143 53 37%

2017 134 51 38%

2018 123

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BUSINESS & COMMUNITY At present we have over three hundred fifty (350) businesses in Orange County that have over twenty-five (25) employees. Our research continues to find that employers have concerns about absenteeism and turnover, productivity, and stress. Many employers help their employees to balance their work and family responsibilities relative to child care through supportive policies and services. This means improved morale, productivity, and retention.

Annually we mail out an Information Packet to Businesses and Community Organizations on our mailing list. Our packet contains the Council’s Annual Report, brochure of services, survey regarding our services, child care referral information cards, information on our workplace seminars, and a membership application. As members of the Orange County Chamber of Commerce, the Goshen Chamber of Commerce, and Orange County Partnership, we were able to distribute information on our services and encourage support for our advocacy efforts. This year we will be using social media and email to invite people to our new website (launched March 2019) to view this report and find out more about our services.

PARENT CHILD CARE REFERRAL SERVICES

Child Care Council or Orange County Inc.: *provides referrals to regulated (licensed and registered) child care programs *informs families on how to recognize quality child care

Parents receive referrals through our office in person, on-line and/or phone call. The Council also provides referrals on a set schedule at Orange County Employment and Training (ETA) and Orange County Department of Social Services (DSS) in Middletown, Newburgh, and Port Jervis.

TOTAL NUMBER OF CHILD CARE REFERRALS

Online 163

Non- Subsidy 116

Subsidy 384

PARENTING EDUCATION CLASSES

Child Care Council offered Parent Education classes and distributed Parent Education information. Our Parent Education classes (English/Spanish) were held in Goshen and were publicized on our website and by social media, in mailings to parents who used our services, posted in places where parents might go—laundromats, libraries, etc.—and at outreach events. We distributed our Parent Training calendar and our flyers and brochures on play and child development (English/Spanish) when we provided donated produce from local farmers at parks and programs in the county. We also distributed Parent Education info from other organizations throughout the county. Other important parent information was posted on our website and social media sites. We have a webinar on our website on for parents to look at free of charge. Parents are also invited to attend our Provider trainings free of charge.

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CHILD CARE COUNCIL OF ORANGE COUNTY INC.’S STRATEGIC PLAN • Child Care Council of Orange County Inc. will be recognized by community and businesses as lead agency of child care resources and referrals

• Educate and support providers to reach the goals of quality care

• Have qualified staff reflective of the diversity in our county; as we hire and maintain staff, we will provide adequate benefits, compensation, and training

• Increase Council’s income through fundraising

PUBLIC POLICY Quality Child Care Keeps NY Working

Child Care Council of Orange County, Inc. is committed to supporting accessible, affordable, quality child care. In 2018, the Council supported the efforts of Winning Beginning and the Empire State Campaign’s public policies dedicated to improving the quality of child care. In our visits with legislators and community groups, we:

*provided materials on the federal regulations passed in the CCDBG (Child Care Development Block Grant) legislation of 2014 — i.e., national background checks, 100% inspections of all child care facilities, and pre-service training

*brought forth the struggle of child care programs with increasing insurance and worker’s compensation rates and minimum wage

*discussed the professionalism of the field along with the wage differentials between public school and child care and the disparities

*supported the reinstatement of the $7 million for child care subsidies; we were thankful to the Governor for reinstating these monies in January 2018.

NYS continues in its implementation of a QRIS, a quality rating improvement scale, to ensure child care programs are reaching higher standards. Children deserve no less!

10th Annual Orange County Youth Bureau Youth Adult Summit

Empire State Campaign for Child Care Rally, Ambre Scully (Child Care Provider), Beth Mindes, State Senator Timothy Kennedy of Buffalo, and Kelly Jones (Middletown Day Nursery Preschool Teacher).

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PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIES OFFERED TO PROVIDERS Each provider, assistant and alternate provider must complete a minimum of fifteen hours of training during their first six (6) months of licensing or registration and a total of thirty (30) hours must be completed every two years. Training must address nine topic areas. The Child Care Council offers training to assist child care providers to meet this regulation requirement.

INFANT TODDLER SPECIALIST REPORT - ORANGE COUNTY The Infant/Toddler Technical Assistance Network, funded by NYSOCFS, is aimed at

supporting high quality infant and toddler care and supporting programs serving

infants and toddlers. The Infant/toddler Specialist offered these FREE services in

Orange County:

Phone and in-person support on a variety of issues

Responsive Caregiving, Freedom of Movement and Continuity of Care

Understanding the New York State Child Care Regulations.

Developmentally Appropriate Practice for Infants and Toddlers

Infant – Toddler Development and Behavior; Managing Behaviors

The Infant Toddler Specialist 2018 report for Orange Co follows:

35 Intensive TA visits 1 training held at our site in Goshen; “Be a Baby Bucket Filler”

CDA (CHILD DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATE) CREDENTIAL COURSE

In 2018, seventeen (17) child care providers completed the 120 hour face to face CDA preparatory course. This course was taught by New York State credentialed trainer, Linda Martini. In 2018, eleven (11) additional providers will complete Part 2 of the CDA course.

Scholarship funding was provided by: *Professional Development Program’s Educational Incentive Program (EIP), *Quality Scholars dollars, *CSEA union scholarships.

Fall Mini Conference, Guest Speakers Patricia Spaulding, Todd Mohrmann, Jen

Brown, Linda Martini & Beth Mindes

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT 2018

Featured Training

12

Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation/First Aid Training

3

Mini Conference

1

CACFP

7

Health and Safety

2

Medication Administration Training

2

Child Development Associate Credential course

4

TOTAL

31

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REGISTRAR Registrar staff assist prospective providers and renewing programs with the application process. They also conduct tasks to ensure that programs are maintaining compliance with New York State Child Day Care Regulations such as inspections:

The Council strives to

complete

Of Family Day Care and

School Age Child Care

inspections yearly!

LEGALLY EXEMPT PROVIDER ENROLLMENT

Income eligible parents may choose either regulated child care or Legally Exempt child care which is a form of child care that is provided by a family

member or friend. Once the parent is eligible to receive subsidy, the potential provider and parent complete an Enrollment Form. Once the Legally

Exempt provider is enrolled (approved), then s/he can provide child care for 1 to 2 income eligible children. This type of care provides more

flexibility for varying work schedules and is less expensive than regulated child care. This convenience, coupled with the ability to use child care

subsidies to help pay for legally exempt care, makes this an attractive option for many families. These providers are enrolled by our staff by

approving their enrollment forms; they also perform inspections and provide a limited number of health and safety grants.

Registrar Inspections

Initial

1

SA

2

Renewal inspection

16

Mid point

1

Complaint

11

Monitoring

46

50% FDC

26

50% SACC

25

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OUR OUTREACH PARTICIPATION 2018!

April: Orange County Chamber Business to Business Expo September: Warwick Humane Society Car Chow October: Warwick Children’s Book Festival October: Times Herald Record Kids Expo

WTBQ Nonprofit Notebook, Monthly radio show

Summer Parent/Child Activities

Summer Time Fun at the Council!

The Child Care Council thanks all of its partners:

Orange County Department of Social Services

Orange County Employment and Training

Orange County Department of Health

Orange County Department of Mental Health

Orange County Partnership

Orange County Chamber of Commerce

Orange County Youth Bureau

Professional Development Program

Local Early Intervention Coordinating Council

Cornell Coop. Ext./OC Parenting & Kinship Coalitions

Maternal Infant Services

SUNY Orange

Independent Living/Early Direction Center

United Way of Dutchess and Orange Counties

Orange/ Ulster BOCES Including Communities Program

WTBQ

NAEYC, NYSAEYC, Mid-Hudson AEYC

NAFCC

Quality Stars NY

RECAP Western Orange County Head Start Inc.

Head Start of Eastern Orange County Inc.

Agri-Business Child Development centers -

House on the Hill, Middletown ABCD, Florida ABCD

CSEA

Orange County local farmers

COUNCIL IS A MEMBER OF:

Child Care Aware of America Early Childhood Learning Council (ECLC)

New York Council of Nonprofits, Inc. (NYCON)

NYS Network for Youth Success

Orange County Chamber of Commerce

Goshen Chamber of Commerce

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Financials 2018

ASSETS Dec 31, 18

Accounts Receivable 200,769.60

Other Current Assets 3,165.82

Total Current Assets 441,543.34

Fixed Assets 447,448.82

Depreciation -44,790.

TOTAL ASSETS 447,448.82

LIABILITIES & EQUITY

Accounts Payable -489.56

Other Current Payables 32,400.07

Total Current Liabilities 52,854.73

Equity 375,732.68

Total Accounts Payable 447,448.82

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Council Happenings in 2018

New York Botanical Gardens & the Bronx Zoo Rachel Wilson Executive Director of the OC Youth Bureau and Linda Martini.

Shown left to Right; Registrar Supervisor, Mar-

Breakfast with Santa!

Chair Yoga Class at the Council Jennifer Brown & Helena Soberal

Membership meeting Heather Schwegler, Quality Stars

Improvement Specialist; Jeanine Fitzgerald, Guest

Speaker; Linda Martini, Council’s Executive Director, and

Beth Mindes, Council’s Resource Specialist and Trainer

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MEMBERSHIP SUPPORTS THE COUNCIL’S WORK

Membership supports the Council in its work and affords one the ability to receive reduced rates on trainings and events, free job postings on our website, the ability to vote at our annual meeting and support in advocacy.

The Council thanks YOU for YOUR support!

Amy Babicz Sr Jean Delia Polanco

Shauna Best Evelyn Kings Ellen Prager

Charisse Canterino Katia Kirkland Tekki Rezenski

Katherine Chavarria Sue Klumack Sandy Rodriguez

Mary Collabella Laura Konarski Siobhan Savarese

Pauline Corti Karen Lendle Judy Schupner

Zaray Dratch Margarita Martinez Ambre Scully

Peggy Fuentes Mary Montalvo Michelle Stellato

Delores Furman Rebecca Moore Jean Thomasburger

Fortunata Gesualdo Helen Moya Brenda Torres

Bonny Gray Mary Murphy Jacqueline Torres

Susan Guerrieri Susan Muzer Tiffany Tubens

Irene Hammer Angela Nardo Anne Marie Wilford-Graham

Jessica Harnick Robert Ongardo

Jen Hawkes Melissa Opper

Jeannette Honrado Stacey Orzell

Richard Honrado Anne Pagliaro

Jeanmarie Honrado Charito Paulino

Josh Horner Valerie Peterson

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CHILD CARE COUNCIL OF ORANGE COUNTY, INC. We are a non-profit incorporated organization.

Our purpose is to coordinate, assist, strengthen, and expand child care in Orange County for all children and families who can benefit.

DO YOUR EMPLOYEES HAVE CHILD CARE CONCERNS? Child Care Council Can Help!

Contact us for more info! 40 Matthews St. Goshen, NY 10924

(845)294-4012 Fax: (845)294-4045

www.childcarecounciloc.org

Employee Services

Free Referrals for

Child Care Free Materials on

Child Development

Indicators of Quality Child

Care

State Child Care Licensing Requirements

Parent Provider Communication

Skills

Free Lunch and Learn

Sessions

How to Contact DSS for Subsidy

How to Recognize

Quality Care