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ADORE 2011
The annual ADORE, "A Day of Recognition for Parents of Children with Special Needs" was held in mid-September at Malcolm X College. The theme for the special day was "Power Up: Resiliency, Resources and Respite." This event is held each year to recognize the efforts and dedication that parents of children with special needs display. The fun-filled and informative day for parents is always a chance to meet and greet new and old friends, as well as receive messages of encouragement, inspiration and motivation.
A number of vendors participated in a Resource Fair and provided informational and educational material as well as hand-outs and gifts for the parents. Additional highlights of ADORE included massages, manicures, a luncheon, raffle prizes and live musical entertainment provided by Jugo de Mango. Volunteers provided on-site child care and meaningful play activities for children in separate rooms so that parents could take a little time-out for themselves and spend a worry-free day from 9:00am - 3:00pm at ADORE 2011. To read the full article, and for additional articles, please download the October issue of Up-Close.
Chicago Commons Spring Learning Tour 2012
"Experiences with Nature"
Children Learning Through Encounters with Nature in an Urban Context
April 27 & 28, 2012
Chicago Commons, a Reggio-Inspired Early Childhood program, is continually working on expanding children’s experiences with nature and natural elements. This year’s learning tour will illustrate Commons’ journey of fortifying children’s right to explore and experience nature and natural materials. Some of the elements that will be discussed include: accessing nature in our urban context, nature as a catalyst for building relationships between children, natural materials, parents and the community, opportunities with limited access to nature, and seeing obstacles and working in spite of them.
Download Brochure
Chicago Early Childhood Program Locator
Finding quality Early Childhood Education programs for your child has never been this easy! Whether you are looking for a program near your home or near your job, the Chicago Early Childhood Program Locator can help you find what you're looking for. There are many Early Childhood Education programs for children ages 3 to 5 with varying services, hours and fees-- whether it's a half day at your neighborhood public school or a full day at your community center.
Access the Chicago Early Childhood Program Locator
Chicago Early Childhood Program Locator
Finding quality early childhood education programs for your child has never been this easy. Whether you are looking for a program near your home or near your job. There are many early childhood education programs for children ages 3 to 5 with varying services, hours and fees. Whether it's a half day at your neighborhood public school or a full day at your community center.
Click HERE to access the Chicago Early Childhood Program Locator.
Chicago Neighborhood Resource Directory
This Directory has been compiled by the Chicago Department of Family and Support Services and Chapin Hall to assist Chicago families in connecting to available resources in their communities. Assembled using public information, this Directory contains listings of services available to Chicago families in the areas of health care, nutrition, social services, education, senior services, and employment organized geographically by Chicago's 77 Community Areas. The providers listed in this Directory are a combination of city- and state-funded providers as well as private schools and providers.
Download the Chicago Neighborhood Resource Directory
Child Care Weather Watch
Watching the weather is part of a child care provider’s job. Planning for playtime, field trips, or weather safety is part of the daily routine. The changes in weather require the child care provider to monitor the health and safety of children. Please download this helpful chart with important information regarding weather safety.
Download Chart
CICC Train the Trainer Courses 2012
The 2012 list of upcoming online courses for Training of Trainers offered through the Center for Inclusive Child Care at Concordia University is now available. The CICC Train the Trainer Courses are taught by experienced educators who have strong academic and training backgrounds as well as real-world experience working with young children. Their profiles can be seen at the CICC Website in the Learning Center. Training workshops developed from the Train the Trainer courses are appropriate for Child Care, Head Start, Special Education, Learning Readiness, and School Age Providers and Educators.
Download Application | View Schedule
COPA Registration Guide
To register for DFSS trainings and professional development opportunities using COPA, please download the step-by-step information guide and follow the instructions.
Download Guide
Creative Parenting
Staying indoors for the winter doesn't have to be boring! You can help make your own home a winter wonderland for your children. Here are some ideas for indoor Winter fun...
"Bored" Games
Take out the old board games and make up your own rules, or mix the pieces and rules of one board game with another-- and come up with your own unique game!
Carpet Skating
Turn your living room floor into an ice-skating rink! If you have a library of old children's picture books, grab a couple of evenly-sized books per person. Put one under each foot, and with a little pressure and movement from your feet-- you'll be skating across the living room like an olympic gold medalist.
Kids Got Talent
Put on your own version of "America's Got Talent"-- with your kids as the stars. Let them make up their own dance routine, sing their favorite songs or recite a poem they wrote. You might be surprised to discover some new talent in the family!
Sofa Puppet Theater
Create your own puppet theater behind your sofa! If you don't have puppets, grab some stuffed animals or make your own puppets by drawing faces on the flap of a brown lunch bag. You can move the puppets to your favorite music, a fun storybook-- or create your own script.
Winter Olympics
Turn your home into an Olympic Arena! Each room can host a different sport-- or make an olympic-sized obstacle course throughout your home. The winner gets hot chocolate and their choice of winter snacks.
Delegate Agency Health Services Advisory Committee
Head Start delegate agencies are expected, based on the Head Start Performance Standards [1304.41(b), to have in place a Health Services Advisory Committee (HSAC). This committee will function in conjunction with the Early Childhood Development/Health Services Advisory Council (ECD/HSAC) currently operated at the grantee level and will meet at least once per year. Please download these important documents related to ECD/HSAC.
Download Letter | Download Operational Guidance | Download HSAC Form
