Portland Metro Area Child Care News

Everywhere you go, there they are, you can’t get away from them:

Girl Scouts and their yummy, yummy cookies.  If you personally know a Girl Scout, please buy from them.  You may have one in your care, or one of the girls that goes to your child’s daycare may be one.  The cookies are more than just an annual phenomenon, they go towards a number of things:

• Maintenance of camps
• Scholarships for girls who can’t afford to join
• Badges
• Outings
• Training for volunteers

The Girl Scout cookie sale is a tradition that goes back 80 years.  So, if you’re wondering why you’re forking out that $3-4 per box of coveted cookies, remember that somewhere there is a girl whose parents are unemployed and can’t afford the dues to keep her in Girl Scouts, and that you just helped keep her involved in something that promotes good morals, values, and hard work.

Now, what’s your passion, Thin Mint?  Samoas?  Do-Si-Do’s?  Is your mouth watering yet?  I’m sure that some where there is a Girl Scout sitting at the front of a grocery store just waiting to fill your order.

Most people think of February 2^nd as Groundhog Day, but not at the Oregon Zoo.  Here, it’s Hedge Hog Day, and Chriki the Hedgehog, whose name means “blessed” in Swahili, will be making our weather prediction at 10:30 a.m. at the Zoo’s Entry Plaza.  Will Chriki see its shadow this year, or will we have six more weeks of arctic blasts?

Metro Council President, David Bragdon says, “The groundhog is a relative newcomer to the prognosticating game,” and, “Historically, the hedgehog was used in this centuries-old European tradition, but immigrants to North America discovered that there were no hedgehogs in their new homeland.  They substituted the groundhog, but being purists, we’re going back to the original creature.”  Bragdon will be overseeing the festivities for Hedgehog Day.

The use of hedgehogs to predict the weather dates back thousands of years when the Romans believed that if the hedgehog looked out of his den and saw his shadow, there would be a clear moon and six more weeks of winter.  The most amazing thing about the similarities between the Romans watching the hedgehog and Americans watching Punxsutawney Phil is that both celebrations were on the same exact day, February 2^nd.

Groundhog Day actually originated in the 1700’s by the people who settled Punxsutawney Pennsylvania, believed in the legend of Candlemans Day.  If the sun shone on Candlemans Day, so far the snow will swirl in May,” or so the legend goes.  Candlemans Day fell in the middle of Winter Solstice and Spring Equinox.  Clergymen would bless candles to be placed in everyone’s windows.

The earliest recorded reference to Groundhog Day in America is displayed at the Pennsylvania Dutch Folklore Center, and is dated February 4^th, 1841.  It explains that German settlers believe that if the Groundhog peeps out of his winter home and sees his shadow, he naps for six more weeks, but if it’s cloudy, he stays up.

Originally, the Germans were watching a badger for its shadow, but in Pennsylvania, it was replaced by the Groundhog.  In 1886, a newspaper editor named Clymer Freas printed in The Punxsutawney Spirit, “Today is Groundhog Day and up to the time of going to press the beast has not seen its shadow.”

Then, the groundhog was given the name “Punxsutawney Phil, Seer of Seers, Sage of Sages, Prognosticator of Prognosticators, and Weather Prophet Extraordinary”.  Suddenly, Punxsutawney was named the “Weather Capital of the World.”

On his first appearance, there was no shadow, which meant there would be an early spring.  The next year, the tradition of going to Gobbler’s Knob began.

Today, Punxsutawney is still a fairly small town of under ten thousand people, but on February 2^nd every year, thousands flock to Gobbler’s Knob to see the famous groundhog predict the coming of spring.

In 1993, a movie starring Bill Murray called ‘Groundhog Day’ created an even bigger buzz for the annual ritual visit to Gobbler’s Knob.  Suddenly thousands of people became tens of thousands of people.

Just how often does Punxsutawney Phil get it right?  According to http://www.groundhog.org/about/ he gets it right 100 percent of the time and is 120 years old.  In reality, the guessing groundhog only gets it right 39% of the time.  Since the first official trip to Gobbler’s Knob, he’s seen his shadow 97 times, no shadow 15 times, and there is no record for 9 years of the festivities.

February 2^nd, 2009 marks the 123^rd trip to Gobbler’s Knob for Punxsutawney Phil’s official prognostication.  Among the festivities in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania will be fireworks, fun, and the official prediction at about 7:25 a.m. Eastern Time.

Most Oregonians won’t be awake when the groundhog shows himself, which will be at about 4:25 our time, but every morning news show will be doing a report on the famous fur ball, then you can head off to the Oregon Zoo   http://www.oregonzoo.org/ to see what Chriki predicts.  Want another opinion?  Canada’s groundhog, Wiarton Willie will be making his prediction from Ontario, Canada as well.

Whether you trust a groundhog, a hedgehog, a badger, or a meteorologist to predict the weather, February 2^nd is a great opportunity to teach your kiddos a little about traditions, how they start, how they’re passed down, and why we celebrate February 2^nd, Groundhog-Hedgehog-Badger day.

Many families depend on state subsidized child care assistance to work in the state of Oregon.  Without this, thousands of families will not be able to pay for child care, and would then loose their jobs.  Think about it, with the unemployment rate as high as it is, why would we purposely make it worse?

In 2005, assistance was provided through 13,826 providers to over 21,300 children in 10,700 families per month. Approximately 78 percent of the children were served in family home settings, meaning Registered and Certified In-Home Child Care Providers. 

Imagine over ten thousand families suddenly loosing their jobs causing over ten thousand Registered and Certified Child Care Providers to go out of business and join the unemployed population.

This is what Governor Ted Kulongoski is proposing in his budget.  We all know that funding is short everywhere, and cuts have to happen somewhere, but our economy would be mortally wounded if the ERDC (Employment Related Daycare Program) is cut.  Other programs that are on the table for huge cuts are TANF(Temporary Assistance for Needy Families ) , and the JOBS program.

Picture a single mother struggling to pay for daycare, rent, and bills.  Without EDRC, she would have to come up with hundreds of extra dollars per month to keep even one child in daycare.  Imagine if she has three.  It would be impossible for her to come up with the extra money, and without a job, she couldn’t pay rent or bills, and her family would become homeless.  There are literally thousands of families in this situation right now, less than one paycheck away from homelessness.

Now picture this.  Tens of thousands of people loose their jobs over the next few weeks because they can no longer pay for daycare.  Suddenly, the already struggling food banks are empty, and children play in the local homeless camps because shelters are full.  It sounds like the scene from a “Save the Children” commercial shot in a third-world country, but the reality is that without this subsidy, scenes like this would pop up all over the state.

People won’t be able to afford to work who have children.  Literacy would plummet while crime skyrockets.  Businesses would go under.  More people would loose their homes.  Services would no longer be available.

Even if you can afford to pay for daycare on your own, what if the daycare your child goes to relies on that subsidy to stay full?  Daycares are already closing at an alarming rate.  What do you do if it happens to yours?  Hundreds of daycare centers and Registered In-home Providers depend on this as their income.  That would add to the amount of people loosing their livelihoods and homes.

What can you do?  Stand up; make some noise, shout it from the rooftops that the Governor’s proposed budget cannot go through as it stands without doing irreversible damage to our already faltering economy.  This is bigger than just cutting some daycare assistance money.

How do you make some noise?  A meeting will be held at Becky Goodman’s home.  Becky is a Certified Childcare Provider in Gresham who has offered to invite you into her home to find out more about what how you can help.  The meeting will be Friday, January 16^th 2009 at 6 p.m. at Amazing Minds Learning Center by Goodman Family Childcare LLC 1241 SE 212^th Ave, Gresham, OR 97030, (503)665-0825.

For more information, go to AFSCME Local 132 Child Care Providers Together’s website at www.oregonccpt.com, or contact Faye at 503-370-2522, 800-521-5954 X30, or shoot her an email at faye@oregonafscme.com.

You don’t have to be a provider to come to this meeting.  If you or anyone you know receives ERDC, TANF, or is in the JOBS program, these changes will affect you immediately.

If you are one of the many Family Child Care Providers in the Portland Metro Area with mushy marshy yards and a houseful of kiddos with cabin fever, have no fear.  Portland has many indoor parks for your field trip pleasure.  Get those little ones out of the rain and give them a place to get rid of their energy.  Portland’s indoor parks range in everything from playgroups to elaborate play equipment and arts and craft opportunities.  Some are run by parks and recreation departments, some are cooperatives, and some are held in churches, and most are geared towards infant through preschooler, making it the perfect opportunity to get out of the house while the school aged kids are in school.

Here is a list of some indoor parks in the Portland Metro Area:

MULTNOMAH COUNTY

FRIENDLY HOUSE PLAY GROUP-NW 26^th and Thurman in Portland

503-228-4391

www.friendlyhouseinc.org

HAPPY PLACE INDOOR PLAY PARK-2823 N Rosa Parks Way in Portland

503-289-0318

www.northministerpdx.org

HINSON BAPTIST CHURCH ANNEX-1137 SE 20^th in Portland

503-247-3107

MOSAIC COMMUNITY PLAY GROUP-1832 NE 39^th in Portland

503-287-6789

NORTHEAST INDOOR PARK-Central Lutheran Church , 1820 NE 21^st in Portland

503-287-0183

OPEN ARMS PLAY GROUP-1244 NE 39^th Ave in Portland

503-704-3883

www.nwdsa.org

*This play group is for children with Down Syndrome ages birth-5

PORTLAND PARKS AND RECREATION- Citywide-503-823-PLAY (7529) www.portlandonline.com/parks

PPR operates indoor parks at the following community centers:

East Portland, 740 SE 106th, 503-823-3450

Fulton Park, 68 SW Miles, 503-823-3180

Hillside, 653 NW Culpepper Terrace, 503-823-3181

Matt Dishman, 77 NE Knott, 503-823-3673

Montavilla, 8219 NE Glisan, 503-823-4101

Mt. Scott, 5530 SE 72nd, 503-823-3183

Peninsula Park, 700 N Rosa Parks Way, 503-823-3620

Sellwood, 1436 SE Spokane, 503-823-3195

Southwest, 6820 SW 45th, 503-823-2840

St. Johns, 8427 N Central, 503-823-3192

University Park, 9009 N Foss Ave., 503-823-3631

ROSE CITY INDOOR PARK-Faith Lutheran Church 6140 NE Stanton in Portland

503-331-2605

SOUTHEAST INDOOR PARK-Trinity United Methodist Church 3915 SE Steele in Portland 503-775-9057; 503-777-5701

www.playinside.org

WASHINGTON COUNTY

KIDS’ TOWN USA-Bethany Baptist Church 4545 NW Kaiser RD in Portland

503-645-2106

TUALITIN HILLS PARKS AND RECREATION DISTRICT-Call for times and requirements:

Cedar Hills Recreation Center-11640 SW Park Way in Portland

503-629-6340

Conestoga Gym Fun-9985 SW 125th Ave. in Beaverton

503-629-6313

Garden Home Recreation Center-7475 SW Oleson Rd. in Portland

503-629-6341

Tualatin Hills Athletic Center-50 NW 158th Ave. in Beaverton

503-629-6330

SONRISE INDOOR PLAY PARK-770 NE Rogahn in Hillsboro

503-640-2449

www.isonrise.com

*This indoor park is free, call or visit the website for details

SUPER TOTS INDOOR PLAY GROUP-Tyson Recreation Center 1880 NE Griffin Oaks St. in Hillsboro 503-615-6552

www.ci.hillsboro.or.us

CLACKAMAS COUNTY

CLACKAMAS COUNTY HELTHY START PROGRAMS-503-655-8601

www.clackamas.us/ocf/healthystart.htm

Clackamas County hosts free play groups at the following sites for parents and children ages 5 and under:

Bethany Church-450 S Ivy St. in Canby

Milwaukie Christian Church-5197 SE King Rd. in Milwaukie

Molalla Christian Church-223 Berkeley St. in Molalla

Oregon City United Methodist Church-18955 South End Rd. in Oregon City

Hilltop Community Church-592 Molalla Ave., Oregon City (mostly Spanish speaking environment)

Rolling Hills Community Church-3550 SW Borland Rd. in Tualatin

Sunset Fire Hall-2215 Long St. in West Linn

The Tauchman House-in Boones Ferry Park-31240 SW Boones Ferry Rd in Wilsonville

*These play groups are free, call for more information

NORTH CLACKAMAS PARK AND RECREATION DISTRICT INDOOR PLAYGROUND-Oregon Institute of Technology Gym 7726 SE Harmony Road in Milwaukie 503-794-8080

OREGON CITY COMMUNITY SCHOOLS’ INDOOR PLAY GROUP-1404 7^th Street in Oregon City 503-785-8520

Make sure to contact any indoor park before taking your Day Care group to make sure that there is enough room for your group, what the cost is, and if there are any special requirements.

Effective on January 1^st, 2009, several changes by the Child Care Division in Oregon went into effect.  These changes affect all Registered and Certified Family Child Care Providers, in the sate of Oregon.

• Announced Review Visits-Beginning in January, 2009, the Child Care Division will be making annual Announced Review visits to all Registered Family Child Care Providers, meaning that the Licensing Specialist will make arrangements with Family Child Care Providers ahead of time.  The purpose of this visit is so that the Licensing Specialist can answer any questions about rules and regulations, update Providers on any new information that may be important for them to know, and to touch bases with each Provider. 

• Nothing Above the 2^nd Floor-Beginning January 1^st, 2009, the Child Care Division will no longer license new Registered or Certified Family Child Care Homes that will operate solely on the second floor or above.  Again, this change will only affect new Providers, if your registration or certification already allows you to use your second floor or above, you will only be asked to provide care on the first floor if possible.  The reasoning for this change is to bring Family Child Care Providers in line with Oregon State Building Codes, and has been put in place based on the safety and risks associated with the need to evacuate children from the second floor or higher.

• Quality Indicators (QI) Project goes Statewide-Starting in January of 2009, the Quality Indicators Project will become statewide.  This is a project that makes information about Family Child Care Providers available to parents.  How does this work?  Information is gathered on seven indicators during a Child Care Division Licensing Review Meeting.  This information is compiled into an annual report.  This will give us an idea of the quality of care that more than 90,000 children in Oregon are receiving.  Parents can look at this information and make a decision based on the things that are most important to them in a child care setting.  Child Care Facilities can use this information as a marketing tool.  Lawmakers and Policymakers can make changes based on measurable information.  The seven indicators of child care quality are:

1. Ratio of child to adult
2. Group size
3. Education
4. Training of teachers/caregivers/providers
5. Staff turnover rate(stability in child/caregiver relationship)
6. Accreditation
7. Teacher compensation levels

 For more information on the changes listed, please contact:

Employment Department

Child Care Division

875 Union St NE Room 308

Salem, Oregon 97311

(503)947-1400

(800)556-6616

FAX(503)974-1428

Or find them on the web at www.childcareinoregon.org

The cost of health insurance in 2008 was phenomenal, and it’s expected to go up in 2009 with coverage going down.  What is a family supposed to do when it’s hard enough to make ends meet?  Help has arrived.

 The Oregon Prescription Drug Program is now available to all Oregonians.  Many people who use this coverage state that it saved them more than their private health insurance coverage would.  The best part is that it’s free.  Yes, you read that right, the Oregon Prescription Drug Program is free to all Oregonians, and there are no age or income restrictions.  Parents, Providers, the rich, the poor, and everyone in between can benefit from this program.

Under this program, all prescription drugs are eligible for the discount, but you can save up to 60% on generics, and you can look up drug prices before going to your pharmacy.

There is no paperwork or testing required.  Either call 1-800-913-4146 or go to www.opdp.org in the web.  Registration for your entire family only takes a minute, and you won’t be turned down.  Just give the information for each family member, and your card(s) will be in the mail and in your hands in roughly one week.

With the cost of everything around us going up, it’s comforting to know that the medications you and your family may need to survive can be purchased without breaking the bank.  Don’t waste any time, call or go online and get your cards today, and stop paying astronomical prices for life saving medications.

Tuesday, Viva Redding, the 59-year-old owner and director of Sunnyside Learning Center was arrested Tuesday after reports that she disciplined a child by slapping the toddler hard enough to cause a cut on his face.

An instructor witnessed the slap recounted the event to DHS workers and sheriff’s deputies, who took Viva Redding to jail where she was booked and released.

Although the slap appears to be an isolated event with the child, this isn’t the first time Viva Redding has been in trouble for hitting a child.  Before owning Sunnyside Learning Center, Redding was investigated for hitting a child that she cared for in her home last year.  Redding was required to take discipline classes in the event in her home, and risks loosing her license if found guilty in the newest incident.

Jerry and Lisa Schultz are the parents of the toddler who was allegedly slapped are shocked and saddened about Viva Redding possibly slapping their toddler.  Unsure whether to remove their child from care at Sunnyside Learning Center because even though Viva Redding may have stepped way over the line, they believe that there are some great teachers there.

Viva Redding will face a judge in court on January 9^th, 2009.

If you or some one you know has information or concerns about a child enrolled at the Sunnyside Learning Center, please call DHS at 971-673-7257.

Do you know what to do if a child is injured in your care?  Even small scrapes from a child falling need to be documented, not only to protect the child, but to protect you as a provider.  It’s important to have a procedure in place, and to follow it every time there is an incident.  Injuries can happen any time.  One child can bite another, a child can fall, children can have altercations, automobile accidents can occur, or a careless toddler can fall and hit their head.  What do you do?

Have a plan.

• Assess the situation-Look at the injury.  Does the child need first aid, or just a hug better?  Pay attention to the details of the injury, such as size, color, whether the skin is broken, bruised, or any other details that will be important.

• Place the call-Parents need to know what happened to the child, and what you are doing to make it better.  It’s okay to feel like you’re being annoying, but parents will feel better knowing that you are being up front and honest about anything that happens to their most important commodity.  Make sure you note the time of the call, whether you spoke to a parent, who you spoke to, what they said, whether you left a message, and when they called you back.

• Incident Report-Fill out an incident report every time there is an injury.  It’s important to have one with body outlines so that you can show where on the body the injury is as well as describe it.  Have the parent(s) read and sign it when they arrive, and make a copy for the parent to take home.  Put the original in the child’s file.

If the injury is bad enough to need medical attention, make sure that comes first.  Call 911, then parents, and fill out the incident form after the child has received care.  Remember, the child’s safety and well being comes before paperwork.

Having a plan is important because some injuries can prove to be worse after they happen.  Many people don’t realize that a child’s bone is fractured until the child complains for more than a day, and concussions aren’t always obvious.  If the doctor has an incident report, (s) he can more easily treat an injury that doesn’t present itself right away.

Safety is important, and observing safe handling practices with children and injury prevention are key, but if it does happen, it’s best to be prepared for any situation.