1. family and parenting
2. children

Nifty News
Northwestern Counseling and Support Services
Family Center of Northwest Vermont
60 Lake Street, Suite 100
St. Albans, VT 05478
Fall 2014
Dear Early Care and Afterschool Educators:
We are nearing the time for transitions: summer to fall, summer vacation to school time, watching the garden grow
to harvest time…
In this newsletter, you will find the professional development calendar. Please note that NCSS also offers Mental
Health First Aid Training. Information on the fall session is in the newsletter and the trainings can be used for
Advanced Specialized Care. In addition, there is information on the new Child Care Financial Assistance
Program’s (CCFAP) sliding fee scale and the CCFAP codes. The Northern Lights Career Development Center
career ladder is also here. Where do you fit on the ladder? Are you eligible for a certificate and a bonus from the
Child Development Division? There is information provided on Let’s Grow Kids.
NCSS along with support from Laura Butler also hosts a CDA/Northern Lights/STARS/Northern Lights Career
Ladder workgroup. If looking for information or support on any of these topics, this is the workgroup for you. A
special thank you to Laura for all of her time working with people on these topics.
Want a mentor? Mentors are available for registered programs through Vermont Birth to Three and for licensed
programs through Vermont Association for the Education of Young Children. Consultation and technical assistance
is also provided through NCSS by Michelle and Laurie. Project Success offers free budgeting support. Carol
Westinghouse from Informed Green Solutions is available to programs around Green Cleaning. Want to connect to
other providers through a Starting Points Network? Give Michelle a call to connect to any of these resources. A
thank you to Cheryl Wells, Laura Butler, and Sonja Raymond for their mentoring work, Cindy Daniels for her
technical assistance to programs around budgeting and Carol for her expertise around green cleaning solutions.
Look for the Starting Points network leaders in the training calendar! Thanks to Lynn, Tami, Tina, Cheryl, and
Michelle for their work.
Look for an e-mail soon stating that the 2015 Calendar Keepers are available.
Happy Fall,
Michelle
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Northwestern Counseling and
Support Services
The Family Center of
Northwestern Vermont
60 Lake Street
Suite 100
St. Albans, VT 05478
The Family Center nurtures the
knowledge, growth and
independence of ALL families.
Family and Community Support
Services
Mary Fletcher – Team Leader,
CACFP, Referral Specialist
582- 9821
Michelle Trayah – Resource
Development Specialist 393- 941 5
Laurie Hayford-Saborowski –
Children’s Integrated Services
Child Care Coordinator 782- 5763
Kathi Goodrich – CC Eligibility (A-Z)
Professional Development --Please remember to email Margaret.Maley@ncssinc.org to
register for all classes unless otherwise specified. If email is
unavailable to you, call Margaret at (802)393-6591 to register.
It is important for us to know the number of people who will be
attending for planning our programs and it is important to you
so that you can be notified if a program has to be postponed or
cancelled. It is also important that you cancel your attendance
if you find that you cannot attend, once you have registered.
Many times other providers are placed on a waiting list and
could come if you are not able. Unfortunately, child care is not
provided at these trainings. Children in attendance can be
disruptive to attendees and presenters. Subjects discussed
may not always be appropriate for children to hear. Please find
alternative care for your children when attending trainings. An
exception would be a nursing newborn. Also, we will be reminding
you of trainings and cancellations through email whenever
feasible, so check your email often!
393- 9204
Michelle Gagne – Reach Up Case
Manager
TBD– Reach Up Case Manager
Margaret Maley – training
registrations
Nifty News is published 3 times a
year through the efforts of the
Family and Community Support
Services Team. It’s available online
at www.ncssinc.org under About Us,
The Family Center.
Alert: Life- Threatening Allergies:
Due to the rise in the number of life threatening
peanut and nut allergies, we are asking people
to not bring peanut or nut products (or products
containing these items) to trainings.
Unfortunately, some allergies can be airborne
and ensuring the safety of all is necessary.
Additionally, if there are other airborne allergies
the CCSS team needs to be aware of, please let
us know! Thanks for your cooperation.
We invite you to submit articles
and activities for this newsletter
by the 15th of the prior month.
NO
This Newsletter is funded by the
Agency of Human Services, Child
Development Division and partial
funding from the Federal Child
Care & Development Fund.
PLEASE
The Family Center assures equal
employment and services
regardless of race, color, creed,
sex, handicap, national origin or age
in compliance with state and
federal laws and is a United Way
Member Agency.
CPR and First Aid:
 For classes contact the American Red Cross at
1-800-660-9130
 Another place to contact for classes is Northwest Technical
Center at 527-6513.
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Professional
Development
September 9
Easy Snacks, CACFP, CDA 1
Time and Place: Cheryl Well’s Home, Alburgh, 6
pm to 8 pm
Instructor: Cheryl Wells
To Register: Call Starting Points Network Leader,
Cheryl Wells at 796-4180
Space is limited.
In this training, we will explore quick and easy
snacks to make with the children that are nutritious.
Start Date of August 25
Fundamentals of Early Care and Education (45
hour class)
Time and Place: NCSS Mable Room, Mondays 6 to
9 pm
(15 week class with end date of December 15)
Instructor: Lori Cassidy
To Register: Please call Michelle Trayah at 3936599 or mtrayah@ncssinc.org
Tuition: $50.00, tuition is payable to the FGIWIB
A Huge thank you to the FGIWIB for their
generous funding support for this course.
This class is required for all new Licensed Childcare
Center Staff and is highly recommended for newly
registered providers and those who are interested in
meeting CDA requirements. This 45 hour course
introduces professionals working with young
children and their families to the first level of
skills and knowledge in five areas: child
development, teaching and learning, families
and communities, healthy and safe learning
environments, and professionalism and program
organization. The competencies that define this
level can be found on the Northern Lights Core
Competencies for early childhood professionals:
Level I. Introduction to Licensing and Basic
Specialized Care Orientation are also requirements of
the class. The class can be challenged at CCV for
College credits.
September 9 (with rain date of September 23)
Fostering Development through Outdoor and
Loose Parts Play, CDA 1, 2
Time and Place: Lynn Robert’s house, Fairfax, 6 pm
to 8 pm
Instructor: Lisa M. Guerrero, M. Ed
To Register: Please contact Starting Points Network
Leader, Lynn Roberts at 849-2161 or
fairfaxccnetwork@hotmail.com
Encourage creativity and engagement in your outdoor
learning environment by adding loose parts! This
workshop introduces participants to strategies for
incorporating loose parts materials into their outdoor
curriculum to support children’s thinking and
learning. Meant to inspire, educate, and provide
firsthand experience, this interactive workshop will
leave participants with a better understanding of the
benefits of loose parts and outdoor play and it will
guide teachers in developing practices that facilitate
deeper learning through open-ended play in an
outdoor setting. This training will held outside,
please dress appropriately.
September 11
CDA/STARS/Northern Lights Level
Certificates/Accreditation Workgroup
Time and Place: Family Center Mable Room, 6 to 8
pm
Presenters: Laura Butler and Michelle Trayah
To Register: Please call Michelle to register at 3936599 or e-mail at mtrayah@ncssinc.org
Are you looking for support with obtaining your
CDA? How about your STARS or
Northern Lights Level Certificates paperwork or
perhaps you want
Accreditation? Come to this workgroup to receive
support on filling out all of these
forms to obtain what step you are looking for in your
professional development journey.
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September 17
Art as Discovery for the Young Child, CDA #2, 3
Time and Place: NCSS Mable Room, 6 to 8 pm
Instructors: Ann Traverso Moore and John Cipora,
Springfield College School of Human Services
To register: Please call Margaret Maley at 393-6591
or margaret.maley@ncssinc.org
September 25
Learn how to encourage creativity,
build confidence, expand vocabulary
and provide opportunity for
collaborative play with art.
Green Cleaning, Sanitizing and
Disinfecting: A Toolkit for Early
Care and Education, CDA #1, 5
Time and Place: NCSS Mable Room,
6 to 8 pm
Instructor: Carol Westinghouse,
President, Informed Green Solutions
To register: Please call Margaret
Maley at393-6591 or
margaret.maley@ncssinc.org
Child care professional know that regular cleaning is
important for maintaining attractive and healthful
conditions in early care and education (ECE) settings.
September 18
CPR/1st Aid re-Certification
Time and Place: NCSS Mable Room,
starts at 6pm
Instructor: Kari Towne
To register: Please call Margaret
Maley at393-6591 or
margaret.maley@ncssinc.org
Please register by September 4 so
that books can be ordered.
Fee: $30.00
Besides the obvious aesthetic benefits of cleaning,
removing dust, allergens, and infectious agents is
important for maintaining a healthful indoor
environment.
However, did you know that some cleaning products
present significant health and environmental concerns
and that certain chemicals in cleaning products are
associated with eye, skin, and respiratory irritation, as
well as other health issues. Many cleaning products
September 23
are classified as hazardous chemicals, creating
potential handling, storage, and disposal issues for
Fun with Food, CACFP, CDA 1
Time and Place: Michelle Sheldon’s
house, Swanton, 6 pm to 8 pm
Instructor: Cheryl Wells
To Register: Call Starting Points
Network Leader, Cheryl Wells at 7964180
What meal plans can be fun to make
and eat that are nutritious and meet the
meal patterns for the food program?
Come share some of your fun ideas
with the group!
users and exposure risks for children and staff.
Small children are particularly vulnerable to health
effects from exposure to chemicals in cleaning
products because of their size, stage of development
and behaviors. But there are easy steps you can take
to maintain a clean and healthy ECE program while
at the same time reducing exposure to harmful
chemicals.
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Learn how to keep your facility cleaned, sanitized
and disinfected without using hazardous products that
are associated with asthma and might be adversely
affecting children and staff. Activities will provide
an opportunity to review your current practices and
develop an action plan to protect against infectious
diseases and to choose and use the least harmful
products.
Child care professionals knows that regular cleaning
is important for maintaining attractive and healthful
conditions in early care and education (ECE) settings.
But did you know that some cleaning products
present significant health and environmental concerns
and that certain chemicals in cleaning products are
associated with eye, skin, and respiratory irritation, as
well as other health issues. Children are particularly
vulnerable to health effects from exposure to
chemicals in cleaning products because of their size,
stage of development and behaviors. Learn how to
keep your facility cleaned, sanitized and disinfected
without using hazardous products that are associated
with asthma and might be adversely affecting
children and staff.
September 30
Cooking With Kids, CACFP, CDA #1
Time and Place: NCSS Mable Room, 6 to 8 pm
Instructor: Mary Stanley
To register: Please call Margaret Maley at393-6591
or margaret.maley@ncssinc.org
In this training, explore fun and simple recipes for the
children to learn to make that meet the requirements
for the Child Adult and Care Food Program. Cooking
teaches so many skills to children across learning
domains. What recipes do you make with the
children?
October 7
Community Focused Children, CDA 3
Time and Place: Cheryl Well’s Home, Alburgh, 6
pm to 8pm
Instructor: Cheryl Wells
To Register: Call Starting Points Network Leader,
Cheryl Wells at 796-4180
Space is limited: each participant will leave with a
kit.
One of the goals of social studies is for children to
become socially competent people within their
communities. In this training, we will explore fun
ways to get children involved and engaged in their
communities.
October 7
“Oh, My Aching Back!” - Taking Care of You,
CDA #6
Time and Place: Fairfax Family Physical Therapy,
1282 Main Street, Fairfax, 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm
Instructor: Krystal Jenness, Owner/Manager –
Fairfax Family Physical Therapy
To Register: Please call Starting Points Network
Leader, Lynn Roberts at 849-2161 or
fairfaxccnetwork@hotmail.com
In order to provide quality care for children, we must
first take care of ourselves physically and
emotionally. This seminar will examine ways to
promote your own wellness, strategies to prevent
work related muscle injuries and steps to maintain
your personal well-being.
October 14 and 21
0-3 Brain Development, Part 2, CDA 2, 3, 8, Adv.
Specialized Care
Time and Place: NCSS Mable Room, 6 to 9 pm
Instructor; Scott Noyes
To register: Please call Margaret Maley at 393-6591
or margaret.maley@ncssinc.org
Training is funded by Vermont Birth to Three
and dinner will be provided both evenings!
The presentation starts with a quick review of part 1
by asking, “What changes did you make because of
the information in the first training?” Then the twelve
brain rules are discussed with action steps being
stressed. Topics in the second half of the day include
developing brain based "behavioral guidance,” the
components in raising a truly happy child, Fixedmindset vs. Growth-mindset, what happens in the
brain when we sleep, and child abuse and the brain's
development.
October 15
Supporting Children through Separation and
Divorce, CDA #3, 4, 5
Time and Place: NCSS Mable Room, 6 pm to 8pm
Instructor: Larry Shelton, UVM
To register: Please call Margaret Maley at393-6591
or margaret.maley@ncssinc.org
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This workshop will examine divorce, separation and
the effects they may have on children’s development.
How can we best support our children during this
time? What strategies can be implemented to help
families navigate challenges? Shelton is a selfdescribed developmental ecological psychologist
with the intent to help others understand development
and how experiences and relationships help shape a
person’s life.
October 20 and 27
Basic Specialized Care Orientation, CDA# 3, 6, 8
Time and Place: Family Center Mable Room, 6 to 9
pm
Instructors: Laurie Hayford-Saborowski and Jan
Appel, DCF Family Services
To register: Please call Margaret Maley at 393-6591
or e-mail her at Margaret.Maley@ncssinc.org
The purpose of this curriculum is to promote high
quality child care for children and youth who are in
the specialized care system. The quality of
relationships formed between providers, parents and
children is instrumental in determining how
successful children’s development will be.
Information covered throughout the two nights
include: Child and Youth Development,
Understanding and Responding to Children’s
temperament and Behavior, Understanding and
Responding to Abuse and Neglect-Protective and
Risk factors, Understanding the effects of Trauma,
Establishing relationships with Families, Roles and
Responsibilities of Specialized Services Providers,
Family Services Role system, policies and resources
and caring for children with special health needs.
Participants may be eligible to sign Specialized Care
Agreement Part 3 after completion of this training.
October 28
Fun with Watercolors, CDA 2
Time and Place: Michelle Sheldon’s house,
Swanton, 6 pm to 8 pm
Instructor: Cheryl Wells
To Register: Call Starting Points Network Leader,
Cheryl Wells at 796-4180
Limited space: each Participant will leave with
materials
Children love to use watercolors. What open ended
activities can the children create with use of these
materials? This training takes a look at the process
not the product.
October 29
Hunger and Nutrition in Vermont: A Hidden Key
to Success in Early Childhood, CDA #1, 4, 8
CACFP, Adv. Specialized Care
Time and Place: NCSS Mable Room, 6 pm to 8pm
Instructor: Jenna Whitson, Hunger Free Vermont
To register: Please call Margaret Maley at393-6591
or margaret.maley@ncssinc.org
1 in 5 Vermont children struggle with hunger each
day yet quality nutrition plays an essential role in
learning, development, and health. Our youngest
children, ages 0-6 are particularly vulnerable to the
impacts of hunger. Lack of adequate nutrition and
persistent hunger in the crucial early years of life can
result in nutrient deficiencies and poor health,
increased risk for obesity, emotional and behavioral
problems (including aggression, anxiety depression
and hyperactivity) and have a 40% increased risk for
developmental delay. Hunger in early childhood can
significantly impact the trajectory of a child’s - life.
Hunger Free Vermont is offering a workshop for
members of the early care and education community.
It is the hope that this workshop will open a
discussion about the link between nutrition, hunger
and the health, development, and learning of young
children. In this workshop we will discuss the
importance of quality nutrition for young children
and identify key nutrients for healthy development
and growth in early childhood. We will then explore
the causes and effects of hunger and malnutrition in
Vermont. Finally, we will discover ways that we, as
community members and childcare providers, can
address hunger in Vermont. Participants will receive
practical information that they can use and share with
families to reduce hunger and improve nutrition, as
well as resources and tips for integrating meals and
nutrition education into early childhood programs.
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November 6, 13, and 20
Observing and Recording Children’s Behavior,
CDA #7
Time and Place: NCSS Mable Room, 6pm to 9 pm
Instructor: Michelle Trayah
To register: Please call Margaret Maley at393-6591
or margaret.maley@ncssinc.org
-The purpose of this module is to introduce early
education professionals to the
importance and value of purposeful observation in
the early childhood classroom. This training is
intended for entry-level professionals new to the field
of early education and for experienced caregivers
who are looking to incorporate systematic and
purposeful observation in their work with children.
The unit will examine how observation can be used
to support individual children and improve the
overall quality of the learning environment.
November 10
Child Care Licensing, CDA # 5, 6
Time and Place: NCSS Family Center Mable Room,
6 to 8 pm
Instructors: Christel Michaud and Ellen Livingston,
Child Development Division Licensing Field
Specialists
To Register: Please call Margaret Maley at 393-6591
or e-mail her at Margaret.Maley@ncssinc.org
This training will look at regulations for licensed and
registered programs through the Child Development
Division. Playground safety guidelines will also be
discussed. Bring questions that you want to ask.
November 18 and 25
wherever they are. This series will look at fun ways
to get children moving that are engaging and ageappropriate for the children in your care.
December 3
Plugged In: Technology, the Internet and Child
Safety, CDA # 1, 3, 4, 8, Adv. Specialized Care
Time and Place: NCSS Mable Room, 6 pm to 8pm
Instructor: Amy Johnson, Prevent Child Abuse
Vermont
To register: Please call Margaret Maley at393-6591
or margaret.maley@ncssinc.org
Written by staff at Prevent Child Abuse Vermont,
this 2 hour workshop is designed to:
• Promote adult understanding of both the
benefits and challenges of having
technologically-savvy children &
adolescents;
• Raise awareness of different forms of abuse
that are being perpetuated by the internet
(child pornography, sexual solicitation,
cyber-bullying);
• Assign responsibility for the safety and
protection of children & adolescents to
adults;
• Allow parents and professionals to practice
responding to concerning scenarios and
questions, using problem-solving skills.
Dance and Movement (2 part series), CDA 1, 2
Time and Place: November 18 at Michelle
Sheldon’s home, Swanton, and November 25 at
Cheryl Well’s house, Alburgh; 6 pm to 8 pm
Instructor: Cheryl Wells
To Register: Call Starting Points Network Leader,
Cheryl Wells at 796-4180
Space is limited. Everyone who attends will leave
with a kit.
There is a wide spread need in our communities to
provide physical activity opportunities for children
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December 9 and 16
Physical and Intellectual Development, CDA #2, 7,
8
Time and Place: NCSS Mable Room, 6pm to 9pm
Instructor: Michelle Trayah
To register: Please call Margaret Maley at393-6591
or margaret.maley@ncssinc.org
December 4
Play as Intervention, Adv. Specialized Care, CDA #
1,3,7,8
Time and Place: NCSS Mable Room, 6 pm to 8pm
Instructors: Laurie Hayford-Saborowski and
Michelle Trayah
To register: Please call Margaret Maley at393-6591
or margaret.maley@ncssinc.org
Play, play, play! That is what children do… How do
the adults in their lives use play as an intervention
tool? What are some strategies that help support
children’s regulation skills that can be incorporated
into everyday play as simple guidance tools?
This module incorporates the Vermont Early
Learning Standards (VELS) trainings developed by
the Vermont Agency of Education. These include:
Approaches to Learning; Language, Literacy and
Communication; Mathematics; Science; Social
Studies; Creative Expression; and Physical
Development.
Keep an Eye Out For:
Trainings and Network Meetings from Starting
Points Network Leaders, Tami Dodge, St. Albans
and Tina Lothian, Franklin. Tami is planning on
network meetings around making no- sew
blankets that childcare programs can donate to
the community and a provider holiday party.
Happy Fall and Winter!
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Mental Health First Aid
Next community training scheduled for fall 2014
Do you realize that you’re more likely to encounter a person in an emotional or mental crisis than someone having a heart
attack? Mental health disorders are more common than heart disease and cancer combined.
What if a program was introduced that will prevent a major disruption to a person’s work and family life or the need to be
hospitalized?
What if individuals that encounter depression and anxiety disorders could be helped sooner rather than suffering for long
periods without treatment? The number of lost days at work and the economic burden would be significantly reduced.
Nationwide, untreated mental health disorders cost $79 billion in lost productivity every year.
Some additional facts to consider… over 1 in 5 people in Franklin and Grand Isle Counties presently seeks help for
mental health services… suicide rates are rising… growing prescription drug abuse problem related to a range of
concerns… domestic violence rates in Vermont are at an all-time high… all of these and more have resulted in demand
for support being greater than the resources to meet the needs.
Module
Topic
Date
Time
Intro
Module 1
Module 2
Module 3
Module 4
Module 5
Introduction and Overview
Depression
Anxiety Disorders
Psychosis
Substance Use Disorders
Children’s Disorders
Tue., Oct. 7
Tue., Oct. 14
Tue., Oct. 21
Tue., Oct. 28
Tue., Nov. 4
Tue., Nov. 11
6 – 8:30pm
6 – 8:30pm
6 – 8:30pm
6 – 8:30pm
6 – 8:30pm
6 – 8:30pm
All training sessions are from 6:00 – 8:30pm
The training modules include:
Introduction and Overview to Mental Health First Aid – October 7, 2014
Have you ever thought of becoming a Mental Health First Aider? Come learn about how this program will change the way
you look at individuals who are dealing with mental health struggles such as, depression and anxiety disorders.
Depression – October 14, 2014
The word depression is used in many different ways. We all may have a short-term depressed mood, but we cope and
soon recover without treatment. But a major depressive disorder lasts for at least two weeks and affects a person’s ability
to work, to carry out usual daily activities, and to have satisfying personal relationships.
Anxiety Disorders – October 21, 2014
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Everyone experiences anxiety at some time – anxiety can be quite useful in helping a person to avoid dangerous
situations and motivate the solving of everyday problems. Anxiety can vary in severity from mild uneasiness to a terrifying
panic attack. You’ll learn the different types and symptoms of how an anxiety disorder differs from normal anxiety.
Psychosis – October 28, 2014
Psychosis is a general term used to describe a mental health problem in which a person has lost some contact with
reality, resulting in severe disturbances in thinking, emotion, and behavior. Psychosis can severely disrupt a person’s
relationships, work, and usual activities. Although less common than other mental disorders there are numerous
disorders in which a person can experience psychosis.
Substance Use Disorders – November 4, 2014
Different substances affect the brain in different ways. People use substances because of these effects, which include
increasing feelings of pleasure or decreasing feelings of distress. Substance use disorders include abuse of alcohol or
other drugs which leads to work, school, home, health, or legal problems or dependence on alcohol or other drugs.
Children’s Disorders – November 11, 2014
Childhood is a time of rapid changes of physical and emotional development. This can also be a very stressful time while
building relationships, self esteem and a sense of identity. Learn the signs to look for in children who struggle with
emotional, behavioral or mental health challenges.
____________
Program Charge: $100 for series, $50 for Franklin and Grand Isle County residents, of 6 MHFA modules includes the
cost of materials.
Certification: Participants who complete all six modules will receive certificates as Mental Health First Aiders.
Program Size: Limited to 20
Pre-registration Required: For more information about the program contact Community Relations at 393-6414 or
communityrelations@ncssinc.org.
Location: NCSS Main Office, 107 Fisher Pond Road, Main Conference Room
NCSS takes second place nationally
The National Office for Behavioral Health published that Vermont took second place in the Nation for
our penetration of community members who have been certified in Mental Health First Aid, and NCSS
makes up the majority of the people trained. Oklahoma leads the Nation.
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Family and Community Support Services
Non-Profit
Organization
U.S. Postage
PAID
St. Albans, VT
Permit No. 121
Outreach Office of NCSS, Inc.
NCSS THE FAMILY CENTER
130 Fisher Pond Road
ST. ALBANS, VT 05478
Children never care how
much we know until they
know how much we care.
In this issue:
o Professional
Development
o Mental Health First
Aid
o Child Care Financial
Assistance Attendance
and Invoicing and
Income Guidelines
o Career Ladder
o Let’s Grow Kids
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