The Office of Early Childhood and Out-of-School Learning (OECOSL) has launched the application for the Child Care Management System (CCMS).

The CCMS program provides tools to help early child care and education programs automate administrative tasks so the focus can remain on children. The tool simplifies enrollment, attendance tracking, billing, classroom management, staff records, and communication with families.

Start your CCMS application in six easy steps:

1. Sign in to I-LEAD, click "Launch the Grant Portal" and select "CCMS Application"
2. Verify site information and enter contact details for the site (contact your licensing consultant, if needed)
3. Select your preferred CCMS vendor
4. Accept the Terms & Conditions
5. Review and submit your application
6. Receive a confirmation page and email from SPARK Learning Lab

Visit the CCMS program webpage and review the FAQs to learn more. Reach out to SPARK Learning Lab with any questions you have by calling 1-800-299-1627 or by emailing BusinessSupport@indianaspark.com. Be sure to apply for this opportunity to transform your child care operations through CCMS.

Home providers play a vital role in Indiana’s child care landscape. Family Child Care Networks provide a supportive community, professional development and introduce new opportunities.

Learn more here.

Update your program anytime with this link or the QR code below.

Thursday, May 2, 2024

1-2 p.m. ET

This webinar explores the ABCs of children’s behavior — antecedent, behavior, consequence — and what challenging behavior looks like in young children. Learn how to respond to and prevent challenging behavior through a trauma-informed lens. Join us to discover reflective strategies, including supporting and teaching early learners about feelings and regulation and looking at our own adult responses and their effect on young children.

Key Topics

· The ABCs of children’s behavior: antecedent, behavior, consequence

· Looking at challenging behavior through a trauma-informed lens

· Understanding adult biases and how to respond to young children

Register Online Now!

Join Ryan Flessner, Professor of Teacher Education at Butler University, for a professional development series on meaningful early math experiences. Gain deeper knowledge about Indiana's early learning mathematics standards and walk away with easy-to-implement ideas for all ages.

All sessions are scheduled in the Indiana Learning Lab. Register for the series below:

• May 2 from 4 to 5 p.m. ET | Numeracy Session
• May 6 from 4 to 5 p.m. ET | Computation and Algebraic Thinking
• May 16 from 4 to 5 p.m. ET | Geometry Session
• May 20 from 4 to 5 p.m. ET | Measurement Session

Contact the Indiana Department of Education's Office of Kindergarten Readiness with any questions by emailing kreadiness@doe.in.gov.

Join the Indiana Association for the Education of Young Children (INAEYC) for technical assistance sessions to help you reduce turnover and foster a sense of belonging and purpose at your organization.

The virtual four-part series includes:

• Session 1: Reasons for Turnover and How It Affects Your Program
• Session 2: How's the Weather? Looking At Your Organization's Climate (Part 1)
• Session 3: How's the Weather? Looking At Your Organization's Climate (Part 2)
• Session 4: Recruitment, Interviewing and Onboarding in Your Organization

Connect with your Workforce Coordinator today to learn more.

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Paths to QUALITY support

Where to get help and other resources

Families may apply here.

May 14

9 a.m. – 12 p.m.

Join lead facilitator Natalie Wenzler (Institute for Workforce Excellence) for a free, interactive Attract the Right Talent virtual workshop, where you'll learn how to take a skills-based approach to your job postings and stop turning away talent!

Skills-based practices can provide the competitive advantage you need, helping you attract qualified talent, increase diversity, reduce turnover and develop inclusivity.

This offering is perfect for those involved in creating job postings, screening resumés and interviewing candidates. The workshop is SHRM certified to earn professional development credits (PDCs). This workshop series is not recorded, so we encourage you to register and take advantage of our engaging virtual session!

Tag or comment the name of your favorite child care provider on this post at CASY Child Care Resource and Referral's page. Each comment will be an entry into the raffle for the provider. The winner will get a prize to use in their program. Each family can only enter one program.

Last day to enter names will be May 8th.

The winner will be announced on Provider Appreciation Day, May 10th.

Families, teachers and children are better together. That’s why the Child Care Resource and Referral Network is proud to serve as a navigator for families, expertly assisting them in finding high-quality child care and connecting them with additional opportunities to meet their needs.

Is your family struggling to make ends meet? Could you or someone you know use assistance with paying for utilities, accessing a food pantry, or connecting to job training or employment services? Call 800-886-3952, ext 2. to learn more!