CCR&R Spotlights

Connections Matter is a program funded by the NJ Department of Children and Families and led by Prevent Child Abuse New Jersey. Dr. Linda Chamberlin created Connections Matter for the Iowa ACEs 360 Coalition to create a common language regarding trauma and building resilience.  NORWESCAP Child and Family Resource Services currently has three certified trainers in this program that facilitate the training throughout the year. This training is unique because it is offered to both providers and families with one common goal to prevent Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and show how caring connections can have an impact on the negative effects of trauma.  With the provider and parent working together, they can explore the little things they do every day to build stronger connections and communities. In return, the relationships we have with children, families and even adults in our lives will be stronger and give any history of trauma an opportunity to heal.

The purpose of the Connections Matter training is to offer providers and families a common language surrounding ACEs and trauma and to offer strategies to build resilience.

Since 2022, NORWESCAP Child and family Resources Services have delivered this training to over 100 parents, providers, and community members throughout Hunterdon, Sussex, and Warren counties.  Connections Matter is offered virtually or in-person and is recommended for audiences from educators to parents to non-profit organizations and beyond. The core curriculum is four hours long, with condensed options of two hours or one hour, and can be tailored to suit different audiences. There are over 70 facilitators throughout the state of New Jersey, and trainings can be conducted in Spanish.

This training is offered throughout the year but can be scheduled for groups by contacting Orrweissk@norwescap.org or Bobm@norwescap.org

Contact for additional information about becoming a facilitator in the Connections Matter Program: Patty Mojta: pmojta@preventchildabusenj.org or Victoria Spera-Ballesteros: vspera@preventchildabusenj.org

“For us, Connections Matter concepts, has reinforced the lens that preventing child abuse and neglect is a community responsibility.  Ensuring that families have access to child care, housing and other resources, provides the concrete supports that strengthen families and helps prevent child abuse and neglect.  It is the “why” of the work that we do; partnering with providers to support children and families and enhance our communities”, explained Laura Mickley, Senior Program Director, NORWESCAP Child and Family Resource Services.

The Camden County Department of Children’s Services and Child Care Resources of Monmouth County  are working together to support a Family Child Care Alliance. The Alliance provides a forum for home-based providers to network, share best practices and strategies to meet common challenges, and strengthen business skills.  Beginning December 1, 2022, through the Family Child Care Alliance, up to 48 registered family child care providers in Camden and Monmouth Counties can choose to access Telehealth and Teletherapy benefits. For non-emergency care, FCC providers can access Board-certified doctors 24/7 (e.g., at night or weekends). There is no co-pay or deductible. Provider wellness is a key strategy of the Family Child Care Alliance.

The Camden County Department of Children’s Services and Child Care Resources of Monmouth County  are working together to support a Family Child Care Alliance. The project started in September of 2020 as a small pilot to better support home-based providers during the pandemic. In 2022, the Family Child Care Alliance was opened to all registered providers.  The Alliance provides a forum for home-based providers to network, share best practices and strategies to meet common challenges, and strengthen business skills.

Beginning December 1, 2022, through the Family Child Care Alliance, up to 48 registered family child care providers in Camden and Monmouth counties will have access to Telehealth and Teletherapy benefits. For non-emergency care, FCC providers can access Board-certified doctors 24/7 (e.g., at night or weekends). There is no co-pay or deductible. Provider wellness is a key strategy of the Family Child Care Alliance.

The Telehealth and Teletherapy visits can be accessed by a phone call or a video call. Telehealth visits are unlimited 24/7. Teletherapy visits are limited to 10 per year.  The provider, her spouse, and her children under age 26 are covered.

“What we have learned through our Family Child Care Alliance is that providers work long hours and often put their own health last,” said Sister Donna Minster, Director of the Camden County Department of Children’s Services.  “Having access in the evening or on a weekend to Board-certified doctors will offer family child care providers an opportunity to put their own health first. They won’t have to take off from work and they can utilize the service when it works for them best.”

The Telehealth and Teletherapy service is not for emergency care. It’s a supplement to comprehensive health coverage (like the plans offered through GetCoveredNJ). However, unlike comprehensive coverage, there are no co-payments or annual deductibles.

“Registered family child care providers can choose to participate or not,” said Kim Perrelli, Executive Director of Child Care Resources of Monmouth County. “What we want to do is offer providers health care access when it works for them. Sometimes it takes weeks to schedule a non-emergency appointment. Or, doctors aren’t taking new patients. Or the clinic doesn’t take your insurance.  Or, appointment hours are only available during the time that providers are caring for children. It just made sense to us to ensure that providers place a priority on their own wellness at times when it works for them best.” 

Supporting registered family child care providers and helping individuals who are interested in becoming a registered provider are core activities in Camden and Monmouth. Contact the following staff for additional information or to join today!

Camden: Joanne Prince, joanne.prince@camdencounty.com

Monmouth: Courtney Noll, cnoll@ccrnj.org

During the pandemic, the Consumer Education Resource Specialist at the Child Care Resource & Referral office at Burlington Community Action Partnership (BCAP) developed a unique way of getting into the classrooms and bringing a smile to the children’s masked faces.  Chris Robles contacted child care providers and offered to come into the classroom virtually, calling it BCAP Book Club.  Her offering was story time with the children and an activity the teacher can do with the kids following the session.  This became very popular!

Since we have been able to have in-person visits with the providers, Chris now goes out to the facilities and does the BCAP Book Club in person.  The children have a fun time, and the teachers get a break. Chris also includes follow-up activities that the teachers can do with the children.  We receive messages and comments from the providers about how much they enjoy their time with Miss Chris!

The main purpose of the BCAP Book Club initially was to stay connected with the child care providers in the community and to offer stories with age-appropriate follow up activities that the providers can enjoy with the children in their care.  While originally story time was through zoom, today BCAP offers providers an onsite BCAP Book Club where children can enjoy a story or two, providers can have a short break, and follow up activities are always fun! To date, more than 85 reading sessions have been conducted!

Susan Ford, BCAP’s Child Care Resource & Referral Program Director says, “I love the idea that Chris came up with during a time where providers were really struggling (emotionally and physically).  It let the providers know that we care, and we were still a part of their lives during a very difficult time.  The teachers appreciated having this since all their “normal” was gone. We are lucky to have Chris as an advocate for our providers in Burlington County.  She puts her heart into the job!”

For additional information contact: Susan Ford, sford@bccap.org

NORWESCAP Child and Family Resource Services offers unique training experiences in Podcast Format. Listening to a podcast gives participants the flexibility and opportunity to learn valuable information on various topics at their own pace and at their own time. When a series launches the listener receives a link to a folder that contains the podcast audio file, resources that pertain to the episode and a reflection question. The reflection question gives the host feedback on key takeaways from the episode that the participants learned. Podcast series contain 3-5 episodes which translate to 3-5 hours of professional development that is awarded at the conclusion of the series. Content within the Podcast Series focus on important topics that are relevant to the early childhood/child care education field such as inclusion, relationship and the power of play.

The main purpose of Little Learners, Big Impact Podcast is to meet people where they are in life. This podcast gives participants the flexibility and opportunity to learn valuable information on various topics at their own pace and at their own time.

Podcasts are a convenient way for child care providers (and also parents!) to participate and learn information. As people listen to podcast episodes throughout the series —  themes, concepts, or principles are often repeated to boost memory retention. This intentional and sequential repetition serves as an alert that key information has been provided.

Laura Mickley, NORWESCAP Child and Family Resource Services Program Director says, “Our innovative Professional Development team is consistently looking for new ways to meet the needs of busy families and providers.  I’ve participated in some of the podcasts and have enjoyed the ease of listening while engaging in everyday activities like walking or cleaning the house.  When gathering in person isn’t always possible, providing this alternative to extend knowledge and enhance practices is a great option.”

The development of podcasts by NORWESCAP has broadened the options for child care providers to gain the information they need to enhance early childhood competencies.

For additional information contact: Kylee Orr-Weiss, orrweiskk@norwescap.org