Welcome to Child Start






		Strengthening Families Program According to a recent study of child care professionals caring for infants and toddlers in Kansas, technical assistance is found to be highly correlated to increased quality of child care. To support this finding, the Infant /Toddler Specialists based in local Child Care Resource and Referral Agencies provide intensive coaching and support to child care professionals across Kansas caring for infants and toddlers. Early childhood professionals play a vital role in nurturing and developing young children as well as reaching out to their families. This program gives the opportunity to enhance child care programs and help strengthen the families of children served. Strengthening Families Program promotes five protective factors that help build strong families: Parental Resilience Concrete Support in Times of Need Social Connections Social and Emotional Competence in Children Knowledge of Parenting and Child Development Strengthening Families participants receive: Free 12 hours of professional development Consultation with an Infant/Toddler Specialist throughout the program year Ideas and strategies to support the families in your program Opportunities to meet and network with other Strengthening Families participants Requirements for participation include: Participate in a FCCERS observation conducted by the Infant/Toddler Specialist (One at the beginning and one at the end of the program year). Maintain enrollment of at least one (1) child under the age of 36 months during the period of participation in Strengthening Families. Conduct one Parent Café Develop Parent Resource File with the help of the Infant/Toddler Specialist. Attend the required 12 hours of professional development. Attend at least three (3) support group meetings Recruitment for the Strengthening Families Program begins in July. For more Information regarding participating in this program, please contact Glenda Higbee, Kate Hovis, or Crystal Franks at 1(316) 682-1853 or 1(800) 684-3962. For more information about Strengthening Families and the protective factors, visit www.strengtheningfamilies.net Links to other resources: www.zerotothree.org www.kaimh.org