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Child
Care Resource and Referral Agencies
Child Care Resource and Referral (CCR&R) agencies help parents
sort through child care options and select quality child care. The
CCR&Rs in Wisconsin refer parents to family child care or group
centers, depending on parent need, preference and availability.
These agencies serve all families, as well as all child care programs
and providers.
Each
CCR&R in Wisconsin manages a database of existing child care
providers and programs, documenting the changes that occur as new
programs start and other programs close. The child care provider
listing is continually updated as child care programs move, open,
close, and change their services. In addition to maintaining a comprehensive
child care database, CCR&R agencies participate in community
planning processes to expand child care supply and quality. They
offer start-up information and technical support to potential child
care providers; and provide technical assistance and support to
existing child care programs. They provide resources to communities,
employers, school districts, W-2 agencies, and others as they develop
local solutions to complex child care problems. They also collect
data about child care rates, provider and teacher salaries, the
number of parents and children using their services, the type of
care requested and the children’s ages. This information,
based on services to the entire state, creates an overall child
care picture for Wisconsin.
Wisconsin
has 16 Child Care Resource and Referral Agencies, all of which belong
to the Wisconsin Child Care R&R Network www.wisconsinccrr.org
. This network is a statewide organization of community-based child
care resource and referral agencies committed to building an inclusive,
high-quality, child care/child development system. The mission of
the network is to provide leadership in creating such a system and
to promote the professional growth and development of member agencies.
Wisconsin
First Step Information and Referral
Wisconsin
First Step (www.mch-hotlines.org
) is an information and referral service to assist Wisconsin families
who have young children with special needs. Trained Hotline staff
answers questions using a statewide computerized data base with
information about financial aid, early intervention services, medical
assistance, support groups, home health, medical resources, advocacy
and much more. The toll-free number for the Wisconsin First Step
Information and Referral Hotline is 1-800-642-7837.
Children with Special Health Care Needs
Regional Centers
The Wisconsin Division of Public Health, Children with Special Health
Care Needs (CSHCN) Program, awarded contracts in January 2000 to
establish CSHCN Centers (www.dhfs.state.wi.us/DPH_BFCH/cshcn
) in each of Wisconsin’s five public health regions. These
centers are designed to increase the capacity of local communities
to serve families who have children with special health care needs.
The
goals of the Regional CSHCN Centers are to provide a system of information,
referral, and follow-up services ensuring all families of children
with special health care needs and providers have access to complete
and accurate information. Referrals are made to various agencies
and programs, as indicated, based on the information requested and
need for follow-up services. The First Step Hotline supports the
statewide information and referral needs for the Regional CSHCN
Centers. The centers promote parent-to-parent support networks to
assure all families have access to parent support services and health
benefits counseling. These centers also increase the capacity of
local health departments and other local agencies to provide service
coordination.
Cooperative
Educational Service Agencies (CESAs)
Cooperative Educational Service Agencies were created in 1964 in
response to the needs of local school districts for a provider of
cooperative services. CESAs provide school districts with additional
services and programs, which individual school districts could not
economically provide.
There
are twelve CESAs operating in Wisconsin. A Board of Control governs
each, with representation from participating school boards. CESAs
offer a broad range of services and programs for support staff,
students, teachers, administrators, board members, parents and the
community. To meet the intent of legislation, they offer programs
ranging from accountability and staff development to education for
employment, special education and parent education programs. CESAs
employ a range of personnel based on the number and type of programs
they house. Typically there is a CESA administrator, several program
directors, and staff working directly in school districts.
Public
School District Early Childhood Program Support Teacher
The Early Childhood Special Education (ECSE) support teacher is
responsible for providing consultation and support services to early
childhood special and regular education teachers and other support
staff in the delivery of special education services to families
and children with disabilities, ages three to eight years. The Program
Support Teacher may be employed by an individual district or a CESA.
They are often involved in community projects that support inclusion
of children with disabilities in a variety of community programs.
Minimum educational requirements include a four-year degree in the
field of early childhood special education. A Master’s degree
is recommended. A Wisconsin DPI license (#808 for three- to- five
-year olds, or #809 for three- to- eight -year olds) is also required.
Wisconsin
Personnel Development Project
The Wisconsin Birth to 3 Personnel Development Project (WPDP), housed
at the Waisman Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, addresses
the need for well qualified early intervention service providers
in the state. WPDP (www.waisman.wisc.edu/birthto3)
offers a wide range of educational opportunities for parents, service
providers from all disciplines, as well as program managers and
administrators. Activities include statewide and regional in service
workshops, parent leadership activities, a web site, technical assistance,
and materials development and dissemination.
RESource
- Birth to 3 Regional Enhancement Support
“Source of Regional Support” for Birth to 3 (RESource)
is a project that provides regionally-based support to County Birth
to 3 Programs for continuous quality improvement. RESource staff
members collaborate with county Birth to 3 agencies and state Birth
to 3 staff to identify individual program needs and provide ongoing
services and resources. RESource personnel also participate in the
state’s formal program review process. Support is provided
through individual program consultation, local and regional training,
and provision of information and resources.
Staff
members must have an extensive working knowledge of many aspects
of the Birth to 3 service system, typically developed through formal
education, work experience and ongoing training. They must also
be skilled at providing relationship-based technical assistance
and ongoing support and resources to individuals and agencies. Most
staff members have Master’s degrees or beyond in a field related
to early childhood or disabilities.
Head
Start State Collaboration Project
Based in the Secretary’s Office of the Department of Workforce
Development, the Head Start State Collaboration Project helps Head
Start programs work more closely with others in the early childhood
community to provide quality programs for low-income children and
families. The primary goal of the grant that supports these positions
is to assist at the state level in developing policies and practices
that support multi-agency and public-private partnerships. These
partnerships encourage collaboration between Head Start and other
programs, services, and initiatives, and promote Head Start’s
involvement in decisions that affect the program’s target
population.
Director
requirements for the Head Start State Collaboration Project Director
include a master’s degree in education, public administration,
or human services; and at least four years of professional experience
in public policy, management, or administration in human services
or education, preferably with child and family services. The person
occupying this position needs to be well-organized, have effective
communication skills, and demonstrate a solid understanding of Head
Start, state early childhood, professional development, and family
support resources and systems.
Head Start Technical Assistance
Head Start and Early Head Start programs are supported through a
regionally based technical assistance program. This program is delivered
through a federal contract that employs state based staff. The focus
of the work includes assisting programs in developing training and
technical assistance plans; technical assistance related to quality
enhancement in all program areas; training workshops and conferences;
information services; and more. For additional information, go to
www.hsnrc.org/TTA_Contacts.cfm
Wisconsin
Child Care Information Center
The Wisconsin Child Care Information Center (www.dpi.state.wi.us/ccic/)
is a mail-order lending library and information center serving anyone
in Wisconsin working in the field of child care and early childhood
education. CCIC provides free information services, library services,
and adult learning services to help Wisconsin early childhood professionals
give the best possible start to Wisconsin's children. CCIC is sponsored
by the Child Care Section, Division of Workforce Solutions, Wisconsin
Department of Workforce Development, and is administered by the
Department of Public Instruction's Reference and Loan Library.
Wisconsin Child Care Improvement Project
(WCCIP)
The Wisconsin Child Care Improvement Project (www.wccip.org/)
is a statewide non-profit agency dedicated to helping improve child
care by helping child care professionals give the best care possible
to children. Technical advisors throughout the state work with family
child care programs and child care group centers assisting them
with start-up and achieving national accreditation. WCCIP provides
a range of services including one-on-one consultations, targeted
workshops, CDA advising, business planner consultations, and environment
assessments. The staff of technical advisors knows about quality
child care and has direct experience as center directors, classroom
teachers, family child care providers and school age site supervisors.
Wisconsin
Early Childhood Association
The Wisconsin Early Childhood Association (WECA) www.wecanaeyc.org/about/index.php?category_id=2611
supports professionalism of the child care workforce through efforts
to enhance educational qualifications, improve compensation and
working conditions, provide access to health care and stabilize
the workforce by reducing turnover. WECA memberships gives those
who work with children a voice in decisions that impact their day-to-day
work and provides services of value to members, including continuing
education, networking opportunities and updates on news and issues
in the field.
Higher
Education Faculty
There are many careers in the state college and university systems.
These careers involve teaching and research both on campuses, through
distance learning, and on-site in programs. Faculty in these institutions
may work full time in providing instruction or they may be employed
in a program working with young children and teach part time. Refer
to the section on higher education preservice programs for more
detail about the programs offered at the various colleges and universities
in the state.
Positions
in higher education institutions require advanced degrees and experience
in work with young children and their families. The specific requirements
vary based on the institution and the specific job responsibilities.
Community
Collaboration Coaches
Within the framework of the Wisconsin Early Childhood Collaborating
Partners (WECCP), there are 5 regional networks plus the Milwaukee
area. These regional networks are comprised of professionals representing
a variety of programs and services that make a difference for children
and families. Within each region, there is a Community Collaboration
Coach that assists with regional meetings and networking. The Collaboration
coaches also provide technical assistance to communities interested
in exploring a collaborative approach to serving 4 year old children.
For more information on collaboration coaches, visit the WECCP website
at: www.collaboratingpartners.com/4YearK.htm
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