Topics:

• Improving Child Care Providers' Knowledge
• Child Care Directory
• More Better Kid Care Resources
• Getting Ready for Kindergarten
• Tween Topics
• Money 2000
• Grandparents Raising Grandchildren
• Mandatory Parenting Classes
• Off To A Good Start
• Living with Grief

Improving Child Care Providers' Knowledge

Since 1992, Penn State University - Cooperative Extension has been named a subcontractor with the Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare to conduct training for home-based and center based childcare providers. Better Kid Care Programs help these providers to better understand children and their needs, and to develop appropriate methods for working with children.

In Pike County, 91 different childcare providers, representing 12 child care centers and the foster parent program attended 14 workshops that were broadcast via satellite in the 1998ç99 year. Workshop titles included:

• Helping Children Develop Conflict Resolution Skills
• How to Work with Problem Parents
• Meeting the Needs of Children with ADD/ADHD
• Junk Makes Great Learning Material
• Caring for School-Age Children
• The Emotional Development of Infants Appreciating Diversity

Evaluations showed that, overall, participants rated each workshop 80% or higher as to: o the training achieving the goals that were set forth o the extent to which the topic was appropriate for the group o the groups learning that took place.

Child Care Directory

A major concern of working parents is finding quality and reliable childcare. This is also a concern and interest for many employers. In an effort to assist these factions, the Pike County ChildCare Directory was updated in the winter of 1998. The 1999 guide lists 16 center-based and home-based facilities, giving the name, location, contact person, cost, hours, ages, and any special considerations of the facility. Approximately 150 of these directories were distributed to county businesses and parents.

More Better Kid Care Resources

Kits / Newsletters - A Better Kid Care Kit and six issues of a Caring for Kids newsletter was made available to providers simply by calling a toll free number (1-800-452-9108). This year, 27 residents of the county requested and received the kit, which provides useful ideas on caring for children.

Video Training - By also using the above telephone number, providers could request programs to obtain credits in the comfort of their home. Thirty-six Pike County childcare providers participated in the learn-at-home video program component in the 1998-99 year. They were required to watch the video, read the workbook and return assignments to the University. These videos addressed such topics as: Play is the Business of Kids; How Safe is Your Day Care Home; Space Matters; Joy of Discipline; Discovering Art and Science; Snack Time is More Than Juice and Crackers; and Supporting Stressed Kids.

You're Not Alone÷Telephone Help Line - Anyone who cared for other people's children and had questions about how to get children to eat, why children wonÌt share, how to stop children from biting, etc., could call 1-800-859-8340 and talk to professional staff about childcare questions or concerns.

Child Care Library - Over 80 books and videotapes on caring for children are available on a two week loan system from the Pike County Extension office. These resources give providers additional support and ideas on activities and techniques in dealing with pre-schooler, toddler and infant care.

Getting Ready for Kindergarten

Beginning kindergarten is a significant time for both child and parent, yet it can be filled with apprehension. To help parents of new students overcome some of the anxiety involved with this new venture, cooperative extension gathered materials related to beginning school, developmental stages of this age group and how parents can become involved with their new school. These materials were sent to elementary school guidance counselors and pre-school directors, along with registration sheets, so interested parents could sign up to receive the publications.

This year 176 packets were distributed to parents of new kindergarten students in the Delaware Valley and Wallenpaupack School Districts. This was a 35% increase in the number of parents reached over the past years this was offered.

Tween Topics

If you have ever found yourself wondering why your once obedient, happy, and even polite 10-15 year old now seems to be almost like a stranger, you are not alone. In an effort to reach parents of these young adolescents (or tweens), the NE Regional Family Living agents developed this publication. Two hundred fifty copies were distributed to Pike County parents in an attempt to provide them with practical and timely information that would help them make parenting a tween a little bit easier.

Money 2000

This program was developed by Rutgers Cooperative Extension to increase a persons financial well-being by the year 2000. This can be achieved by increased savings and/or reduced household debt. In Pike County, 23 families are currently enrolled and receive information and educational support in the form of a quarterly newsletter, a home study course and workshops and seminars. Pike County enrollees have indicated that their collective goal is to save $21,200 and reduced their debt by $17,980, by the end of the year 2000.

Grandparents Raising Grandchildren

Mandatory Parenting Classes

Three mandated parenting classes were held this year. Ten to 12 parents who have been mandated through the Pike County Court System, Children and Youth, and Probation attended each session, which consists of 30 hours of training, taught by Judy Fitzpatrick, using the Developing Capable People Curriculum.

As a result of attending these classes, participant evaluative comments include:

• "I find myself to be more patient and yell less frequently and take more time to involve my kids in all situations."
• "I have more patience with my children and myself and I involve my family with my chores and activities."
• "I now see my children almost as equals and allow them to make decisions and see the outcomes of the good and bad."
• "I now know what my children are capable of and IÌve given them more responsibilities, therefore leaving me with more free timeçto listen to what they have to say!"
• "I have been able to identify different ways to address day-to-day problems and IÌm trying not to be quick to assume and fly off the handle."

Off To A Good Start

Anticipation of a new child is an exciting and wonderful time and once the child is here new parents are full of questions. Cooperative Extension was pleased to make available to both the Department of Health-Pike County State Health Center and to the Baby Health Fair sponsored by Dr. Gerard Droege, "Off To A Good Start...You and Your Baby," ages birth to 12 months and 12 months to 24 months. Over 300 copies of this home-study program were distributed and helped parents learn about their new baby, giving them useful ideas and hints on rearing their infant and suggests activities to do with the child to stimulate their growth.

Living with Grief

Participants representing local school districts and community agencies, took part in this year's Living with Grief satellite teleconference. The topic revolved around dealing with grief at work, at school and at worship. Evaluations showed that participants' personal objectives related to the teleconference were met; they had a high degree of change in their knowledge and they acquired several new ideas or skills from participation in this yearly event.