SELF: Support for Early Learning and Families

	CLARK COUNTY & SW WASHINGTON

Mission: Working together to build a community that nurtures the full potential of our youngest children.
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SELF Council Members		PROJECTS Clark County Child Care Resource Team \| Family Child Care Home Learning Lab \| Fruit Valley Community Learning Center \| Image Community Learning Center	SELF Council Members
ARC- Arc of Clark County / Pride for Kids BGSD- Battle Ground School District CCCN- Clark County Community Network CCHD- Clark County Health Department CHSW- Children's Home Society of Washington Clark- Clark College: Child and Family Studies CRMHS- Columbia River Mental Health DCCEL- Division of Child Care and Early Learning ECPT- Early Choice Pediatric Therapy		CLARK COUNTY CHILD CARE RESOURCE TEAM A team of three specialists - public health, early childhood and mental health - is now available to support licensed child care providers in Clark County. This interdisciplinary team offers current, practical and relevant information and problem-solving assistance for the everyday concerns and questions that arise in a child care setting. The Resource Team links providers to other community resources and assists in referring children and families for specialized services when appropriate. The Resource Team represents three partnering systems - public health, early childhood and mental health - and is linked to other system development efforts through the SELF Council of Clark County. Staff of the Fort Vancouver Regional Library District provide expertise and resources in early literacy for training and consultation activities. Resource Team Members Sylvia Fish, B.S., R.N, Public Health Specialist CLARK COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT Jamie Straley-Ikeuchi, Mental Health Specialist EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES FOR CHILDREN & FAMILIES Jodi Wall, M.S. Developmental Studies, Early Childhood Specialist EDUCATIONAL SERVICE DISTRICT 112 Resource Team Topics Resource Team members can help child care providers with a variety of topics, including: Ways to create an engaging environment to promote learning Strategies for guiding children's behavior Ways to monitor the health of children and prevent the spread of communicable diseases through immunization, hand-washing and sanitation measures Identification of age-appropriate expectations for children Recognition of potential need for specialized services such as developmental assessments, or mental health intervention and treatment Services Resource Team services are available at no cost and include consultation and training delivered by phone, in person and in community settings. Contact Information If you are a licensed child care provider in Clark County, you may access the Resource Team services by calling the ESD 112 Child Care Resource & Referral Provider Services Line at 360-750-7429. Project Partners Clark County Health Department Educational Opportunities for Children & Families Educational Service District 112/Child Care Resource & Referral FAMILY CHILD CARE HOME LEARNING LAB A neighborhood-based model for high quality child care and early learning Funded by the Early Learning Opportunities Act, the SELF Council of Clark County has sponsored a unique learning opportunity for future early childhood educators. Four family child care provider homes are being established to serve as best practices training and observation sites for students enrolled in early childhood education programs at Clark College and WSU Vancouver. These sites will also be models for new and existing licensed child care providers in Clark County. Caregivers in the Family Child Care program receive literacy support services through the Fort Vancouver Regional Library District. Support includes monthly storytimes, monthly literacy resource kits, training and consultation. It is expected that these services will encourage a connection and comfort level between family child care providers and the library. Caregivers also receive staff development training from Clark College and WSU Vancouver. How a Family Child Care Home benefits: Provider is linked to early childhood faculty, staff and the resources of both higher education institutions Provider is supported with ongoing training in early brain development, best practices in child care and how to create literacy-rich learning environments Grants for equipment and supplies are provided to enhance early learning Scholarships are provided to further education in early learning Paid training with substitute time Families are given the opportunity to participate in the Family Life Education program at Clark College Contact Information Michelle Mallory, Family Child Care Coordinator CLARK COLLEGE 360-992-2471 mmallory@clark.edu FRUIT VALLEY COMMUNITY LEARNING CENTER 3410 NW Fruit Valley Road l Vancouver WA 98660 What happens at the Fruit Valley Community Learning Center? The Community Learning Center is a place where children and adults meet to play, learn and access community resources. Activities and Resources Offered Weekly "Read and Play" storytime and parent discussion for parents/caregivers and children ages birth to 5: Fridays from 10-11 am Books and learning activities for children ages birth to 5 to use and check out Themed literacy kits for children ages birth to 5 to use and check out Family nights and community events for fun and learning Special interest workshops for adults Adult English Language Learner classes Parenting workshops Computers with Internet access Parenting and child development videos to watch and check out Adult computer classes Job search assistance Clothing closet and food bank Lunch Buddy program: volunteers eat, talk, read and play games with first grade through fifth grade children during the child's lunch hour Parent groups Skill building and leadership groups for elementary age students Contact Information Jeannine Arthur and Sharon Boehlke, Family Resource Liaisons FRUIT VALLEY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Helping families connect with community resources. 360-313-1904 jarthur@vansd.org sboehlke@vansd.org Jennifer McMillan, Family Services Coordinator FRUIT VALLEY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Providing children/family intervention, skill-building and support. 360-313-1918 jmcmillan@vansd.org Corina McEntire and Christy Paetz, Family Support Specialists EDUCATIONAL SERVICE DISTRICT 112 Connecting families with each other and to community resources. 360-750-7500 corina.mcentire@esd112.org christy.paetz@esd112.org Heather Rogers, Project Librarian FORT VANCOUVER REGIONAL LIBRARY DISTRICT Providing opportunities for early learning and reading awareness by offering storytimes and literacy materials. 360-759-4812 hrogers@fvrl.org IMAGE COMMUNITY LEARNING CENTER 4400 NE 122nd Avenue l Vancouver WA 98682 What happens at the Image Community Learning Center? The Community Learning Center is a place where children and adults meet to play, learn and access community resources. Activities and Resources Offered Parenting and Children's groups allow adults to share parenting challenges and joys, connect with other parents, and get ideas and tips on parenting. Children's groups meet at the same time as the parent group. Call for days and times. No charge for groups. Free weekly "Read and Play" storytime and playgroup for parents/caregivers and children ages birth to 5: Wednesdays from 10-11 am. Books and learning activities for children ages birth to 5 to use and check out Themed Literacy kits for children ages birth to 5 Parenting and child development videos, books and handouts to check out Family nights for fun and learning Parenting workshops Special interest classes for adults Contact Information Erin Oien and Jackie Brock, Family Support Specialists EDUCATIONAL SERVICE DISTRICT 112 Connecting families with each other and to community resources. 360-750-7500 erin.oien@esd112.org jackie.brock@esd112.org Heather Rogers, Project Librarian FORT VANCOUVER REGIONAL LIBRARY DISTRICT Providing opportunities for early learning and reading awareness by offering storytimes and literacy materials. 360-759-4812 hrogers@fvrl.org	EOCF- Educational Opportunities for Children and Families ESD 112- Educational Service District 112 EVSD- Evergreen School District FVRL- Fort Vancouver Regional Library District ISNW- Vancouver Children's Therapy Center SWCCC- Southwest Washington Child Care Consortium SWMC- Southwest Washington Medical Center VHA- Vancouver Housing Authority VSD- Vancouver School District WSUV- Washington State University Vancouver YWCA- Clark County
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