Back to School Family Day 2010

Saturday July 31 9a.m. - 1p.m.


Marion County Health Department


3838 North Rural Street (parking lot)

• Entertainment


• School Supplies (child must be present)


• Health Screenings


• Health Information


• Immunizations


• Sports Physicals (fee and ID required)


• Birth Certificates

For more information call: 221-2464 Bilingual: 221-2039

Resource Library

Child Care Answers Resource Library is open for business!

The library contains books, classroom kits, and resource materials that can assist
teachers in their day to day work with young children.
Classroom Kits have been resupplied and organized for use in your home, center
or ministry. The kits contain everything you need to create fabulous learning
centers, expanded lesson plans, AND help meeting “Foundation” standards.
Membership is very reasonable, with perks like FREE use of the die cut machine,
low cost laminating, and “resource” dollars. Just for joining you receive $5
resource dollars to purchase paper, copies, laminating, and more. Annual
membership fee for Family Child Care Providers, Parents and Individuals is only
$20.00. For Centers, Ministries and School Age sites membership is $30.00
yearly.

For example, borrow the classroom kit “You Are What You Eat” and find fun,
creative ways to talk/learn about nutrition in age appropriate ways. 3-D Puzzles,
pans, cookbooks, chef dress-ups and more will delight the children in your
classroom. There are kits in every category too, Math, Science, Social Studies,
Multi-Cultural.

Child Care Answers Resource Library is Located at
Day Nursery-Ruth A. Lilly Center, 3522 N. Central Avenue

Hours of operation: Monday -Thursday: 12:00- 5:30 pm,
1st & 3rd Saturdays: 9:00 am-12:30 pm

Questions... Contact Lenore at lenoref@childcareanswers.com,
317 926-3401 ext. 312

Fun & Simple Father's Day Recipe

Root Beer Pulled Pork
________________________________________

Nutrition Facts
________________________________________
• Amount Per Serving
• Calories 356
• Total Fat (g) 10
• Saturated Fat (g) 3
• Cholesterol (mg) 59
• Sodium (mg) 786
• Carbohydrate (g) 44
• Fiber (g) 1
• Protein (g) 22
• Vitamin A (DV%) 4
• Vitamin C (DV%) 9
• Calcium (DV%) 4
• Iron (DV%) 13
________________________________________
Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet
Ingredients
• 1 2-1/2- to 3-pound pork sirloin roast
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon pepper
• 1 tablespoon cooking oil
• 2 medium onions, cut into thin wedges
• 1 cup root beer*
• 6 cloves garlic, minced
• 3 cups root beer (two 12-ounce cans or bottles)*
• 1 cup bottled chili sauce
• 1/4 teaspoon root beer concentrate (optional)
• Several dashes bottled hot pepper sauce (optional)
• 8 to 10 hamburger buns, split (and toasted, if desired)
• Lettuce leaves (optional)
• Tomato slices (optional)
Directions
1. Trim fat from meat. If necessary, cut roast to fit into a 3-1/2- to 5-quart crockery cooker. Sprinkle meat with the salt and pepper. In a large skillet brown meat on all sides in hot oil. Drain off fat. Transfer meat to cooker. Add onions, the 1 cup root beer, and garlic.
2. Cover and cook on low-heat setting for 8 to 10 hours or on high-heat setting for 4 to 5 hours.
3. Meanwhile, for sauce, in a medium saucepan combine the 3 cups of root beer and the chili sauce. Bring to boiling; reduce heat. Boil gently, uncovered, stirring occasionally, about 30 minutes or until mixture is reduced to 2 cups. Add root beer concentrate and bottled hot pepper sauce, if desired.
4. Transfer roast to a cutting board or serving platter. Using a slotted spoon, remove onions from cooking juices and place on serving platter. Discard juices. Using 2 forks, pull meat apart into shreds. To serve, line buns with lettuce leaves and tomato slices, if desired. Add meat and onions; spoon on sauce. Makes 8 to 10 servings.
*Note: Do not substitute with diet root beer.

Paths to Quality Signs

Last week Child Care Answers staff met to learn about the great marketing plan put together for Paths to Quality. Starting in August level 2, 3, and 4 PTQ providers will be receiving signs to advertise their participation in PTQ. If you are a level 2, 3 or 4 look for your mentor/advisor to contact you soon to see what type of sign you would like to have to display. This will be a great way for providers to show their accomplishments and parents to know at a glance the quality of care a provider is offering.

How to teach poison prevention programs for children

• Do you teach injury prevention programs for preschool/elementary school children?
• Are you looking for a new injury prevention topic?
• Would you like to promote poison safety in your own community?

If you answered “yes” - the Indiana Poison Center can help you teach poison safety.

Who? Anyone who teaches injury prevention programs for preschool and/or
elementary school children.
How long? 3 hours.

How much? The workshop is FREE

Where? 1812 N. Capitol, Wile Hall, 3rd Floor, Room W310, Methodist Hospital,
Indianapolis

When? Wednesday, July 7th from 12-3 p.m.

What? Training provides poison prevention background for the instructor,
activity ideas and materials to teach children poison safety and a way
to get the poison safety message home to parents and other adults.

How long? 3 hours.

How much? The workshop is FREE

Where? 1812 N. Capitol, Wile Hall, 3rd Floor, Room W310, Methodist Hospital,
Indianapolis

When? Wednesday, July 7th from 12-3 p.m.

To register contact:
Barbara Cole
(317) 962-9248
bcole@clarian.org
Registration is limited to 20
per session

Colts Fan Open House

On Saturday, June 5, the Indianapolis Colts will host a FREE mini-camp and fan open house at Lucas Oil Stadium from 10 a.m. to approximately 4 p.m. The fan open house portion of the day will be from 10 a.m. to 1:15 p.m., at which time the field will be cleared for the full-squad practice. Practice is scheduled to start at 2:15 p.m. and finish at 4 p.m.

The fan open house will have activities on the field including:

Colts inflatables
Photo opportunities
Participation in youth football combine drills
Open area for fans to play football on the field
Other activities in the fan open house portion of the day include:
Cheerleader runway show near the Lucas Oil Plaza stage at 11:30 a.m.
Live music on the Lucas Oil Plaza stage
Colts garage sale located in the Northeast corner of the stadium
Picture opportunities with the Colts Vince Lombardi and Lamar Hunt Trophies (fans must bring their own camera)
Cheerleader autographs
Appearance by Blue, the official Colts mascot
Concession stands open
Colts Pro Shop will be open throughout the duration of the event
Opportunity for fans to win one of eleven footballs autographed by current Colts players
Free cholesterol screenings by CardioChek, while supplies last
A free Colts poster will be handed out, while supplies last, as fans exit the stadium

Colts Mini-Camp and Fan Open House at Lucas Oil Stadium

June 5
10 a.m. to approximately 4 p.m.
Lucas Oil Stadium
500 S Capitol Ave
Indianapolis, IN 46225
*Admission is FREE
*FREE Parking in Tire Barn South Lot


Event Timeline

10:00 a.m.
All Lucas Oil Stadium gates open
On field fan experience with inflatables open
Live music on Lucas Oil Plaza stage
Colts garage sale open in the Northeast corner of stadium
Colts sponsor booths open
11:30 a.m.
Cheerleader runway show on Lucas Oil Plaza stage
1:15 p.m.
Field cleared for practice
2:15 p.m.
Full squad practice starts
4:00 p.m.
Practice over
Poster give-a-way while supplies last

Downtown Indy Festivals

Looking for something to do downtown during the month of June? Check out Indianapolis Downtown's website for a listing of all the festivals going on downtown. Child Care Answers will have a booth at the June 12th PBS Let's meet in the park. So come out and support us!

Staff Motivation Retreat

Tired of workplace negativity, drama and GOSSIP?

* Are staff motivation issues draining your time and energy?

* Do you wish your staff would just implement solutions that work?

* Are you exhausted perhaps even feeling resentful because your staff fails to make changes no matter how many times or how many ways you ask?

* Do you ever feel stuck due to your staff's lack of unity?

You are invited to attend The Staff Motivation Retreat coming to Indianapolis on June 26th. Julie Bartkus created this program specifically for directors and owners in the child care industry. Invest one day with Julie and discover a step-by-step plan of action to help you manage, motivate and retain great staff - - and rejuvenate yourself in the process.

For more information, please visit http://www.staffmotivationretreat.com or call Julie at 1.800.211.5671. There are some wonderful bonuses you'll receive for registering today.

Office Hours

Child Care Answers office will be closed all day on Wednesday June 2nd and will not open until 1pm on Thursday June 3rd.

Swim lessons for toddlers get doctor's approval

Swim lessons for toddlers get doctors' approval
Posted 5/24/2010 8:58 AM ET

By Carla K. Johnson, AP Medical Writer
CHICAGO — The nation's largest pediatricians group is relaxing its stance against swimming lessons for children younger than 4.
In the past, the American Academy of Pediatrics has said swim classes might give toddlers and parents a false sense of security. Now the group says it's fine to enroll children as young as 1.

A few small studies suggest toddlers may be less likely to drown if they've had swim lessons. The doctors aren't recommending lessons for every young child. Some parents may feel their little ones aren't ready and that's OK.

Parents should choose classes that emphasize water safety and require a parent or other adult to be in the water with the child, said Connie Harvey who heads aquatics development for the American Red Cross and wasn't involved in the doctors' policy update.

Classes should have at least one instructor for every 10 students, she said.

The updated policy, released online Monday by the journal Pediatrics, also recommends fences around all pools, even popular inflatable ones. Kids can drown by leaning over the soft sides and falling in.

And the group warns that children can drown when their hair or hands get sucked into the drains of pools or spas without drain covers or proper filter-pump equipment.

The rate of childhood drowning deaths has declined in recent years. About 1,100 U.S. children drowned in 2006.

Parents know they should be vigilant while children swim, but trouble can occur in an instant of inattention, said Dr. Jeffrey Weiss of Phoenix Children's Hospital and lead author of the policy.

"It's not a lack of supervision, it's a lapse of supervision," Weiss said.

___

Online:

http://www.aap.org/

http://www.redcross.org

Copyright 2010 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

2010-2011 Ball State University Early Childhood Conference

Are you looking for early childhood professional development opportunities
next year?

We are offering a series of six workshops, throughout the year,
in both Indianapolis and Muncie.

Workshops will be held in Indianapolis,
at Castleton United Methodist Nursery School,
on 9/25, 10/16, 10/30, 3/19, 4/2, and 4/30.

The same series will also be presented in Muncie,
at the BSU Scheidler Apts. Community Room
on 9/18, 10/2, 10/23, 3/26, 4/16, and 5/14.

All workshops are from 9:00-1:00.
(no lunch break)

SAVE THE DATES IN YOUR AREA!

You may register for single workshops for $25 each,
or you may pay only $125 to attend all six workshops
and get the last one FREE.

Emergent Literacy
Music and Movement
Culturally Responsive Teaching
Addressing Children’s Behaviors
Family Engagement
Nutrition, Obesity, and Physical Activity

CEUs and CRUs are available.
Check our website for additional details
www.bsu.edu/elementaryeducation
or email Dr. Lynn Staley at lstaley@bsu.edu.
Registration will begin in July.

Co-sponsored by the East Central Chapter of the
Indiana Association for the Education of Young Children

Summer Reading Program for Child Care Providers

JOIN THE IMCPL SUMMER READING PROGRAM – Reading books = Brain
Food!

Preschool teachers, you’re invited to join us for the Library’s 91st FREE Summer
Reading Program - Read to Feed! Check out this program & great “reads” from June 7
– July 31, 2010

PRESCHOOL/DAY CARE PARTICIPATION MADE EASY!
As a preschool teacher, you play an invaluable role in a child’s first steps to learning how
to read. Reading aloud and talking to children enriches their imagination & vocabulary
in critical ways. Registering your class in the summer reading program is an easy way to
build the love of reading.

Registration:
Beginning in early June, visit your local Indianapolis-Marion County Public Library
branch or Bookmobile to sign up your class and yourself. Each teacher who will be
reading aloud to children needs to register individually. As a thank-you gift for
registering and reading aloud to your class, you will receive a White Castle coupon.

Point Card:
Upon registration you will receive one Group Point Card for your entire class.
Bring the point card every time you return books to the Library or Bookmobile for your
class to receive reading points.

Earn Prizes!
Your class can accumulate up to 400 points. All children in a class will earn the same
prize at the same time. Three prizes will be available for the children at the following
point levels:
1 Playtime Dough………….. 100 points
1 Glitter ball ………… 200 points
1 Paperback Book for each child……..…300 points
1 Classroom Book ………………………400 points*
*At 400 points, the teacher chooses a Children’s Paperback Book, for classroom use.
(Limit one per class.)

SCHOOL-AGE SUMMER CAMPS
Summer campers who read independently may participate as well by filling out
individual registration forms and earning up to 600 points to spend on prizes. Summer
Camp leaders may join the program and earn points for reading aloud to the campers in
their care. Camp leaders who are 18 years or older may only earn points for reading
aloud to children.

Remember these Important Summer Reading Dates:
First day to receive reading points – Monday, June 7, 2010
Last day to receive reading points – Saturday, July 31, 2010
For more information call or visit your local IMCPL Branch or call 275-4099.

Bike Safety Event

Clarian Health and local health groups partner to host Emergency Medicine Bike Safety Fair at The Children’s Museum. Free event will offer bike giveaway, free helmets and bike safety tips for children

WHAT:
Free fair promoting bike safety

DATE:
Saturday, May 22

TIME:
11 a.m. – 2 p.m.

LOCATION:
The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis
3000 N. Meridian St.
Indianapolis, IN 46208

COST:
No cost

DETAILS:

INDIANAPOLIS—On Saturday, May 22, Clarian Health and the Indiana University School of Medicine’s Department of Emergency Medicine will join several local health and community organizations in hosting the Emergency Medicine Bike Safety Fair taking place at The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m.

This free, three-hour event will feature bike giveaways, free bike helmets (while supplies last), a bike safety course, an obstacle course, crash prevention demonstrations, and stations for helmet-fitting, helmet decorating and traffic signaling/safety instruction.

Each station will be staffed by emergency medicine faculty, residents, and medical students from the Indiana University School of Medicine.

“The Emergency Medicine Bike Safety Fair is a community-wide effort to educate children on the safest ways to enjoy their bikes in the hope of reducing the number of bicycle-related injuries,” says Dr. Jennifer Walthall, one of the event organizers and an emergency medicine physician with the IU School of Medicine’s Department of Emergency Medicine. In stressing the need for more public education about bike safety, Walthall notes that only a few of the nearly 200 children that participated in last year’s event claimed to have bike helmets at home.

“We hope that this effort will help keep the children of Indianapolis safe and happy while riding their bikes this summer,” says Dr. Walthall.

Statistics show that using a bicycle helmet can greatly reduce the risk of serious or fatal injury. According to the Center for Disease Control, head injury is the leading cause of death in bicycle crashes. National statistics also show that use of bicycle helmets can eliminate 65 to 88 percent of bicycle-related brain injuries and 65 percent of serious injuries to the upper and middle regions of the face.

The Emergency Medicine Bike Safety Fair is being sponsored by Clarian Health, The Indiana University School of Medicine Department of Emergency Medicine, The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis, Goodman Campbell Brain and Spine, Emergency Medicine Student Interest Group (EMSIG) and Marion County Emergency Medical Services.

BIKE SAFETY TIPS:

Always wear a helmet when riding your bicycle.
Parents should wear helmets, too!
Make sure your bicycle isn’t too big for you—your feet should be able to touch the ground when you stop.
Ride in the daylight.
Concentrate on riding—don’t wear earphones or try to talk on a phone.
Don’t ride your bike on a busy road.

Voluntary Certification Program

Child Care Answers staff had a very interesting lunch on Monday in which our wonderful ministry mentors helped us all understand the process in which ministries go through the Voluntary Certification Program (VCP). For a ministry the first step in Paths to Quality is to meet the VCP standards. You can access more information about VCP by clicking on the link. For some great pictures of staff learning about the process check out Child Care Answers facebook page!

Hamilton County Community Development Block Grant

Attention Hamilton County Residents You May Qualify For This Grant

The US Office of Housing and Community Development(HUD). Based upon the Consolidated Plan priorities strengthening of the community's living environment, and the promotion of community services that increase opportunities for economic self- sufficiency.

Nature of Program

The HUD funds can bee used to carry out a wide range of community development activities directed toward revitalizing neighborhoods, economic development, and providing improved community facilities and services.

For More Information

If you would like additional information on the Hamilton County Community Development Block Grant Program please contact:

Mark McConaghy, CDBG Coordinator

Noblesville Housing Authority

322 Kings lane

Noblesville, IN 46060

markmcconaghy@sbcglobal.net

317-773-5220, ext. 104

Fax: 317-774-0079

Stopping Child Abuse

Stopping Child Abuse One Child at a Time
Recognizing Abuse and What to Do About It


Sheila DayMay 01, 2010

The statistics are overwhelming. More than 20,000 Indiana children are abused or neglected every year. That breaks down to about 1,700 a month, or 56 kids a day. Translated another way: In every Indiana classroom, there are potentially three children who are suffering from abuse. Every day, children—maybe even someone in your child's classroom—are suffering abuse at the hands of another.

Many wonder how they can possibly make a difference against such a formidable enemy? My answer: The same way I can, the same way we all can. One child at a time.

Whether you work directly with children, or simply come into contact with them as your kids make friends and get involved, one of the best things every adult can do is to learn the key signs of child abuse and possible situations which may trigger such behavior.

Signs of trouble

First of all, child abuse is a broad term that can include several areas, including physical, sexual or emotional/verbal abuse, as well as medical neglect. For each of these, there may be different warning signals. Below are some of the most common physical and behavioral signs to indicate that something may not be right—that a child may need help.

Physical indicators of abuse:

* Unexplained bumps or lumps

* Burns by cigarettes

* Dental/oral injuries

* Unexplained bruises (in various stages of healing)

* Unexplained fractures, lacerations or abrasions

* Evidence of delayed or inappropriate treatment for injuries

Behavioral/social indicators of abuse:

* Withdrawn, self-destructive, aggressive behaviors

* Fear of being at home

* Complaints of soreness; uncomfortable movement

* Bizarre explanation of injuries

* Apprehension of adult contact

* Developmental lags

* School absenteeism

You may also be alerted to a dangerous situation by the caretaker. Common characteristics in caretakers include being an extremely harsh disciplinarian; describing a child in a consistently negative manner; abusing alcohol or drugs; being overly defensive; or concealing or misleading about a child's injury.

The stress of family situations

While there are certainly cases where domestic violence or substance abuse provoke the abuse of a child, you may be surprised to know that many abusive situations arise when a family is faced with a stressful situation. Where there is a lot of stress—job loss, poverty, marital discord, divorce, little support—and the abuser lacks the knowledge and the parenting skills to cope in a healthy way, there is often a climate prime for abuse.

In addition to educating yourself about what abuse may look like and what may prompt it, you should also be aware of the steps you can take if you are concerned about a child's welfare. While we cannot change the hurt children have suffered in the past, we can change how they are affected in the present and future. If you suspect child abuse or neglect, call the 24/7 hotline at Child Protective Services: 1-800-800-5556.

Sheila Day is a licensed social worker with the Child Protection Center at Peyton Manning Children's Hospital at St.Vincent. The center provides medical evaluation services for children when abuse or neglect is suspected.

SIDEBAR

Becoming Stewards of Children

The Peyton Manning Children's Hospital at St.Vincent is now offering a child sexual abuse prevention program to the general public and, specifically, adults who interact with kids as teachers, coaches, youth leaders, etc. Called Stewards of Children, this national program educates adults on to how to recognize the signs of sexual abuse and provides practical information on how to respond appropriately.

More information? 317-338-3153

New Payment Policy

Beginning July 1st 2010 Child Care Answers has a no cash policy. We will accept the following payments only:

• Check


• Money Order


• Credit Card (Visa, MasterCard, Discover)

Head Start Special needs enrollment Fair

Date: Saturday, May 15, 2010
Time: 10:30 a.m.-1:00 p.m.
Location:
Garfield Park
Corporate Shelter
2505 Conservatory Drive
Indianapolis, Indiana 46203

Radio Disney appearance from
11:00 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

Avoid the waiting list! Head Start is providing on site enrollment for families of children that have an Individual Education Plan (IEP) or Individual Family Service Plan (IFSP).

To complete the enrollment process, you will need to bring the following:
• Child’s birth certificate
• Child’s shot records
• Child’s IEP or IFSP
• Parents’ proof of income (2009 1040 form or Work One statement)

For more information about this event, please call Tiffany Dix at
317-803-3810.

Free Summer Movies

Looking for something to entertain the kids on a cloudy day this summer? Select movie theaters around Indianapolis offer free kids movies through the summer.

Regal Cinema will show select G and PG rated movies on Tuesday and Wednesdays starting at 10am. For a list of locations and films click here.

The Great Escape Theater in Noblesville will have shows Wednesday, Thursday and Fridays starting at 9:30 am. Call the theater for movie information at (317)774-1321.

Check out other theaters in your area to see if they offer free or discounted kids movies. Also, make sure you arrive early for the movies. Tickets are on a first come first serve basis.

Protect the little ones with child safety seats at St. Francis, May 15

MOORESVILLE, Ind. – St. Francis Hospital-Mooresville and Safe Kids Morgan County are sponsoring safety day May 15.

The event, which is free to the public, will be from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at St. Francis Hospital-Mooresville, 1201 Hadley Road.

Start your child’s summer off right and learn about water, bike and car safety. St. Francis will be giving away free bike helmets and life vests while supplies last. Free car seat safety checks will be performed.

Children must be present and accompanied by an adult to receive the free merchandise.

For more information, call 317-834-5817.

Safe Sleeping Practices Class

The Safe Sleeping Practice classes are filling up quickly! The next available SIDS class will be July 14th at the Franklin College and July 24th in Indianapolis. If you are needing to attend the class please contact us to register. If you need to take the class sooner check out Early childhood meeting place for other locations in Indiana offering the class.

An Introduction to the Business of Family Child Care

Come Join us for this informational workshop and meet the author of: The Business of Family Child Care

Hosted by Indiana Association for Child Care Resource and Referral and Child Care Answers
Date: Tues., June 8, 2010
Time: 6:30-9:00 pm
Location:
United Way
3901 N. Meridian St.
Indianapolis, IN 46208
RCI Conference Room

Goals of the workshop:
• To introduce key business issues in home child care
• To help create a start-up plan
• To help create a business plan

Gain information on why it’s important to treat family child care as a business and learn about the key aspects of planning:
 Legal issues
 Start-up costs
 Start-up tax issues
 The key aspects of a business plan
 Contracts
 Marketing
 Insurance
 Professional development
 Record keeping

Tom Copeland is a renowned tax and family child care
business specialist. He is a licensed attorney and trains thousands
of family child care providers each year. Tom is an advocate for
family child care and he is presently a consultant for the National
Association for Family Child Care. http://www.nafcc.org/

Limited to the first 50 registrations
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Name_________________________________
Facility Name_________________________________________
Address______________________________________________________________________________
Email Address________________________________Phone_________________________________________
 Enclosed is $10 for The Business of Family Child Care. This will reserve my spot for the workshop. (refunds will only be made if workshop is full)
Mail back to: IACCRR, 3901 N. Meridian St., Suite 200, Indianapolis, IN 46208
Attention: Sally Lacey

Participants receive a certificate toward annual in service training for Paths to Quality

The project is funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. For more info contact IACCRR at 317-924-5202

Free Fishing Weekend

June 5-6, 2010

It's reel fun with a catch!

Youth, age 17 and younger, do not need a fishing license to fish in Indiana waters. Additionally, during Free Fishing Weekend (June 5-6, 2010), all Indiana residents do not need a fishing license or a trout/salmon stamp to fish Indiana waters.

Load up the car with friends, family and fishing poles and enjoy a FREE weekend of fishing. Check out a new lake or river, or introduce friends and family to a favorite fishing spot.

Fishing can be enjoyed alone on a bank or shared among a boat load of people on the lake. It can be quiet and relaxing or fun and exciting. Fishing can also provide tasty meals, but don’t forget: fishing is not always “catching” fish, but it’s “trying to catch” fish.

To help kids and adults celebrate Free Fishing Weekend, recreation areas located across Indiana are planning fun fishing derbies, knot tying demonstrations, casting clinics and fish cleaning and cooking classes. Some properties require pre-registration. Call your favorite property for details.
Individuals who need reasonable modifications for effective participation in Free Fishing Weekend events at DNR properties should contact the property at least 72 hours before the event. Or call the DNR ADA Coordinator at 317-232-4145.

Properties hosting activities for Free Fishing Weekend

■Brookville Reservoir, Brookville, 765-458-5565
■Buffalo Trace Park, Palmyra, 812-364-6112
■Cagles Mill Lake (Lieber SRA), Cloverdale, 765-795-3552
■Cecil M. Harden Lake (Raccoon SRA), Rockville, 765-344-1412
■Cedar Lake, Cedar Lake, 219-374-6157
■Chain O’Lakes State Park, 260-636-2654
■Dobbs Park Nature Center, Terre Haute, 812-877-1095
■Eagle Creek Park, Indianapolis, 317-327-7110
■Falls of the Ohio State Park, Jeffersonville, 812-280-9970
■Ferrettie/Baugo Creek County Park, Osceola, 574-277-4828
■Hot Pond Park, Lebanon, 765-482-8860
■Hoosier National Forest, Bedford, 812-275-5987
■J. Edward Roush Lake, Huntington, 260-468-2127
■Mississinewa Lake, Peru, 260-468-2127
■Monroe Lake, Bloomington, 812-837-9546
■Mounds State Park, Anderson, 765-649-8128
■O'Bannon Woods State Park, Corydon, 812-738-8234
■Ouabache State Park, Bluffton, 260-824-0926
■Ox Bow Park, Goshen, 574-535-6458
■Patoka Lake, Birdseye, 812-685-2464
■Prairie Creek Reservoir, Selma, 765-747-4776
■River Preserve Park, Goshen, 574-535-6458
■Salamonie Lake, Andrews, 260-468-2127
■St. Patrick County Park, South Bend, 219-277-4828
■Shakamak State Park, Jasonville, 812-665-2158
■Starve Hollow State Recreation Area, Vallonia, 812-358-3464
■Summit Lake State Park, New Castle, 765-766-5873
■Tippecanoe River State Park, Winamac, 574-946-3213
■Versailles State Park, Versailles, 812-689-6424
■Whitewater Memorial State Park, Liberty, 765-458-5565
■Williams Dam Public Fishing Area, Williams, 812-388-5564
■Willow Slough FWA, Morocco, 219-285-2704

Providers we need your input!

It is that time of the year again that we need to hear from you! Please click on the link to go to survey monkey and complete our annual training needs assessment. Please complete the survey no later than May 31, 2010.

IT is vital that we hear from you and your staff. This assessment helps us plan the trainings offered for our next fiscal year. Our fiscal year is from October to September.

Thank you for taking time to complete the 2010-2011 Training Needs Assessment! Please contact Joslyn Sullivan at (317) 636-5727 ext. 257 for any questions.

Mother's Day Gift

Mother's Day Herb Garden Kit

Tools and Materials

Sterile soil seed-starting mix
Plastic bag with zipper seal
Burlap
Rubber band
Raffia
Plant-tag template
Copper plant tags
Double-sided tape
Cork board
Push pins
Herb-garden-instruction template
Card stock
Scissors
Terra-cotta pot
Herb seed packets
Osmocote plant food
Gloves
Shovel
Japanese floral shears
Watering can
Garden stones

Herb Garden Kit How-To
1. Place sterile soil seed-starting mix in a sealed plastic bag. Gather burlap around plastic bag and secure with a rubber band. Add a raffia tie around the rubber band.

2. Download, print, and cut the copper plant-tag template. Place a copper tag on cork board and affix the tag template over it with double-sided tape. Using a push pin, pierce through the marked dots on the template into the copper plant tag.

3. Print the herb-garden instructions on heavy card stock and cut out.

4. Assemble the herb garden elements in a terra-cotta pot: add herb garden instructions, seed-starting mix, copper plant tags, herb seed packets, osmocote plant food, gloves, shovel, Japanese floral shears, watering can, and garden stones.

Resources
Copper tags are available at Jamali Garden. Seed packets are available at John Scheepers Kitchen Garden Seeds. Terra-cotta pots are available at grdnbklyn.com. Don't worry about packing up this gift -- just take it to the UPS Store, where their certified packing experts can pack and ship your gifts. For more great gift ideas, check out our Mother's Day gifts photo gallery.

From The Martha Stewart Show, May 2008

Summer Reading Program

Indianapolis-Marion County Public Library will host a kick off event for the 2010 Summer Reading Program on Sunday May 23rd at the Central library starting at 1pm. For more information on the summer reading program check out the IMCPL website.

How to teach poison prevention programs to children

• Do you teach injury prevention programs for preschool/elementary school children?

• Are you looking for a new injury prevention topic?

• Would you like to promote poison safety in your own community?

If you answered “yes” - the Indiana Poison Center can help you teach poison safety.

Who? Anyone who teaches injury prevention programs for preschool and/or
elementary school children.

How long? 3 hours.

How much? The workshop is FREE

Where? 1812 N. Capitol, Wile Hall, 3rd Floor, Room W310, Methodist Hospital,
Indianapolis

When? Wednesday, May 26th from 9:00 a.m.–12 p.m. OR Tuesday June 8th from
12:30-3:30 p.m.

What? Training provides poison prevention background for the instructor,
activity ideas and materials to teach children poison safety and a way
to get the poison safety message home to parents and other adults.

To register contact:
Barbara Cole
(317) 962-9248
bcole@clarian.org

Registration is limited to 20
per session

May brings lots of great family fun at the Eiteljorg Museum!

May offers great family fun opportunities at the Eiteljorg Museum of American Indians and Western Art. On May 1, the month starts with the Indiana State Yo-Yo Contest. On Mother’s Day May 9 bring mom in for a uniue brunch experience. Then, on May 15, the museum will host the Leon Jett Celebration for Families followed by, on May 22, the opening day of the museum’s next special exhibition, Generations: The Helen Cox Kersting Collection of Southwestern Cultural Arts.

Yo-yo contest to attract more than 50 competitors

The museum will host the Indiana State Yo-Yo Contest, welcoming more than 50 competitors showcasing their talents in five different class divisions. Registration is 9 a.m. – 11 a.m. and the competition begins at 10 a.m. and will run through 4 p.m.

The Indiana State Yo-Yo Contest has long been respected as one of the best state contests in the U.S., with top-notch talent in attendance. According to event organizer [insert Takeshi’s name], yo-yos are more popular now than ever, with sales up 1000% from this time last year. Interest in this age-old toy has increased worldwide and some of the finest competitors in the United States will gather in Indianapolis to test their skill, swap tricks, and pick up the latest gear from sponsors and vendors.

The public is invited to watch yo-yo competitors in action and experience demonstrations, free beginner’s workshops and opportunities to learn about the past and future of yo-yoing from members of the National Yo-Yo League. Museum admission includes admission to view the contest.

Bring mom in for a unique cultural experience on Mother’s Day

The Eiteljorg Museum will be hosting its annual Mother’s Day Brunch on May 9, featuring a delicious buffet from Kahn’s Catering featuring grilled, Atlantic salmon with fresh tomato concasse and pesto cream; roasted, rosemary-rubbed pork loin with garlic mushroom demi-glace. There are two seatings available at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. The cost is $39 for adult members; $49 for adult non-members; $19 all children 4-12; and children 3 and under free. The fee includes the buffet, a champagne toast, taxes, gratuity, museum admission and parking. Cash bar will be available. Call Autumn Souert at (317) 275-1310 to make your reservation.

Museum celebrates life of longtime programs manager

On May 15, the Eiteljorg Museum will host the Leon Jett Celebration for Families. Guests will hear the story of The Three Sisters (corn, beans and squash) and will receive seeds to plant their own gardens at home. Visitors will also enjoy special performances and family activities celebrating the life of former public programs manager, Leon Jett.

The day features performances by Freetown Village Children’s Ensemble, Kumbaa Youth Theater and others. Guests can also learn about Native cultures through cultural representatives and enjoy pony rides and other family-friendly activities.

This event is co-hosted by the Friends of Leon. Guests are asked to bring a canned food donation for Gleaners Food Bank.

Exhibition opens featuring nearly 800 recently-donated cultural objects

On Saturday, May 22, the exhibit Generations: The Helen Cox Kersting Collection of Southwestern Cultural Arts will open. The museum will celebrate the opening of the exhibit with activities surrounding the subject of collecting. There will be experts on hand to discuss the collection of jewelry, pottery and other items..

The museum is encouraging guests to show off their personal collections at the museum on this day. Buttons…trading cards…fine art—interested parties should visit www.eiteljorg.org for details.

Visit www.eiteljorg.org for more information on any of these events.

Feds recall Simplicity and Graco cribs

Feds recall Simplicity and Graco cribs
Associated Press
Posted: April 29, 2010

WASHINGTON -- The government recalled thousands of Simplicity and Graco cribs Thursday, warning that babies could suffocate or strangle in them.
The Consumer Product Safety Commission said the Simplicity recall was linked to at least one death and involved thousands of cribs, possibly hundreds of thousands, though many had previously been recalled for other defects. The agency said about 217,000 Graco dropside cribs made by LaJobi were also being recalled.

The problem with both types of cribs stems from hardware failures.
In the case of the Graco-branded wood cribs, the side that moves up and down -- the dropside -- can break or detach, creating a dangerous gap between the crib mattress and dropped side. A baby can become trapped and suffocate or strangle. CPSC and LaJobi have received 99 complaints of dropside problems with the cribs. None involved serious injuries.

The Simplicity recall is for all full-sized cribs with tubular metal mattress-support frames. Those frames can bend or detach, causing the mattress to collapse and creating a space that a baby can roll into, become trapped in and suffocate.

A one-year-old boy in North Attleboro, Mass., became trapped in his Simplicity crib and suffocated in 2008, according to the commission.
"CPSC urges all parents and caregivers to not attempt to resell any Simplicity crib to a thrift store, at a yard sale or online," said agency spokesman Scott Wolfson. "These recalled cribs have killed far too many babies and need to be kept out of homes and daycare centers."
Simplicity has been the subject of almost a dozen recalls since 2005 and its cribs have been linked to 13 deaths.

The commission had previously recalled all Simplicity dropside cribs. With the latest recall, nearly all Simplicity cribs have now been recalled, possibly hundreds of thousands of cribs. Simplicity and its successor company, SFCA Inc., are no longer in business, so the agency doesn't know exactly how many cribs were sold.

On the Net: Consumer Product Safety Commission: http://www.cpsc.gov

Resource Library

We now have a Resource Library open to providers!

CHILDCARE ANSWERS
CHILD CARE RESOURCE AND REFERRAL AGENCY

RESOURCE LIBRARY

317-926-3401 ext. 312

PURPOSE: The purpose of Child Care Answers Resource Library is to provide Parents, Child Care Providers and Early Childhood Agencies in Marion, Hendricks, Hamilton, and Johnson Counties with information and resources that will enhance the lives of children they serve.

LOCATION: The Resource Library is located at 3522 N. Central Avenue, Indianapolis 46205

HOURS:
• 12:00- 5:30 p.m. ~ Monday - Thursday
• Closed Friday
• 9:30-12:30 p.m. ~ every 1st and 3rd Saturdays of the month
• Open ½ hour before trainings that are held at 3522 N. Central

MEMBERSHIP:
• An annual membership fee is payable by credit, debit, check, or money order
1. Family Child Care Providers, Parents and Individual fee is $20- includes a $5 resource credit 2. Center, Ministry and School-age sites fee is $30 and includes a $5 resource credit
3. Membership includes checking out resource kits, books, videos; and use of laminating machine, copier computer/Internet/printer and dye cut machine. Please contact about fees for usage.

Make and Take Workshop

Make and Take Workshop
Ideas and material to take back to your child care facility or classroom


Day Nursery Lilly Center
3522 N. Central Avenue

Cost $5.00

1st and 3rd Saturdays: Instruction and Learning 9:30 - 10:30 am (Required for certificate/workshop credit**) Question and answer/help with materials 10:30 - 12:30 pm)

May 1st & 15th theme is Recycling. Discover how to use everyday materials to meet the physical education and science foundations.


To register: call 317-636-5727 ext. 257 or online at http://www.childcareanswers.com/


**Recieve a certificate for training hours (not CEU's)**

Eagle Creek fishing derby set for June 5

Kids can learn how to bait a hook and catch fish during the ninth annual Eagle Creek Park Kids' Fishing Derby.

The June 5 event put on by the Eagle Creek Park Foundation is open to 400 children ages 4 to 14 and is one of the nation's largest fishing derbies, said Allison Frane, event spokeswoman.

Registration for the free event starts Monday. Families will not be charged park or event admission, and no fishing license is required. Volunteers will demonstrate fishing techniques during the catch and release event, and the foundation will provide hot dogs, chips and drinks.

Participants who own fishing equipment are asked to bring it, but the foundation has rods and reels for those without it, Frane said. An adult must accompany all children.

Preregistration is required. Forms are available at the Eagle Creek Park office, 7840 W. 56th St., or through June 1 at www.eaglecreekpark.org. For more information call (317) 327-7116.

Free Teacher Professional Development

Join The Children’s Museum for an educator professional development opportunity that focuses on ways to use the Take Me There: Egypt exhibit to enhance student learning in science, social studies, language arts, and visual arts. Each participant will receive a Unit of Study.

Explore present-day Egypt, where the past and the present meet, at The Children’s Museum’s newest permanent exhibit, Take Me There – Egypt.

Learn about the geography, natural environment, home life, language, and arts Egypt today.

Savor a taste of Egyptian cuisine and learn about Egyptian American life in Indiana. Become immersed in cultural experiences specially designed for student groups, the sebou and the maglis-al-suh.

Register by June 15 for Egypt: Beyond the Past

Teachers of Grades 3–8

Tuesday–Thursday, June 29–July 1, 9 a.m.–4 p.m.

Fee: *FREE** (a $75 value)! A $25 deposit will be taken at the time of registration. After completion of the institute, your $25 will be refunded.

To register call (800) 820-6214

Letter to the Editor

I came across this letter to the editor in the Indianapolis Star. It speaks volumes to the amazing mentors working with ministries at Child Care Answers. Its always good to know that what we do touches so many people.


United Way makes good thing even better
Michael W. Bowling
Posted: April 21, 2010

Every day I see the hope-filled sight of bright-eyed young children skipping through the doors of our building anticipating another day of playing with friends and exploring the many intriguing aspects of the world in which we are blessed to live.

A caring staff receives them with an excitement characteristic of a separation of weeks instead of the few short hours since the previous day. They are followed by parents who expect at the very least their children will be safe and sound for the next few hours.

Many of these families face daunting challenges. They are worn down by the constant threat of unemployment or the unexpected illness that could so easily become a domino effect with one crisis after another.

However, most of these families share a common hope: the success of their children. Our child-care ministry pushes beyond the essential minimum of "safe and sound" to provide the kind of care that, in partnership with the family, moves each child toward school readiness and the possibility of a better future. We see our work as an essential expression of encouragement to our community's families.

To do our work well requires a dedicated staff, a supportive church and a safe and welcoming facility. Sometimes, we get tired and discouraged. But always there comes some form of encouragement that bolsters our efforts.

This encouragement may be as simple as a note of thanks from a grateful parent or as significant as a major breakthrough with a child. Recently, it came with surprising magnitude from an unexpected source: United Way of Central Indiana.

We are not a member agency, but we received a first-hand experience of the encouragement a member agency gets from the competent and committed folks at United Way. Our inclusion in their Success By Six program resulted in a significant upgrade to our Daystar Childcare space, mentors for our staff and benefits too numerous to name.

The results were immediately recognized by the families we serve, and our staff began to pursue continuing education like a runner getting a second wind. United Way of Central Indiana and the Success By Six program demonstrate the visionary thinking critically needed in our day.

They recognize the best investment for a better tomorrow is the children of today. They know what most well-informed educators have been saying for years: The most dynamic benefits come from investing in early-childhood development.
They made the astute observation that one of the most overlooked providers of care for preschool children is registered child-care ministries. Success By Six has come alongside participating child-care ministries with the resources and expertise that are already producing dramatic results.

United Way funds a myriad essential services throughout the nation, but Success By Six demonstrates the compassion and the wisdom found in the old adage, "An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure."

Thanks to United Way of Central Indiana for the encouragement, and thanks to the thousands of donors who fund such priorities. A better future is on its way.


Bowling is pastor of Englewood Christian Church in Indianapolis.

April Showers Bring May Flowers

This gloomy, rainy weather we have had the past few days has made it impossible to get the children outside. Below are some great ways to incorporate April weather into your day!


April Showers song(to the tune of "I'm a Little Teapot")
Pitter patter rain drops (wiggle fingers to imitate rain)
Falling from the sky (wiggle fingers downward)
Here's my umbrella (action of opening an umbrella)
Hold it high! (hands over head)
When the rain is over (bring hands down slowly)
and the sun begins to glow (make sun with arms)
Little flowers start to bud (Kneel down)
then grow, grow, grow!!! (slowly stand up)

Talk to your children about the rain. Older children can learn about the water cycle with great information on the water link. You can do a bit of math/graphing practice by providing the child with the rain/sun template below. Each day during the month of April, have them color one of the squares on either the rain or the sun side (depending on what the weather is like).

Some great spring craft ideas such as muffin cup flowers can be found here.

Conner Prairie plans picnic for families of autism

Conner Prairie is hosting an Autism Awareness Day on Saturday for families affected by autism and those interested in learning more about the disorder.
Families affected by autism can share their experiences during a picnic from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. People can bring their own food or buy lunch at Conner Prairie, according to a press release.

Quiet rooms will be identified throughout the living history park. Those who have autism sometimes have trouble processing sensory information and need a place to relax.

Conner Prairie decided to host the day because April is Autism Awareness Month. It also offered an autism awareness training event for Indiana museums and attractions in March.

Autism affects more than 1,300 families in Hamilton County, said Jane Grimes, director of the Hamilton County Autism Support Group, which is partnering with Conner Prairie for the event.

El Día de los Niños at The Children's Museum

Sunday April 25th The Indianapolis Children's Museum is having it's annual El Día de los Niños, a free day to the public celebrating the Hispanic and Latino cultures.

This year El Día de los Niños will be on Sunday, April 25th, from 10a.m. to 3p.m. Celebrate Hispanic and Latino culture with live musical performances,hands-on art activities, and storytelling!The day will feature appearances from Maya and Miguel, the PBS series twins. This free day is usually a big success; we would really like to stress that it is a great way for students and families to learn more about the Hispanic and Latino cultures.

Call out for furniture

In support of United Way's Kindergarten readiness initiative on the Eastside of Indianapolis. United Way is in need of furniture. Below is the information if you are able to assist.

We’re looking for furniture! United Way’s Kindergarten Countdown program is moving into a new location and needs help outfitting rooms for a kindergarten orientation program this summer. If you have pre-K / Kindergarten-sized tables, chairs, and other classroom equipment available for loan from mid-June to early August, let us know! Please contact Heather Girton at 317-921-1339 or heather.girton@uwci.org for more information.

Safe Sleeping Practices Class

All of our Marion county SIDS classes are currently full. The next available classes will begin in July when the new training calendar comes out. If you are in need of taking the classes please check out Early Childhood meeting place website. It list all the available classes for the state of Indiana.

Go fly a kite Saturday in Avon

AVON -- Residents can celebrate national kite flying month during a family event behind Town Hall on Saturday.
The Avon Town Hall Park Family Fun Fly will be from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday in the park behind Town Hall, 6570 E. U.S. 36.

The first 25 children will receive free kite kits, and volunteers will be available from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. to teach children how to build their own kites.
Members of the Hoosier Kitefliers Society will be on hand to demonstrate professional kite-flying maneuvers.
In addition, the Indy Admirals will hosts their Spring Fling Model Boat Regatta on Town Hall Lake from 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Spanking and Kids' Aggression: 3 Alternatives to Spanking That Work for Parents and Kids

By Nancy Shute
US News and World Report

Does spanking your child make him behave better, or set the stage for bigger trouble? A new study says that spanking children at age 3 makes them more likely to become bullies by age 5. But the news has sparked ire from parents who say they were spanked as children, but have turned out just fine, thank you.

The study, by Catherine Taylor, an assistant professor of community health sciences at Tulane University in New Orleans, analyzed survey data in which about 2,500 mothers reported how often they had spanked their 3-year-old in the past month. Almost half of the mothers (45.6 percent) hadn't spanked at all, while 27.9 percent had spanked their child once or twice. One quarter of the mothers said they spanked the child frequently. The mothers who spanked were more likely to report aggressive behavior when the child was 5, including:

•Arguing or screaming a lot
•Bullying
•Being mean to other kids
•Getting into fights
•Teasing or threatening others
This isn't the first study to say that spanking young children is counterproductive, but earlier studies were less reliable because they didn't account for other factors such as stress and depression in mothers, and child abuse, which also might make children more aggressive. "This study is not saying that children don't need discipline," Taylor told me today. "Kids need discipline. But we really encourage parents to focus on positive, non-physical types of discipline such as time out, instead of spanking." And, of course, not every kid who is spanked turns into a bully. But Taylor says it's clear that spanking is a risk factor for increased aggressive behavior in children. "If you're trying to improve behavior, this is counterproductive."

Clearly there's a big disconnect between parents and pediatricians on spanking: As many as 90 percent of parents think it's OK to spank young children, and the fierce debate over spanking involves religion (James Dobson is pro-spanking), pediatricians (the American Academy of Pediatrics says no corporal punishment, ever), and outliers like pediatrician Lawrence Diller, who says spanking may be better for some children than Ritalin. People feel more passionately about spanking than they do about any other child-discipline issue, and that's saying a lot.

Add to that the fact that most parents were themselves spanked as children, and it's a hard lesson to unlearn. And most of us (myself included) haven't mastered the intricacies of the "positive discipline" techniques that the pediatricians recommend to the point that we can confidently deploy them when faced with a surly or screaming child.

So what's a parent of a misbehaving preschooler to do? There's a solid body of evidence showing that positive discipline techniques, when done right, are much more effective than spanking, nagging, or arguing. Three key points:

•Focus on rewarding positive behavior rather than punishing bad deeds. Check out this video with Alan Kazdin, director of the Yale Child Study Center, showing how to praise a child right, with immediate, focused praise rather than the bland "good job!"
•Time outs work, but they have to be done right to serve as effective punishment. A good time out is short, focused, and doesn't involve lectures after the fact.
•Be consistent in how you discipline your children. This one's tough for all parents—hey, we're humans too!—but will go a long way towards making your home a haven rather than a battlefield.
Most pediatricians can give solid advice on discipline, and the AAP website healthychoices.org also provides options. For more on proven methods for effective discipline (and how we parents often mess them up), check out my story "Good Parents, Bad Results." I've also written about the controversy over earlier research on spanking and aggression.

What discipline techniques work with your family? Please share them with us here.

Spring Time Activites with Children

A question posted on our facebook page this week was "What is your favorite activity to do with children in the spring time", go to our facebook page to check out the great responses we got and give us your spring time activity ideas.

Westside Special Needs Fair features nearly 59 agencies

Individuals and families with disabilities of any kind are welcome at the fifth annual Special Needs Family Resource and Information Fair, to be held Saturday, April 24, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Speedway United Methodist Church, 5065 W. 16th St. (16th and Winton).
The fair will feature more than 40 state and local agencies who serve individuals with disabilities and special needs and their families. These organizations will be on hand to answer questions and provide information, while a carnival featuring games and face painting will run concurrently. The event is free, and free child care is available to children of parents visiting the information tables. Lunch is available for a small donation. Spanish interpretation will also be available at no charge. Families also can register for a prize drawing featuring several prizes donated by area businesses, individuals and the exhibiting organizations.
Exhibitors at the fair include About Special Kids, Advantage Care Select, The Arc of Indiana (offering waiver info & more), Autism Advocates of Indiana, Awesome Westside Advocates, Benchmark Family Services, Brain Injury Association of Indiana, Carmel Clay Parks & Recreation, Center for Youth and Adults with Conditions of Childhood, Central Indiana First Steps, Coming Home Medical Organizer, Cornerstone Rehabilitation Services, Damar Services, Discovery Toys, Down Syndrome Indiana, Easter Seals Crossroads, Feeding Friends, Fresh Perspectives, Helping Challenged Children, Hope Haven Horse Farm, Horizon Financial Planning, INDATA Indiana Assistive Technology Act), Indiana Canine Assistant Network, Indianapolis Resource Center for Independent Living, Indy Parks & Recreation with Marion County Special Olympics, IN*SOURCE, Jameson Camp, Loving Care Agency, MD Wise, Marion County Sheriff’s Department, Masonic Lodge Child ID, Meaningful Day Services, MetLife’s Center for Special Needs Planning, MidWest Orthotics, NAMI (National Mental Illness) Indianapolis, Noble of Indiana, Nurture the Child through Kindermusik, Rehabilitation Hospital of Indiana Sports Programs, St. Vincent New Hope, Special Olympics Hendricks County, Speedway UMC, Speedway UMC Health Ministries screenings, Sycamore Services, Tender Touch Special Needs Massage, The Village of Merici, VSA Arts of Indiana/Ben Davis Artisans, Westside Pride Park, Westview Primary Care Centers, the Westside Special Needs Network of Speedway UMC, and more!
“Families dealing with special needs are some of the busiest people on earth, and accessing services can take a lot of time. We hope this fair will provide an easy way for parents and caregivers to gain very helpful information and contacts, while at the same time providing a fun time for the entire family,” says Beth DeHoff, chairperson of special needs ministries for Speedway United Methodist Church, who also has son with special needs.
The fair will have information applicable to individuals of all ages, from infancy through adulthood. For more information, contact the Westside Special Needs Network voice mail at 317-971-2619, email dehoff5@att.net, or visit www.speedway-umc.org/specialneeds .

Craigslist Reminder and Other Scams

Craigslist serves a wonderful purpose on the internet. It allows people to post for free to advertise their businesses, especially child care! However, there are individuals out there who have found ways to use Craigslist for nefarious purposes. I recently recieved an email from a provider who had been contacted by someone from the UK who was relocating to the US and needed child care. She, unfortunately, sent them her contact information, and has now heard from several others who are doing the same thing. Eventually they will offer to send her a check for some large amount, ask her to cash it and mail the difference back to them, after keeping a modest fee for herself. The problem being that the checks they send are fake, and then she will be responsilbe for paying it back to her bank. So PLEASE if you are contacted by ANYONE on Craigslist from a foreign country, do not reply, and contact the local office of the FBI and report it as internet fraud.

Also recently I was doing a 6 month update with a provider, and she told me that someone was posing as a representative of Child Care Answers. They said that they were trying to place a child and wanted money from her to make sure that any future children would be placed with her first. Please remember that ALL services from Child Care Answers are free, and we do not charge parents or providers for our referral services! If you get a phone call from this person claiming to be one of our staff and asking for money, please try to get his contact information and let me know.

NHS hosts Wellness Extravanza on April 29

Noblesville High School will host its inaugural Wellness Extravaganza from 6-8 p.m. on Thursday, April 29. The event, open to the community, will offer a variety of physical activities, healthy foods, health screens, and information about summer sport camps, local fitness groups, and overall lifestyle opportunities within Noblesville’s schools and in the community.

The Wellness Extravaganza is free.

Local vendors and organizations interested in having a booth at the extravaganza must contact Brian Clarke, chairman of the NHS Wellness Department, via e-mail at brian_clarke@mail.nobl.k12.in.us. Be sure to include the name of the organization, type of business, a contact person’s e-mail address, and any special accommodations needed. Also, be sure to specify what type of door prize will be given, if any.

Clarian West Invites Community to Child Abuse Prevention Fairs

Approximately 794,000 children are confirmed as abused or neglected each year, according to Child Protective Services- but the confirmed cases represent only a fraction of those abused. Child maltreatment is a significant public health problem in the United States, as most cases are neither reported, nor recognized. These injuries not only cause physical injury, but emotional injury that lasts long into adulthood, as well.

Clarian West Medical Center invites the community to join in the fight to stop child abuse. Clarian West is teaming up with Hendricks County agencies in an effort to support April’s National Child Abuse Prevention Month. The community is invited to come to one of the fairs at Clarian West during the month of April as a way to spotlight Hendricks County agencies that provide support services to parents and families. Several agencies will gather at the fairs to provide information about parenting skills, child development, counseling and possible financial assistance. The public is invited to come and learn about local assistance.
*
Child Abuse Prevention Fairs
Wednesdays in April
April 14th, 21st, 28th
11:00 am to 1:00 pm
Clarian West Medical Center
Garden Level Main Hallway*

Minority Health Coalition
Hosts a Town Hall Infant Mortality Meeting:
The effects on our Community

Thursday April 15th, 2010
6:00 p.m. to 7:30p.m.

Washington Park Family Center
3130 E. 30th St. Indianapolis

Come learn about Infant Mortality and how it affects
our community.
For further information, contact Angela Goode
( 317)-926- 1170. Refreshments will be served

Gift Cards will be given for completion of event evaluation

Sponsored by:
Anthem, Managed Health Care Services, MDwise and Pfizer

Bookstore plans giveaway

Nonprofit organizations and schools can benefit from a children's book giveaway next week.
Half Price Books, 1551 W. 86th St., will give away 6,529 books as part of the 12th Half Pint Library book collection, said Kara Hanko, event spokeswoman.

Although the book collection is in its 12th year, this is the first time for a giveaway like this, Hanko said. Any nonprofit organization, school, teacher or volunteer from across the city can pick up free books from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. April 14, Hanko said.

To receive books, fill out a form from www.halfpricebooks.com/pdf/hpl_donation_form.pdf and bring it to the pick-up site, Hanko said. Each group will receive at least two boxes of books. It is first come, first served.

The books were donated at Indianapolis area stores during the Half Price Books Half Pint Library Book Drive.

Teachers: Register for a Free Field Trip at The Children's Museum of Indianapolis

Free Field Trip—Register Today!
Sign up for any Take Me There: Egypt program or show April 12 through May 28 and your field trip is free. *

Free admission will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis. This offer is guaranteed only with the registration of a Take Me There: Egypt guided experience or Egypt-focused planetarium shows listed below.

Note: This offer is good for new reservations only and is not valid on previous registrations or field trips. Be sure to note the number of buses you will be bringing at the time of registration and get a $250 stipend per bus, payable following your field trip.
Funding in support of school field trips from The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis is made possible in part by a grant from the Lilly Endowment Inc.

Sign up today! Spots are filling quickly. To register, call (317) 334-4000 or e-mail teacherinfo@childrensmuseum.org

Eligible Programs:

Take Me There: Egypt
A Glimpse of Egypt: Sebou
Grades K-2
Wednesdays, 10, 10:30, 11, and 11:30 a.m.
Experience modern Egyptian culture first-hand by learning about an exciting Egyptian tradition!

Play a Part: The Sebou
Grades 3-8
Wednesdays and Fridays, 9:45, 10:45, and 11:45 a.m.
Visit the happy home where a child has just been born, and take part in the preparations, the music and activities of this exciting Egyptian ceremony.

Play a Part: Majlis-al-Sulh
Grades 6-8
Thursdays, 9:45, 10:45, and 11:45 a.m.
Watch a conflict arise, and play a part in the mediation as advisors, journalists who report on the process, or even as a member of the council that decides what is fair in the dispute.

Stars of the Pharaohs Planetarium Show
Grades 6-8
Mondays 10, 11 a.m., and noon
Wednesdays, 10 a.m.
Travel to ancient Egypt to see how science was used to tell time, make a workable calendar, and align huge buildings.

Earth Day Activities

Looking for ideas to celebrate Earth Day? Check out some of the Earth Day activities around Central Indiana! For activities to take back to your child care facility or class room register for our Make and Take Workshops on April 10th and 24th. Both session will be focusing on recycling. Each workshop is only $5! To register call us at (317) 636-5727.

Earth Day Indiana Festival: At celebration Plaza, featuring 130 environmental and conservation exhibits, plus live music from some of Indiana's best new bands, special activities for kids and good food.

When: April 24th, 11 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Where: White River State Park, 801 West Washington Street Indianapolis

Cost: Free

For more info call (317) 767-3672

Go Green!: Be kind to the Earth by re-using items to make a craft, learning green habits through songs, games and stories and having an environmentally friendly snack. Ages 3-6

When: April 28th, 10 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.

Where: Broad Ripple Park, 1550 Broad Ripple Avenue, Indianapolis

Cost: $14

For more info call (317) 327-7161

Healthy Habits = Healthy Habitats: Festival will feature demonstrations, displays, entertainment and kid's activities.

When: April 17th, 12 p.m. - 4 p.m.

Where: Washington Township Community Park, 115 South CR 575 East, Avon

Cost: Free

For more info call (317) 745-0785

World of Families: Second Saturdays Bilingual Storytime

Date: Saturday, Apr. 10, 2010
Time: 2:00 pm
Location: Central Library
Location Group: Central
Age Level: Families

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Questions about this event? Please contact:
Central Library
275-4100


Description:
Families are invited for an interactive bilingual storytime celebrating the languages and cultures of the world through art, crafts, music, dance and games. It's presented in partnership with IN-NELL, Indiana-Network for Early Language Learning.
This program, presented in Chinese and English, will be held in the Learning Curve theater.




This event is also offered:
May. 8th, 2010 2:00pm, Central Library
Jun. 12th, 2010 2:00pm, Central Library
Jul. 10th, 2010 2:00pm, Central Library

2010 Child Abuse Conference

On Saturday March 26th was the Cherish the Child Prevent Child Abuse Conference sponsered by Child Care Answers. A total of 133 individuals recieved training on child abuse prevention!

For more pictures check out our facebook page!

WFYI Presents its "Let's Meet PBS KIDS in the Park" FREE Family Festival Saturday, June 12

An Indianapolis summer tradition continues! Join WFYI Public Broadcasting for its Let’s Meet PBS KIDS in the Park family festival on Saturday, June 12, from 10am-4pm in its new location — Military Park in downtown Indianapolis. The new venue will offer families a greener, more spacious cultural setting to enjoy this one-of-a-kind FREE celebration.

Presented by Riley Hospital for Children and Marsh Supermarkets, Let’s Meet PBS KIDS in the Park unites children and parents face to face with the cuddly and colorful characters that we all have come to love and admire most on PBS. The celebration features an all-star entertainment lineup on three distinct stages, plus engaging activity booths, bounce houses, walkaround characters from your child’s favorite PBS KIDS programs, a food court and much more.

This year’s entertainment headliners will include “Gordon” from Sesame Street; “Mr. Steve” host of PBS KIDS preschool destination; and Habla Blah Blah, a bilingual concert experience that will transport audiences on a magical safari adventure in search of animals big and small.

Opening ceremonies begin at 10am with a colorful walking procession of PBS KIDS characters, clowns and local mascots through the festival venue. Families will want to arrive early to catch the parade. This year’s festivities will feature Sesame Street’s Elmo and Rosita walkaround characters, Curious George, Clifford, Super WHY!, Princess Presto, WordGirl , “Buddy” from Dinosaur Train, Sid the Science Kid, Martha Speaks, Maya & Miguel, Lunar Jim and “Dog” from Word World.

Let’s Meet PBS KIDS in the Park is WFYI Public Broadcasting’s gift back to the community. Annually, more than 40,000 people attend this wholesome family celebration, which boasts an array of educational activities that reflect WFYI’s on-going commitment to make all young children ready for entry into school. Visit www.wfyi.org/lm for updates on the festival’s entertainment lineup, PBS KIDS character appearance times and directions to the venue.