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Montpelier Office: (Nancy) 802-828-2876 nancy.sugarman@ccv.edu

Springfield Office: (Maureen) 802-885-8374 maureen.young-mccarthy@ccv.edu

WINTER | JANUARY 2013 NEWSLETTER Volume 6, Number 1

The Northern Lights Atlas Early Childhood and Afterschool Professional Development News

Focus on the Northern Lights Website: www.northernlightscdc.org • WHAT’S NEW? Courses, conferences and more… Look on the

bottom of the home page, or the side bar of all the other pages to

find WHAT’s NEW.

• DON’T FORGET: Many Financial Resources are listed on our

website: http://northernlightscdc.org/training/financial-assistance/

• NEW! Resources for Program Directors have been added to this

page: http://northernlightscdc.org/resources/program-director-resources/

• THE NEWEST…Always get applications, forms and fact sheets off of the website – these

are the most current versions http://northernlightscdc.org/resources/applications/

• NEW! Learn about new options for course equivalency for Steps 1 and 2 of the

Program Director Credential. http://northernlightscdc.org/career-pathways/credentials-

and-certificates/program-director-credential

• Instructor Registry Applications now include a checklist of Curricula and Training

Topics. Instructors can log in as an existing user to update their profile. http://

northernlightscdc.org/instructor-registry/application.php

• E-SCHOOL Quick Link! Use our quick link to the Northern Lights e-School classes on

Global Classroom http://northernlightscdc.org/training/online-training-and-coursework/

Press CTRL + click to follow any web or email sites in the

newsletter

Don’t forget: save the Northern Lights Career Development Center website to your Favorites

and LIKE US on FACEBOOK…

Always hit REFRESH when looking at the Northern Lights website to see the latest version.

Welcome to the newest edition of The Northern Lights Atlas! Please pass it on! (hint: cut-and-paste works too)

IN THIS ISSUE

Website updates Page 1

Frequently Asked Questions Page 2-3

Did you know? Page 2-3

Coming Soon Page 3

Scrapbook Page 4

Congratulations! Page 4-5

Do you

Facebook?

Every week we post new information on our Facebook

page. LIKE US and you can always get the latest update.

Many members of the

STARS oversight

committee.

Participants come from

all over the state to meet

in person or by phone,

every month.

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Did You Know?

Child Care Licensing Regulation Revision Process

continues: 2012-13 is the year to review and revise the child care licensing regulations. In January 2013 staff qualifications and professional development will be discussed again. Go to: www.dcf.vermont.gov/cdd and “regulation review project” to get the latest information about the process – and add your

comments.

MATCH (Mentoring, Advising, Teaching,

Coaching/Consulting/Helping) is moving forward! Many VT professionals who providie these services volunteered to begin the MATCH Pilot in January 2013. They will complete the MATCH competencies self-assessment, answer a survey and participate in other activities to help the committee design the MATCH Registry and identify training and

support needs of MATCH professionals.

Extension of Free modules! Better Kid Care online modules will continue to be free of charge for those working in regulated child care facilities through Dec. 2013! Note: only the two hour modules are accepted in VT . Find them on this page: http://northernlightscdc.org/training/online-training-and-

coursework/approved-sponsors-of-online-classes/

New Staff at Child Development Division - Statewide Systems and Community Collaborations unit! Cynthia Greene has joined as “Health and Early Childhood Systems Coordinator” She will work to link health information and resources to child care settings, and support Building Bright Futures State and Regional Councils. Lynne Robbins is the Early Childhood and Afterschool Systems Specialist. She will work to enhance the professional development system for early childhood and afterschool professionals and manage the many grants and

related activities. Congratulations Cynthia and Lynne!

Union Institute and University is closing its Montpelier office and will continue at its Brattleboro office. Courses will continue to be available online

and/or weekends in Brattleboro.

**************

When I looked at the core competencies booklet for the first time, and read the examples, I realized I already do this everyday. When I read more, I found things I forgot that I had wanted to learn about and do.

- participant at a training

Frequently Asked

Questions

QUESTION: “I am interested in pursuing a Master Degree related to education or leadership. Are there any VT options while I am working full time?”

ANSWER: Yes! Union Institute and University offers a Master Degree in Leadership, Goddard College offers a Master in Education, and the VT Higher Education Collaborative through Lyndon State College offers a Master Degree in early childhood. The newest Master Degree programs in VT are the Leadership degree program at Springfield College in St. Johnsbury and the Champlain College Master degree in Early Childhood Education/Leadership. All of these programs hold classes online and/or during non-traditional hours. And remember, if you work in a regulated early childhood or afterschool program, you may be eligible for a professional development grant for college tuition - including graduate coursework, from the Child Development Division. (see website list on page 1 of this newsletter)

QUESTION: “Why do some people get a bonus when they get a level certificate and some don’t?”

ANSWER: Because the Level Certificate and the Recognition Bonus have two related but different purposes. A Northern Lights early childhood Level Certificate recognizes professionals who have achieved steps long their professional development pathway. It is based on education completed at any time, experience and a current plan for future development (Individual Professional Development Plan). The Child Development Division Recognition Bonus recognizes professionals who have recently met a milestone in their professional development. To earn this reward one must have completed the education requirement in the last 2 years and have a Level Certificate. All the requirements are on the Level Certificate application.

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More...Did You Know?

NEW! Hybrid Fundamentals Course. The St. Albans area is piloting a new format for the Fundamentals for Early Childhood Professionals course, starting January 19th. The course will be offered to those working in regulated early childhood programs, in a format combining 25 hours of face to face group sessions ( 2 Saturdays and 5 Monday evenings) and 20+ hours of online modules through Smart Horizons/Child Care Aware. To Register: Please call Michelle Trayah at 393-6599 or e-mail at mtrayah@ncssinc.org Note: You must have consistent access to computer, internet and time to take the course several times a week January – April. Tuition is $150.00 to purchase on-line classes with $100.00 reimbursement upon successful completion of the class

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The most user friendly website I’ve ever used is Northern Lights… so you are book-marked! - child care provider and VT Birth to Three Mentor

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Coming Soon! Legal and Financial Issues in Early Childhood and Afterschool Programs. Online January 14-April 7, 2013. For more information call Maureen Young-

McCarthy @802-885-8374.

First professionals to earn the VT Early Childhood Family Mental Health (ECFMH) Credential: Nine Children’s Integrated Services staff from the Lamoille Valley are in the process of submitting their portfolios to be reviewed, in order to earn the new ECFMH Credential. Professionals who earn this credential and connect to regulated child care, are also awarded a $500 Recognition Bonus from the Child Development Division. Look for ECFMH Credential names in the next Northern Lights newsletter – under Congratulations!

Frequently Asked

Questions

QUESTION: “As an Instructor in the Instructor Registry, can I count the training I provide as training hours for myself?”

ANSWER: YES. The first time you offer a training, you can also list

yourself on the attendance sheet.

QUESTION: “Once I am an approved instructor, should I be updating anything in my Profile?”

ANSWER: Absolutely! To keep your profile current, it is very important to update your contact information (especially your email address), and the training topics or curricula that you teach. If your goal is to move to another instructor level, you should also update recent hours of instruction given, as well as education completed. Guidance on how to update your instructor profile can be found on the Northern Lights website. http://northernlightscdc.org/your-role/adult-instructors/updating-your-

instructor-profile

NEW SPONSORS!

These organizations were oriented to work with Northern Lights and the BFIS system. Participants benefit because attendance is entered in their personal BFIS

Résumé!

Bennington Early Childhood Center

Camille Campanile

Mary Anna Abuzahra

Springfield School District

UCS Infant-Toddler Program

Vermont Higher Education

Collaborative Some “wealthy “ applicants in Lamoille valley ready to submit

their Early Childhood Family Mental Health portfolios !

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The Northern Lights Scrapbook

Affiliate I Craig Simpson Specialist II Anore Horton

Certified Claire Berry Adam Sollace Master Dee Smith

NEW Approved Instructors

Step 1

Sheila Bedi

MeriChristi Pixley Jennifer Tucker

Step 2

Vicki Covell

Laura Cramer Betsy Oulette

Program Director Credential

Amy Enos, Giggles Family Childcare, South Burlington

Angelia King, Home Away From Home, Man-chester Center

Ashley Graham, Carolyn’s Red Balloon Enrich-ment Center, Colchester

Bonnie Cicia, Champlain Islands Parent Child Center, South Hero

Erin Pasquale, Frog and Toad Child Care and Learning Center, Colchester

Hailey Livingstone, Appletree Learning Cen-ters, Stowe

Karin Pollard, Nadeau’s Playschool, Colches-ter

Sara Driscoll, Frog and Toad Child Care and Learning Center, Colchester

Recently Completed Child Care Apprentices

Renewed Instructors

Affiliate II Darlene Lockwood Master Laura Brines Erica Green

Certified Robin Castle Jodi Farashahi

Donna Pomroy Sonja Raymond Carolyn Riley Lynne Teker

Do you have a Master Degree and experience teaching adults? Northern Lights has 4 scholarships available for Master Level Instructors in the Instructor Registry, to take Introduction to Teaching Online, a one credit online course offered by the Community College of Vermont. It is offered several times each semester. Contact Nancy at Northern

Lights (nancy.sugarman@ccv.edu) if you are interested in applying.

Mary Johnson Children’s Center Afterschool Program Staff

Essex and South Burlington Afterschool Programs

Greater Burlington YMCA

Staff at the Afterschool Conference

Attendees at the 2012 Afterschool Conference...

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The following certificates have been awarded since

October 2012

LEVEL I

Lacey Amann - Bennington

Rebecca Chaplin - Saint Albans Jacob Chase - Windsor Wendy Chase - Bristol Samantha Collins-Sweeney - Burlington

Bridget Duhamel - Alburgh Jamie Lamb - Hyde Park Carin Messier - Bethel Karla Molina - Manchester Center

Melanie Parah - Colchester Stephanie Ricker - Post Mills Shelly Sanderson - White River Junction

Michele Sienicki - West Rutland Jacqueline Sweetser - Eden Mills Jeff Swift - Plainfield Debra Wilder - Montpelier

Jennifer Witham - East Burke

LEVEL II

Lacey Amann - Bennington Karen Blakely - Barre Amber Bollman - Lyndon Katelyn Brock - Milton

April Chadwick - Bennington Lisa Emerson - North Troy Liza Haviland - Middlesex Bobbie Lepine - St. Johnsbury

Katherine Lumbra - Fairfax Lizabeth Rodgers Merchant - Concord Megan Root - Swanton

Barbara Rousseau - Alburgh Shelly Sanderson - White River Junction Stacey Soutiere - Essex Junction Abigail Turcot - Essex Junction

Tammy Wilbur - Whiting

LEVEL IIIA

Rebecca Chaplin - Saint Albans Melanie Coddaire - Pittsford Gail Ducharme - Marshfield Amy Enos - South Burlington

Jessica Turner - Fairfax

LEVEL IIIB

Lisa Currier - Bristol

Melissa Rollo - St. Albans Sarah Rougier - Bristol Brittany Waytkus - Hoosick Falls

LEVEL IVA

Carrie Aldrich - Bradford

Laura Butler - Milton Rebecca Chaplin - St. Albans Jennifer Corrigan - Winooski Ellen Drolette - Burlington

Maribeth Fonda - Brattleboro Lindsay Hard - Brandon Jody Marquis - Newport Center Wendy Mercy - Montgomery

Helen Myhre - Middlebury Debbie Pratt - Fair Haven Theresa Stevens - St. Johnsbury

Michael Tavares - South Burlington Joelle Vosburgh - Bennington

LEVEL IVB

Carol Barbierri - Shaftsbury Jessica Getty - Springfield Jen Litch - South Burlington

Sara Mason - Castleton

LEVEL VA

Katelynn Bornt - Bennington

Lyndsay Bushey-Hesselback - Dummerston Alyson Grzyb - Sunderland Evelyn Trier - Townshend

LEVEL VB

Kathi Apgar - New Haven Aurina Schwartz - Burlington

AFTERSCHOOL FOUNDATIONS

Debbie Krug - Burlington

AFTERSCHOOL CREDENTIAL

Tonya Williams - North Concord Linda MacFarlane - Rutland

Cynthia Pike - Arlington

LEVEL CERTIFICATES AWARDED

VAEYC conference October 2012:

Professionals at the Northern Lights display