WCCAA Region 4 Calendar

February 6-9 2008
Annual State WCCAA Conference
The Whole Administrator, "Mind, Body and Spirit"

At Beautiful Blue Harbor Resort in Sheboygan
725 Blue Harbor Dr, Sheboygan, WI 53081 (920) 452-2900
Directions & Maps, Web Site

Helen Blank, as Director of Leadership and Public Policy at the National Women’s Law Center, leads the Center’s work on early education, as well as its leadership activities including PLAN, the Progressive Leadership and Advocacy Network, a program for emerging leaders on low-income women’s issues. Previously Ms. Blank served 24 years as the director of the Child Care and Development Division at the Children's Defense Fund. While at the Children's Defense Fund Ms. Blank spearheaded a variety of efforts for improved early learning legislation. Ms. Blank’s presentation on “Putting Childcare Higher on the National Agenda” will challenge us to take action. She will inform us on what is being done currently to make early childhood education a priority and outline new research and data. Her presentation will be invaluable as we move ahead with 4k collaborations, funding issues and the challenges we face each day operating our programs.

Renee Zaman has presented extensively on the local and state levels. She has taught classes, led all-day trainings, done in-service trainings, workshops and conference presentations and keynotes. Renee has 22 years of experience in this field as an early education teacher, adult education teacher, program administrator and state board member. She brings humor and excitement to her presentations that will keep you wanting more. Her keynote presentation on Saturday, “What your clothes say about you: How to dress for success not distress” will focus on what your clothes say about you as a professional. Have you had days when you wore clothes to work that you would wear for relaxing at home or perhaps as pajamas? Have you seen more of your co-workers bodies than you want to? We will take a look at what not to wear and how to use your head to make better choices. Ideas will be presented that are fun, comfortable and affordable. We will showcase three make-overs that are easy and inexpensive. Sign up when you register to be placed in the drawing.

	Time click on session for more details	Event

Wednesday, February 6, 2008

	10:30-4:00	Registration
	12:30-4:30	Session
	Session 1	”Ready or Not, Changes are Here!” -Boulton
	Session 2	Shaken Baby Train the Trainer (there is an additional fee for this session ) -Schiszik/Sliter
	Session 3	Employee Relations -Rittgers
	4:15-5:15	WCCAA Board Meeting
	6:00	John Michael Kohler Arts Event

Thursday, February 7, 2008

	7:00-3:00	Registration
	8:15-9:15	Session
	Session 4	T.E.A.C.H. Scholars -Gehri
	Session 5	4 k Collaborations -Panel
	Session 6	Work Safety and Return to Work Programs -Riedel
	Session 7	Playful Professionals -Cadd
	9:30-11:00	Session
	Session 8	The Early Learning Coalition-A working collaboration -Edie
	Session 9	Business Continuity and Emergency Planning -Riedel
	Session 10	Turning Negatives into Positives -Blanchard
	Session 11	50 Children-4 pairs of scissors -Forbes
	11:15-12:15	Keynote: Helen Blank "Putting Childcare Higher on the National Agenda"
	12:15-1:30	Recognition Lunch
	1:45-2:45	Regional Caucus
	3:00-4:30	Annual Meeting
	5:00-7:00	"Mix, Mingle and Relax"

Friday, February 8, 2008

	8-3:00	Registration
	8:45-10:15	Session
	Session 12	Licensing Rule Update -Carmody
	Session 13	Preschool Options -Hader Part 1—What is Preschool Options?
	Session 14	Online Driver Training/Safety Technology -Wiley
	Session 15	Grow in Quality Project -McGurk
	10:30-12:00	Keynote : Larry Hackett, "The Media and Missing Children"
	12:15-1:30	Lunch with Exhibitors
	1:45-3:15	Session
	Session 16	Inspiring Leadership -Hess/Rahn
	Session 17	Preschool Options -Hader Part 2—Implementation
	Session 18	Data that Shapes Policy -Walden
	Session 19	Wisconsin Model Early Learning Standards—update (continued next session -Schiszik/Mainhardt
	3:30-4:30	Session
	Session 20	NAEYC Accreditation -Hoveland
	Session 21	Managing a Multi-Site Organization -Linsmeier
	Session 22	Supersize the Broccoli Please -Vinluan
	Session 23	Wisconsin Model Early Learning Standards (cont) -Schiszik/Mainhardt

Saturday, February 9, 2008

	8:00	Registration
	9:00-12:00	Tours of Centers
	9:00-10:35	Session
	Session 24	NAC Accreditation -Schuelke
	Session 25	Raising Kinder Kids -Hess/Rahn
	Session 26	Creative Curriculum -Lampkin
	Session 27	Supersize the Broccoli Please -Vinluan
	10:45-12:15	Session
	Session 28	To Drink or Not to Drink -Drake
	Session 29	Creative Curriculum– cont. -Lampkin
	Session 30	The Administrator’s credential UWM– Ext
	Session 31	Nuts or No Nuts? -Vinluan
	12:30-1:45	Keynote: Renee Zaman "What your clothes say about you: How to dress for success and not distress"
	2:00-3:30	Session
	Session 32	Physical and sexual abuse of children-the aftermath -Neubauer
	Session 33	Classroom Portfolios -Hoveland
	Session 34	Developing a Positive Self Image In Young Children -McKillip
	Session 35	Be the best you can be! -Zaman

ATTENTION: FIRST 50 REGISTRANTS WILL RECEIVE A $10 COUPON TO SPEND AT THE EXHIBITS MERCHANDISE– Get your orders in for merchandise. Complete the enclosed order forms and forward as soon as possible. Don’t miss out on this wonderful opportunity to recognize your staff for all of their hard work or to order items for yourself.

1. Ready or Not, Change is Here! We will use the new book by Stacie Goffin and Valora Washington “Ready or Not: Leadership Choices in Early Care and Education” to talk about our purpose, identity and responsibilities in these changing times. Making choices for the future of our programs is up to us, and if we don’t someone else will choose for us. -Pam Boulton, UWM

2. Shaken Baby Train the Trainer Get the certification you need to be able to train your staff in shaken baby to meet state licensing requirements. (there is an additional fee for this session) -Gayle Schiszik and Lois Sliter MWCCRR

3. Employee Relations This interactive session will answer many of your employee/employer questions. This will be the perfect session to ask those questions you are afraid to ask otherwise. If you’ve been wondering about something most likely someone else has been too. We will take a look at employee handbooks , get some answers about those posters you need to hang up, and what about unemployment and overtime? Come with your questions and leave with many resources. -James Rittgers

4, T.E.A.C.H. Scholars: Look at the True Cost and Challenges Helping staff pursue education makes good business sense and reduces cost of turnover. Learn the benefits of being a T.E.A.C..H. sponsor and explore your role as a partner. Discuss best practice and “tips for success.” Discover how improving marketability of your program helps create a good place for children and teachers! If you’ve never sponsored a TEACH scholarship learn about the new “Limited Option” for sponsoring. -Autumn Gehri, WECA

5. 4k Collaborations Get the latest information about what is happening across the state with 4k community approaches and collaboration. We will have panel members discussing the pros and cons of child care partnering with other agencies across the state. -Panel of Experts

6. Work Safety and Return toWork Programs Did you know that having a worker compensation claim doesn’t just affect your insurance premium? Did you know it could impact much more? This interactive seminar will provide you with an opportunity to discuss the following topics related to operating a child care center. Topics to include: workers compensation, return to work programs, work safety issues, and claims examples -Dan Riedel,Woller-Anger and Company LLC

7. Playful Professionals Having a playful attitude at work does not mean you need to jeopardize your professionalism. Everyone will still know you are the leader. As a matter of fact, playfulness can actually increase productivity. In this session you will obtain a wealth of ideas that will encourage a healthy, playful culture in your facility. Learn how to incorporate games and activities to promote teamwork and professionalism while increasing your already high standards and expectations. Let the games begin! -Doreen Cadd, Ebenezer Child Care Centers

8. The Early Learning Coalition – a working collaboration Come hear how a true collaboration of state organizations, including WCCAA, is working to advocate, change and set policies for children and programs. The coalition has been very successful this past year working towards such things as advocating towards reinstating subsidy levels and eliminating the absence policy. This is a session you won’t want to miss if you want to hear what can be done if key organizations on all levels fight to make changes. -Dave Edie,WCCF/panel of other members

9. Business Continuity and Emergency Planning Do you have an emergency plan? What would you do if something happened to protect yourself and your investment? What would happen if you needed to vacate your premises because of something catastrophic? This presentation will help prepare you when something terrible happens. Every business should have a plan in case the unthinkable happens. You will get many great resources to start one for your program. -Dan Riedel,Woller-Anger & Company

10. Turning Negatives into Positives Positive employer/employee relationships work best if questions and concerns are handled in a positive manner. I will give you tips and show you how to set goals for your staff that will help your employees to be successful and give them ownership of the positions they hold. Happy employees are successful employees! -Laure Blanchard

11. 50 Children-4 pairs of Scissors; An African Experience Learn how preschool teachers in Meru, Kenya, succeed in preparing their children for elementary school despite limited resources. At Kithoka pre-primary school one teacher can manage a classroom of 50 or more pre-school children using techniques familiar to early childhood educators in America. -Hilary Forbes, Angel Care

12. Licensing Rule Update This is your chance to meet with representatives from the Bureau of Regulation and Licensing. We will share clarification of new licensing rules and what it means for programs. This is your opportunity to have an open dialog with Bureau staff on issues and concerns. Q & A time will be allotted. -Anne Carmody, DHFS

13. Preschool Options Part 1 –What is Preschool Options? The Wisconsin Department of Instruction is requiring school districts and communities provide inclusive options for preschool children with disabilities. This first session, of a two part series, will provide an overview of the many opportunities Preschool Options offers to child care communities and school districts that strive to meet the legal and educational mandates of the individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Come learn what Preschool Options is all about and find out how it benefits children, families, and communities. -Giuliana Miolo, Ph.D, UW-Whitewater Joan Hader, MSSEd., WCTC, Maida Sawyer, Wee Know School

14. Online Driver Training/Safety Technology There is much discussion about the safety of transporting children in our programs. Recent news stories have highlighted the dangers but was there a way these incidents could have been prevented? Come and see the demonstration on the new innovative online training seminar for school bus and childcare drivers. -Alex Wiley, ATWEC Technologies, Inc.

15. Grow In Quality Project During the fall of 2005, DWD, the University ofWisconsin Ext.Wisconsin Child Care Research Partnership(WCCRP) and WCCIP began a partnership to pilot the Grow in Quality Project. Two key quest ions were addressed: How can we measure and rate child care quality and does child care quality improve following technical assistance. The results are in. This session will highlight those results and where we go from here. -Kath McGurk, DWD

16. Inspiring Leadership How do we ignite and sustain a spirit of genuine integrity in the workplace? We need leaders who value and exemplify ethical excellence. They are at the heart of every mission statement. The Virtues Project offers simple strategies that integrate character into corporate culture, and tap our natural desire to do well by doing good. Come and learn about the questions that ethical leaders ask. In this workshop we will introduce you to the five strategies of The Virtues Project, practice the strategies, and learn how to begin to incorporate these strategies within your organization and leadership style. -Terry Rahn and Valerie Hess, Virtues Village, LLC

17. Preschool Options- Part 2 This session describes an approach to Preschool Options in which special educators and therapists consult with community-based early childhood educators and caregivers to facilitate the provision of special education and therapies. Participants will learn how to conduct routine-based observations of children and identify functional learning goals in collaboration with families and early care and education professionals and will learn, first hand, how one child care program successfully implemented the approach. -Giuliana Miolo, Ph.D, UW-Whitewater Joan Hader, MSSEd.,WCTC, Maida Sawyer,Wee Know School

18. Data that Shapes Policy Ever wonder why we need to summit information about our programs to so many different agencies? This is the session for you. Discover how verified data can change the workforce by influencing policy makers. -Jere Walden, The Registry

19. Wisconsin Model Early Learning Standards (continued next session) The new additions are completed! During this session you will have an opportunity to review the standards and what they mean to your program and then learn about the changes and additions to the previous standards. How can you incorporate them into your programs? This is a session for both new and veteran users of WMELS. -Gayle Schiszik and Robin Mainhardt, CCR&R

20. NAEYC Accreditation-The Whole Process Does the thought of obtaining NAEYC Accreditation for your program give you anxiety attacks? This is the session for you. Learn from an administrator that has just successfully completed the process. What were the challenges she faced? What about the benefits of working so hard? Is this something you can do? Hear all the insights and tips from someone that has gone through it all. -Teresa Hoveland, Woods Hollow

21. Managing a Multi-site Organization Are you responsible for more than one location site? Are you thinking of expanding? Come and explore the ins and outs of running a multi-site organization. This will be an interactive session that will help answer questions you have and give you insightful information in running a program at more than one site. -Dave Linsmeier, Mary Linsmeier Schools

22. Supersize the Broccoli Please (repeated session #27) The reports are in: Childhood obesity is reaching epidemic proportions. Unhealthy eating is one of the main ingredients in this trend. Did you know the food pyramid changed its shape? We will have an opportunity to review the food pyramid and USDA guidelines as it relates to proper nutrition. In this session we will also share and discuss some of the challenges we face in making a difference. Together, we will explore our role in encouraging children to make healthy food choices and learn some mealtime techniques for balanced eating. Healthy eating can be FUN and DELICIOUS! Perhaps we can begin to change the “shape” of the future. -Shari Vinluan

24. NAC Accreditation You want to reach high quality standards but don’t think NAEYC Accreditation is for you. This session will explore an alternative. We will give you an overview of the NAC Accreditation process, how to get started and what it takes to be successful. Come with your questions! -Robb Schuelke

25. Raising Kinder Kids Childcare providers, you are mentors of our children’s character and an influence for their self-esteem and happiness. The meaning of our life springs from the virtues of our character, such as respect, kindness, caring and gentleness. Awakening virtues is a lifelong process. The five strategies of The Virtues Project provide you with the tools to cultivate virtues in positive ways. You will learn tools for managing behaviors, how to be a better listener, how to grow true self-esteem, and more. This is a highly interactive workshop that will give you practice in seeing and cultivating virtues using the five strategies of The Virtues Project. Come and learn about this powerful program model being used by parents, teachers, leaders, communities and governments. -Terry Rahn and Valerie Hess, Virtues Village

26. Creative Curriculum (continued next session) Have you been looking at new curriculums or been wanting to explore Creative Curriculum a little bit more? These sessions will give you information that you can use right away in your programs. This isn’t the full training, but when you complete these sessions you will have a good understanding of what Creative Curriculum is and how you can implement it immediately. -Angela Lampkin, WCCAA

28. To Drink or Not to Drink This workshop will highlight the effects dehydration has on children, even when only by 2%. A hydration curriculum will be shared that was developed as a master’s thesis, so you can have children functioning at their best. It works for staff, too! -Verna Drake, WDCLC

30. The Administrator's Credential How far have we come and where are we going? This interactive session will be very informative and enlightening. Licensing rules are changing to include requirements that director’s need to have all or a portion of the administrator’s credential. You will be given an overview of exactly what the credential is and how you, too, can become one of its graduates. -Credential Teaching Staff from UWM

31. Nuts or no Nuts? How Do We Address Food Allergies In Our Programs? The incidence of food allergies is on the rise. This workshop will provide information on the more common food allergies. Partic ipants will learn about the prevalence, symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment of food allergies. It will also act as a round-table forum to discuss our unique experiences with food allergies in our programs. We will further explore and share our thoughts and/or current practices of eliminating certain foods in our snacks and meals. Participants are encouraged to bring any past or current food allergy policies, guidelines, or informal procedures to share. -Shari Vinluan

32. Physical and sexual abuse of children- the aftermath This session will give you information on how to identify and report child abuse in your programs. You will receive a free copy of the book “Relationships Between Child Sexual Abuse and Criminal Activity”. -Scott Neubauer, UW-Whitewater

33. Classroom Portfolios Do you wonder what should be included in a classroom portfolio? Get all the information you need to create and update your portfolios so they meet NAEYC standards . You will get simple tricks to keep you on target and to keep accurate records of the milestones the children are reaching. Teresa has just successfully completed the accreditation process and will have all the latest information for you. Bring your questions. -Teresa Hoveland, Woods Hollow

34. Developing a Positive Self Image in Young Children In an era where “thin is in” and young children are learning about body image from television and magazines, it’s important to understand how we as early childhood educators can “shape” positive self-image. In this session, we will examine external. factors affecting children’s self-image as well as techniques to use in the classroom to improve self- image. You will also receive resources to use with parents. Theoretically designed to assist children, you may also learn to embrace your own curves! -Ann McKillip, Ebenezer Child Care Centers

35. Be The Best You Can Be! Have you been doing the same old thing day after day, and you are feeling uninspired? This session will explore what it is like to just do your job versus how to do your work and really feel like you are making a difference. We will talk about how to make everyday one that you will feel good about! Simple ideas will be shared that help you get out of the boring and into something you can be proud of. . -Renee Zaman, Meeting House Nursery School & MATC