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Once again it is budget time at the statehouse.  A preliminary look at the Governor's budget indicates that CPC funding will be level funded this year, although changes may still be made.  Level funding will provide the Wachusett CPC with $216,800 for fiscal year 2002.  The past two fiscal years have seen Wachusett CPC's funding expand from the original $82,800 to the current level.

Even with this expansion, it is unlikely that the CPC will be able to fund all of the families who call requesting tuition assistance.  In this fiscal year the CPC will spend $123,000 of its' grant funding on tuition assistance.  Currently, the wait list for assistance has 48 families on it.

Other CPC funding for FY '02 will be used for program support throughout the accreditation process for four child care centers and two family providers.  Funding has also been allocated for training, college course, and family events.

The Wachusett CPC discussed its' 2002 budget at the April 25, 2001 meeting, and will continue discussion and vote on the budget at the May 22, 2001 meeting which will beheld at Immanuel Lutheran Church from 7:00 - 9:00 pm.

On the state level, S286, the Quality Aid bill has been presented to the Join Committee on Arts, Education & Humanities.  This bill would create a career lattice for preschool teachers based on years of education and experience.  It would be funded by a per-child allotment for centers applying for funding.  Centers and providers would have to develop a quality improvement plan for their program which would include pursuing accreditation.  Sen. Robert Antonioni (D-Leominster) is co-chair of this committee, and Rep. David Bunker of Rutland is on it as well.  Sen.  Harriet Chandler (D-Worcester) was a sponsor of this bill.

If you would like to show support for this bill (S286), or for increased CPC funding in general (DOE Line Item 7030-1000), call your senator (the House budget has already been passed) at the statehouse at: 617-722-2070.

Sterling Nursery School of Sterling and Happy Heart's Family Child Care fun by Cathy Purtle in Jefferson, are seeking national accreditation this spring.  Cathy was visited by an observer from the National Association of Family Child Care on April 30, and Sterling Nursery School had their validator visit from the NAEYC on May 4th.

Cathy reports that the visit went very well, and she hopes to hear from the NAFCC by June 30.  Darlene Louchart, director of Sterling Nursery School, said that her visit went smoothly also.  She said that the accreditation process was extremely motivating and exciting for her staff, and she feels that it has improved her program's overall quality in may ways.

We wish both of these providers the best of luck in their efforts, and expect to hear soon that they have indeed met the highest standards in the nation for early care and education.

Next year Princeton Community Preschool and First Congregational Church of Holden Nursery School will go through the accreditation process, as well as family child care providers Yvonne Bishop of Holden and Christine Mulry of Rutland.

The Wachusett CPC appreciates these providers' enthusiasm and commitment to providing quality services to their clients.  They are raising the standards of early care and education for the Wachusett region.  The Wachusett CPC provides funding to pay for accreditation costs, including expert consultation.

Question: My older son recently brought a Gecko home with him and my 4 year old son wants to pick it up and play with it.  Is this Safe?

Answer:  It may not be!  That cute little Gecko may be tempting to pick up and hold but remember he (or she if you can tell, I can't) carries an infectious disease called salmonella, which can cause a disease called salmonellosis.  This disease can cause many symptoms to include, but not limited to: fever, diarrhea, vomiting and cramping.  The infected person may take up to 2 or 3 days to become symptomatic.

Salmonellosis is spread through direct contact with the bacteria that is present in the feces of the reptile.  Due to the fact that the Gecko (or any reptile and turtles too!) lives in a very confined area, the bacteria may be found anywhere in the tank/cage.  The disease can be contracted by general cleaning of the tank/cage as well as by picking the cute little creature up!

Although this bacteria as a rule is harmless and asymptomatic for the reptile, it can be very harmful, especially for infants, young children and the elderly.  Usually most people will be symptomatic for several days and then feel better.  Others may need to be treated at a higher level of care, and for some (although very rare) it may be life threatening.

The best defense against salmonellosis is, you guessed it, HANDWASHING!  Always insist that after cleaning (use gloves) the cage or touching the cute little Gecko that hands be washed!  Also never try to wash out the cage in the kitchen/bathroom sink or tub.  This is the best way to prevent the spread of the disease.  So, as long as good infection control practices are followed your child's new pet will not only be a joy to have and care for, but a wonderful learning experience as well!

The Early Education for All Campaign evolved from the research project "Our Youngest Children:  Massachusetts Voters and Opinion Leaders Speak Out on Their Care and Education", which was developed by child policy expert Margaret Blood, and funded by the Schott Foundation.

It has as its' goal to make high quality early childhood education available to all Massachusetts' children, ages three through five.  This project gathered valuable information through two statewide polls of voters and interviews with leaders from government, business, organized labor, the media, religion, education, and child care.

Among the findings:

• Voters are willing to support government funding for 3, 4 & 5 year olds when they are made aware of the benefits of early childhood education.
• One third of voters polled identified early care and education as a top priority for Massachusetts.
• Voters and most opinion leaders show a stunning lack of knowledge about child care costs and availability.
• Many voters feel that caring for young children - particularly those under the age of three - is the responsibility of their families (even though 80% of Massachusetts' mothers with children age three and under are employed).
• Voters support tax breaks for families who use child care, as well as for those who stay home to care for their children.
• Voters support increases in taxes on tobacco and alcohol to help fund child care.

The Wachusett CPC will be reimbursing trainings taken by participating providers.  This will include college courses taken in the Fall of 2000 and Spring 2001.  College courses will be reimbursed up to $200 if the student received a grade of B or better.  First Aid and CPR classes paid for by providers will be reimbursed as well.

Fees for training and conferences, such as Bev Bos and the Yours for Children conference, will be reimbursed provided a receipt or cancelled check is provided with a certificate of attendance.  Trainings will be reimbursed on a first come first served basis until $4,000 has been reimbursed, $2,500 worth of trainings have been submitted to date, so don't wait - funds are going fast.

Those with an interest in how the Wachusett Community Partnership Program funds will be spent next year should plan on attending the May 22nd meeting at Immanuel Lutheran Nursery School, 346 Shrewsbury Street, Holden.  The meeting will be from 7:00 - 9:00 pm.

A draft budget was presented by Lead Agent Kerri Boyle at the April 25th meeting.   Discussion was held at that time.  The partnership expects level funding for the upcoming fiscal year.

Some highlights of proposed changes that were discussed include:
Increase funds for:

• Accreditation consulting
• Program Coordinator
• First Aid/CPR
• Validator fees
• Advertising/marketing
• Rental of space/mileage

• Other training
• College courses (fewer individual reimbursements/offer two ourselves)
• Substitutes
• Accountant

• Administrator
• Instructional/professional
• Subsidies
• Fringe benefits
• Support services
• Program supplies

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