The Jefferson-Lewis Childcare Project’s winter workshop schedule aims to educate day-care providers, parents and community members about children’s health and safety, literacy and learning, and discipline methods.

From Dec. 4 to Feb. 27, at least 16 training workshops are scheduled to allow providers to catch up on a required training schedule, and parents and community members to see how centers operate. “We offer them year-round and do quarterly workshops,” said Angela M. VanWormer, provider services coordinator at the Community Action Planning Council of Jefferson County.

Each provider, whether at a center or through at-home care, is required every two years by the state Office of Children and Family Services to complete a total of 30 hours of training in nine categories: principles of child development; nutritional and health needs of children; business record maintenance and management; child abuse and maltreatment identification and prevention; child day-care program development; statutes and regulations pertaining to child day-care services; safety and security procedures; statutes and regulations pertaining to child abuse and maltreatment, and identification of and education on shaken-baby syndrome.

While many scheduled Jefferson-Lewis Childcare Project training workshops are standard, such as a two-year certificate of first aid and cardiopulmonary resuscitation through the American Heart Association, others such as disability sensitivity, ingredients for a healthy brain, and the six stages of parenthood aim to give child-care providers different ways to approach or look at particular situations. “With the six stages of parenthood, that came out of a childhood neglect and abuse training I went through,” said Cathy J. Stenfeldt, provider services specialist. “The overall goal for providers is to leave with a feeling they’ve learned something new and want to continue with their professional development. We want every child to receive high-quality care.”

For specific training dates, and workshop costs, call the Jefferson-Lewis Childcare Project at 782-4900.

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