Strengthening Families Program

[Josiegirl]

They're doing a strengthening families pilot program here and I am not entirely certain I want to participate or not. I'm terrible at follow-through and consistency. They need a 3 yr. commitment, and a few other things, all perfectly doable IMO(I was actually planning on doing them anyways). But I'm still not certain. Plus there is a monetary incentive and I'm sure the program and it's trainings could only stand to improve my program. It would be another good selling point when the need for families arise.
So what's stopping me? They are only allowing 15 participants and at the moment have 9 open slots.

Do they have any similar programs in your areas? Have you participated or would you participate in something like this? With the times changing in the daycare world, I'm sure this would be a step in the right direction.
Help?:confused:

[Blackcat31]

They're doing a strengthening families pilot program here and I am not entirely certain I want to participate or not. I'm terrible at follow-through and consistency. They need a 3 yr. commitment, and a few other things, all perfectly doable IMO(I was actually planning on doing them anyways). But I'm still not certain. Plus there is a monetary incentive and I'm sure the program and it's trainings could only stand to improve my program. It would be another good selling point when the need for families arise.
So what's stopping me? They are only allowing 15 participants and at the moment have 9 open slots.

Do they have any similar programs in your areas? Have you participated or would you participate in something like this? With the times changing in the daycare world, I'm sure this would be a step in the right direction.
Help?:confused:

Depends on what they want me to do....kwim?

Can you post a link explaining the program or post some highlights of what you are suppose to do...

I have an inkling of what Strengthening Families means but I am leery because that usually means the provider has to go above and beyond and do some version of "special" that seems to only benefit the family,

I know you said there is monetary incentives but that is usually something to lure you in but rarely enough to make it worthwhile.

I don't mean to sound skeptical buuuut...

[Unregistered]

I agreed to participate with a "study" one time, supposedly involving cortisol levels in children, probably close to 9 years ago. There was a stipend for participating, which I thought was pretty great. Then...

On the last visit, one of the women was clearly not feeling well, and not to be judgemental, but I would say with quite the hang-over. She left her packet behind. Although I knew I shouldn't, I took a peek. Much to my surprise, lo and behold, it was a secret mission to gather data about my program for QRIS!!! I still have that packet. I felt a little betrayed, or violated, or just like I had the wool pulled over my eyes I suppose. I never contacted them about it, and was holding my breath before my last participation check came.

I guess they wanted untainted data about programs as they really were, without making any improvements or other changes prior or something if we knew what they were sniffing around for.

Just thought I'd share my experience, in case your state was trying to set up a QRIS too, I'd be digging a little deeper!

[midaycare]

I agreed to participate with a "study" one time, supposedly involving cortisol levels in children, probably close to 9 years ago. There was a stipend for participating, which I thought was pretty great. Then...

On the last visit, one of the women was clearly not feeling well, and not to be judgemental, but I would say with quite the hang-over. She left her packet behind. Although I knew I shouldn't, I took a peek. Much to my surprise, lo and behold, it was a secret mission to gather data about my program for QRIS!!! I still have that packet. I felt a little betrayed, or violated, or just like I had the wool pulled over my eyes I suppose. I never contacted them about it, and was holding my breath before my last participation check came.

I guess they wanted untainted data about programs as they really were, without making any improvements or other changes prior or something if we knew what they were sniffing around for.

Just thought I'd share my experience, in case your state was trying to set up a QRIS too, I'd be digging a little deeper!

Holy moly guacamole!

[Annalee]

They're doing a strengthening families pilot program here and I am not entirely certain I want to participate or not. I'm terrible at follow-through and consistency. They need a 3 yr. commitment, and a few other things, all perfectly doable IMO(I was actually planning on doing them anyways). But I'm still not certain. Plus there is a monetary incentive and I'm sure the program and it's trainings could only stand to improve my program. It would be another good selling point when the need for families arise.
So what's stopping me? They are only allowing 15 participants and at the moment have 9 open slots.

Do they have any similar programs in your areas? Have you participated or would you participate in something like this? With the times changing in the daycare world, I'm sure this would be a step in the right direction.
Help?:confused:

Yes, a program similar is here where a trained resource person will come to your program during daycare hours, after hours, parent meetings, etc. to offer assistance for all families in your child care program....It is as long/short as you want...there is no 3 yr commitment with it here...It is not mandated either but is an informative program...

[Annalee]

Depends on what they want me to do....kwim?

Can you post a link explaining the program or post some highlights of what you are suppose to do...

I have an inkling of what Strengthening Families means but I am leery because that usually means the provider has to go above and beyond and do some version of "special" that seems to only benefit the family,

I know you said there is monetary incentives but that is usually something to lure you in but rarely enough to make it worthwhile.

I don't mean to sound skeptical buuuut...

The program here is an attempt to get parents on board with QRIS and quality child care, but when parents get off from work and go home, they are NOT interested in being lectured on how to parent/strengthen their family...When the lady come during daycare hours to see me (a few years ago) I basically just received training hours and some things I could use in my program....Parents knew what I was doing but were not that interested.

[Blackcat31]

The program here is an attempt to get parents on board with QRIS and quality child care, but when parents get off from work and go home, they are NOT interested in being lectured on how to parent/strengthen their family...When the lady come during daycare hours to see me (a few years ago) I basically just received training hours and some things I could use in my program....Parents knew what I was doing but were not that interested.

That's kind of exactly where I was heading without saying it (as everyone knows how I feel about QRIS).

We were lured into participating with grants (I got over $2000 for participating) and being allowed to offer families scholarships to attend our programs...families could only use providers that participated... and there were VERY few so of course, we were all giddy with the thought of a pool of parents that ONLY we could take on!!...

Come to find out, the scholarship is awesome!!!!! ......for the family so they can basically use up to 50 hours per week of child care without any restrictions and the paperwork I (the parent does nothing/not even sign for it) have to do each month in order foe the parent to receive this money is so time consuming, it's almost like a second job!!!

If I had known, I would have ran as fast as I could the other way!!

Oh, and the grant money we got...had TONS of restrictions too...like where we could spend it and on what...so again, NOT what we thought it was/would be.

[Annalee]

That's kind of exactly where I was heading without saying it (as everyone knows how I feel about QRIS).

We were lured into participating with grants (I got over $2000 for participating) and being allowed to offer families scholarships to attend our programs...families could only use providers that participated... and there were VERY few so of course, we were all giddy with the thought of a pool of parents that ONLY we could take on!!...

Come to find out, the scholarship is awesome!!!!! ......for the family so they can basically use up to 50 hours per week of child care without any restrictions and the paperwork I (the parent does nothing/not even sign for it) have to do each month in order foe the parent to receive this money is so time consuming, it's almost like a second job!!!

If I had known, I would have ran as fast as I could the other way!!

Oh, and the grant money we got...had TONS of restrictions too...like where we could spend it and on what...so again, NOT what we thought it was/would be.

Yep, they use the tactic of making providers feel good and buttering us up but that doesn't work anymore....There were a few providers that did "everything" that was offered and I was one of "those" providers but I see the big picture now....I feel for those states just entering the process!!!!!

[Josiegirl]

BlackCat, I just pm'ed you the info I have about the program and a reply from my resource coodinator answering my questions about it. If/when you have time and if you feel like it, can you please tell me what you think? Thanks!!

[Blackcat31]

BlackCat, I just pm'ed you the info I have about the program and a reply from my resource coodinator answering my questions about it. If/when you have time and if you feel like it, can you please tell me what you think? Thanks!!

I will read it this evening and get right back to you

[Cat Herder]

I just finished this. It was really easy, for me...

It is an algorithm approach to preventing child abuse community wide by using childcare providers as the front lines. They feel we have a better chance than law enforcement, EMS, Medical Community or child services because they only come in after the fact.

We see these people every day and should see the warning signs. Instead of just reporting suspected child abuse, they think we hold the key to actually stopping it. Changing entire futures. If it works, I will be thrilled. Of course, it is impossible to record stats of things that will never happen, so who can say if it worked for sure? My mirror said it was worth a try, though. Sounds pretty logical and simple.

1. Online class. 2. Find 3 areas that you can improve. 3. Improve.

My 3 solutions were:

1. Have a community resources handout ready to give to clients in times of crisis. (as soon as they tell you they have some issue' be it fired from work, domestic violence, car repossessed or eviction. "Oh, Here is this awesome printout full of phone numbers to service providers here in town") Concrete support.

2. Model appropriate language skills to the children so they can better communicate their needs and wants to their parents at home. No baby talk. ("Charles, it makes me feel sad when you scream at me. Can you talk to me quieter?" "Charles, would you like the green blanket or blue blanket?" Social and Emotional Competence of Children

3. Host monthly parent roundtables (discussion of specific issues of child development). (Parents: Thursday night, 6-7pm, join me for warm banana bread, coffee, laughter and Q&A on "Potty Training Techniques") Social Connections, Knowledge of Parenting and Child Development

These were very easy to implement (1-2 I already did, just did not document ) and actually cut down my texts, emails and adult issues. I was skeptical at first.... even a bit resentful of number 3, but now I actually enjoy it.

edited to add: I rarely have to host the roundtable. Just offer it. When a parent or two signs up, I know it is something that worries them. IME, This method prevents building drama as they have an open invitation to talk to me without having to build up the confidence, anger or resentment first. They just "come for a friendly visit", talk it through and laugh instead.... Really nice for conflict management.

Wait: You have a monetary incentive for this? :dislike: I just got an email that said "Do this." (paraphrased, of course... Oh, well, what's done is done I guess. ::

[Blackcat31]

I just finished this. It was really easy, for me...

1. Online class. 2. Find 3 areas that you can improve. 3. Improve.

My 3 solutions were:

1. Have a community resources handout ready to give to clients in times of crisis. (as soon as they tell you they have some issue' be it fired from work, domestic violence, car repossessed or eviction. "Oh, Here is this awesome printout full of phone numbers to service providers here in town") Concrete support.

2. Model appropriate language skills to the children so they can better communicate their needs and wants to their parents at home. No baby talk. ("Charles, it makes me feel sad when you scream at me. Can you talk to me quieter?" "Charles, would you like the green blanket or blue blanket?" Social and Emotional Competence of Children

3. Host monthly parent roundtables (discussion of specific issues of child development). (Parents: Thursday night, 6-7pm, join me for warm banana bread, coffee, laughter and Q&A on "Potty Training Techniques") Social Connections, Knowledge of Parenting and Child Development

These were very easy to implement (1-2 I already did, just did not document ) and actually cut down my texts, emails and adult issues. I was skeptical at first.... even a bit resentful of number 3, but now I actually enjoy it.

edited to add: I rarely have to host the roundtable. Just offer it. When a parent or two signs up, I know it is something that worries them. IME, This method prevents building drama as they have an open invitation to talk to me without having to build up the confidence, anger or resentment first. They just "come for a friendly visit", talk it through and laugh instead.... Really nice for conflict management.

Wait: You have a monetary incentive for this? :dislike: I just got an email that said "Do this." (paraphrased, of course... Oh, well, what's done is done I guess. ::

Yes, but it had pretty strict limitations with it. I ended up letting more than half my grant money go back into the pool because I didn't want to buy anything they told me I could choose from and those things that I did want, weren't "approved".

Atleast you weren't disappointed. Do it. Pretty straight forward and to the point and not full of trickery to get you to do it.

[Cat Herder]

Yes, but it had pretty strict limitations with it. I ended up letting more than half my grant money go back into the pool because I didn't want to buy anything they told me I could choose from and those things that I did want, weren't "approved".

Atleast you weren't disappointed. Do it. Pretty straight forward and to the point and not full of trickery to get you to do it.

:::::: As straight forward as it gets.

This one is about preventing child abuse... that is something I can get behind.

I look at it as social research. I am looking forward to the extended studies...