Family Child Care Classes Offered, Sept. 15

Have you ever considered becoming a family child care provider? Are you already providing care for children of family or friends, and have an interest in learning more? If so, you are invited to sign up for two free child care provider classes being offered monthly by CARE Connections, Child Care Resource and Referral, a program of Southwestern Oregon Community College. The DHS Child Care Orientation shows interested providers how to be paid for their child care services through Oregon’s child care assistance programs for working families. Each participant will receive a certificate, an application, and a stipend of $24 for completing theDHS Child Care Orientation class. The “Overview for Family Child Care” is a separate session for providers who are interested in becoming licensed by the Office of Child Care to care for additional children. Licensed child care providers are eligible to receive a higher rate of pay from child care assistance program. These classes offer important information about the USDA Child and Adult Food Program for both licensed child care providers and providers listed with the Department of Human Services about how they may qualify for meal reimbursement during the hours that children are in care. Adequate access to high quality local child care is considered an essential factor to support healthy families, child development, and our local economy. Small group size, low adult/child ratio, teacher education and caregiver training are among the quality indicators that are strongly linked with improved outcomes for children. Family child care can be a rewarding opportunity to supplement household income while offering an important service to our community. In general, child care providers in Oregon must be licensed by the Office of Child Care if they care for more than three children at a time, in addition to their own. Parents and providers are encouraged to call CARE Connections for more information about quality indicators and to receive child care referrals. There is no charge for child care referral and resource services. For more information or to sign up for parent referrals, the DHS Orientation and the Overview, please call CARE Connections at (541) 813-1674 in Curry County; (541) 888-7957 in Coos County; Toll Free at 1-800-611-7555; or email: ccr&r@socc.edu .