Arkansas Valley District: Chaffee County Representative: Rhonda Hansen

Boulder County District: Boulder County Representative: Matt Eldred We are excited about the opportunities for growth and continued improvement in services for children and families in Boulder County in 2010! The Boulder District group has been working in collaboration with the Early Childhood Council of Boulder County and has recently completed a Boulder County Early Childhood Framework document that will provide Outcomes, Strategies, and Indicators in attempts to recognizes the needs of the whole child and family.  We hope to communicate the vision for a comprehensive early childhood system that focuses on specific measurable outcomes.  This document will guide, organize, and focus the actions and accountability of public and private stakeholders throughout Boulder County.  We look forward to continued collaborations and efforts to provide quality services and programs with the Early Childhood Council of Boulder County and other Early Childhood partners.  Another focus of the District group this year is to increase membership.  We have a lofty goal of doubling our membership in 2010 and have several strategies, events, and activities planned to accomplish that this year. Our largest event of the year will be the Teacher Appreciation Banquet Friday April 30th at 6:00 at the Radisson Hotel and Conference Center in Longmont.  This event is the celebration of Early Childhood Professionals in Boulder County, as well as a time to recognize those that have achieved excellence within the field over the past year.  We recognize a “teacher of the year” and present a “lifetime achievement” award at the event.  It is truly a time to thank all of those that are in the trenches daily serving and teaching our children.       EQIT certification training will start in January 2010 in Broomfield. It will meet two Thursday evenings and one Saturday per month through May.  Contact Pamela Piekarski  for more information.

Delta/San Juan District: Delta, Gunnison, Hinsdale, Montrose, Ouray, San Juan, San Miguel Counties Representative: Carol Phelps We are planning to celebrate the MOYC at the Home and Garden Show again.  We are still giving out scholarships for providers for 1/3 of the cost for classes, workshops or conferences.  The Delta/Montrose Technical College is very involved with having quality programs as the top priority as we work through NAEYC accreditation process.  We are working with the regional council, Bright Futures, to make sure all four counties are represented and that guidelines for grants are written and followed to benefit children.

Denver Metro District: Adams, Arapahoe, Clear Creek, Denver, Douglas, Jefferson, Park Counties Representative: Barbara Sawyer Denver Metro is looking forward to another successful JIFFY conference January 23, 2010.  The Ooey Gooey Lady, nationally known keynote presenter Lisa Murphy will spend a full day addressing the theme What if today was their only day?   Lisa’s energetic presentation is sure to motivate you for Monday morning while her knowledge of child growth and development and her down-to-earth understanding of the realities of child care encourage you.  Please note that this year’s JIFFY conference will be held at a new location -                                                                                   St. Luke’s United Methodist Church                                                                                                 8817 S. Broadway                                                                                                   Highlands Ranch JIFFY will begin promptly at 9 and will end at 4.  Lunch on your own is scheduled from 12-1.  Registration is $50 for CAEYC members and $65 for non-members.  To register contact Ida Mae Custer at opendoorpreschool@hotmail.com.  Don’t miss this fun and energizing day with Lisa. We know that the 2010 legislative session will see the introduction of many bills directly impacting early care and education issues.  To get the most current information please ensure that both CAEYC and Denver Metro have your e-mail contact information.  We anticipate that the legislative alerts will be more numerous than in previous years and reaching our membership by e-mail is the best way we have to keep members up to date.  To ensure that we have your current address, please e-mail Denver Metro at BSawyer316@comcast.net with a subject line of Denver Metro information.

Fremont County District: Fremont County Representative: Angie Shehorn Happy New Year to each and every one of you.  Fremont County District of CAEYC participated in the annual Christmas Parade of Lights by selling Joe’s delicious smothered burritos at the parade.  Cañon Coffee Café sold coffee, cider and hot cocoa for donation only and all proceeds went to the district group.  We handed out 100 bags to the children containing coloring books, educational material, Frisbees, lip balm, pens and calendars.   It was another successful year. We are gearing up for our Week of the Young Child event on April 10, 2010.  We will be having our Children’s Discovery Festival again and we anticipate a huge turnout. The discovery festival features an inflatable slide, food, and a variety of activities for young children.  Some of the participants include child care centers, family child care home providers, libraries and other community partners.  The event will be held at Washington Elementary School at 606 N. 9th St. Cañon City, CO  81212.  We will provide updates as they become available.  Thank you all and best wishes for health and happiness in 2010.

Larimer County District: Larimer County Representative: Madonna Mehia The Larimer County District continues to remain busy.  We begin the New Year with a presentation with Darlene Blackford B.S., M.Ed.  Darlene will present Stop, Listen, Focus! listening strategies for children January 23, 9-11:30 at the Harmony Library.  We are preparing for MOYC and are excited to have Rosemarie Allen present for us.  We will be hosting our provider appreciation brunch on April 10, time and place TBA.  For this special event we will be collaborating with the Larimer County Early Childhood Council and are hoping to collaborate with Pathways Past Poverty.  As always we continue to work on increasing district membership by informing early childhood providers of the benefits of membership and through scholarships.  We wish you a very safe and Happy 2010.

Mesa District: Mesa County Representatives:  Paula Gallegos Mesa District Group (MDG) has chosen four activities which support the primary goal agreed on by membership in August 2008.  This is the focus of MDG for 2008 – 2010.  The goal is to develop and maintain high quality early childhood workforce in Mesa County.  To meet these goals MDG will (1) develop a multi-faceted campaign to recruit professionals and to rejuvenate excitement about going and staying in the Early Childhood field and (2) provide direct support and training for providers by targeting training, build support groups, and build on mentor/coach group.   The activities planned to meet these goals are (1) support continuity and sustainability of professional development, (2) Month of the Young Child Activities, (3) Pyramid training with mentor support, and (4) crisis support for early childhood programs.    Activity 1:  MDG hosted a professional development planning meeting to discuss ways to support continuity and sustainability of Professional Development through grant opportunities.  A plan was agreed on for the submission of the Temple Buell grant opportunity.  The focus for the Temple Buell grant is continuity of Cohort learning and to initiate an Advanced Leadership Cohort.  MDG requested to the Partnership for Children and Families (PCF) the Mesa County EC Council for funding to complete a professional development survey of early childhood professionals in Mesa County, this survey will be completed in February.  MDG will plan changes based on the results of this survey.  Current professional development groups supported by MDG and PCF are: * Group Leader Cohort: Funded by Temple Hoyne Buell Foundation grant, 10 entry level participants from 7 programs, complete 2 early childhood college classes with Mentoring support, 1 year commitment * Director Development Cohort: Funded by Temple Hoyne Buell Foundation grant, 10 participants from 7 programs who are upcoming leaders in the field, complete 2 early childhood college classes with Mentoring support, 1 year commitment.  This group focuses on communication skills, leadership skills, and networking opportunities. * Child Development Associate (CDA): 3 sessions of CDA groups include 42 participants from 12 programs taught by 2 instructors, college credit is available. * Expanding Quality in Infant and Toddler Programs (EQIT): 19 participants currently enrolled from 6 childcare centers and 8 childcare homes, taught by 4 instructors with Mentoring support to implement quality care in working with children.  * School Readiness: 3 sites include 11 classrooms. 3 year commitment to provide quality care for children and families.  Staff will have the opportunity to receive EQIT training and Pyramid Training.  Staff will develop Professional Development plans.  The site will receive coaching and financial support to improve quality. * Let’s Play Conference: was held on November 7, 2009.  Nationally known Mother Goose was the keynote and provided 2 additional sessions.  186 providers from across the western slope attended this conference.  This doubled  last year’s conference attendance.  Planning for next year’s conference will begin in January 2010.    Activity 2:  MDG is focusing more on Month of the Young Child activities.  The annual Provider Appreciation Dinner will be Friday, April 30, 2010.  This is a free dinner celebration provided by MDG.  A keynote will be invited to address the group, training hours will be given, door prizes.  MDG will partner with the Home Care Association in planning Day in the Park scheduled for April 17, 2010.  This will be a fun day for children, families, and providers.  Activity 3:  Pyramid Training will be provided to school readiness sites.  Additional training will be open to the community.  A Trainers Cohort will be developed to provide support to those giving presentations and training.  Booster trainings will be given throughout the year for providers already trained.   Activity 4:  Crisis support for EC Programs is a Hospice Partnership.  This is a two-part plan. Part 1)  Crisis support training is intended to provide professionals with education and support for death and serious illness in their program.  This training will be a two-day training.  The first day will provide information, the second day will have a question/answer session and a make-it-take-it session.  This session will allow the participants to write their own Crisis binder with resources to use in case of an emergency. Training will be January 26 and 30 for $30.    Part 2)  The second part of this goal will develop a crisis team.  The committee will review the crisis intervention plan that the school district has and will develop one similar that will work for the early childhood community.  Attendance at MDG meetings have increased from an average of 6 people to an average of 25 people.

Mountain District: Eagle, Lake, Summit Counties Representative: Taralyn Walters

Northeast Colorado District: Logan, Phillips, Sedgwick, Yuma Counties Representative: Terry Curtis The Northeastern Junior College conference will be held on January 23, 2010, 8:30 - 5:15.  For more information, please contact NJC at:  970-521-6900.

Northwest Colorado District: Grand, Jackson, Moffat, Rio Blanco, Routt, Counties Representative: Tami Havener

Pikes Peak District: Cheyenne, Elbert, El Paso, Kit Carson, Lincoln, Teller Counties Representative: Mary Willis Happy New Year to the PPAEYC district!  We hope your year is off to a great start.  Pease ensure your contact information is correct by emailing any changes to ppaeyc@yahoo.com  Plan to attend the 2nd Annual School Readiness conference on March 6th and visit the PPAEYC both to register for a door prize!

Roaring Forks District: Garfield, Pitkin Counties Representative: Season Doebler We are working together with the Aspen School District to have a two day seminar on Social Emotional Based Teaching. It is presented by Ronald Roybal who used to teach LEAP, an inclusion curriculum, and who now works with CSEFEL. The seminars will be held on Friday, February 12th  and Saturday, February 13th from 8-4 each day, lunch included and a $20 cost per day.   We are having a "Yoga in the Preschool Classroom" Seminar in the end of Jan on a Saturday, and "Power of Play Seminar" in March and a "Power of Clay" seminar in April. These three seminars will only be 2 hours each and offered for free!!  Specific dates and locations will be posted soon.

San Luis Valley District: Alamosa, Conejos, Costilla, Mineral, Rio Grande, Saguache Counties Representative: Patti Newman The San Luis Valley District Group of CAEYC is enjoying fall in our beautiful mountain valley.  We have some upcoming events we are excited to share about.  Three of our members will attend the upcoming NAEYC conference. We are proud to have our own Dr. Linda Christian presenting!What an honor it is to have such dedicated and respected women in our group! We are also collaborating with our local ECC to present a fall conference called the “Lean and Green” conference.  It will include a presentation on Eco-Healthy Child Care.  Dr.  Linda Christian from Adams State College’s Department of Education will be teaching us to have green and eco-friendly preschools and child care facilities.  There will also be a presentation including nutrition, physical activity and movement in early learning facilities.  This presentation will be taught by Shana Patterson who is the Early Childhood Specialist for the Colorado Department of Public Health.  Ms. Patterson will be teaching us the importance of nutrition and physical activity in centers as well as giving us great ideas on how to implement them into our programs.  The evening also includes dinner which will be presented by Mary Sue Morgan and sponsored by Live Well Colorado.  It should be a wonderful evening filled with new and exciting ideas for all of to implement into our programs.

Southeast Colorado District: Baca, Bent, Crowley, Custer, Huerfano, Kiowa, Las Animas, Otero, Prowers, Pueblo Counties Representative:  Renee Monohan SE Colorado District is now on FACEBOOK ……please check out our district group site to stay informed about upcoming events & meetings   www.facebook.com  For more information about Southeast Colorado District – please contact Renee Monohan at rmonohan@sccog.net

Southwest Colorado District: Archuleta, Dolores, La Plata, Montezuma Counties Representative:  Heather Taylor The Southwest District will be setting up a committee to begin the planning for the Week of the Young Child in January. If you are interested in participating in this committee, please contact Heather Taylor at heathertaylor@mercydurango.org for the next meeting place/time. Thank you. Applications are being solicited by the Early Childhood Council of La Plata County for a one-time wage bonus for early childhood professionals of La Plata County who work with children birth to five years of age and are currently employed in a state licensed center or licensed family home a minimum of 30 hours per week and have remained in the field for more than five years. If you are interested in an application or have any questions in regards to the one-time wage bonus, please contact Heather Taylor at heathertaylor@mercydurango.org.

Weld County District: Morgan, Washington, Weld Counties Representative: Becky Ward-Smith  We have had a busy fall!  Several successful training workshops were offered including: Introduction to Social Emotional Development, Dramatic Play, I am Moving I am Learning, Every Child Ready to Read, and a Dinner Conversations evening.  Participants at the Dinner Conversations training were provided with a dinner and dessert courtesy of United Way of Weld County and joined in lively small group discussions with a table host on a variety of topics ranging from licensing questions, learning about math and science activities, curriculum ideas for home providers, involving families, guidance strategies, allergies in child care, and the environment rating scales to name a few.  In collaboration with United Way of Weld County and we will be hosting several more training workshops.  These include: ·        January 21, 6:30 – 8:00 pm, topic category: Cultural and Individual Diversity (workshop title TBA) ·        February 27, 8:00 am – 4:00 pm, Love To Learn Child Care Conference, University of Northern Colorado, University Center ·        March 13, 9:00 am-12:00 pm, Sensory Integration ·        March 25, 6:00 – 7:30 pm, Social Emotional Overview, in Ft. Lupton ·        April 22, 6:30-8:00 pm, Family and Community Relationship Building Mark your calendars: May 11th will be the Membership Celebration.  Watch for your invitation in the spring. Our theme is “Ewe Rock”.  We are in the process of creating a new brochure for distribution to inform others about the Weld District group and the benefits of membership.  Let us know if you will need copies to provide to your staff or other early childhood professionals.  STAY INFORMED! We want to encourage all current Weld District members to join the Facebook group!  Information about trainings and other events are posted on this site and you can network with others.  We have also been collecting emails for an e-mail distribution list to receive information about trainings and other events.  Please e-mail us with your preferred e-mail address to get on the list!  If you are interested in finding out more information about the Weld District group please e-mail us at weldcaeyc@yahoo.com.