PROGRAM SUPPORT SERVICES
Loan guarantees are made to assist with the development of new facilities or expansion of existing facilities particularly in low income, rural areas which demonstrate a need for additional quality child care. Guarantees are available to a maximum of $25,000 and may be used for operating capital as well as capitol outlay.
A bi-monthly newsletter for all licensed and registered child care providers which includes all training opportunitites. Information, news and updates on early care and education are included.
A 10-hour orientation course for people that are new to the field of early child care. Completion allows a person to be eligible for a CDA scholarship with at least 90 days of employment in a child care program. Contact (800) 632-8754, or visit www.uark.edu/childcareprojects.
The Business Development focuses on the business side of starting a child care business including developing a business plan, financial projections, installing QuickBooks, and obtaining a loan for your small business. We also provide Child Care Pre-Application Licensing workshops This is available to 23 counties in the Delta. Contact is 888-323-6233 or 870-535-6233 in Pine Bluff or 870-816-1120 in Helena-West Helena, Forrest City and West Memphis. Visit us online at http://www.southerngff.org/bdc.php
Business management sessions are held through out the state to encourage child care providers to implement good business practice in their small businesses. Contact the UALR Small Business Development Center at 501-324-9043 or1-800-862-2040.
Scholarships are available to individuals to assist in accessing training which will lead to a credential under the Child Development Associate program. This is a nationally recognized credential which provides a practicum for persons working in child care programs and assists them in improving the learning environment for children in care. Arkansas Better Chance for School Success (ABC & ABCSS) and Head Start Center Based Programs are not eligible for CDA Scholarship funds. On-line CDA course work will be considered on an individual basis.
The Division and the Arkansas Economic Development Commission have a working partnership to assist in the development of quality child care programs in Arkansas. The Division provides the pre-application review for AEDC to determine the viability of potential child care projects. AEDC provides grant funding for construction or renovation of child care facilities which will serve a majority of low to moderate income children. These grants are available only to city or county governments.
A lending library and resource center for child care providers throughout the state. All licensed and registered child care providers may apply for a user card and will receive a catalogue of resources available. By using the 1-800-445-3316 line you may order resources which will be mailed to your child care program. The resource center is located at 700 Main Street, Room #1101 in Little Rock and also has a laminator, Ellison "cookie cutter" and copier available for use.
Parents can access information on licensed/registered child care homes and centers through the 1-800-445-3316 line. All licensed and registered homes and centers are included in the referral database.
CPR and First Aid training grants are available throughout the year until funds set-aside by the Division of Child Care and Early Childhood Education are expended. Only 1 application per grant year (July 1 – June 30) will be accepted with a maximum of 2 employees per license number. Arkansas Better Chance Programs are not eligible for this grant.
A three day session to prepare new directors of child care programs, also appropriate for seasoned directors as a refresher course. Sessions deal with management, administration, quality programming and communication with staff, children and parents. Training is required for all new child care directors. http://professionalregistry.astate.edu or http://chs.astate.edu
The Framework is a document designed to guide early childhood professionals as they develop and implement curriculum appropriate for the children and families they serve. As a companion to the framework, there is a developmental rating scale that encompasses five developmental learning strands and offers examples of strategies and activities to promote a child's growth and development.
a 30-hour professional development course, assists early childhood teachers in planning programs which encourage language and literacy development. The training is available statewide at no charge. Additional information is available by contacting (800) 632-8754, or visit:
www.uark.edu/childcareprojects or http://professionalregistry.astate.edu
Grants, up to a maximum of $5,000, are available to child care providers for the improvement or enhancement of the quality of child care or to correct a deficiency. Providers must demonstrate age appropriate immunizations for all children in their care to qualify for these grants. Any child care facility, fully or partially funded through the ABC – Arkansas Better Chance program, is not eligible to apply for this Enhancement grant. Enhancement grants for ABC programs are available through the ABC unit.
This booklet provides some basic information about the Federal grants process. It also lists over 170 programs that may interest your organization. Grants programs are organized into general categories ranging from programs for elders and the homeless to those that serve at-risk youth and people making the transition from welfare to work.
A 30 hour course focusing on the framework and benchmarks for math and science strategies in working with young children. Contact (800) 322-8176, or (870) 972-3055, or visit http://chs.astate.edu.
For child care providers outside the Central Arkansas area, the 15 Educational Service Cooperatives offer access for early childhood providers to the Teacher Resource Centers. Services available include access to equipment, materials, books and personnel to assist in developing quality instructional materials.
Technical assistance is available by self referral or by referral from the licensing office to all child care programs in the state. Childhood Services, affiliated with Arkansas State University has a contract with the Division to establish a group of early childhood professional to offer this assistance at no charge to providers.
The Registry web site includes training opportunities for all registered training agencies across the state. Online registration can be done quickly! Check for training opportunities by location, date, or topic.