Can the Resource Connection help me to get licensed to do child care in my own home?

Child care offered in your own home is called "family child care" and licensed by the California Department of Social Services. Resource Connection staff have deep experience in child care and development and are available to guide you through the licensing process. The Child Care Initiative Project (CCIP) provides training, technical assistance and financial incentives to people interested in obtaining a family child care license.  The Resource Connection also has a lending library with publications, CDs and videos, resource books, and educationally and developmentally appropriate toys that are loaned out to licensed family child care homes on a quarterly basis.

Does the Resource Connection offer training?

Yes.  A variety of free or low cost trainings are offered throughout the year to potential and existing child care providers. The Resource Connection also offers home study packets and resources that you can check out and do at your own pace. Please see the calendar for a list of upcoming workshops and trainings.

I babysit my neighbor’s children while she goes to work.  Does the Resource Connection offer any resources or training?

Yes.  The Growing, Learning and Caring project offers training and resources to family members, friends and neighbors who take care of children other than their own. This project offers informal training in two-hour segments. There are also playgroups in Amador County.

Do the workshops count as professional growth hours?

It depends on the entity that has set the requirements for your professional growth hours. Your employer may require professional growth or a training program, or you may be required to obtain professional growth for the renewal of your child development permit issued by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing.  The Resource Connection will issue a certificate upon completion of a workshop or training that indicates the number of hours and topics covered. Please check with your guiding entity to ensure you are attending a training that will meet your individual requirements.

Professional growth hours for the child development permit are activities that contribute to your growth as an early childhood educator. To renew a child development permit, you must plan a program of professional growth activities in consultation with a professional growth advisor. For more information, please visit the Child Development Training Consortium: www.childdevelopment.org.

Does the Resource Connection offer grants to people who want to open a family child care home or center?

The Child Care Initiative Project offers training, technical assistance, and financial incentives for people interested in opening a family child care home.

I’m enrolled in an Early Childhood Education course at a local college and I have to do a research paper on child discipline. Does the Resource Connection have any books that I can borrow on this topic?

Yes.  The resource library is open, by appointment, to the public. The staff tries to keep it stocked with books, CDs and publications that are useful for students, parents, early childhood professionals, and others interested in child development.