EASTERN WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY
Early Head Start Exchange A Newsletter for EWU Early Head Start Families
Carolyn Sola EWU EHS Director
Hello EHS Parents! A lot of great things have been happening around Early Head Start the last several months, and many of them are because of the input, ideas and work of the EHS parents on the Policy Council. Your elected Policy Council members work hard with Early Head Start staff to make the program better for you and your child.
Some of the work the Policy Council has done since November includes providing input on, reviewing and approving:
EHS Policies #298 Applicable EWU Policies and Procedures, and #299 EWU EHS Personnel Policies
The 2017 Self-Assessment Results
The 2017 EWU EHS Community Assessment Update
The Request for Medically Underserved Area (MUA) Designation
EWU EHS program’s Philosophy, Approach to Services and Curriculum
All that in addition to their usual duties of making decisions and providing ideas on other important things like: Where EWU EHS funds should be spent EWU EHS staff hiring And that is just to name a few of them!
You too, could become a Policy Council member! EHS Policy Council members are elected in May of every year, and that’s not far off. Right now, EHS provides on-site childcare during Policy Council meetings or we pay for childcare that you select for your child. We also pay $.535 cents per mile to reimburse Policy Council members’ transportation costs. Every parent with a child in Early Head Start has something to offer the program and can make it better. Please think about running for Policy Council. We would truly love to have YOU on the Policy Council next year!
EWU EHS’ School Readiness and Program Goals Page 2
EWU EARLY HEAD START EXCHANGE
Children graduate and transition out of EWU Early Head Start once they turn 3 years old. A graduation celebration was recently held for Bud Shaw (top right with mom Kimberly, dad Jesse and older sister Sophie— an Early Head Start alumni herself).
Aurora Vernon (pictured at left with mom Ryann and dad Jon), as well as Abygayle Scheetz (bottom right with mom Krista and dad Thomas) also celebrated EWU Early Head Start graduations.
EHS Home-Visitor Autumn Stenberg, and everyone at EWU Early Head Start wishes to congratulate
Joey and Tara, big brother Ryder, and sister Leia who welcomed new baby to their family on October 23, 2016 at 7 lbs. 5 oz. and 20½ inches long.
Volume 15, Issue 1
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Oral health is an important part of everyone’s overall health, including your child's. Teaching your child good oral hygiene habits early can lead to a lifelong healthy smile, but did you know that just because babies don’t have any visible teeth, doesn’t mean they can’t get cavities? A baby’s 20 primary teeth are already present in their jaws at birth. And those baby teeth that begin coming through the gums around 6-10 months of age help set the stage for future smiles by keeping space in the jaw for adult teeth. It is recommend that children have their first dental visit by their first tooth, or first birthday (whichever comes first). ABCD (Access to Baby & Child Dentistry) is a great resource available in our area that will help you give your child a healthy start.
ABCD dentists are specially trained and certified by the University of Washington School of Dentistry to perform gentle, yet effective techniques that make “going to the dentist” a comfortable experience for very young children and their families.
Knee-to-Knee Examinations One technique that ABCD Dentists use is a preferred alternative to dental chairs where the dentist sits knee-to-knee opposite the parent or guardian with the child lying across their laps (as pictured here). With the child’s head in the parent’s lap, the dentist provides information and encouragement while the parent brushes the child’s teeth. Then the child’s position is reversed so the dentist can complete the examination.
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EWU EARLY HEAD START EXCHANGE
ABCD Dental offers NO-COST Dental Care for children birth through 5 years of age! “An ABCD dental exam is more thorough than a standard Medicaid dental exam,” says Tri-County ABCD Program Manager Jill Carpenter. “We can help you find the ABCD dentists in your area and all at no cost to you.” For more information or to find out how you can enroll, call ABCD Manager Jill Carpenter at (509) 685-6106 -or- call Rural Resources Community Action at: (509) 684-8421 -or- on their toll free line at: (877) 219-5542 and ask to speak to the ABCD Manager.
What this program does: Helps you find a child-friendly, ABCD trained dentist in your area Gives your children a great start in life by making sure baby teeth are healthy Makes going to the dentist and making it a regular part of your child’s life easier Gets children into a dentist by age one, as recommended by the American Academy of
Pediatric Dentistry Provides an easy dental visit with your child in your arms, not in a dental chair
Who is eligible:
Dental benefits:
Children, birth through 5 years old
Dental check-ups 2 times each year
Children with a Medicaid coupon
Fluoride treatments 3 times each year
Children Living in Stevens, Ferry or
Family education 2 times each year
Pend Oreille Counties
Dental treatment as needed
Why are baby teeth so IMPORTANT? They help with speech development Healthy baby teeth allow for normal development of the mouth They guide permanent teeth into place They help with chewing for good nutrition Because decayed baby teeth cause pain, abscesses, infections and can infect permanent teeth! Volume 15, Issue 1
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Come and invite friends to enjoy the fun activities, learning experiences and great things happening around EWU Early Head Start! Here are some pictures from recent Play & Learns, Home Visits and other EHS activities. Make sure to check the EHS calendars for the times and locations and call: (509) 359-3157 to reserve your spot at the Play & Learns in Colville and Newport!
Don’t miss out! At EWU EHS Play & Learns in February the Topic is Language & Literacy and the theme is “We Love Books”. Activities include creating valentines, hand/footprints and more! EHS Families are invited to attend two Play & Learns per month. Ask your Home Visitor for details, including receiving Family Transportation Assistance cash to help cover some of your travel costs.
The Earned Income Tax Credit (also known as the EITC or EIC) is an important benefit to help you keep more of what you earned. The EITC provides a refundable tax credit to low- and moderate-income taxpayers who have earned money during the year from either a job or self-employment. Four of five eligible workers claim and get their EITC. Let’s raise that number to Five out of Five. You earned it, "now file, claim it and get it." See if you qualify at IRS.gov/EITC. For the 2016 tax year (filed in 2017) the maximum credit amount you can receive has increased again! This year the maximum credit has increased to:
$3,373 if you have one qualifying child, $5,572 if you have 2 qualifying children,
$6,269 if you have 3 or more qualifying children, or
$506 if you don’t have a qualifying child.
EITC is for workers whose income does not exceed the following limits in 2016: Number of children:
Single workers with income less than:
Married workers with income less than:
EITC up to:
3 or more children
$47,955
$53,505
$6,269
2 children
$44,648
$50,198
$5,572
1 child
$39,296
$44,846
$3,373
No children
$14,880
$20,430
$506
To qualify, taxpayers must meet certain requirements and file a tax return, even if they did not earn enough money to be obligated to file a tax return. Check it out at IRS.gov/EITC.
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EWU Early Head Start Exchange
Each month at EHS Play & Learns a healthy snack is featured. Here is March’s snack recipe.
Granola Bars with Yogurt Dip Recipe: 2 ½ Cups Vanilla Greek Yogurt (20 ounces) 2 ½ Tsp Cinnamon 1 2/3 Cups Steel Cut Rolled Oats
Shopping list for 1-10 Servings Vanilla Greek Yogurt (20 ounces) Cinnamon Steel Cut Rolled Oats
1 Cup Nut Butter ¾ Cup Ground Flaxseed
Nut Butter Ground Flaxseed
½ Cup Maple Syrup
Maple Syrup
½ Cup Dried Cranberries, Chopped
Dried Cranberries
¼ Cup Mini Chocolate Chips
Mini Chocolate Chips
3 Tbsp Sliced Almonds
Sliced Almonds
Directions: 1. Mix yogurt and cinnamon in a bowl. Place in refrigerator until granola bars are read. 2. Stir oats, nut butter, flaxseed, maple syrup, cranberries, chocolate chips, and almonds together in a bowl. Press into a 9x11 inch baking dish, using the back of a spatula to press flat. 3. Refrigerate the bars for at least an hour. 4. Cut bars into pieces and serve with the yogurt dip.
Serve With: Whole milk, water, and lactose free milk. Volume 15, Issue 1
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Policy Council In Colville 9:30 am - 2:30 pm
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Call (509) 359-3157 to reserve your spot for Feb. 13 & 14 Play & Learns!
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FREE CPR CLASS
Colville
Covers Infant, Child and Adult CPR + AED 9 am-12 pm at Providence Mount Carmel Hospital Call Heather Gregory at (509) 685-5450 for more info.
Play & Learn EHS Colville Center 1—2:30 pm
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Newport
Colville
Play & Learn 1600 1st St. 1—2:30 pm
Play & Learn EHS Colville Center 1—2:30 pm
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President’s Day Holiday
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February is National Children’s Dental Health Month.
Colville Play & Learn EHS Colville Center 1—2:30 pm
Newport
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Call (509) 359-3157 to reserve your spot for February 27 & 28 Play & Learns!
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Call (509) 359Play & Learn 3157 1600 1st St. to reserve your 1—2:30 pm
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Colville Play & Learn EHS Colville Center 1—2:30 pm
Your oral health is an important part of your overall health. Developing good habits at an early age and scheduling regular dental visits helps children get a good start on a lifetime of healthy teeth and gums. Checkout the ABCD Dental information in this newsletter issue (see pages 4-5) and learn more on oral health for you and your child by visiting: www.abcd-dental.org, www.mouthhealthy.org and www.kidsoralhealth.org.
Spring is a time to welcome new birth, new growth, new beginnings and (hopefully)… warmer weather!
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At EWU Early Head Start, it also means beginning the process of nominating and electing new EHS Policy Council Representatives! Please consider getting involved with this great part of EWU EHS. It’s a great way for you to make a difference!
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Policy Council In Colville 9:30 am - 2:30 pm
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Spring Forward
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Play & Learn EHS Colville Center 1—2:30 pm
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Colville
Play & Learn 1600 1st St. 1—2:30 pm
Play & Learn EHS Colville Center 1—2:30 pm
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St. Patrick’s Day
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First Day of Spring Call (509) 359-3157 to reserve your spot for Mar. 27 & 28 Play & Learns!
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Colville
Daylight Savings Time Begins
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Professional Development Day
Call (509) 359-3157 to reserve your spot for Mar. 13 & 14 Play & Learns!
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Colville Play & Learn EHS Colville Center 1—2:30 pm
Newport
Colville
Play & Learn 1600 1st St. 1—2:30 pm
Play & Learn EHS Colville Center 1—2:30 pm
Covers Infant, Child and Adult CPR + AED 9 am-12 pm at Providence Mount Carmel Hospital Call Heather Gregory at (509) 685-5450 for more info.
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202 E Spokane Falls Blvd. Suite #202 Spokane, WA 99202 1-(800) 776-9136 http://access.ewu.edu/ehs Like Us on Facebook as: EWU Early Head Start
WHAT IS MUMPS?
Mumps is a contagious viral infection that causes fever, aches and painful swelling in the cheek or jaw area.
The following tips will help you stay healthy: WASH YOUR HANDS Wash your hands often with warm water and soap throughout the day, especially after you cough or sneeze. Better yet, cover your cough or sneeze into your arm or a tissue (then immediately throw the tissue away).
EAT RIGHT, HYDRATE AND GET ENOUGH SLEEP A poor diet, dehydration and lack of sleep can lower your immunity, making you more susceptible to infections. To improve your immunity, try to get at least 7-8 hours of sleep a night, drink plenty of water and eat a healthy diet.
AVOID SHARING PERSONAL ITEMS Germs spread. Do not share glasses, cups, drinks or eating utensils.
PRACTICE SOCIAL DISTANCING AND BE CONSIDERATE OF OTHERS Mumps is contagious and spreads person-to-person. To reduce your chances of infection, avoid crowds and being around people who appear ill. If you contract the mumps, stay home or selfisolate, and use a mask when around others to keep the spread of mumps to a minimum.
GET VACCINATED To build immunity, two doses of the MMR (measles, mumps & rubella) vaccine are recommended. Check with your healthcare provider to make sure you and your kids are up to date on MMR vaccine. The MMR vaccine is available to all Washington kids at no cost.
Questions, Information or Suspected Case of the Mumps, Contact: Northeast Tri-County Health District at: (509) 684-5048 Adapted from the Spokane Regional Health Districts’ “Prevention is essential when it comes to MUMPS” materials at http://www.srhd.org