THE COUNCIL PARTNERS WITH WESTCHESTER COUNTY IN THE NEW “SAFE SLEEP” CAMPAIGN TO PREVENT INFANT DEATHS

The Council will be spreading the word about the “ABCs of Safe Sleep”, a new campaign launched on October 18^th by County Executive Rob Astorino.    About 90 infants die in New York each year from sleep related causes according to the NYS Department of Health.   Westchester’s Child Fatality Review Team found that in the last 8 years, 60% of local infant deaths had an identified unsafe sleeping environment.  The campaign reminds us that the safest way for babies to sleep is ALONE, on their BACKS and in a CRIB.   As a partner in this effort, the Council will be distributing informational resources to child care programs and parents.   Materials will be available in our reception area.

Join us for some free family fun on Sunday, October 16th from 2 to 4 pm at The Digital Arts Experience in downtown White Plains. Enjoy interactive tech stations and games, along with some low-tech story books and Halloween play dough. Costumes encouraged. Great for all ages.

Space is limited so register now at Family Tech Day 2016. For more information, contact Juanita Pope, Office Manager/Community Events Manager at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 914-761-3456 ext. 106.

Calling all child care center/after school program board leaders to turn their concern for children into a force for change.   Change that will translate into more funding so more families can access quality child care and after school.   

The Council Board of Directors advocates for child care policies and funding year round, testifying at public hearings and meeting with government at every level.    It’s an important part of a nonprofit board’s role and it can be very satisfying, even enjoyable, especially when done with like-minded leaders.

Join us on Thursday, September 29^th from 5:30 to 7:30 pm at Sam’s of Gedney Way in White Plains.    We will share advocacy tips and materials, talk about the up-coming county and state budgets, hear from some legislators, and enjoy networking and informal conversation over wine and appetizers.

This event is for boards only though directors may attend with a board member.  

Please register today at http://artofadvocacy.eventbrite.com.  For more info, please contact Kathy Halas, Executive Director, at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 914-761-3456 ext. 102.

The Council"s new Fall Training Calendar offers a variety of training for early care and education professionals. We can help you expand your skills, improve the quality of care you provide to children, and meet NYS licensing requirements.

Check out a sneak peek of topic areas in store this fall:

• Basic Spanish for Communicating with Children and Families
• A Curious Classroom: Encouraging and Supporting Children's Curiosity
• "Solving the Puzzle" Seven Helpful Strategies for Working with Children on the Autism Spectrum
• Social Studies for Preschoolers: Me & My World

View The Fall Professional Development Training Calendar

The Child Care Council of Westchester, Inc. is pleased to announce the winners of the inaugural Cathryn A. Riley Innovation for Quality Prize: the Early Care and Learning Council, the Adirondack Community Action Program, the Capital District Child Care Council and Child Care Council, Inc.   The awards were made at the Early Care and Learning Council’s 2016 Annual Meeting & Luncheon “United to Promote Quality” in Albany, New York on June 8, 2016.  The honorees were selected by a special committee including Lottie Harris, former Child Care Council of Westchester executive director, Dr. Pat Amanna, director of Children’s Center at SUNY Purchase, Mary Lou Sgro, Early Childhood Department, Westchester Community College, and Kathy Halas, executive director of the Child Care Council of Westchester:    

The Adirondack Community Action Program was recognized for their creativity in educating their rural community about the importance of quality in child care through a video created in collaboration with their local PBS station and use of lawn signs “Quality Child Care Being Offered Here” at child care programs.

The Capital District Child Care Council was selected for their inventive use of video and social media in promoting their professional development and referral services and for their new Farm to Preschool Farm Stands, which connects young children and their parents to healthy fresh local produce.

Child Care Council, Inc. was chosen for their comprehensive suite of services and highly successful outreach and marketing plan for Spanish-speaking providers with the leadership of Hector Santiago. 

The Early Care and Learning Council was recognized for the creation and development of the Quality Investments for Kids initiative, in partnership with participating child care resource and referral member programs and agencies.  QIK “seeks to expand the market for Quality”, by educating families, providers, employers and communities that substantial investments of all types are necessary for our children and communities to thrive.

The Council established this special fund in 1998 to honor Cathryn A. Riley and all her contributions to the field of early care and education.   Cate was a program coordinator at the Council.  She was also involved with the New York State Child Care Coordinating Council, now known as the Early Care and Learning Council.   Cate served on the New York State Department of Education Committee for Teacher Certification, the Board of the Westchester Association for the Education of Young Children and the Advisory Board of Westchester Community College.    Cate had many colleagues and friends in the audience during the presentation of the Prizes – she is very much missed.

In photo:  Cindy Veazey, ECLC Board, Kathy Halas, Child Care Council of Westchester, David Voegele, ECLC Executive Director, Lynn Sickles, ECLC Board President, and Howard Milbert, Ossining Children’s Center Executive Director and Co-President of the Westchester Early Childhood Directors Association