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Success Stories from the Field
Our Resource & Referral teams work hard to provide quality coaching, technical assistance and training to providers in the North Central and Northeastern regions. Here are just a few stories that highlight our dedication to partnering with providers to improve quality and confidence for themselves and the children in their care.
Unexpected Impacts
One of my centers I was visiting with a teacher and she had concerns about one of her little guys visions. I told her that I had a hearing and vision screen that I could send a permission slip for his parents to sign and I can screen his vision and they can take results to eye doctor. I said, "You know what, offer it to all of your parents so you will not single out one child; it doesn’t take but a minute for each child and no contact or hurting of the child." Families were excited for their children to be screened. The little guy she had concerns the vision screen found nothing, but we took picture of screen and sent to his parents. Then a little girl came forward, and my machine showed a weird thing, her left eye on the screen was distorted and purple. It said 'eye exam with doctor needed'. So I told teacher it was okay and to not have the parents panic maybe it was my machine, but to be safe make eye appointment. Her parents did and her left eye was diagnosed with Amblyopia (lazy eye). Both her parents and teacher had no clue, and I expected a lazy eye to be dominant in features. They eye doctor is involved now and helping that baby girl to be able to see better. So bravo for the teacher being open to the screening and the parents following through to get baby girl taking care of immediately.
Networking and Coaching
Thrive Family Child Care Network and North Central Resource and Referral are a huge asset to my business. They provide valuable resources and services. I love the trainings and opportunities to learn as well as meeting with other providers. Plus the goody bags and door prizes are amazing too. The trainings are so great I schedule my other events around them.
Another great thing about this program is that they provide our licensed daycare information out to the public. This is a great resource for Oklahoma families and providers.
I absolutely love Tracy and the girls. They provide one on one consultations and follow ups. They are so helpful and knowledgeable. Tracy provides trainings that meet my needs and interests. She has helped me become a better daycare professional and has been one of my biggest cheerleaders. Her specialty in the business side of daycare has been a blessing.
Kind Thank-You's
To whom it may concern:
I would like to send out some praise to Heather Cruz our resource and referral specialist. Heather has been wonderful for our center at Oak tree children's academy. She helped me as the director with preparing for STARS and increasing our level. She has helped with classroom issues, giving suggestions to teachers and guiding in room arrangements. Heather has been at our school doing training sessions and all the teachers have loved her and also have learned something from the trainings. The thing I love the most is Heather's heart for children and how knowledgeable in early childhood she is. I love having her on my TEAM. Thank you, Resource and Referral, for helping childcare Centers with resources that help us be the best we can be. Thank you, Heather, for bringing a positive sweet loving spirit into the center when you visit.
Sincerely,
Shannon Eckert
Meaningful Trainings
The information shared at the Routines and Schedules training was so helpful to my staff. Heather was really great at demonstrating how to improve student participation during transitions. We absolutely loved the songs and the resources that were provided. Can't wait for our next session!
-Claremore Child Care Center
Work Those Emotions
My success story is a teacher at lakeside learning center Ketchum Oklahoma. Olivia is my two year old teacher. She is new to early childhood. I have been working with her for two months weekly on challenges with behavior in her classroom. I have gave her a lot of tools in that area. Yesterday I went in the classroom and it felt good. The atmosphere was quiet and she said the biting and hitting has gone down a lot. While I was there two little girls wanted the same baby doll. She walked over bent down and explained that the one had it first but there was other dolls available that would love to play with the other little girl. The other little girl got mad and Olivia said do you need a breather break. Little girl shook head yes. So she walked her over to her comfy corner and she said point at the face that you feel. She pointed at frustration and Olivia explained what frustration was and said is that how you feel little girl shook her head yes. She then pointed at the emotion thermometer and said point at where you are and little girl pointed at red. So they did breathing by tracing triangle in and out etc. Olivia said where are you now and little girl pointed at happy face and green on thermometer. So Olivia gave her a hug and praised her for picking the emotions breathing and green. So she got up they walked over and got another doll. This whole time her assistant interacted with the other children to give Olivia time to help the little girl. My heart swelled I cried going home because they took what knowledge I gave them listened and followed through. I am a proud coach mama right now!
Leaving a Legacy
Flora Murphy just retired after 69 years of providing child care in Muskogee. She is a legend and icon in the community. She has served under many titles like Nanny, babysitter, director and most recently family child care provider. The children in her care all lovingly called her Memaw. She is such an inspiration to other child care providers and has impacted the community for two generations. She will be greatly missed in the field. Happy retirement!
Help for FCCH's
Resource and Referral has helped me tremendously in helping me with my child care. We love the trainings and workshops that Resource and Referral puts on for us. The trainers and speakers are wonderful. They make sure that you totally understand the training that they have put on for that day.
They take good care of us , they feed us lunch and have wonderful door prizes that compliment our Daycare.
Heather Cruz is my Resource and Referral Trainer, I couldn’t ask for a more wonderful person to work with. Heather is just a phone call away and is ready to help me with any questions that I have that I don’t understand. I appreciate all her help.
I love Resource and Referral!
Frances Hunt