Welcome
Welcome from Rose Ellen Adams, Executive Director
Childhood Connections was incorporated in 2005 with a mission to "enhance the present and future opportunities of children through quality education and resources." You might ask how we do that. The answer is simple. We partner with families, child care professionals, teachers, legislators, media, employers, friends and other supporters like you to positively impact the lives of children. Our agency has two primary focuses:
- Helping families find quality child care and providing training and technical assistance to child care providers
- Supporting teens who are pregnant or parenting in attaining their high school or post secondary education
Children are by far the most important asset to any community. Children learn more in their first 5 years than they will the rest of their life. Quality early care and education helps to ensure children are ready for school. Our approach to positive youth development assumes that youth programs are more than places to "baby-sit" young people. We believe the purpose of child care and youth development programs are to ensure that all children are prepared emotionally, physically, socially and intellectually to be Ready for College, Work and Life.
Childhood Connections strives to be a leader and advocate around issues impacting children and families. If we can be of assistance to you, please contact a member of our staff or email us today!
Want to find out more about Childhood Connections? Contact Us.
Childhood Connections will be hosting the Thrill the World Event in Columbus this fall.
For more information and to sign up for Thrill the World 2009, visit the website.
Highlights
06/01/2010 Get your non-formal CDA here! - The Indiana Non-formal CDA Project:
• Is designed to assist early care and education providers in meeting the requirements needed to attain a Child Development Associate (CDA) credential.
• Seeks to improve the quality of child care by increasing the education and skills of providers.
• Is provided throughout the state by local agencies, like Childhood Connections, with experience in training for the CDA credential.
• Provides participants with training courses and books (for four courses), advising, and direct eligibility for the CDA Assessment. Those completing the 120 hours of training receive a $100 bonus.
• Is funded by the Indiana Family and Social Services Administration, Division of Family Resources, Bureau of Child Care, and is a project of the Indiana Association for the Education of Young Children (AEYC).
To inquire about CDA classes, contact Childhood Connections directly at 866-693-0672 or contact IAEYC at 800-657-7577 or nonformalcda@iaeyc.org.
For more information on the CDA credential, please visit the Council for Professional Recognition. (this should link to their website…http://www.cdacouncil.org/)
Do you need assistance paying for your education?
T.E.A.C.H.® stands for Teacher Education And Compensation Helps. The T.E.A.C.H. Early Childhood® INDIANA Project is a unique scholarship opportunity that links training, compensation, and commitment in order to improve the
quality of early care and educational experiences for young children and their families.
Who Is Eligible for a Scholarship?
Any teacher, director, or family child care owner or employee living in Indiana and meeting the following criteria is eligible for a scholarship:
• Is employed at least 30 hours per week in a licensed, registered, or legally exempt early childhood
center, family child care home, or registered ministry
• Earns a wage of $15.00 or less per hour (teachers) or
$18.00 or less per hour (directors & owners)
• Has the support of the early childhood program where employed
• Has a high school diploma or GED
