Agency held conference on enhancing child care in N.J.

Hamburg — NORWESCAP Child & Family Resource Services (CFRS) held a conference titled, “The Learning Environment You Create,” on Saturday, Feb. 24 at Crystal Springs Resort in Hamburg, for early childhood professionals and parents. Sarah Jernstrom, owner of Chatty Hands provided an introduction to American Sign Language for preverbal children. Participants learned many signs as well as the benefits of using sign language with preverbal children. Linda Fleischer, NORWESCAP CFRS staff, presented a workshop on the power of observation and how it relates to what is taught. Sharon Giacchino, NORWESCAP/CFRS director, recognized Tri-Co Federal Credit Union for their generosity in offering the use of their community room for training. Michelle Melgarejo and Sue Mittlestadt were thanked for their tireless work with the Sussex County Family Child Care Association. Child Development Associate (CDA) students and Sussex County Director’s Academy graduates were recognized for continuing their education and enhancing the quality of child care in Sussex County. Sharon Giacchino shared the Child Care Economic Impact study results. The study reveals that child care is the third largest industry in the state of New Jersey and is vital to a sustainable economy, that quality child care benefits the community through improved school performance, fewer behavioral issues, reduced juvenile and adult criminals as well as reduced welfare costs. As New Jersey has the highest cost of living in the country, the majority of households need two incomes to live. The cost of living, for a single parent with an infant and preschooler, is $51.191. Child care equates to 32% of that income. The average income of a worker in Sussex County is $36,852 per year. One of the ways in which NORWESCAP CFRS is working to address the issue of quality is through these conferences and trainings. As the child care connection in Sussex County, NORWESCAP/CFRS offers free referrals, subsidy assistance to help pay for child care, education and training for parents and providers as well as many other programs. NORWESCAP is a non-profit community action agency established in 1965 that creates opportunities for over 30,000 low-income people in northwest New Jersey by providing a large portfolio of self-sufficiency and emergency services. The mission of NORWESCAP is “Fighting Poverty. Creating Opportunities. Changing Lives.”