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August 2015

DHS Now Has Two Locations for Parents to Apply for
Subsidized Child Care Services

The Department of Human Services, Child Care Services Division will now conduct eligibility determinations for subsidized child care services at two locations in the District of Columbia.
NEW! Taylor Street Service Center
1207 Taylor Street NW (1st Floor). 
Monday - Friday 
8:15 a.m.- 4:45 p.m.
For more information or to make an appointment call 202-576-8498.

South Capital Street Service Center
4001 South Capital Street SW
Monday- Friday
8:15 a.m.- 4:45 p.m.
NEW! (extended hours offered on Wednesdays from
4:45 p.m.- 7:00 p.m. by appointment only)
For more information or to make an appointment call 202-645-0420.
 
Have you registered with First Book to receive brand-new FREE books for your classroom? All educators, paraprofessionals, and program leaders serving kids in need across DC are encouraged to sign up to participate in this unique opportunity.

HERE’S HOW TO RECEIVE BOOKS!
  1. Sign up now online with First Book. Signing up is free and takes only minutes to complete. Only individuals who register  will have access to this distribution initiative.
  2. Keep an eye on your email. First Book and OSSE will send out more information about where and when books will be distributed in the DC area once we have reached our 2,000 person registration goal. 
  3. Help spread the word! If you know other teachers, program coordinators or community leaders serving kids in need in the District, please pass the word on and encourage them to sign up as well. 
Notice of Funding Availability
Fiscal Year 2016
The Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)
Out- Of- School Time Grant Program
LEARN MORE!
2015 State and Territory Administrators Meeting
OSSE staff members joined hundreds of representatives from regional offices, State Advisory Councils (SACs), Head Start collaboration offices, Race to the Top - Early Learning Challenge grantees, and national organizations at the 2015 State and Territory Administrators Meeting. The meeting took place the week of July 13 at the Westin in Alexandria, Virginia. Sessions addressed the needs of homeless children, compliance with background checks, understanding two generation strategies to assist families, developing the early childhood workforce, supporting family engagement and more!
 
Read the 2015 STAM Recap from the
Department of Health and Human Services
Events
August 8, 2015
Home Provider Meeting
Anacostia Library 
1800 Good Hope Road, SE
10:00 am - 12:00 pm
Register Now!

August 17, 2015
Level I Provider Meeting
OSSE
810 First Street, NW (Grand Hall)
1:00 pm- 3:00 pm
Register Now!

August 21, 2015
Level II Provider Meeting
OSSE
810 First Street, NW (Grand Hall)
11:00 am- 1:00 pm
Register Now!
Healthy and Happy Children
Toxic Stress
Learn more about different types of stress and how to build healthy, responsive relationships with children in the Summer 2015 Early Stages newsletter, The Early Edition. 
 
Professional Development
Steward of Children
Wednesday, August 12, 2015
3:00 pm- 5:00 pm
429 O Street, NW
Register by Email

Food Handler's Certification
Saturday, August 15, 2015
9:30 am- 3:30 pm
65 Massachusetts Avenue, NW
Register by Email

Environments of Group Care
Thursday, August 20, 2015
810 First Street, NE Room 806
Register by Web

Click here to view the entire Summer 2015 Course Catalog 
Did You Know?
Did you know that you can email your questions and concerns about the District's child care subsidy program to osse.childcareconcerns@dc.gov?

Please allow at least two business days for a response to your email. 
Provider Spotlight
Ms. P's Unique Home Daycare Center is committed to offering affordable, safe, nourishing and convenient child care in the District of Columbia. Read More!

Nominate a program/ provider to be featured in an upcoming Provider Spotlight.
Resources
  • The State Early Childhood Development Coordinating Council (SECDCC) held its bi-monthly meeting on July 24, 2015 at the Wilson Building. During the meeting, the future of the District's Quality Rating Improvement System (QRIS) was discussed and analyzed. View meeting materials. 
  • DC Child Care Connections is committed to improving the quality of early care and education services for District children and families. For child care resources email osse.dcchildcareconnections@dc.gov or call 202-469-8523.