04/26/2010

New Resolution passed at Vestavia Hills City Hall

Resolution 4070 passed unanimously at Vestavia Hills City Hall on April 26, 2010.. This resolution urges churches in the city of Vestavia Hills who own and operate child care facilities to seek Alabama Department of Human Resources (DHR) licensure and to conduct criminal history background checks on their child care employees.  There is full support for this resolution, not only from the Mayor of Vestavia Hills and councilors, but also from DHR.

Joan Wright, City of Vestavia Hills resident, was prompted to strongly encourage the resolution following the report of a faith-based Vestavia child care center’s owner/operator being arrested on allegations of sexual abuse of two five-year old girls. Mrs. Wright is executive director of Childcare Resources and an advocate for licensing of all child care centers.

Why is licensing so important?

• Licensing is a set of minimum standards that a child care center must meet.

• In Alabama over 800 child care centers, 159 of which are in Jefferson County, are operating without a license just like the center where the alleged abuse was reported recently. Providers exempt from licensure include centers operated by the following: faith based organizations, state agencies, local governments, military facilities and programs that operate less than 4 hours a day.

03/30/2010

Three Named as Recipients of the Childcare Resources’ 2010 Children’s Advocate Award
 

Childcare Resources has awarded its annual Children’s Advocate Award to three amazing individuals and organizations who have shown commitment to children and our future, Cedric D. Sparks, Sr., Susan Swartz and Toyota Family Literacy Program.

Cedric, Susan and Toyota were among 21 individuals and organizations nominated for the award, which was presented at the 20th annual Children’s Advocate Award Luncheon held today at the Sheraton Birmingham Ballroom. The event honors those improving the lives of children in central Alabama and raises funds for Childcare Resources programs.

The 3rd Annual Margie Curry Lifetime Achievement Award was presented to Governor and Mrs. Bob Riley. The Riley’s are recognized and honored for their work on behalf of Alabama’s children, such as the First Class Voluntary Pre-K initiative, the Alabama Reading Initiative expanding statewide, the state sales tax holiday to help families with back to school expenses, HIPPY, Kid One Transport and the Parenting Assistance Line (PAL) to mention a few. The award honors Curry, founding executive director of Childcare Resources, who retired in 2007 from her work with the agency.

03/08/2010

Childcare Resources Announces

2010 Friends of Children

Today Childcare Resources announced 21 individuals and organizations as nominees for the Childcare Resources’ 2010 Children’s Advocate Award during a News Conference / Red Balloon Day. As the smiling and laughing children from the Sixth Avenue Learning Center played on the playground, the nominees were introduced to their family, friends and the community.

From this prestigious group, the award recipients will be announced at the prominent 20th annual Children’s Advocate Award Luncheon, which honors those who have an extraordinary commitment to central Alabama’s children. A fundraiser benefiting Childcare Resources, the March 30, 2010 event will be held from 11:30 a.m.-1:00 p.m. at the Sheraton Birmingham Ballroom, 2101 Richard Arrington Jr., Blvd. North.

The 2010 Children’s Advocate Award nominees are:

• Barbara S. Allen
• Birmingham YMCA
• Larry Cabaniss
• Sam Charif
• Community Foundation of Greater Birmingham
• Dream Girls Christian Academy
• Fight 4Life Fitness and Boxing Ministry
• Ladye-Don Franklin
• Len and Teresa Holland
• Lonnie Holley
• Jasper Area Family Service Center
• Beth Johns
• Kid One Transport
• Julie Marks
• Dr. Artis W. Murphy
• Wilma Patterson
• Cedric D. Sparks, Sr.
• Susan Swartz
• Surpora Thomas
• Toyota Family Literacy Program
• Alice Williams

“Today we announced 21 remarkable people and agencies who have been nominated for the prestigious 20th annual Children’s Advocate Award,” says Childcare Resources Executive Director Joan Wright.  “These folks are supporting the healthy growth and development of our community’s children in many various ways – however, they all have one thing in common: passion for the work they do and a deep desire to make the world a better place by helping today’s children.”

Childcare Resources has the distinct honor of presenting the 2010 Margie Curry Lifetime Achievement Award to Governor and Mrs. Bob Riley. Mrs. Riley will be in attendance at the luncheon to accept the award.

Mr. L. Gwaltney McCollum, Jr. serves as the 2010 Children’s Advocate Award Luncheon Honorary Chair. Mr. McCollum’s role in bettering the lives of families and children in Walker County is evident through his community involvement. Childcare Resources is proud and honored to have Mr. McCollum’s partnership in this year’s luncheon.

More information

9/16/2008

Childcare Resources Steps Up For Kids!

Representatives from Childcare Resources and approximately 30 other sponsoring organizations joined together on the Alabama Capitol Steps September 16th to “Step Up for Kids.”

During the Step Up for Kids rally, sponsoring organizations, other advocates, parents, children and featured speaker and Alabama Chief Justice Sue Bell Cobb called on all candidates, the media, and individual voters to remember what kids need this election year and beyond.

The rally was part of Step Up for Kids Day, a nationwide event sponsored by the nonprofit organization Every Child Matters. Rallies took place concurrently in each of the 50 states and the steps of the U.S. Capitol. For more information, click here.

PHOTO: Childcare Resources Executive Director Joan Wright joins other organizations in holding up agency signs during the rally as a show of support for the rally's goals.

9/15/2008

Thank You, Wachovia Foundation!

Childcare Resources has received a $10,000 grant from The Wachovia Foundation to support the agency’s work in training child care teachers and directors. The grant will support training programs, including:

• Director’s Retreat, a quarterly retreat for child care directors.
• Stepping’ It Up, a training series that covers intermediate-level child care subjects
• Basic Administration Course for individuals planning to become a child care program director.

The Wachovia Foundation is a private foundation that provides grants to eligible 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organizations to support four primary focus areas: Education, Community Development, Health and Human Services and Arts and Culture. The mission of the Foundation is to build strong and vibrant communities, improve the quality of life, and make a positive difference in the communities where Wachovia does business. For the full story, click here.

8/1/2008

Childcare Resources Exceeds United Way Pacesetter Goal

Childcare Resources participated as a Pacesetter organization for the 2008 United Way of Central Alabama annual fund-raising campaign during July. As a Pacesetter, Childcare Resources team members held their internal UWCA campaign this summer — "setting the pace" for other organizations that will begin their UWCA campaign efforts in September. Through pledges and fundraisers such as bake sales and book sales, Childcare Resources team members raised $10,400 for the campaign, exceeding its ambitious $10,000 goal. Way to go!

Childcare Resources is one of two nonprofit organizations and 30 companies serving as Pacesetters this year.

8/1/2008

Thank you, Alabama Civil Justice Foundation and Alabama Power Foundation

Childcare Resources has received a $7,500 grant from the Alabama Civil Justice Foundation (ACJF) and a $5,000 donation from the Alabama Power Foundation.

LEFT PHOTO— Birmingham attorney Leila Watson (left), a Childcare Resources board member and ACJF member, presented the grant check to Childcare Resources Executive Director Joan Wright July 10 at the agency’s Birmingham office. The grant will be used for capacity building efforts at the agency.

RIGHT PHOTO —Alabama Power's Alice Gordon (left), a Childcare Resources Junior Board member, presented the Alabama Power Foundation check to Wright and Childcare Resources Board Chair Marzette Fisher at the July 9 Junior Board meeting. The donation is part of the fundraising efforts related to Fairy Tale Ball, a Junior Board-hosted ball for children and adults that benefits the agency.

Thank you, ACJF and Alabama Power Foundation!

5/9/2008

Provider Appreciation Day Celebrated

Child care organizations and parents across the globe — including Childcare Resources — joined together May 9 to celebrate Provider Appreciation Day.

Provider Appreciation Day is a special day to recognize child care providers and all those who work with children in a variety of ways and are responsible for their education and care. It is estimated that there are nearly 2.8 million child care providers in the United States and that nearly 12 million children under age 5 are in their care.

Childcare Resources provided "goodie bags" for child care providers who visited our Teacher Resource Van, and Childcare Resources Executive Director Joan Wright appeared on CBS 42's "Wake Up, Alabama" broadcast with tips for parents on how to celebrate the big day.

4/14/2008

Agency Celebrates Week of the Young Child

Childcare Resources celebrated the national Week of the Young Child April 14-18 with the release of findings on the state of child care in central Alabama — and a free family concert.

Childcare Resources released the findings of its Status of Child Care Report at a April 14 news conference at the Harris Early Learning Center in Birmingham.The report provides a snapshot of how child care looks in central Alabama: who provides the care, who accesses it, how much it costs, and how it affects all central Alabamians.

Childcare Resources also hosted a live concert by "The Learning Station" on April 18 at the YWCA of Central Alabama. The concert was part of Childcare Resources’ Saturday Celebration training for child care providers, led by The Learning Station and held April 19 at the Homewood Church of Christ. A collaboration with the YWCA of Central Alabama, the concert was made possible by United Way of Central Alabama and the Robert R. Meyer Foundation.

11/16/2007

Children's Trust Fund Gives $30,000 to Parents as Teachers program

The Alabama Department of Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention’s Children’s Trust Fund (CTF) presented a check for $30,000 to Childcare Resources ’ Parents as Teachers (PAT) parent education program during a November 13 gathering at Wee Care Academy, a Birmingham child care center and PAT participant.

CTF Field Representative Jessica Jackson and Alabama Rep. Greg Canfield were on hand for the check presentation, as were Wee Care administrators Gaynelle Hendricks and Janice Daniels and children from the center.

11/16/2007

Wright Named Childcare Resources Executive Director

Only Second Executive in Agency's History

Joan Wright has been named executive director of Childcare Resources, effective mid-November, according to Hugh Gainer, chair of the agency's board of directors. She becomes only the second person to lead Childcare Resources in its 23-year history, succeeding founding executive director Margie Curry, who retired.

more

5/9/2008

Provider Appreciation Day Celebrated

Child care organizations and parents across the globe — including Childcare Resources — joined together May 9 to celebrate Provider Appreciation Day.

Provider Appreciation Day is a special day to recognize child care providers and all those who work with children in a variety of ways and are responsible for their education and care. It is estimated that there are nearly 2.8 million child care providers in the United States and that nearly 12 million children under age 5 are in their care.

Childcare Resources provided "goodie bags" for child care providers who visited our Teacher Resource Van, and Childcare Resources Executive Director Joan Wright appeared on CBS 42's "Wake Up, Alabama" broadcast with tips for parents on how to celebrate the big day.