Chapter Fourteen: Creating Linkages

Policies For Linkages l Within child care l Within community l For advocacy l For teamwork

Policies Should Include l Communication skills l Managing diversity l Accessing community resources l Developing effective advocacy l Creating a team approach

Toward Better Communication Skills Five Cs l Communication l Caring l Confidentiality l Common Sense l Consistency

Developing trust and respect l Be consistent and predictable l Be supportive and responsive

Developing a system of communication in child care l Within child care l With parents l Verbal and face to face—best l Notes l After hours phone calls

Managing Diversity Preparing for diversity l Examine your own feelings l Appreciate your own uniqueness l Help children to appreciate sameness and celebrate differences l Understand family values and beliefs of other cultures

Personal interactions l Realize families are more alike than different l SES level may have a greater effect on parenting styles Understanding family actions l Acculturation l Bicultural conflict

Integrate diversity into child care l Show diverse images l Include diverse staff l Encourage diversity participation from community l Initiate self-esteem and well-being activities l Respond positively about diversity questions l Provide books and storytelling of diversity

Accessing Community Resources Survey community for resources l Public l Private l Local and state l Federal l National organizations l Colleges and universities

Organize resources l Keep a file of resources available

Developing Effective Advocacy For the Child Care Center l Teachers for children with director and families l Directors for children with families and community

For the Family Child Caregiver l Approaching family needs good communication l Networking with other family child caregivers l Child care resource and referrals

For the Nanny l With families for children l Support group l National organization The Health Advocate l Designated health advocate—caregiver

Leadership l Grassroots/local l State l National

Creating a Team Approach Team members l Caregiver l Family l Community resources

Provide atmosphere l Responsive l Respectful l Good communication l Warmth l Accessibility l Positive attitude

l Survey parents for needs/information l Open dialogue l Parent center for information l Home visits, if possible

Providing linkages to community l Resources l Volunteers l Using for prevention/intervention

 Reality Check: Bananas—A Few People Can Make a Difference First Resource and Referral in U.S. l Group of mothers banned together to create it

One of the most effective linkages in the nation l Nurse handles health and safety issues l Provides linkages for parents and caregivers l Actively advocates for education l Helps deal with special needs l Team effort