1. Welcome to Seminar: Critical Issues “Kindness is the language which the deaf can hear and the blind can see.” Mark Twain

2. Looking Ahead: Final Project Paper Your Unit 9 Project is an opportunity for you to apply the knowledge and strategies that you explored this term. In your project, share with your colleagues the most important things that you learned this term. Highlight at least one item from each unit of the course. In your submission, you will: provide a short summary of the learning activity that you have highlighted for each unit. discuss how your learning is relevant to your career goals. share examples of the relevance of your learning to a career in the field of child development. follow the conventions of Standard American English (correct grammar, punctuation).

3. You will choose one of four formats in which to present your final project: 1.Create a 12 slide PowerPoint Presentation 2.Prepare a 2-sided newsletter/brochure (2-3 columns on each side) 3.Create a 5-8 minute video using a minimum of 500-750 words and post it on internet 4.Write a 3 page Essay Carefully read through the Final Project Directions in the Unit 9 menu & check the grading rubric.

4. Looking back: Head Start/ Early Start Early Intervention Ways to accommodate: Special needs Handicaps Disabilities Parents

5. Critical Issues in Child Care Recognizing Child Abuse & Neglect Child Welfare & Adoption Statutes Child Health (Physical & Emotional) Skill Development: o Cognitive o Language o Social

6. State Statues Search U.S. Department of Health & Human Services http://www.childwelfare.gov/systemwide/laws_policies/state/ Child Welfare Information Gateway connects child welfare and related professionals to comprehensive information and resources to help protect children and strengthen families. We feature the latest on topics from prevention to permanency, including child abuse and neglect, foster care, and adoption. Link inside box or search engine - childwelfare.gov/systemwide/laws

7. REPORT ABUSE As educators, one of our jobs is reporting and recognizing child abuse and neglect in all forms. It is the law! 1.Emotional 2.Physical 3.Sexual 4.Neglect

8. Combat Abuse through… Promoting standards of excellence to which other programs may strive. Assistance in informing the public about the need for and the ingredients of high quality early childhood programs. Support/ promote continuing professional development for all Early Childhood Professionals to increase awareness. How can these be accomplished? Please share…

9. Advocating for well-designed, sufficiently funded and effectively implemented public relations and programs that reduce the incidence of abuse against children. “We must understand our ethical responsibility to recognize and report abuse.” (NAEYC Position Statement/ 1996) How can we better identify and report abuse & neglect?

10. Quality Programs What should parents look for when visiting a facility to make sure it is a quality one with regards to preventing child abuse?

11. Role of Early Childhood Programs Need to employ an adequate number of employees Program equipment should be designed to reduce private areas where abuse can occur Provide all staff with proper training Provide clear policies and procedures for maintaining a safe, secure environment Teachers and caregivers should be over seen and there should be an open door policy for parents Programs should not institute “ No Touch ” policies

12. Staff Screenings When employing someone at a childcare facility, it is important to have a thorough application process. We should: 1.Have a personal interview 2.Verify all references (both personal and professional) 3.Verify their education 4.Criminal background check 5.Affidavits of clearances

13. Role of the Family 90% of all abuse cases are committed by a family member; therefore, we need families to play a large role in reporting these occurrences We should help them increase their sensitivity to the child ’ s communications We should encourage them to participate in their child ’ s program or center We should help them understand and use abuse reporting procedures

14. Recognizing the signs Sudden changes: - behavior - school performance - mood Difficulty concentrating Child is: - overly compliant - overly affectionate - withdrawn - passive - frequently absent - aggressive, angry Child resists going home Child inflicts self injury Unexplained burns, bruises, broken bones, bites, etc. Lacks medical/ dental care, immunizations, glasses, etc. Begs or steals food/ money Sexual Abuse indicators: - reports nightmares - bedwetting - difficulty walking/ sitting - runs away from home - age inappropriate behavior with sexual overtone - explicit language - over sensitive to touch Parent has little concern for child/ view is negative/ no bonding

15. Reporting Abuse It is your legal responsibility as an educator to report suspected cases. Do you know how to make a report? Check the reporting policy mandated by your state. Link inside box or search your state’s name (___) report child abuse http://www.childwelfare.gov/systemwide/laws_policies/state/

16. Share your thoughts What strategies from this unit or previous units in this course, or elsewhere, will enable you to meet your obligation as an Early Childhood Professional to help protect children and their families?

17. Reminder: Final Project Paper It is time to create a plan for success! The Final Project directions are in the Unit 9 menu. Check the Grading Rubric (syllabus) to see how points are distributed. The Project is due in 2 weeks; there are no extensions to the deadline.

18. Wrap Up: Critical Issues “Opportunities are usually disguised as hard work.” Ann Landers