In the News
"Child Care" Spoken Here
New in town and still learning English? If you're a parent or child care provider, you can get your questions about child care answered by experts on the radio. Resources for Child Caring's Community Outreach Coordinator Mai Thao Xiong and Language Line Specialist Pheng Lee were recently interviewed on KFAI's Hmong news and music, discussing the language line, licensing process, grants, trainings, child care assistance, early childhood scholarships and allowances. Every other Tuesday evening from 5 to 6 PM, Mai, Pheng and Community Outreach Coordinator Choua Her are also regular guests on AM 1600's show New Hmong Radio, where they address numerous child care issues.
Spanish-speaking audiences can tune into Radio Rey at 630 AM and La Mera Buena at 107.5 FM to hear about early childhood projects such as scholarships and allowances, outreach events, grants, training opportunities and more. Additional help can be found through the state's language line, staffed by professionals in the Hmong, Somali and Spanish-speaking communities.
To access the language line in the seven-county metropolitan area, call 651-665-0150. Those living outside the metropolitan area should call 1-888-291-9811.
Branching Out: Resources for Child Caring Opens Minneapolis Office
Looking for a way to cut down on the time you spend in a bus or car? Resources for Child Caring now offers a second location to families and child care providers in the seven county metropolitan area at 2021 East Hennepin Avenue, Suite 250 in Minneapolis. Located just a few miles northeast of downtown, the second office is easily accessible from highways 280 and 35-W.
Map and directions to Minneapolis office
The Minneapolis location will bring many benefits, chief among them the ability to provide more convenient options for parents and caregivers. Additional classes for child care providers will be held at the new office weekday evenings and Saturdays. The resource and referral department and outreach services to the East African, Hmong and Spanish-speaking communities will also be located there.
All programs and staff members can be reached at their current phone numbers and e-mail addresses. Resources for Child Caring will continue to use convenient community spaces throughout the seven county metropolitan area, including the agency's building at 10 Yorkton Court in St. Paul.
Map and directions to St. Paul office
For more information, contact Sandy Myers, Director of Programs at smyers@resourcesforchildcare.org or 651-641-6635.
New Executive Director Joins Resources for Child Caring
Ted Thompson, board chair of Resources for Child Caring, is pleased to announce that Barbara Yates has been named as the agency's new executive director. "Her passion and dedication as a powerful advocate for children is exactly what we need in moving forward," says Karen Lee, head of Resources for Child Caring's search committee.
The expertise Yates brings to her new position has been forged through years of leadership in the early childhood field. Most recently, she was the co-executive director of the Minnesota Early Learning Foundation (MELF.) There, she oversaw the design and implementation of a $30 million portfolio of activities designed to increase school readiness for Minnesota's children. As a veteran state education official, Yates was a key learning administrator for Governors Carlson, Ventura and Pawlenty. She has served as director for Child Development Services at the Minnesota Department of Human Services and deputy commissioner for the Minnesota Department of Education.
Yates looks forward to providing leadership for employees and focusing on the services offered by Resources for Child Caring. "The agency has an incredible staff and reputation for providing quality tools and services for parents and providers. I am honored to be a part of this great team." With over 20 years of earned wisdom in assessing policy issues and designing community-based solutions to ensure all children can succeed, Yates is exceptionally suited to the task.
"Barbara Yates brings a unique combination of experiences to Resources for Child Caring," says Ted Thompson. "Her ground-breaking work with Duane Benson and the Minnesota Early Learning Foundation exemplifies the spirit of innovation the agency has been known for over its 35 year history. Barbara's leadership, capitalizing on the tremendous work of retiring executive director Carol Rohde over the past dozen years, puts the agency in a great position to expand its guiding role for early education in Minnesota."
Other News Features
More day-care programs going beyond holding pattern for kids
Public and private groups are working to turn child care into early education
Project Early Kindergarten
How Resources for Child Caring's Project Early Kindergarten program works
Act now to fix problem behavior in early childhood
Children can learn to regulate their reactions with help from adults.
Daycare 911
Article featured in Minnesota Parent
It Started with a Bus: the Origins of Resources for Child Caring
The National Council for Jewish Women (NCJW) was honored at the 35th birthday party for Resources for Child Caring on October 12, 2006.
Resources for Child Caring celebrates 35 years
Resources for Child Caring offers many valuable services to people who care for children.
Sparring Partners are on the Same Side
An editorial on early education versus child care
Serious Fun: A burgeoning center for childcare professionals finds room to grow in a former warehouse (PDF)
Downloadable article from Architecture Minnesota
