Chapter Fourteen:Creating Linkages

Policies For Linkages

Within child care Within community For advocacy For teamwork

Policies Should Include

Communication skills Managing diversity Accessing community resources Developing effective advocacy Creating a team approach

Toward Better Communication Skills

Five Cs Communication Caring Confidentiality Common Sense Consistency

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

Developing a system of communication in child care Within child care With parents

Verbal and face to face—best Notes After hours phone calls

Managing Diversity

Preparing for diversity Examine your own feelings Appreciate your own uniqueness Help children to appreciate sameness

and celebrate differences Understand family values and beliefs

of other cultures

Personal interactions Realize families are more alike than

different SES level may have a greater effect

on parenting styles

Understanding family actions Acculturation Bicultural conflict

Integrate diversity into child care Show diverse images Include diverse staff Encourage diversity participation from

community Initiate self-esteem and well-being

activities Respond positively about diversity

questions Provide books and storytelling of

diversity

Accessing Community Resources

Survey community for resources Public Private Local and state Federal National organizations Colleges and universities

Organize resources Keep a file of resources available

Developing Effective Advocacy

For the Child Care Center Teachers for children with director

and families Directors for children with families

and community

For the Family Child Caregiver Approaching family needs good

communication Networking with other family child

caregivers Child care resource and referrals

For the Nanny With families for children Support group National organization

The Health Advocate Designated health advocate—

caregiver

Leadership Grassroots/local State National

Creating a Team Approach

Team members Caregiver Family Community resources

Provide atmosphere Responsive Respectful Good communication Warmth Accessibility Positive attitude

Survey parents for needs/information

Open dialogue Parent center for information Home visits, if possible

Providing linkages to community Resources Volunteers Using for prevention/intervention

Reality Check:Bananas—A Few People Can

Make a Difference

First Resource and Referral in U.S. Group of mothers banned together to

create it

One of the most effective linkages in the nation Nurse handles health and safety issues Provides linkages for parents and

caregivers Actively advocates for education Helps deal with special needs Team effort