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Upcoming events

    • Tuesday, June 13, 2023
    • 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM
    • Normandale Community College 9700 France Avenue South Bloomington, MN 55431
    Register


    SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

    Attendees will receive 8 hours of in-service credit. Certificates of attendance will be available at the end of the conference.

    • 8:00 - 9:00a - Registration, Vendors, and Continental Breakfast

    • 9:00 - 9:30a - Welcome from Chad Dunkley in the Auditorium MCCA President/New Horizon Academy Chief Executive Officer

    • 9:30 - 11:00a - 2023 Licensing in the Auditorium Department of Human Services

    • 11:15a - 12:15p - Breakout Sessions:
      1. Minnesota Legislation and How It Affects Your Center - Chad Dunkley, New Horizon Academy; Clare Sanford, New Horizon Academy
      2. Leading with Heart - Carrie Zelin Johnson
      3. Communication: The Foundation to Successful Coaching - Kat Butler
    • 12:15 - 1:30p - Lunch and Vendors Exhibit Hall Viewing

    • 1:30 - 2:30p - Breakout Sessions:
      1. How Trauma Affects Child Behavior - Sharon Kaniess
      2. Childcare Business Insurance Discussion - Samantha Phillips
      3. Creating a Gossip-Free Zone - Cory Woosley

    • 2:30 - 3:00p - Dessert and Vendors
    • 3:00 - 4:15p - Relationship Matters: 3 Strategies for Navigating Generational Differences in the Workplace - Sarah Carlsen in the Auditorium

    Download the MCCA Booklet 2023

    Interested in being a vendor? Click here.

    SPEAKERS

    • 9:30-11:00A AUDITORIUM
      2023 LICENSING - MINNESOTA DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES
    Representatives from DHS including Licensing, Background Studies, Child Care Assistance as well as Child Development Services will be attending the session. This group will give updated information from all areas. They will be able to answer questions about changes and updates.
    • 11:15A-12:15P BREAKOUT SESSIONS

    1. MINNESOTA LEGISLATION AND HOW IT AFFECTS YOUR CENTER - CHAD DUNKLEY, NEW HORIZON ACADEMY; CLARE SANFORD, NEW HORIZON ACADEMY

    This workshop will give updates on legislation that has affected or will affect child care center programs in Minnesota.

    Chad Dunkley, Chief Executive Officer - As CEO, Chad oversees operations, marketing, strategy, and finance, and drives the culture of “continuous improvement” at all New Horizon and Kinderberry Hill locations. Chad received his J.D. from William Mitchell College of Law and his B.A. in management from Hamline University. Chad is an executive committee board member of the Early Care and Education Consortium (ECEC) and president of the Minnesota Child Care Association (MCCA). He recently completed a four-year term on the governing board of The National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC). In 2017, Chad was named as one of the top ten Most Admired CEOs by the Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal. In 2015 he was named an “Exceptional Emerging Leader” by the Child Care Information Exchange. The Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal also recognized Chad Dunkley as one of the region’s most outstanding business leaders as one of the 2004 “Forty Under 40” award recipients.

    Clare Sanford is Director of Government and Community Relations for New Horizon Academy and Government Relations Chair for the Minnesota Child Care Association. In these roles, she works to increase early childhood access, quality, and resources for young children, families, and educators. She began her career teaching in a high-need elementary school in Houston, TX, an experience that spurred her to learn more about the macro issues affecting low-income children and families in our society. In graduate school, the confluence of both early childhood neuroscience and economic research was a (good) smack in the head: THIS is where she should spend her career. Since then she has held varied positions in the government, philanthropic, and non-profit sectors, all focused on young children and vulnerable families. Professional/policy interests include early childhood mental health, risk & resilience, teacher education & support, equity, and anti-bias efforts. Personal interests include astronauts, history, and chocolate cake. Lots of chocolate cake. Clare received her B.A. from St. Olaf College and her Master in Public Policy from Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government. In 2018, Clare was a Women in Business honoree with the Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal.

    2. LEADING WITH HEART - CARRIE ZELIN JOHNSON

    Post-pandemic and workforce crisis and gaps...Oh my! Sometimes survival mode can hinder reaching our future goals. What does it mean to lead and inspire staff in a way that advances your program’s vision in mission? This workshop will share promising strategies in leadership development and proven practices to cultivate authentic relationships and employee engagement. Attendees will have an opportunity to reflect on their leadership style, ways program values are communicated and identify steps to actualizing leading with heart. (Attendees are encouraged to bring their program or teaching philosophy, leadership goals or other supporting policies but it’s not required.)

    Carrie Zelin Johnson M.Ed.(she/her) has served in various consultant roles to help individuals, organizations and schools achieve equitable outcomes for over 25 years in MN. Carrie has a Master of Ed. in Educational Leadership with a minor in Ed. Psychology from the UMN and was a Mental Health Practitioner for 14 years. She has served on a PK-8 charter school board, led home visiting programs and directed and founded accredited preschools and other community initiatives. In those roles she ensured full implementation of culturally and linguistically responsive curriculum and interventions and effective parent and staff development. Currently, she is the CEO of Zelin Johnson Companies, a Program Officer at the Greater Twin Cities United Way and Coordinator of the Start Early Funders Coalition. Being a parent and a grandparent has given her unique lived experiences and insights on both viable community solutions and persistent systemic barriers impacting the ECE field and children and families. She is a public policy advocate with a focus on social emotional learning and teaching, the arts, and equity in education and mental health.

    3. COMMUNICATION: THE FOUNDATION TO SUCCESSFUL COACHING - KAT BUTLER

    As managers, developing and coaching employees is essential to the success of your team, but to do this well, effective communication is key. During this session, we will talk about the power of communication, how it is perceived, the impact of different styles, and the importance of how you deliver and receive coaching as a leader.

    • 1:30-2:30P - BREAKOUT SESSIONS

    1. HOW TRAUMA AFFECTS CHILD BEHAVIOR - SHARON KANIESS

    How Trauma Affects Child Behavior will discuss awareness, understanding and support for children affected by adverse childhood experiences. The questions of How impact happens and Why education leaders should care will be addressed while looking at the toll the body takes during trauma & toxic stress while young humans are rapidly developing.

    Sharon has been teaching in early childhood for over 35 years. Three decades have been spent in Early Childhood Family Education (ECFE) in St. Paul Public Schools. She has an Elementary Education degree as well as an Early Childhood degree and holds a Masters degree in Education. On occasion, she travels internationally to train teachers and offer presentations.

    2. CHILDCARE BUSINESS INSURANCE DISCUSSION - SAMANTHA PHILLIPS

    Synopsis:

    • Coverages local agents usually miss when it comes to protecting your child care business.
    • How to read certificates of insurance and what these documents tell you about your coverage.
    • 5 mistakes most owners make and how to avoid them.
    • Knowing the difference between claims made and occurrence type policies.

    Sam Phillips has gained a national reputation as the sparkly childcare insurance expert. She’s dedicated her career to being an advocate for early childhood owners by helping navigate the complexities of your childcare business insurance. She’s spent the last five years supporting our ECE community by sharing her knowledge and expertise across different platforms and teaching how to dodge potential landmines. It is her passion to help you understand the coverages your business needs and why, so that you can make smart choices on behalf of yourself, your business, your team, and the littles in your care.

    3. CREATING A GOSSIP-FREE ZONE - CORY WOOSLEY

    Come and learn tips for creating a working environment free of gossip. You will discover how the NAEYC Code of Ethics can support you, how to talk to have courageous conversations with staff and the importance of confidentiality.

    Since 1996, Cory Woosley has been an Early Childhood Faculty at Minneapolis and Dakota Technical Colleges. She recently retired from Child Care Aware of MN as the Director of Workforce Development, where she oversaw statewide Early Childhood Professional Development. Cory’s undergraduate is in Early Childhood education and her graduate work is in Adult Ed and Online Learning. In 2015, Cory was selected as Child Care Exchange Master Leader and in 2020, she was selected as the Evelyn House ECED Leader of the Year.
    • 3:00-4:15P AUDITORIUM

    RELATIONSHIP MATTERS: 3 STRATEGIES FOR NAVIGATING GENERATIONAL DIFFERENCES IN THE WORKPLACE - SARAH CARLSEN

    Have you finally found a great new team member only to have them quit within weeks? Do you struggle to keep team members off their phones during the work day? Do you have team members complaining about each other rather than working collaboratively to solve problems regardless of how hard you’ve worked to build a strong team? If this is familiar, you aren’t alone. Generation Z, the most racially and ethnically diverse generation, has joined 4 other generations in the workforce. Most leaders aren’t prepared to respond to the emerging needs and expectations, let alone how to leverage the strengths and build relationships across difference. As a result, leaders are scrambling to find ideas to build a strong team. Through story and exercises, Sarah provides tools and strategies designed to help you turn the generational differences into a strength. By building a culture of belonging, ALL of your team members will feel valued and able to contribute at their highest level.

    An engineer brain with an empathic heart, Sarah Carlsen loves to get human systems to work. Her wheelhouse

    is integrating the wide perspective and close details of dynamic organizations, and is drawn to the most complex situations. With the right tools, efforts toward shared vision, healthy culture, self-understanding and responsibility, Sarah has helped the most challenged teams use their talents to create a greater good that lasts. Sarah is a Professional Certified Coach whose clients include emerging and senior leaders in the medical device, legal, financial and non-profit sectors.

    Download the MCCA Booklet 2023

    CANCELLATION POLICY:
    CANCELLATIONS RECEIVED IN WRITING BY JUNE 
    1, 2023, WILL BE REFUNDED, LESS A $25.00 FEE. NO REFUNDS WILL BE GIVEN AFTER JUNE 10, 2023. CANCELLATIONS MUST BE FAXED TO THE MCCA OFFICE. FEES PAYMENT POLICY: TO BE CONSIDERED PREREGISTERED, FULL PAYMENT MUST ACCOMPANY YOUR REGISTRATION FORM. FOR ALL OTHER REGISTRATIONS, INCLUDING ON-SITE REGISTRATIONS PAYMENT MUST BE MADE AT THE TIME OF REGISTRATION. 

    CREDIT CARD INFORMATION: PER STANDARDS BY THE PAYMENT CARD INDUSTRY, MCCA HAS MET THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE PAYMENT CARD INDUSTRY-DATA SECURITY STANDARDS (PCI-DSS). CREDIT CARD INFORMATION WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED VIA E-MAIL.

    CONSENT TO USE OF PHOTOGRAPHIC IMAGES:
    REGISTRATION AND ATTENDANCE AT, OR PARTICIPATION IN, MCCA MEETINGS AND OTHER ACTIVITIES CONSTITUTES AN AGREEMENT BY THE REGISTRANT TO MCCA’S USE AND DISTRIBUTION OF THE REGISTRANT OR ATTENDEE’S IMAGE OR VOICE IN PHOTOGRAPHS, VIDEOTAPES, ELECTRONIC REPRODUCTIONS, AND AUDIOTAPES OF SUCH EVENTS AND ACTIVITIES.

    • Thursday, June 15, 2023
    • 1:00 PM - 6:00 PM
    • Virtual via WebEx


    The Department of Human Services (DHS), Division of Licensing, is offering an opportunity for licensed child care centers to join us for an informational webinar presentation. Individuals from the various areas of DHS will share information and updates related to licensing, the latest legislative session, and each of the systems transformation and modernization projects. The same information will be covered during both sessions. 

    DHS Child Care Center Licensing - June 2023 Outreach Connection

    Date: Thursday, June 15, 2023

    Daytime option: 1:00-2:30 p.m., access the event at this link

    Evening option: 6:00-7:30 p.m., access the event at this link

    Registration is not required. Develop credit is not available for this presentation; however, centers can document attendance on individual in-service training records. 

    • Tuesday, June 20, 2023
    • 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
    • Virtual via Zoom

    MCCA board meetings are open to all members. 

    Please contact our office for the Zoom link.

    • Tuesday, July 18, 2023
    • 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
    • Virtual via Zoom

    MCCA board meetings are open to all members. 

    Please contact our office for the Zoom link.

    • Tuesday, August 15, 2023
    • 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
    • Virtual via Zoom

    MCCA board meetings are open to all members. 

    Please contact our office for the Zoom link.

    • Tuesday, September 19, 2023
    • 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
    • Virtual via Zoom

    MCCA board meetings are open to all members. 

    Please contact our office for the Zoom link.

    • Tuesday, October 17, 2023
    • 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
    • Virtual via Zoom

    MCCA board meetings are open to all members. 

    Please contact our office for the Zoom link.

    • Tuesday, November 21, 2023
    • 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
    • Virtual via Zoom

    MCCA board meetings are open to all members. 

    Please contact our office for the Zoom link.

    • Tuesday, December 19, 2023
    • 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
    • Virtual via Zoom

    MCCA board meetings are open to all members. 

    Please contact our office for the Zoom link.

Past events

Tuesday, May 16, 2023 MCCA Monthly Board Meeting | May 16, 10:00am
Tuesday, April 18, 2023 MCCA Monthly Board Meeting | Apr 18, 10:00am
Tuesday, March 21, 2023 MCCA Monthly Board Meeting | March 21, 10:00am
Tuesday, February 21, 2023 MCCA Monthly Board Meeting | Feb 21, 10:00am
Tuesday, February 14, 2023 2nd Annual MCCA Day on the Hill: Show Some LOVE for Child Care | Feb 14
Tuesday, January 31, 2023 Great Start for All Minnesota Children Task Force Recurring Meetings | Jan 31, 6:00pm
Tuesday, January 17, 2023 MCCA Monthly Board Meeting | Jan 17, 10:00am
Tuesday, December 20, 2022 Great Start for All Minnesota Children Task Force Recurring Meetings | Dec 20, 6:00pm
Tuesday, December 06, 2022 DHS Child Care Center Licensing – December 2022 Outreach Connection - | Dec. 6, 6:00pm
Tuesday, December 06, 2022 DHS Child Care Center Licensing – December 2022 Outreach Connection | Dec. 6, 1:00pm
Tuesday, November 29, 2022 Great Start for All Minnesota Children Task Force Recurring Meetings | Nov 29, 6:00pm
Tuesday, November 22, 2022 MCCA Mini Conference: AUDITS…So Many Kinds, So Much Uncertainty | Nov. 22, 10:00am
Wednesday, November 16, 2022 MN Child Care Licensing Modernization Webinar: Abbreviated Licensing Inspections | Nov 16, 1:00pm
Tuesday, November 15, 2022 MCCA Monthly Board Meeting | Nov 15, 10:00am
Thursday, November 10, 2022 MN Child Care Licensing Modernization Webinars: Abbreviated Licensing Inspections | Nov 10, 6:00pm
Tuesday, November 08, 2022 MCCA Health Plan Informational Meeting | Nov 8, 6:00pm
Thursday, November 03, 2022 MN Child Care Licensing Modernization Webinar: Abbreviated Licensing Inspections | Nov 3, 1:00pm
Thursday, November 03, 2022 MCCA Health Plan Informational Meeting | Nov 3, 10:00am
Tuesday, November 01, 2022 MN Child Care Licensing Modernization Webinar: Abbreviated Licensing Inspections | Nov 1, 6:00pm
Tuesday, October 25, 2022 Great Start for All Minnesota Children Task Force Recurring Meetings
Tuesday, October 18, 2022 MCCA Monthly Board Meeting
Thursday, October 06, 2022 2022 Minnesota Election Outlook Presented by Ewald Consulting on Oct. 6
Tuesday, September 27, 2022 Great Start for All Minnesota Children Task Force Recurring Meetings
Tuesday, September 20, 2022 MCCA Monthly Board Meeting
Tuesday, September 13, 2022 Center for Rural Policy and Develoment Webinar
Tuesday, August 30, 2022 Great Start for All Minnesota Children Task Force Recurring Meetings
Tuesday, August 30, 2022 Early Care & Education Advocates Meeting
Thursday, August 25, 2022 Great Start for All Minnesota Children Task Force Public Listening Session August 25th
Wednesday, August 17, 2022 Licensing Modernization Project Child Care Center Focus Group August 17th
Tuesday, August 16, 2022 Early Care & Education Advocates Meeting
Tuesday, August 16, 2022 MCCA Monthly Board Meeting
Tuesday, August 02, 2022 Early Care & Education Advocates Meeting
Tuesday, July 19, 2022 Early Care & Education Advocates Meeting
Tuesday, June 28, 2022 Early Care & Education Advocates Meeting




Minnesota Child Care Association
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