December 2023
Early Childhood Community Liaison Newsletter
Message from the Liaison (Brooke Sieg, PCSD 6)
Liaison Program Schedule and Information
All programs are FREE and open to children of ALL ages!! Attending any of these programs is a great way to support and extend the learning your child is already doing at his/her preschool or at home. Please note that parents must remain in the classroom for the duration of each program and are expected to be active participants with their child(ren). Be sure to download the December schedule below!
Mindful Math
Christmas Themed Math Activities
from No Time For Flashcards website
Santa Roll & Cover (free printable available)
This is always a hit and if you are wary about the mini marshmallows, just grab some cotton balls or white buttons!
Shape Wreath
Manipulate and learn more about shapes as you make this simple holiday wreath.
Gingerbread Man Shape Sorting
This free printable circle time activity can be used at home, during free choice, over zoom, or in-person circle time too.
Counting Christmas Tree (free printable available)
Match the colors or the numbers ( or both) with this counting Christmas tree!
Gingerbread Man Math Tray
Work on fine motor skills while also working on one to one correspondence with this Christmas math activity.
Shape Gingerbread Men
This is the simplest craft, but I do it every year because not only do children love it, it’s a wide-open activity that allows children to be creative and get hands-on with shapes.
Shape Christmas Tree
How simple and how CUTE? Shapes are best learned by touching, twisting, and creating with them.
Measure An Elf
Measure these elves with some mini erasers ( or buttons!) and then count to see how many mini-erasers tall they are!
Christmas Math Mats
These free printables can be laminated and used with playdough or with mini erasers as we did.
Shape Gingerbread Men
This is the simplest craft, but I do it every year because not only do children love it, it’s a wide-open activity that allows children to be creative and get hands-on with shapes.
This festive, special time of year is also a crazy-busy one, but hopefully one that will include some time reading!
There are several fun events going on in the Kids’ Library in December for all ages. Our biggest holiday program is Monday evening, December 4th, when The Grinch will be here. Nothing scary about this one; our Grinch welcomes hugs, photos, and high-fives. After the story, there will be green snacks, plus games and crafts for the whole family.
Something new for us this year will be a chance to decorate gingerbread cookies with an expert on Saturday morning, December 9th between 10:00 and 1:00, or until supplies last.
Keep in mind that the library is a great place to spend those quieter times, too – pop in whenever it’s convenient. The library will be open every day except for Monday, December 25th.
Cody Library hours are Monday-Thursday 9:00-7:00 Friday and Saturday 9:00-5:00
Holiday Open House at the Buffalo Bill Center of the West
December 2–3, 2023 from 10 a.m.–5 p.m.
The Buffalo Bill Center of the West’s Holiday Open House is an annual tradition in Cody! The event offers two free days to explore the Center’s five spacious museums, beautiful holiday decorations, complimentary hot cocoa and candy canes, discounts in Points West Market to jump-start your Christmas shopping, and more.
Food & Toy Drive
We encourage families attending to share the holiday spirit by contributing to the collection boxes that will be stationed at our front door entrance.
* Bring non-perishable food items; they will be distributed through local food pantries.
* Bring new, packaged toys; they will be distributed through Holiday Helpers.
Santa Claus
Santa will be visiting the Center from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. both days! Make sure to catch up with him here to share your list.
Raptor Programs
The birds of our Draper Museum Raptor Experience present a program each day of the Open House at 1 p.m.
Counselor Corner (PCSD 6 Sunset Elementary School Counselor, Linda Baumstarck)
With so many fun events and activities happening in December, be sure to check out the Cody Chamber of Commerce events calendar. It includes Santa House hours, BBCW Holiday Open House info, and more! New events are always being added to the calendar, so be sure to check back often!
Receive Help Paying for Child Care
Child Care Financial Assistance in Wyoming
The Child Care Subsidy Program helps low-income families pay for the cost of care when the parent(s) are searching for employment, working, in school or training. Based on the family’s income, the parents may be responsible for paying for part of the cost of care. The Department of Family Services’ Child Care Subsidy Program uses a combination of state and federal funds to assist eligible families in paying for the cost of child care while the parent(s) is in an approved activity. If the family meets the eligibility criteria, the Department of Family Services pays a portion of the cost of care. Parents are free to choose a child care arrangement that best fits their needs as long as the chosen provider meets certain health and safety requirements.
How Much Will DFS Pay for Child Care?
DFS bases its maximum reimbursement rates for licensed facilities on a Market Survey which is conducted at least once every three years. Our most recent survey is the 2022 Market Survey. You will need to report your regular rates on the Provider Registration form. If your rates are more than the DFS maximum reimbursement rates, the parent(s) will be responsible for the amount above the DFS maximum reimbursement rates. The parent may also be responsible for paying for a portion of the cost of care. You cannot bill DFS more than you bill your families that are not assisted by DFS. The amount of time DFS will pay for is based on the parent(s) activity schedule. Only the hours that the parent is working or attending school are allowable hours for child care assistance. If the parent(s) are bringing the child to child care at times that they are not working or going to school, you should bill the parent directly and do not include those hours on your DFS billing form.
Is Child Care Subsidy an Option for My Family?
To qualify for the Child Care Subsidy Program, a family needs to meet all eligibility criteria including financial and approved activity criteria. The following information is provided as an overview of potential eligibility for assistance but the actual determination must be made by the local DFS office in the county where you reside.
- All income that any family member receives must be reported to the Department for consideration in the eligibility determination for child care subsidy. The income may or may not be used based on the type of income and who receives the income.
- The amount the state pays for child care depends on the family’s income and the cost of the care provided.
- To receive child care assistance, the parent/caretaker must be working or attending an employment-related educational program. For parents pursuing a college degree, assistance can be provided for the time the parent/caretaker is attending classes toward a first baccalaureate degree. If there are two parents/caretakers in the household, both parents/caretakers must be participating in an approved activity during the same hours.
- Once the family has been receiving child care assistance, they may remain eligible for assistance if the family’s income increased due to employment earnings and the total income is within the limits for Transitional Child Care.
Wyoming 211
Wyoming 211 provides every person in communities across the state with a place to turn when they need answers to life’s challenges, big or small. 211 is a free, anonymous, helpline offering listening support, information and referral.
Our professional, trained staff connects people in need with nearly 2,800 programs and services that are available to help them. Bilingual staff and telephone interpreter services make sure that callers can talk with us in the language of their choice.
Did You Know?
Established as a 501(c)(3) in 2011, Wyoming 211 is the only comprehensive agency in the state of Wyoming that provides individuals and families with all of the critical connections to health and human services that they need in just one call, email, or text. This helpline is available to every individual and family in Wyoming.
Every hour of every day, someone in Wyoming is searching for help or services. Knowing where to go is the first step in getting the help you need.
When Is Wyoming 211 Available?
211 is available Monday – Thursday 8AM to 6PM, and Friday 8AM to 5PM. Callers outside standard business hours will receive a follow-up call the next business day.
Service is available statewide by dialing 211 or 888-425- 7138 during normal business hours and online anytime at wyoming211.org.
What's The Difference Between 211 And 911?
Wyoming 211 is a free, easy-to-remember phone number connecting callers with health and human services in their community.
911 is reserved for emergencies, police, ambulance, and fire.
The Value Of Wyoming 211
Until Wyoming 211, there had been no single, comprehensive statewide provider of information and referrals for Wyoming. Faced with multiple organizations providing a broad range of social services, people often don't know where to turn or how to start. In many cases, they end up going without these necessary services. When an individual dials 211, they receive personalized information from a live community resource specialist. The specialists listen to each individual, making sure to match them to services they are eligible for before referring them. The ultimate goal of Wyoming 211 is to improve the health and welfare of Wyoming’s citizens by connecting them to appropriate services. Wyoming 211 can be used directly by consumers as well as by service providers and case managers for referral information. Wyoming 211 is available for anyone in Wyoming.
Contact Info
Email: brookesieg@park6.org
Website: www.park6.org
Location: 919 Cody Avenue, Cody, WY, USA
Phone: (307) 272-0153
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100057666729007