Delaware Early Childhood Center Kicks Off Community of Practice Around Self-Care, Focusing on the Important Work Home Visitors Do!

Delaware Early Childhood Center (DECC) focused on home visitors in November, with our kickoff of the Community of Practice around self-care. Home visitors from University of Delaware Early Head Start joined as well! Staff were encouraged to share and complete the NAMI self-care checklist. They discussed how to set a self-care smart goal. All participants were broken into pods, to check in with each other on a regular basis. Other programs that wish to join future meetings can contact Kristi.gamuciello@lf.k12.de.us for more information.

In October, DECC staff presented at two full-day preconference sessions — one focused on advocating for your child in a medical setting, and the other focused on the PAT resource Goals & Assets.

Staff have begun to retrain and train as needed on UPSTREAM materials, using the online modules.

Throughout October and November, PAT and NDEHS staff delivered “mobile health fair bags” to families. They included new smoke detectors as well as information on development, nutrition, dental health, and family planning. In partnership with the DE Fire School and their colleagues, we hosted a virtual fire safety group for children and their parents. In December, we will be hosting a Meet the Firefighter and Truck virtual event.

Finally, on November 19, we visited all staff at their homes and provided them a yard sign so that they could share with the whole world how “AWESOME” they are. Staff commented during and after that they were surprised and how much it was needed! We truly appreciate how all staff have gone above and beyond to support families, especially during the pandemic!

Submitted by:

Christine Hoeflich-Olley and Kristi Gamuciello
Program Manager,
Home-Based Programs
DECC Parents as Teachers, New Directions Early Head Start, First Start Delaware: Early Head Start Partnership, $tand By Me Partnership
302-398-8945 ext. 117
Fax: 302-398-8983