Child Care Resource and Referral

What is Child Care Resource and Referral?
     As a core service of the Partnership, Child Care Resource and Referral enhances access, improves quality, and increases availability of child care in Anson County. Located in the Partnership office, it provides resources of child care options within the county, training and resources for providers and parents, and awareness of children's issues within the community.
Your Child Deserves High Quality Child Care!
Do you know your child care facility's Star Rating?
     Every parent wants what is best for their child, and that includes high quality child care. Licensed child care centers and homes in North Carolina are rated on a One to Five Star scale to accurately reflect their overall quality. Four and Five Star child care centers and family homes have higher program quality, higher staff education levels, and high compliance histories.
For Parents
     Anson County Partnership for Children's Child Care Resource and Referral staff is committed to making Anson County a better place to be a child and to raise a child. For questions regarding child care for your child, please contact the Child Care Resource and Referral team at the Partnership.

For Child Care Providers
     If you are interested in increasing your star level or participating in child care enhancement programs, please contact the CCR&R staff at Anson County Partnership for Children. Child Care Resource and Referral offers assistance with:

• Technical Assistance
• Education Support
• Mock Rating Scales
• Workshops/Trainings

Teen Information and Parenting Service (TIPS) Program

     TIPS is a free program available to teen parents. The TIPS program encourages Anson County teen parents to acquire the knowledge and skills needed to ensure that their children develop healthy bodies and receive appropriate support for developmental learning and growth. Prevention of a second pregnancy is the focus of the program. It is our sincere belief that all teen parents want the best for their children, but are simply unprepared to provide for the child's needs due to their own lack of knowledge and resources. The TIPS program was developed to address these issues and reclaim these young families as productive citizens and knowledgeable parents.
To be a participant in this program you must ...

• be pregnant or a teen parent 19 years of age or younger
• avoid a second pregnancy during program participation.
• be enrolled in high school or GED program attending regularly
• maintain appropriate health care for both self and child.
• attend group meetings.
• avoid abuse and neglect for both self and child.
• participate in home visitations

• you receive support to become the best parent your baby can have.
• you receive child care subsidy for a 4- or 5-star center or family home
• you are offered the opportunity to participate in a series of activities that will help you develop good parenting skills.
• you receive items for your baby to assist with health, hygiene, and development
• you receive help with transportation
• you participate in group activities with other teen parents and their babies so you can share in the joys and struggles of being a teen parent.
• you receive home visitation by a certified parent educator using the Parents as Teachers (PAT) curriculum that offers support and encourages parent/child interaction.
• you are given opportunities for social outings and educational field trips.

     Participation in TIPS will address and provide information on the following topics:

Personal Development Sessions Parenting Self-Esteem Time Management Breastfeeding

Education Completing High School    Requirements Adult Basic Skills General Education    Development (GED) College Tours South Piedmont    Community College Financial Aid Scholarships Class Schedules/Information

Job Readiness Sessions Effective Communication Goal Setting Career Planning Researching Job Opportunities Skills and Abilities Completing Job Applications Resumes Cover Letters To make a referral or for more information about the TIPS program, please call 704-694-4036.

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Buckle Up

An estimated four out of five children who are placed in child restraints and booster seats are improperly restrained. The Anson County Partnership for Children has nationally certified child safety seat installers. Call the Partnership at 704-694-4036 for help in installing your safety seat or to check and see if it is installed correctly. Your child's life is in your hands. Rear-Facing      Infants should ride in rear-facing restraints until they are at least one year of age and weigh at least 20 pounds, preferably until the upper weight limit of the seat is reached. Facing the rear of the vehicle protects a young child's neck and spinal cord from violent crash forces. Never put a rear-facing child in a front seat with a passenger air bag unless you can turn the air bag off. Recline the seat so your child's head can rest flat against the shell, according to the manufacturer's instructions. Route the harness straps through harness slots that are at or slightly below shoulder level. Keep harness straps snug and fasten harness retainer clip at armpit level. Position an infant's seat's carrying handle correctly. Some convertible seats have rear-facing limits up to 35 pounds. Forward-Facing Convertible Child Restraint Place child restraint in upright position or as specified by the manufacturer. Route the harness straps through the top slot or as specified by the manufacturer. Keep harness straps snug and flat. Fasten harness retainer clip at armpit level. Most child restraints have weight limits of 40 pounds, but some restraints have higher weight limits up to 65 pounds. Forward-Facing Combination Harness/Booster Seat This is a good option for children who are near the weight limit of convertible seats, but still need a five point harness and then a booster seat. Route the harness straps through the slots at or slightly above shoulder level. Fasten harness retainer clip at armpit level. When the child reaches the upper weight limit for the harness, remove harnesses and use as a belt-positioning booster with lap and shoulder belt. High Back Belt-Positioning Booster Seat      Children who have outgrown the upper weight limit of their child restraint (usually between 40-80 pounds) should use booster seats or other appropriate child restraints until the lap and shoulder belt fits correctly. If your vehicle has a low seat back and your child's ears are above it, you need a high back booster seat to protect the child's neck. Boosters must be used with both lap and shoulder belts. The belt positioning booster seat positions the child so the lap and shoulder belts will fit properly, thus providing maximum protection in a crash. Backless Belt-Positioning Booster Seat Children less than 80 pounds are too small for the vehicle safety belt alone to fit correctly. A booster seat positions the lap belt snugly over the hips and upper thighs and shoulder belt snugly across the chest and shoulder. Boosters must be used with both lap and shoulder belts. Lap and Shoulder Safety Belts      Lap and shoulder belts should be used when vehicle safety belts fit children correctly.      A child is ready for the adult safety belt when: The child can sit all the way back against the vehicle seat, with his/her knees bent over the edge. The shoulder belt remains positioned snugly across the chest and collarbone. The lap belt remains positioned snugly across the upper thighs. NOTE: Placing the shoulder belt under a child's arm or behind the back is dangerous and illegal. Lap Belt Only Vehicles with only lap belts in the back seat      If your child weighs more than 40 pounds and your vehicle has only lap belts in your back seat, you may: Obtain a child restraint that is specifically designed for children heavier than 40 pounds, when installed with a lap belt only. Contact your vehicle's manufacturer about whether shoulder belts can be installed in your back seat. correctly restrain you child in the front seat, using a booster seat and the lap and shoulder belts. Move the vehicle seat as far back as possible. Use a properly fitted lap only safety belt positioned snugly across the upper thighs. The above information is taken from the Safe Kids North Carolina Buckle Up Program. For more information, visit www.ncsafekids.org. Click HERE to read facts about the N.C. Child Restraint Law. Return to top