The 55-year-old Monroe County woman – who cares for two of her 10 grandchildren while their mother April is at work – proudly tells people, “You’re never too old to learn,” and she has proved it by gobbling up eight classes since March at her local Great Start Regional Child Care Resource Center.

 

Among them was a health and safety training course – called Great Start to Quality Orientation - that relative and aide providers enrolled with the state Department of Human Services (DHS) are required to take this year. Specifically, providers enrolling for subsidies on or after March 7, 2010 must complete the course before they will be eligible for payment. All providers enrolled before March 7 must complete the course before September 17 to continue receiving subsidies.

 

The subsidies are offered through DHS’ Child Development and Care Program, which is designed to help low-income parents who are working or going to school with the cost of child care. In some cases, subsidies go directly to providers, in other cases they go to parents. In all cases, parents choose their provider. 

 

The goal of the training, according to Lisa Brewer Walraven, director of DHS’ Office of Early Education and Care, is to help providers become better at what they do.

 

“By taking this first step to create a professional development pathway for providers, we are ensuring that every child in Michigan is exposed to opportunities that ensure their success in the future."

 

Pam Smith, director of the Great Start Regional Child Care Resource Center/Southeast Region, calls the initiative “a life changer.”

 

“The children in relative/aide care benefit immediately by being with a better informed, trained provider and the adult provider receives important training that can literally help save a life,” she said. "They (the providers) have an improved understanding of what quality care is and why it matters.”

 

The training - provided through the Lansing-based Early Childhood Investment Corporation’s (ECIC) Great Start Regional Child Care Resource Centers – includes American Heart Association first aid, CPR certification, nutrition, health and safety, “Shaken Baby” Syndrome and “Safe Sleep” practices.

 

In addition to the mandatory course, Williams took additional “Tier 2” classes. By completing Tier 2 courses in such things as child development, learning through play and managing child behavior, providers can earn up to $585 more per year.

 

“I love it better than anything I have ever done. I’ve learned things I wasn’t sure of. And we have a lot of communication. (The instructors) never fail to answer any kinds of questions anyone has. I really do think they care about the caregivers. And I would say, about time! ”

 

Williams wasn’t always so bubbly. An abusive first marriage left her afraid to raise her voice above a whisper. She and her three daughters occasionally sought shelter in “safe houses.” Williams eventually escaped the marriage for good, but her children suffered fall-out. One daughter became addicted to cocaine. Another had four children by three different men.

 

Williams remarried 21 years ago, but this time to her soul-mate. Though he’s lost two legs to diabetes, Williams’ husband, Paul, helps her support the children, grandchildren and now one great-grandson. “We’ve become a good, close-knit family.”

 

She added: “It’s been rewarding to me to learn all I can because I want what’s best for my grandchildren and other children, too. What is your purpose in life? We were just talking about this. I believe my purpose is taking care of my grandkids. I believe God has chosen me for that.”

 

Williams says she’s always been a careful person, but the training has helped her become more observant and aware of her actions. “I feel more strongly that if something were to happen to (one of her grandchildren), because of what I’ve learned, I could more quickly get to them and help them with injuries. This makes me think about it more because things can happen, especially in your own home.”

 

The Great Start to Quality Orientation is available free of charge. To sign up, call (734) 975-1840 or (800) 777-2861 or visit www.greatstartconnect.org.

 

 In the six-county Southeast Region, 68 percent of the 1,050 active providers have either taken the required course or are registered to do so. The region includes Livingston, Washtenaw, Jackson, Hillsdale, Lenawee and Monroe counties.

 

Statewide, getting providers to fulfill the training has been difficult. Michigan has more than 22,000 relative and aide providers. About 53 percent of providers have either taken the basic training or are registered to take it, according to ECIC.