The Director's Link Newsletter (Fall 2007)
Illinois Launches New Quality Rating System for Early Care and Education

[Cover Story by Linda Butkovich and Teri Talan] With the launch of the Quality Counts: Quality Rating System in July 2007, Illinois joined the growing number of states across the country implementing quality rating systems. A Quality Rating System (QRS) is a systematic approach to access, improve, and communicate the level of quality in early care and education programs. Much like the rating systems used for restaurants and hotels, QRS award stars (or some other symbol) to recognize higher quality programs that meet defined program standards. Read more »

Half-Day Workshop: Navigating the Internet
National-Louis University, Chicago Campus (Map and Directions)
Friday, December 14, 2007

Maximize the power of your Web browser and improve your online researching skills. Visit many popular early childhood Web sites and learn how to save and organize your favorites. This half-day, interactive workshop will be held at National-Louis University's Chicago Campus in Room 4036 from 9:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Participant portion of the training cost is only $35. To register, download a brochure and complete the registration form or contact Debra Trude-Suter at (800) 443-5522, ext. 5056 or debra.trudesuter@nl.edu.

Supporting Directors as the Gatekeepers to Quality
National-Louis University, Wheeling Campus Annex (Map and Directions)
February 11-14 and May 21-22, 2008

Designed for college instructors, directors of multi-site programs, education coordinators, independent consultants, and resource and referral specialists, "Supporting Directors as the Gatekeepers to Quality" will provide in-depth training on how to use the Program Administration Scale (PAS) to help directors of center-based programs prepare for Quality Counts, the Illinois Quality Rating System. Funding is provided by the Grand Victoria Foundation. Participant portion of the training cost is only $150. To apply, download a flyer and complete the application form by December 14, 2007. Notification of acceptance will be made on December 20, 2007. For more information, contact Debra Trude-Suter at (800) 443-5522, ext. 5056 or debra.trudesuter@nl.edu.

Half-Day Workshop: Communicating Your Marketing Message to the Digital World
National-Louis University, North Shore Campus (Map and Directions)
Friday, January 11, 2008

Learn how to integrate technology into your program's marketing and outreach efforts by designing and distributing print and electronic publications. Discover today's "hot" Internet-based communication tools that can help keep you connected with parents and staff. This half-day, interactive workshop will be held at National-Louis University's North Shore Campus in Room 627 from 9:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Participant portion of the training cost is only $35. To register, download a brochure and complete the registration form or contact Debra Trude-Suter at (800) 443-5522, ext. 5056 or debra.trudesuter@nl.edu.

Beginner Technology Course
National-Louis University, Elgin Campus (Map and Directions)
January 15, 29 and February 5, 12, 2008

This course provides an introduction to computer technology as an administrative tool in the management of child care programs. Lab sessions will be held at National-Louis University's Elgin Campus in Room 119A from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Additional content will be delivered online.

Topics include:

• Maximizing the potential of the Internet as a tool for research and online communication
• Creating memos, flyers, newsletters, and forms with Microsoft® Word
• Developing slide show presentations with Microsoft® PowerPoint®
• Constructing spreadsheets with Microsoft® Excel

Funding is provided by the Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS). Participant portion of the training cost is only $75. Participants may also receive two semester hours of graduate credit from NLU (ECE534, Technology in Child Care Administration I) by paying an additional fee. Enrollment is limited and priority will be given to administrators whose programs serve IDHS-funded children. To register, download a brochure and complete the registration form or contact Debra Trude-Suter at (800) 443-5522, ext. 5056 or debra.trudesuter@nl.edu.

PAS Assessor Reliability Training
National-Louis University, Wheeling Campus Annex (Map and Directions)
January 28-31, 2008

The Center will be conducting training for individuals interested in becoming reliable assessors for the Program Administration Scale (PAS). This four-day training is designed for technical assistance specialists, quality monitors, management consultants, researchers, and other professionals interested in using the PAS to reliably assess early childhood leadership and management practices and help center directors improve the quality of their programs. Assessor training will include an overview of the reliability and validity of the instrument, interview protocol for collecting data, and how to score indicators and items. Participants of this training are eligible to become Certified PAS Assessors. The training fee is $850. To register, download a flyer and complete the registration form or contact Jill Bella at (800) 443-5522, ext. 5059 or jill.bella@nl.edu.

Family Child Care Institute: Program Quality Evaluation
National-Louis University, Wheeling Campus Annex (Map and Directions)
The Westin Chicago North Shore (Map and Directions)
February 29 – March 1 and May 17, 2008

This institute provides an introduction to program evaluation, stressing the importance of ongoing assessment to improve quality and practices. Participants will be introduced to the Family Child Care Environment Rating Scale-Revised (FCCERS-R) to assess the learning environment as well as other measures to assess the quality of business practices, parent satisfaction, and community responsiveness. In addition, participants will learn about the National Association for Family Child Care (NAFCC) Quality Standards for Accreditation and how to begin the self-study process for accreditation. Funding is provided by the Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS). Participant portion of the training cost is only $100. Participants may also receive two semester hours of graduate credit from NLU (ECE582C, Early Childhood Program Evaluation) by paying an additional fee. To register, download a brochure and complete the registration form or contact Debra Trude-Suter at (800) 443-5522, ext. 5056 or debra.trudesuter@nl.edu.