Oklahoma Registry & Reward Oklahoma news

              Fall REWARD & Registry News
file:///Y|/...0&%20REWARD%20Oklahoma%20News/2010%20Fall%20Ok%20Registry%20&%20REWARD%20Oklahoma%20News.htm[1/11/2012 8:22:04 AM]
Fall 2010
A Word from the Director
Lessons from the Coastal Redwoods
Two years ago, my granddaughter and I visited the
beautiful city of San Francisco. While visiting, we
took a side trip to the Redwood National Forest.
Do you know that Coastal Redwood trees are the
tallest living species on earth? They can exceed
heights of 300 feet, with the tallest being 367.8
feet tall! But here's the really interesting
information about Redwoods - they literally "hold
hands" underground. Let me explain: The roots of
a Coastal Redwood are very shallow, growing only
four to six feet deep, but spread out from the
tree as far as 125 feet. This isn't much support for
a tall, heavy tree-floodwaters can erode top layers of soil, exposing
the roots and weakening a tree's support system. Heavy rains and
strong winds can bring even the biggest giant crashing to the ground.
But the roots of individual redwoods frequently grow intertwined
with those of their neighbors. By "holding hands" underground, the
roots form a network that allows the trees to withstand even great
storms.
I thought that was the most amazing
thing and began to relate it to early
care and education. I believe that our
greatest strengths lie in our ability to
form networks with one another, to
care for one another, and to ensure
that we keep each other standing tall
and strong with the best possible
professional development and
programs. If we do that, we will be
able to withstand any storm that comes
our way, whether it is policy changes,
economic instability, or other
unforeseen storms. Let's take a lesson
from the Coastal Redwoods and form a
strong network by "holding hands" with
each other and with our constituents: parents, children, and the
community.
Tips for Getting Your Questions Answered
The Oklahoma Registry and REWARD
Oklahoma staff realize that child care
professionals often have limited time during
In This Issue
Lessons from the
Coastal Redwoods
Getting Your
Questions Answered
Registry FAQs
Keeping Your Facility
Agreement Current
REWARD FAQs
Quick Links
CECPD - Oklahoma
Registry
CECPD - REWARD
Oklahoma
OKDHS - Oklahoma
Child Care Services
Fall REWARD & Registry News
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the day to contact us with any questions or
Registry issues. To make the most of the
short amount of time you have, here are some
tips to help us assist you quickly and
accurately.
Before calling:
1. Pull together any information and paperwork related to your
question(s). (If you have received a letter from our office, please
be sure to read the information carefully and have the letter with
you at the time of your call.)
2. Write down questions you have about our program, training, or
anything you wish to discuss.
3. Grab a pen and paper, so you can take notes if necessary.
When leaving a phone message:
1. Speak clearly to ensure we will hear your information correctly.
2. Leave your first and last name, full phone number (area code
included), and what your call is regarding.
3. Let us know the best time to return your call.
If you have left a message with an Oklahoma Registry Advisor or
REWARD Oklahoma Counselor:
1. Allow time for a return call before you leave another message
or call another Advisor or Counselor.
2. Keep your notes and information handy, so you will have them
when the Advisor or Counselor calls.
You can also go to The Oklahoma Registry and/or REWARD
Oklahoma sections of our website at http://www.cecpd.org/ for
copies of our application and forms and answers to many of your
questions.
Our goal is to help you achieve your professional development goals.
We look forward to hearing from you!
Registry FAQs
Q: Is it important to report a name change, change of
address, or change of employment to The Oklahoma
Registry?
A: Yes, it is very important to inform the Registry of any of
these changes. Keeping the most current data on our
participants will ensure they are receiving renewal
reminders, periodic mail-outs, and any other
correspondence that might be sent. In addition, reporting
these changes is vital if a participant is on the REWARD
Oklahoma program.
Q: I have changed my name, moved, or have a new
employer. How do I report this?
A: To download a "Participant Update Form," please visit our
website, http://www.cecpd.org/. Click on "The
Oklahoma Registry," then "Forms/Applications." You can
mail or fax this form in to report any changes. If you are
Check out
the CECPD Page on
Facebook ®
Fall REWARD & Registry News
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participating in the REWARD Oklahoma program, you will
need to mail in a new W-9 for your file.
Q: I completed college coursework and earned a degree at
a school that is outside the United States. What does
The Oklahoma Registry require to verify my training?
A: The Oklahoma Registry requires official transcripts for all
college coursework. However, we realize that obtaining
official transcripts from colleges outside the United States
can be difficult and often expensive. For this reason, The
Registry will return the original official transcript along
with the original official translation after they have been
reviewed and copies have been made and placed in the
participant's file.
Keeping Your Facility Agreement Current
In order to participate in REWARD Oklahoma
and receive a supplement check, you must
have a current, approved facility agreement on
file for the facility where you work. One
agreement covers all participants from the
facility. It is completed by the owner and/or
director.
Every facility participating in REWARD
Oklahoma is approved at least every two years
in order to document the facility still meets
program requirements. If the facility agreement we have on file for
your facility is more than two years old when you apply to the
program, we will send you a new facility agreement to fill out.
The facility agreement must be filled out and signed by the current
director and/or owner and returned by mail. It must be received and
approved before any future REWARD Oklahoma supplements will be
issued to participants. If you have a change of ownership, location,
license number, or director who signed the agreement, your facility
should send in a new agreement to ensure the facility information is
up to date.
The facility agreement is available online in the REWARD Oklahoma
section of our website at http://www.cecpd.org/or you can call
CECPD and have one mailed to you. For more information contact
CECPD and ask to speak to a REWARD Counselor.
REWARD FAQs
Q: As a teacher or family child care home provider, do I
have to renew REWARD Oklahoma?
A: You must renew your Professional Development Ladder
(PDL) yearly to remain on the REWARD Oklahoma
program. You do not need to fill out a new REWARD
Oklahoma application unless you have changed your place
of employment and are re-applying. For more information
on renewing your PDL, visit the Oklahoma Registry section
of the CECPD website, http://www.cecpd.org/.
Fall REWARD & Registry News
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Q: What is a W-9 form and why do I need it?
A: A W-9 form is a tax form that REWARD Oklahoma must
have on file before we can issue your check. You must fill
one out anytime your name or address changes. Your
name must match the name listed on your social security
card. You can download
a W-9 form by going to
the REWARD Oklahoma
section of our website
and clicking on the
"Applications/Forms"
box on the left side of
the page.
Contact us:
Registry/REWARD Email Metro 405-799-6383 Toll Free 1-888-446-7608
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