History

The Dutchess County Legislature establishes the Dutchess County Child Development Committee. There is one secretary as the only paid employee. There are five day care centers in Dutchess County.

The Child Development Committee is a founding member of the N.Y.S. Child Care Coordinating Council (now know as the Early Care and Learning Council). There are 20 day care centers.

The Child Development Committee is named as an Advisory Committee to Dutchess County government. There are 1.5 employees.

The Dutchess Council Child Development Council is formed. The Council is established as the Child Care Resource and Referrals Service for Dutchess County. The Council administers the Child Care Food Program for family day care providers. There are 29 licensed day care centers and 30 family day care homes. Staff increases from two to six.

The Council becomes a member agency of United Way. There are 11 employees.

The Council becomes the N.Y.S. Registrar for family day care homes. Through a contract with the Dutchess County Department of Health, the Council employs two Early Intervention Initial Service Coordinators. Staff grows to 15.

The Council's on-site Resource Lending Library is made possible with funding from IBM and the American Business Collaboration.

The Council becomes the School Age Registrar for Dutchess and Ulster Counties. The Early Intervention employees move from County office space to Collegeview Avenue, creating the Council's first satellite office. There are 17 employees.

The new name is official: Child Care Council of Dutchess, Inc. There are 47 day care centers, 75 group family day care homes, 208 family day care homes and 29 school age programs.

The Council hires a Spanish-speaking translator/interpreter for Early Intervention. The Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS) provides funding for Regional Infant/Toddler Technical Assistance Centers. The Council participates in an OCFS work group to develop a Child Care Resource and Referral performance-based contract. The Council hosts a N.Y.S. School Age Care Credential Course at Ulster Community College. The number of family day care homes declines, due to more stringent regulatory requirements. There are 50 day care centers, 70 group family day care homes, 156 family day care homes and 34 school age programs.

With support from Senator Saland, the Council purchases a van and opens it Mobile Resource Lending Library. The Council hires a Health Care Consultant to aid in the implementation of the new OCFS regulations on the administration of medication to children in care. The Council's first Champions of Child Care recognition event is a resounding success.

The Council becomes the Enrollment Agency for Legally Exempt Child Care for Dutchess and Putnam counties. Upon the request of OCFS, the Council's Board of Directors votes unanimously to provide services in Putnam County, to include: Resource and referral, registration, food program administration, and child care subsidy administration. Services in Putnam County begin in February.

The Council is awarded Best Practices Certification by the N.Y.S. Child Care Coordinating Council (now the Early Care and Learning Council). The name change is official: Child Care Council of Dutchess and Putnam, Inc.

The N.Y.S. contracts for resource and referral and registration are strictly performance-based. The Council unveils its Strategic Plan for 2009-2011.

The Council's website is redesigned. The Council begins the two-year National Association of Child Care Resource and Referral Association's Quality Assurance process.

Distance Learning classes are developed by the Council. Child Day Care scholarships are funded by Dyson Foundation.

The Council hosts first annual Legislative Breakfast. Council Cluster Meetings begin. Parent outreach activities begin. The Council begins web-based referrals.

The Council becomes Quality Assured by Child Care Aware of America.
The Council receives a Dutchess County Partnership Grant "Healthy Connections Start in Child Care".

The Council provided training with Quality Improvement grants totaling $9,457 to 14 centers and 5 home-based programs in Dutchess and Putnam Counties.

The Council celebrates 45 years of service to the community.