
Inclusion Matters
Inclusion Matters is a podcast produced by The Center for Inclusive Child Care (CICC). Early childhood experts discuss a wide array of important topics for early childhood professionals. We are excited to have you listen in on our podcast today.
Latest episodes

Feb 13, 2023 • 15min
Early Childhood Special Education in Minnesota-Post Covid Realities
In this episode, our guest Danielle Hayden, Supervisor of Early Childhood Special Education at the Minnesota Department of Education joins us to provide an overview of the state of the state as it relates to early intervention across Minnesota in post-Covid realities.

Feb 1, 2023 • 26min
Fududeynta Fahamka Caafimaadka Madaxa (Demystifying Mental Health)
In this episode (in Somali) Bureeqo Dahir, CICC Coach, and special guest Marian Hassan discuss the importance of understanding Mental Health and the need for communication and information sharing around this important topic. They also explain how Mental Health affects every aspect of our lives- emotional, psychological, and social well-being; how we feel, think, behave, and relate to others.
Dhacdadan (af Soomaaliga ah ) Bureeqo Dahir, CICC Coach kaa ah, iyo martida gaarka ah Marian Hassan waxay ka wada hadlayaan muhiimadda fahamka Caafimaadka Maskaxda iyo baahida loo qabo isgaarsiinta iyo macluumaadka wadaagga mowduucan muhiimka ah. Waxay sidoo kale sharraxaan sida Caafimaadka Maskaxda u saameeyo dhinac kasta oo nolosheena ah - shucuur, cilmi nafsi, iyo wanaag bulsho; sida aan dareemeyno, u fikirno, u dhaqanno, una xiriirno kuwa kale.

Jan 19, 2023 • 24min
When to Exclude Children from Child Care Due to Illness
Our guest Sarah Hawley of Minnesota Child Care Health Consultants is back again for another episode to support healthy child care settings. Priscilla Weigel and Sarah discuss the common illnesses that require exclusion from child care settings and why. Policies and communication with families and staff are also discussed as well as illness that does not require exclusion.

Dec 22, 2022 • 18min
Child Care Staffing Crisis: One Site’s Process
Join us for this special episode of Inclusion Matters as we talk with Margaret Mahowld, Director of Calvary Child Care. She shares her path to hope in the staffing crisis detailing her step by step plan to keep her child care setting open and able to continue to support families.

Nov 23, 2022 • 26min
Keeping the Team Safe and Well
Public Health Nurse Sarah Hawley, from Minnesota Child Care Health Consultants talks with us about ways to keep the whole team healthy in a child care setting. Staff health directly effects the health of children and their families. Sarah talks with us about ways we can build a healthy lifestyle and also keep germs at bay in the workplace and keep those germs from spreading to families.

Oct 31, 2022 • 22min
The Importance of Health Screening for Young Children
Inclusion Matters hosts a conversation with Faith Kidder, a Child Health Consultant from the Child and Teen Checkups (C&TC) Team at the Minnesota Department of Health. Faith leads us through a discussion about the importance of early screening for young children and the ways that Minnesota supports this process through many resources like Early Periodic Screening, Diagnosis, and Treatment (EPSDT), a federal program to ensure the children who are eligible for Medical assistance receive appropriate timely preventive well child health care.

Oct 3, 2022 • 26min
Health Precautions Related to Covid-Updates as of September 29, 2022
Our guest, Sarah Hawley, RN, BSN, PHN, shares the most recent updates to the precautions and expectations that child care settings need in place related to the current Covid status. This episode covers an overview of the CDC’s CURRENT Operational Guidance to Support In-person Learning.

Sep 15, 2022 • 21min
Follow Along Program: Minnesota Department of Health
Our guest Michele Kvikstad, Program Coordinator for Follow Along in Minnesota joins us to share about this wonderful free program for families. Michele highlights the way the Follow Along Program helps support caregivers of infants and young children track their child's development and let you know if your child is playing, talking, growing, moving, and behaving like other children the same age. Listen and learn more about this great free resource for families. https://www.health.state.mn.us/mnfap

Aug 31, 2022 • 25min
Parent Aware : Minnesota’s Child Care Quality Rating System
Join us as we learn about Parent Aware from our guest, Katie Hoffman, Director of Quality Improvement at Child Care Aware of Minnesota. We walk through the history, the principles, and the many benefits of becoming a Parent Aware Rated child care program.

Jul 25, 2022 • 22min
Supporting Breast Feeding in Child Care
Public Health Nurse and owner of MN Child Care Health Consultants, Sarah Hawley, joins us on this episode to share ways early childhood professionals can create a “breastfeeding friendly” child care setting. Sarah highlights the health benefits of breastfeeding and the ways that supporting this personal parent decision can enhance the overall setting.