Oconto County Department of Health and Human Services has announced that nine Oconto County child care providers completed the Healthy Loving Environment program for 2022.
The following providers successfully completed the Healthy Loving Environment Program: Oconto Area Non-Profit Child Care, Oconto; Little Giggles Childcare, Oconto; Jamie’s Child Care, Oconto Falls; Sunshine Child Center Inc., Gillett; Play Days, Gillett; Cuddle Bugs Childcare, Abrams; Building Blocks Childcare Center, Sobieski; Country Kids Family Day Care, Pulaski; and Precious Cargo, Pulaski.
There were a total of 30 participants in this pilot program. Carla Ruechel, child care coordinator, and Heather Blum, environmental health professional, collaborated to develop this new program for Oconto County’s child care providers.
The six-month program consisted of environmental health topics about toxic substance storage and handling, lead, radon, mercury, air quality, communicable diseases, food safety and integrated pest management. These topics were delivered to the participants once a month for an hour over Zoom.
Continuing education credit was given to each participant. Monthly incentives were given away for attendance with the help of donations from: the Oconto, Oconto Falls, Gillett and Pulaski fire departments; Bellin Health; Newcap; Oconto County Economic Development; Oconto Lions Club; and Wisconsin Department of Children and Families.
Due to the success of the pilot program, the Healthy Loving Environment program will continue next year.
Oconto schools honored for public relations
The Oconto Unified School District was recently honored by the Wisconsin School Public Relations Association (WSPRA) with two Spectrum Awards of Excellence and one Spectrum Award of Merit for its work in school communications.
WSPRA presented the Spectrum Awards at its annual conference held Nov. 16-18. Oconto earned two coveted Awards of Excellence for social media Rockstar campaign and newsletter publication (Blue Devils Bulletin) and one Award of Merit for high-quality PR for community outreach as Best in the Awards Category.
Spectrum Awards recognize high-quality public relations efforts produced by or on behalf of Wisconsin school districts. This year, this statewide competition honored more than 40 school districts with awards.
“We are proud to be trendsetters for so many school districts, especially smaller ones,” said Anindita Anaam, Oconto schools’ communications specialist. “It is a great honor to receive accolades for excellence in outreach and public relations. The recognition just reiterates our commitment in keeping our community informed and celebrating staff and student success.”
WSPRA’s Spectrum Awards were judged by members of other school public relations associations in 20 states, from New York to California. All entries were judged on a 30-point scale in six areas: goals and objectives, research and planning, execution and evaluation, results, language and design.
The WSPRA is a professional association representing schools, school districts, educational associations, consulting agencies and organizations.
Otradovec named CMN’s CFO on permanent basis
George Otradovec has been named chief financial officer of the College of Menominee Nation.
The CMN Board of Directors confirmed President Chris Caldwell’s selection of Otradovec as CFO on Nov. 28. This was a lengthy process in which the president was aided by a search committee made up of representatives from staff, faculty and the board.
Otradovec has served as interim chief financial officer since July 2020.
“George has been a great asset to the college and will be a key figure in ensuring consistent day-to-day financial operations and long-term fiscal sustainability,” Caldwell said.
Under the direction of the president, the CFO directs and oversees the financial actions of the college.
Over his years of working for the college, Otradovec has served in various positions in the finance area with gradually increasing responsibilities. This included stepping in during leadership transitions in the finance area. Otradovec is a Menominee veteran and an alumnus of CMN. He is currently in the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh executive Master of Business Administration program.
“I am very appreciative to be given this opportunity to bring my voice and leadership to the College of Menominee Nation, and I look forward to working with President Caldwell in leading the college into a more dynamic and prosperous future,” Otradovec said.
AROUND THE COMMUNITY: 9 child care providers complete pilot program
