The Nurturing Children programs seek to improve the quality of care given to children in the community by individuals other than parents. Programs are for child care providers, foster parents, older youth babysitting, mentors, youth leaders, coaches or teachers. The goals are to help adults gain skills in working with youth at different developmental stages so that they can use positive reinforcement to promote positive youth development. We know that children who have strong ties with parents, kin and others in the community are more likely to want to stay in their community. Positive connections from non-parental adults builds assets in youth. Nurturing Children/Families/Communities Work Group - Program Goals 2005-2006 Goal: Help communities identify family needs; design and implement plans to meet those needs. Objectives: 1. Child care providers and parents will participate in education experiences which will assist them in working with young children on conflict negotiation skills; bilingual learners; communicating with families; and helping children make friends. 2. Child care providers will participate in educational experiences which will assist them in encouraging family/young child interaction: literacy; ready to lear; and communicating as a business. 3. "Bilingual Learners", "Ready to Learn" and "Helping Children Make Friends" fact sheets and supporting pieces will be published. The program materials will be made available for child care learning experiences throughout the state. 4. Discover and document extension membership and involvement in the Early Childhood Training Coalitions throughout the state. 5. Promote the "Family Treasures" book and national video conference. 6. Work on evaluation data and impact implications for child care training held throughout the state. 7. Participants in poverty simulations and bridges out of poverty presentations will develop a better understanding and empathy for families experiencing poverty in their community.