April 2026 Newsletter

April coming to a close means the 4th annual International Nanny Training Day (iNNTD) event happened on April 11. We are still blooming with excitement from this year’s program. We are also giving all the nannies their flowers for joining! The largest bouquet goes to Cece Rosemberg. For the fourth year Cece has organized an incredible event filled with a group of nanny volunteers, sponsors, speakers, raffle prizes, vendors and so much more. I am so happy to support this event year after year. Thank you again Cece for the commitment and love you have to pour into this local nanny community. 

We’re just so proud of this profession and the wonderful individuals who have chosen childcare as their career. Each year we’re able to connect with familiar faces and meet new folks bringing their unique perspectives to the table. Of the 50 nannies that joined, 80% were first-time attendees! 

This year there were 6 speakers including myself teaching nannies various topics from booking tools and companion care jobs (Sarah Nadimpalli with Book Lilli/CareCal), RIE: Respectful Care in Childcare (Karina Marina of Well Supported Family) and Montessori childcare philosophies (Nanny Claire Sherba), nanny contracts (Nanny Jess) and First Aid tips (Mike Carlini of Mike’s CPR & First Aid). During my workshop to nannies I shared “Tools for Caregivers to Best Support Autistic Children.” I discussed facts about autism, characteristics to be aware of in children 18-24 months old and tools and strategies to create a comfortable environment for a child on the Autism Spectrum to thrive.

It’s official! I announced our pilot program in Rhode Island to provide companion care services (non-medical and non-personal care) for those 65 years old and up. By 2030, roughly 20% of the U.S. population will be 65 or older. Aging Baby Boomers overwhelmingly want to age in place yet many will struggle to do so in a way that supports wellness, connection, and quality of life. I’m happy to meet this need for many of my existing clients needing support on the other spectrum too. We are so happy to partner with Sarah Nadimpalli of CareCal, an experienced RN, PhD consultant who was recently awarded funding from the National Institute of Aging! With her support we’ll provide a tech tool for caregivers to communicate directly with the next of kin and/or Durable Power of Attorney and access a resource library of research-backed engagement activities. Expect an email from me soon with details!

The final highlight is meeting Mike Carlini who has been our CPR and First Aid partner for the last year, ensuring that 20+ nannies and babysitters maintain an active certification.

Knowledge Corner: Autism Awareness and Acceptance

April is internationally recognized as Autism Awareness Month though not limited to this month, it reminds us of the opportunity to show support and promote the acceptance and appreciation of people with Autism.

Lessons

Take time to research and learn from autistic-led initiatives about what it means to have autism and the types of support people with autism require. Sharing the knowledge you acquire with friends and family may seem like a small effort, but every bit counts when effecting real change through discussion and awareness. A couple of great resources to learn more are local organizations The Autism Project (TAP) https://theautismproject.org and Autism Care Partners https://autismcarepartners.com.

Take Action

  • Pledge to fundraise for your favorite inclusive organization

  • Donate to companies you believe are doing good work in the community, share their news and events through social media

Fun Activity

“We all should know that diversity makes for a rich tapestry, and we must understand that all the threads of the tapestry are equal in value no matter what their color.” – Dr. Maya Angelou

This month, we also encourage families to celebrate Diversity Month as we at POMN value the differences in backgrounds, cultures, and perspectives and how they all help to create our beautifully diverse community. 

Watch, Listen & Try 

Watch a movie, show, or short that is in a different language (with or without subtitles) or a different culture than your own. Some may be able to keep up with subtitles, others may be intrigued by the mere sound or no sound (American Sign Language) of another language. Exposure is a learning experience in and of itself. Reading bodily expressions or non-verbal cues are valuable lessons when you don’t necessarily understand the words. It also goes to show the human experience is what we all have in common.  

Recommendations: Bao (2018 Disney short), The African Doctor (2016), Dhanak (2015) 

Discussion ideas: 

  • Environment: Where does the movie take place? If it’s another country, look it up to see where it is on the map, learn about the different groups of people who live there, look at pictures of the scenery in that location. Talk about what it would be like to visit or even live there. 

  • Cues: Talk about the emotions that you notice and what can be understood even when you don’t know the translation. 

  • Themes: What are the main themes? Friendship? Romance? Loss? Dive deep and talk about real life experiences that are generally relatable among all people regardless of background. 

After watching, try:

  • Learning a few basic words from another language. You’d be surprised how much pronunciation is available online.

  • Listening to music in another language, guess what they’re talking about and then look it up to see how well you did. (Screen it first!)

  • Try a restaurant featuring food you’ve never had before. Talk about the flavors that are new or familiar. 

Community Spotlight: Behavioral Health Network

This month we’re proud to spotlight the Massachusetts nonprofit Behavioral Health Network (BHN). They provide services for individuals with behavioral and developmental challenges throughout the state with the mission to improve their quality of life. 

Services & Pricing:

  • Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) and In-Home Behavioral Services for individuals ages 3-21

  • Kamp for Kids - July & August summer camp for 5-22 year olds

  • Currently no waitlist! 

  • Accepting MA insurance only

Why They Stand Out:
BHN takes a stand on social justice and their commitment to diversity and inclusion is what inspires us at POMN. Our values align in terms of bringing an inclusive environment while offering exceptional care.

Connect & Book: Follow them @bhnmass on Instagram and go to their website to learn more and support this amazing organization! 

Tiesha Sinouthasy