INA Individual Membership Rates Reduced!

The International Nanny Association's Board of Directors held its annual fall meeting November 5th and 6th in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

To kick off INA's 25th Anniversary celebration, the Board of Directors is pleased to announce:

All new and renewing Individual Membership dues have been reduced from $95 to $35 effective immediately. New Individual Members who joined INA after November 1, 2009 and Individual Members who have already paid their renewal fee for 2010 will have the option of:
*donating their balance of $50 ($85 early bird rate - $35 2010 renewal rate) to the 2010 INA Nanny of the Year™ fund or the 25th Annual INA Conference fund
*receiving a credit with INA to be applied to future transactions, or
*receiving a $50 refund check.

With this reduction of fees, Individual Members will no longer be eligible for an early bird discount and Individual Membership dues will no longer be prorated.

Agency Owners: Please spread the word to your nannies about this slash in prices by:
*including new pricing information for INA Individual Members in your agency newsletter, on your agency blog or website and with your new nanny materials
*encouraging families to purchase INA Individual Memberships for their nannies
*giving away INA Individual Memberships as thank you gifts to your nannies who refer other nannies or as holiday gifts.

All Standard and Supporting members will now receive email alerts when their contact information is given out by the Membership Services Office (MSO). Previously, when an individual contacted the MSO inquiring about hiring a nanny, finding a job or about a service related to household employment, they were simply directed to the INA Member List on www.nanny.org to perform their own search. Effective immediately, people who call or email the office inquiring about a particular service will be given contact information for the INA Member who can best help them. They will have the option of having their contact information forwarded to those members to whom they were referred.

International Nanny Association Demands Drastic Changes to Dante's Inferno Video Game or No Release

Irresponsible to market "baby killing" to group which statistically has highest percentage of individuals charged with child maltreatment, says INA

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

PRLog (Press Release) – Oct 29, 2009 – Last week the International Nanny Association (INA) drew heat from the gaming and tech world for their public statement denouncing a level of Electronic Art's (EA) upcoming game, Dante's Inferno-- the level unveiled during the company’s Naughty or Nice press event on October 14, 2009.

INA took issue with the "lust level" of the game, which has a February release date, in which “un-baptized babies” are slaughtered by the game player to earn the achievement of "bad nanny."

Lynne Kenney, PsyD, known as "The Family Coach" and author of The Family Coach Method insists "INA has not over-reacted.” She says, “We live in a culture that has become desensitized to killing. To encourage even adults to play games that celebrate and reward killing babies is disgusting and sick. Social isolation, gaming that emphasizes ‘kills’ and companies that spend man hours on this sort of game development contribute to the dehumanization of children, which is appalling."

According to The Entertainment Software Association, in 2009, 68% of individuals in US households now play computer or video games. They also state that the average player is 35 years of age.

According to the US Department of Health and Human Services, the median age of an individual who is charged with child maltreatment is between 30 and 33 years of age.

INA is shocked by the amount of excitement and anticipation being expressed on hundreds of video gaming message boards and blogs over the unveiling of the lust level in Dante's Inferno. INA feels strongly that marketing a video game that promotes “baby-killing” (a term EA has coined) to an audience that statistically has the highest percentage of individuals charged with child maltreatment is extremely irresponsible.

INA stands by its original statement and demands that Electronic Arts either not release the game or drastically change the verbiage and nature of the lust level in the game.
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The International Nanny Association (INA), a nonprofit organization, serves as the umbrella organization for the in-home child care industry. INA members include nannies, nanny employers, nanny agencies, educators and industry service providers. Since 1985, INA has worked to professionalize the industry by setting high standards for industry professionals and nanny agencies. INA leverages the expertise of industry professionals from around the globe to help increase awareness about the industry, to develop the professional skills of nannies, and to educate parents about the benefits of hiring a qualified nanny to care for their children.


International Nanny Association
P.O BOX 1299
Hyannis, MA 02601
(Toll Free) 888.878.1477
713.526.2670
Fax: 508.638.6462

The International Nanny Association Speaks Out Against Video Game

The International Nanny Association Speaks Out Against Video Game:
Dante's Inferno Baby Killing Achievement called "Bad Nanny"


We wish to inform you of a hot button topic where INA has recently
taken a stance: Last week, the International Nanny Association (INA) released an
official statement regarding the soon-to-be released Dante's Inferno Video Game which
features a baby killing achievement, or trophy, called "Bad Nanny."

"INA feels this video game component of Dante's Inferno was created out of poor
taste and bad judgment. INA is opposed to video games that promote and encourage
players to "kill" babies, even in fantasy play. It is our opinion that this type
of play may promote violence towards children. The name of the trophy
or achievement,"Bad Nanny," is offensive to our association in that we strive to
promote and educate the public regarding the selfless work nannies do to support families by providing quality in-home child care."

INA has received a response statement from the Entertainment Software Rating Board
regarding this topic: "ESRB appreciates the sentiment being expressed in response to recent reports about the content in the Dante's Inferno Game. This game has not yet been rated by ESRB.If and when it is submitted, ESRB will assign rating information that will enable consumers to make an educated decision as to whether it is one they
deem suitable.

In fact, ESRB's new rating summaries go beyond a game's age rating and content descriptors to provide a more detailed description of content in a game that
factored into its rating, further empowering consumers with specific information about game content. All that being said, it should be understood that our job is not to censor potentially tasteless or objectionable content nor dictate to publishers what type of content they may include in their games. ESRB's role is to objectively evaluate a game's content and assign age and content ratings that will be helpful in
allowing consumers to make informed choices."

INA has yet to receive a response from Electronic Arts (EA), the game's publisher.

INA asks that EA either not release the game or use alternate titles for the highly
objectionable and inappropriate concepts of "baby killing" and "bad nanny."

A Google word search of "Dante's Inferno Nanny" will show you the
massive response INA's statement has created in the gaming and tech world. You can view recent news articles that have sourced INA here.

Read Be the Best Nanny's blog posting on this topic, as well as
links to relevant violence in media websites and clinical studies proving the adverse
effect of violent video games on children.

Learn about the soon-to-be released Dante's Inferno Video Game.

Learn about The Divine Comedy, which Dante's Inferno Video Game is
based.

INA Responds to Dante's Inferno Video Game Feature

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

PRLog (Press Release) – Oct 19, 2009 – Last week, the International Nanny Association (INA) released an official statement regarding the soon to be released Dante's Inferno Video Game which features a baby killing achievement, or trophy, called "Bad Nanny."

"INA feels this video game component of Dante's Inferno was created out of poor taste and bad judgment. INA is opposed to video games that promote and encourage players to "kill" babies, even in fantasy play. It is our opinion that this type of play may promote violence towards children. The name of the trophy or achievement, "Bad Nanny," is offensive to our association in that we strive to promote and educate the public regarding the selfless work nannies do to support families by providing quality in-home child care."

INA has received a response statement from the Entertainment Software Rating Board regarding this topic:

"ESRB appreciates the sentiment being expressed in response to recent reports about the content in the Dante... Read More’s Inferno video game. This game has not yet been rated by ESRB. If and when it is submitted, ESRB will assign rating information that will enable consumers to make an educated decision as to whether it is one they deem suitable. In fact, ESRB’s new rating summaries go beyond a game’s age rating and content descriptors to provide a more detailed description of content in a game that factored into its rating, further empowering consumers with specific information about game content. All that being said, it should be understood that our job is not to censor potentially tasteless or objectionable content nor dictate to publishers what type of content they may include in their games. ESRB’s role is to objectively evaluate a game’s content and assign age and content ratings that will be helpful in allowing consumers to make informed choices."

Congratulations - INA Book Winner

Congratulations to Christine. Your comment submisstion won the complimentary copy of Beyond Parenting Basics.

~Nana, the eclectic nanny~ said...
first of all I read read read! magazines, books, and current trends, even if I don't support them, I want to know about them. I have also taught in the daycare world for many years. the first job I ever held was in a center owned by a good friend. we still take all the CE classes together that she has her current staff take. I keep my hours current with state guidelines for daycare teachers, I think its 20 hours per year. I also look for classes offered in my area.

christine casarez
nanatheeclecticnanny.blogspot.com

Win a copy of Beyond Parenting Basics

Want to Win a Copy of Beyond Parenting Basics: The International Nanny Association's Official Guide to In-Home Child Care?

Beyond Parenting Basics: The International Nanny Association’s Official Guide to In-Home Child Care was developed to help prepare caregivers and parents for the responsibility that comes along with being a primary caregiver.

Co-authored by Sara McCormack Hoffman, director of the Professional Nanny Program at Minnesota State College and Michelle LaRowe, INA Credentialed Nanny and author of Nanny to the Rescue!, Working Mom’s 411 and A Mom’s Ultimate Book of Lists , Beyond Parenting Basics is the perfect resource for anyone who desires to become a better caregiver.

Designed for use by those wishing to expand their knowledge of child care, Beyond Parenting Basics is perfect for those preparing for a career as an in-home child care provider or those already working in the field who wish to take the International Nanny Association’s Nanny Credential Exam to become an INA Credentialed Nanny. Beyond Parenting Basics also serves as an important resource for parents who wish to improve their parenting skills through the expansion of their child care knowledge.

Read more about Beyond Parenting Basics: The International Nanny Association’s Official Guide to In-Home Child Care

To enter this contest, simply answer the following question in the comments section of this post:

As a nanny, how do you continue your education and why is continuing education important to you?

One entry per person, please. You must include your name and email address in your comment, so we can contact you if you win.

Winner will be chosen using Random.org.

Only those who live in the Continental US are eligible.

No entries after 11:00 pm Eastern Standard Time Wednesday, Sept. 23.

Winner will be announced by 11:00 am Eastern Standard Time Sunday, Sept. 27.

INA Lobbying Efforts need your help to increase Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit

Dear INA Members:

We are extremely pleased to report that INA's ongoing lobbying effort to increase the federal Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit (CDCTC) has resulted in three bills in Congress in support of our position! The bills, H.R. 460 and H.R. 1500 in the House and S. 210 in the Senate, all seek to raise the amount of childcare expenses eligible for the credit as well as the percentage of those expenses eligible for the credit. This is excellent news!

As you may know, currently the CDCTC provides a minimum credit to working families of 20% of the first $3,000 spent on childcare for each of the family's first two children per year. The CDCTC has not been increased in years, and thus it does not even begin to cover a family's childcare costs.

The bills in Congress now would raise the amount of eligible expenses to $6,000 per child with a credit of anywhere from 35% to 50%. Obviously, this would be a significant improvement and provide much needed relief for working families trying to pay for the costs of childcare.

Here's what we need you to do now: Contact your member of Congress and two U.S. Senators. Tell them you support H.R. 460, H.R. 1500 and S. 210 and urge them to vote for these bills.

This lobbying effort went from nothing to getting three bills introduced in Congress. We have done a terrific job, but there is still more to do. Contact your representatives, and let them know you support H.R. 460, H.R. 1500 and S. 210 to increase the federal Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit today!

If you have questions about INA's lobbying effort, please contact INA Governmental Affairs Chair Bob King of Legally Nanny at 714-336-8864 or info@legallynanny.com. Thanks again for all your support, and keep up the fight!

Click here to find out how to contact your officials.


~~~SAMPLE LETTER~~~

Dear Congressman [Name]:

As a resident of your district and a voter, I wanted to contact you to support H.R. 460, H.R. 1500, and S. 210 to increase the federal Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit (CDCTC).

Currently the CDCTC provides a minimum credit to working families of 20% of the first $3,000 spent on childcare for each of the family's first two children per year. The CDCTC has not been increased in years, and thus it does not even begin to cover a family's childcare costs.

H.R. 460, H.R. 1500, and S. 210 would raise the amount of eligible expenses to $6,000 per child with a credit of anywhere from 35% to 50%. Obviously, this would be a significant improvement and provide much needed relief for working families trying to pay for the costs of childcare.

I urge you to support these worthwhile bills to lower taxes for families and enable them to work and provide quality childcare for their children. Thank you in advance for your support.

Sincerely,

INA Member Name