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Office of Early Childhood & Out-of-School Learning |
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Transition to Pay by Enrollment Begins Today
Pay by Enrollment for all Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF) and On My Way Pre-K (OMWPK) vouchers is now in effect. Between now and August 10, providers must log in to the new provider portal through I-LEAD to register with the new payment vendor and begin recording child absences to submit for payment. This system replaces the POS machines and swipe cards families have used to track their child's attendance.
The Office of Early Childhood and Out-of-School Learning (OECOSL) is hosting informational webinars this week to answer questions and offer support:
OECOSL will host virtual office hours starting July 30 and running through the first week of August. These office hours will help answer provider specific questions. Learn more and register here.
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Participate in Food for Thought
The Family Resource Navigator is a one-stop shop for resources to help families thrive. This tool offers everything from social, educational, and health resources to career training and economic support. One of the best ways families can help their children grow is by providing healthy food to fuel their growing brains and bodies.
This July, the Family Resource Navigator is providing kid-friendly, WIC-approved recipes and healthy eating tips through the new Food for Thought campaign. Check your email this month to get ideas for engaging children and families in healthy eating. For example, you can plan a food study for children using resources from MyPlate.gov, and then invite parents and children to make a meal together in an age-appropriate way. Or you can send families home with handouts to help them continue to make healthy choices for their families at every meal.
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Act Now: Apply for a Child Care Management System
The application for the free Child Care Management System (CCMS) closes tonight, July 15 at 11:59 p.m. ET. Be sure to apply for this limited-time opportunity to streamline your business operations.
If you have questions during your application process, contact the SPARK Learning Lab Help Desk for real-time assistance by:
Último día para solicitar un CCMS gratuito
¡La solicitud para el Sistema de Administración de cuidado infantil (CCMS, por sus siglas en inglés) gratuito se cierra hoy, 15 de julio! Tome acción inmediata y solicite esta oportunidad por tiempo limitado para optimizar sus operaciones comerciales.
Para completar su solicitud de CCMS, diríjase a ilead.in.gov. Revise las preguntas frecuentes sobre qué es un CCMS y qué puede hacer por su negocio en on.IN.gov/ccms-faqs.
Si tiene preguntas durante el proceso de solicitud, contacto help desk de SPARK Learning Lab para obtener asistencia en tiempo real. Aquí hay tres formas de ponerse en contacto con SPARK:
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Gain Support and Grow with INAEYC
The Indiana Association for the Education of Young Children (INAEYC) has several ongoing opportunities for providers to receive coaching, program support, and professional development.
These opportunities include:
Career Coaching
Program leaders who want extra support in implementing professional development plans with staff, pursuing higher education, or taking the next step in their careers can reach out to a Workforce Coordinator to learn more about career coaching opportunities.
Trainer and Approved Trainer Opportunities
Learn more about becoming a Professional Development Trainer or Approved Training Organization in Indiana by registering to join an orientation session in July or August:
Technical Support for Model Work Standards and Taking on Turnover
Refer program leaders and owners to reach out to a Workforce Coordinator so they can work on Model Work Standards, retention, recruitment, and turnover issues and strategies.
Financial Support Through the Indiana Accreditation Project
The Indiana Accreditation Project offers financial resources to early care and education facilities enrolled in Paths to QUALITY™ (PTQ), Indiana's early care and education Quality Rating and Improvement System (QRIS). Learn more about Accreditation Financial Assistance.
The INAYEC Non-Formal CDA Project is Accepting Applications
Child Development Associate (CDA®) credential courses through the Indiana Non-Formal CDA Project are scheduled to begin as early as August 2024. These courses are provided through funding by The Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF) and the Department of Workforce Development (DWD).
Live courses are offered in both online and hybrid formats, lasting three hours and meeting three nights a week for 14 weeks. Learn more and receive the application documentation by emailing pd@inaeyc.org.
Eligible applicants must:
- Be Indiana residents at least 18 years of age
- Be employees at childcare centers, childcare homes, or childcare ministries that are licensed, registered, or certified as a LLEP CCDF provider
- Work 25+ hours per week in Indiana
- Have a current Criminal History/Background check on file with the FSSA, OECOSL
- Earn $25 per hour or less as a teacher or teacher assistant, family childcare owner, or director/administrator
- Have a high school diploma or High School Equivalency Diploma (HSE)
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Review Training Updates for Providers & Center Directors
The 'Indiana Early Learning Standards' training has replaced 'Introductions to the new Indiana Early Learning Foundations' as a computer-based training (CBT). The Indiana Department of Education has partnered with SPARK Learning Lab to create this course. Log into your I-LEAD account to access the new training on Indiana Learning Paths.
Locate the course by searching for 'Indiana Early Learning Standards.' This course will educate learners on how Indiana Early Learning Standards provide knowledge on the developmental skills that children are expected to achieve at various ages.
New providers in Indiana and those who are new to Paths to QUALITY™ (PTQ) are required to complete this training. Those who took Foundations are not required to take this course. It is recommended that any provider complete Early Learning Standards training.
In this training, providers review the Standards for young children's areas of development and then connect them to intentional planning for positive learning experiences. Note, this training satisfies the Level 2 standard for PTQ.
Additionally, a computer-based training (CBT) called 'Centering Equity in Early Childhood' has replaced the 'Introduction to Inclusive Child Care' course for new Center Directors. This change will be reflected in Indiana Learning Paths. Visit Indiana Learning Paths for a collection of courses to support your knowledge and skills for your child care program.
If you need additional assistance with navigating these changes, contact the SPARK Help Desk for support. Call 1-800-299-1627, email help@indianaspark.com, or use the 'Chat with an Expert' feature in the lower right corner of IndianaSpark.com to connect with a Help Desk team member.
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Join a SPARK Provider Support Group
Take advantage of SPARK's Virtual Provider Support Groups. Build meaningful relationships with like-minded educators, discuss challenges and triumphs, and more.
Starting the week of August 5, these weekly one-hour sessions will cover topics like:
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Finding and retaining staff
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Supporting staff during challenging times
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Supporting families who are struggling with life experiences
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Building resiliency and coping skills in yourself, your staff, and your families
Register online to join a Provider Support Group. This opportunity is open to all providers, regardless of past participation.
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Apply Today for SPARK Group Coaching
If you haven't registered for SPARK's Group Coaching, now is the time. The deadline to register for several group coaching opportunities is quickly approaching.
Join Coach Claire, Coach Jennifer, or Coach Izzy to start your journey with Group Coaching. Register for the opportunity to discuss topics such as Accreditation, Paths to QUALITY™, Infant Toddler, and Active Supervision. Check out the registration deadlines below:
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July 15: PTQ Level 2 Advancement for Home
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16 de julio: PTQ Avance al nivel 2 (en Español)
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July 16: NAEYC Accreditation
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July 16: Active Supervision for Homes
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July 17: NAFCC Accreditation
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17 de julio: Bebés y niños pequeños (en Español)
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July 18: Infant Toddler for Homes
Additional Group Coaching Opportunities are coming soon. Follow SPARK Learning Lab on Facebook and Instagram for future updates. Have questions about SPARK Group Coaching? Get in touch with the SPARK Help Desk by calling 1-800-299-1627, emailing help@indianaspark.com, or by using the 'Chat with an Expert' feature in the lower right corner of IndianaSpark.com.
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Train with SPARK Learning Lab
Explore valuable training opportunities through SPARK Learning Lab. See a full list of upcoming in-person trainings, live webinars, and live resources, plus read training descriptions and find registration instructions at IndianaSpark.com/training.
In-Person Training
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