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Office of Early Childhood & Out-of-School Learning |
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Make the Switch to Pay by Enrollment Now
Pay by Enrollment for Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF) and On My Way Pre-K (OMWPK) vouchers is now in effect. This update replaces the POS machines and swipe cards families used to track their child's attendance.
Providers must log in to I-LEAD to access the new provider portal by August 10 to begin recording child absences to submit for payment. Providers must also register with the new payment vendor and submit banking information in the new portal to continue receiving voucher payments.
The Office of Early Childhood and Out-of-School Learning (OECOSL) is hosting virtual office hours starting July 30 and running through the first week of August. Webinars will answer specific Pay by Enrollment questions. Learn more and register here.
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Apply for Early Learning Instructional Leadership Program
Indiana early learning program leaders have an opportunity to apply for a new instructional leadership training program, Building Impact: An Instructional Leadership Model. Selected leaders will begin the two-year, job-embedded program in October 2024 at no cost. Participants will build their identities as strong instructional leaders by learning how to optimize classroom practices through coaching and cultivating curiosity.
Training is delivered in monthly sessions and practiced on the job. Building Impact is a program in partnership with Early Learning Indiana and the McCormick Center for Early Childhood Leadership at National Louis University. Applications are due by August 8.
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Discover Transition to Kindergarten Assessment Practices
The Indiana Department of Education (IDOE) is announcing a Kindergarten Transition Model and Self-Assessment tool to help early learning programs and schools measure their current transition to kindergarten practices. Join Purdue University's Center for Early Learning and IDOE at 1 p.m. ET on July 31 in the Indiana Learning Lab.
In this session, speakers will share how this model was created using a combination of research on transition and input from families, educators, and communities to identify the key indicators for a successful transition.
These key indicators were central to developing the self-assessment framework that supports schools and early learning providers in assessing their program's current state and understanding their next steps for continuous improvement. Email any questions about this assessment tool to the Office of Kindergarten Readiness.
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Register for The Growing Brain Training
SPARK Learning Lab's Mental Health and Wellness Early Childhood Consultant is hosting a training and toolkit on how the brain develops and how providers can encourage healthy brain development in children. The Growing Brain: From Birth to 5 Years Old is an innovative professional development opportunity for early childhood care providers.
Participants will gain skills and strategies to:
- Understand the architecture and neurobiology of brain development
- Support language, cognition, prosocial behavior, and social-emotional development
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Reduce toxic stress that can negatively influence brain development in young children
This two-part training opportunity is offered from 6 to 7:30 p.m. ET on August 13 & 27 and September 5 & 19. To register for this training, sign in to your I-LEAD account and access the registration in Indiana Learning Paths.
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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 month, the Family Resource Navigator is providing kid-friendly, WIC-approved recipes and healthy eating tips through the new Food for Thought campaign.
View this e-newsletter 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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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.
Commonly asked questions:
Q: Can I participate in Provider Support Groups if I have participated before?
A: Yes! You are eligible to participate regardless of past participation.
Q: When will Provider Support Group sessions start?
A: These sessions begin the week of August 5, so mark your calendars now.
Q: How long do these sessions last?
A: Sessions last from sixty to ninety minutes and run for 12 weeks.
Q: Who are the facilitators?
A: SPARK Learning Lab has three amazing Licensed Clinical Social Workers conducting these sessions: Amanda Kinnaird, Michelle Korty, and Stephan Viehweg. They're here to support your growth and learning.
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Learn How the SPARK Help Desk Can Assist You
With so many opportunities offered through SPARK Learning Lab, it can be challenging to figure out what's best for your program. Allow the SPARK Help Desk to assist you.
The SPARK Help Desk offers a way to chat in real-time with real people who can quickly evaluate and answer your questions. The Help Desk is open from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. ET Monday through Thursday and every Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET.
You can get in touch with the SPARK Help Desk in three ways:
No matter the question, the SPARK Help Desk has an answer.
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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.
INAEYC Self-Paced CDA Training
The pilot for INAEYC Self-Paced CDA Training is a new scholarship opportunity, applications are available now. The initial scholarship offering will begin with 50 participants with priority spaces to support Family Child Care owners and operators to fulfill their education waiver agreements with Indiana Licensing. All auspices and early child care educators should review INAEYC's CDA Navigation Page for access to the application packet. CDA Navigators, Pam Richa'rd (prichard@inaeyc.org) and Charlotte McCall (cmccall@inaeyc.org) may also be reached for access and added information.
Career Coaching and Trainer & Approved Trainer Opportunities
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. We encourage you to join Workforce Wednesday Career Coaching Opportunities in July and August. Additionally, 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.
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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.
Virtual Training
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