Indiana's Office of Early Childhood and Out-of-School Learning (OECOSL) is hosting town hall webinars today, August 26, to help providers learn more about: 

• Updates from the 2024 Indiana legislative session, such as CCDF eligibility expansion to employees of licensed or regulated child care programs  

• Information on the Indiana Student Performance Readiness and Observation of Understanding Tool (ISPROUT), part of the pilot early learning assessment system from the Indiana Department of Education (IDOE)
  
  
• Regulatory updates 

This webinar is led by OECOSL Director Courtney Penn and IDOE's Office of Kindergarten Readiness Director, Dr. Kelli Servizzi.

If you were unable to make this morning's session, you can register for the 2 to 3 p.m. ET session. Town halls will be recorded and shared afterward.

A new tool is available for early care and education administrators and educators looking to identify their infants' and toddlers' strengths, uncover gaps, and support instruction. The Indiana Department of Education (IDOE) will be providing the Indiana Student Performance Readiness and Observation of Understanding Tool (ISPROUT) early learning assessment to any interested early childhood program. This voluntary opportunity provides a snapshot of children's abilities in all early learning domains.

Programs can begin administering the ISPROUT for ages birth-2 in January 2025. Complete this form to opt in before administration begins.  

Programs can begin administering the ISPROUT early learning assessment for ages 3-5 now. Complete this form to opt in. 

ISPROUT also needs birth-to-age-5 educators to join committees for item acceptance, standard setting, and reporting. The committees will meet virtually one to two times in September. Stipends will be awarded for participation. Complete this form by September 3 to be considered. 

Email your questions to IDOE's Office of Kindergarten Readiness.

Have questions about Pay by Enrollment? Get answers and individual support by joining the Office of Early Childhood and Out-of-School Learning (OECOSL) and the SPARK Help Desk for office hours: 

• Monday, August 26 from 6 to 7 p.m. ET | Register Here 
• September 4 from 2 to 3 p.m. ET | Register Here 
• September 9 from 5 to 6 p.m. ET | Register Here 

 Contact the SPARK Help Desk for more support by calling 1-800-299-1627.

The Indiana Association for the Education of Young Children (INAEYC) has several ongoing opportunities for provider coaching, program support, and professional development. These opportunities include:   

Indiana Educator Job Board — Help with NIMBLE: Have questions about using the Indiana Educator Job Board to post job openings? Join Dr. Kristin Trostel and Matt Scholfield from NIMBLE for open office hours from 12 to 1 p.m. ET on Wednesday, August 28. Register for the webinar.

Career Coaching and Approved Trainer Opportunities: Program leaders who want extra support to implement professional development plans with staff, pursue higher education, or take the next step in their careers can reach out to a Workforce Coordinator to explore career coaching opportunities. Learn more by joining INAEYC on Wednesday, August 28 for Workforce Wednesday: Career Coaching Opportunities Webinars. You can also learn how to become a Professional Development Trainer or Approved Training Organization in Indiana by registering to join an orientation session.