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Office of Early Childhood & Out-of-School Learning |
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Review the August Town Halls Recap
Indiana's Office of Early Childhood and Out-of-School Learning (OECOSL) recently hosted informational town halls for providers to learn more about key system updates and recent changes to support the early child care and education system. Thank you to those who participated. A recording of the town halls is available here or by clicking the button below.
Key topics discussed in the town halls include:
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Expanded Eligibility to Child Care Assistance for Employees of Licensed or Regulated Child Care Programs: Employees must be referred by their program administrator/supervisor and then complete an application. Applications will be processed, and vouchers will be issued on a first-come, first-served basis by region. Learn about eligibility and any steps you should take before the process opens on September 30.
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On My Way Pre-K (OMWPK) Eligibility for Public Schools: Public/charter schools may now participate in OMWPK and receive a pre-K voucher regardless of Paths to QUALITY™ (PTQ) status. This change is a result of Senate Enrolled Act 2 and does not include private schools. Public/charter schools must comply with CCDF provider eligibility standards and will have the option to apply to be either a Legally Licensed Exempt (LLEP) or a Licensed Center facility. Reimbursement for both facility types will be at PTQ Level 4. The OMWPK application has been updated to support this new eligibility change. LLEPs can complete the PTQ form through their LLEP consultant. Schools that are licensed as a center currently will contact pre-k@fssa.in.gov for assistance.
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The Indiana Student Performance Readiness and Observation of Understanding Tool (ISPROUT): The ISPROUT is part of a pilot early learning assessment system from the Indiana Department of Education (IDOE). You can opt in to use this tool based on the age of the children you serve:
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Pay by Enrollment: Stay updated on Pay by Enrollment information and access online support. You can also register to attend upcoming office hours.
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Register for The Growing Brain Training
This training offers a toolkit on how the brain develops and shares ways providers can encourage healthy brain development in children from birth to age 5. SPARK Learning Lab's Mental Health and Wellness Early Childhood Consultant, Tanika Phinisee, is hosting this training.
Providers will learn how to:
- Understand brain development architecture and neurobiology
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Support language, cognition, prosocial behavior, and social-emotional development
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Reduce toxic stress that can negatively influence brain development in very young children
Part 1 for this training is from 6 to 7:30 p.m. ET this Thursday, September 5. Part 2 is from 6 to 7:30 p.m. ET on September 19. Sign in to your I-LEAD account and navigate to Indiana Learning Paths to register.
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Use the Indiana Educator Job Board
Save time and resources by using the Indiana Educator Job Board as a tool in your hiring process. A partnership of the Office of Early Childhood and Out-of-School Learning (OECOSL) and the Indiana Department of Education (IDOE), the job board offers a stronger overall hiring pool of educators for children from birth to grade 12.
A job board account gives you free access to an applicant tracking system. This system automatically posts your open positions to Indeed, ZipRecruiter, and other third-party job boards while consolidating all candidate information into one place. It's simple to sign up and begin using the job board.
Have questions about posting openings on the Indiana Educator Job Board? Join Dr. Kristin Trostel and Matt Scholfield from Nimble for open office hours from 12 to 1 p.m. ET on Wednesday, September 4 or September 11.
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Get Training and Support Through INAEYC
Gain provider coaching, program support, and professional development through the Indiana Association for the Education of Young Children (INAEYC). These opportunities include:
INAEYC Non-Formal CDA Project Now Accepting Applications: Child Development Associate (CDA®) credential courses are now available through the Indiana Non-Formal CDA Project. These courses are provided at no-cost to recipients through funding by The Child Care Development Fund (CCDF) and the Department of Workforce Development (DWD).
The project is recruiting providers that work in the following counties with openings:
- Monroe and surrounding counties
- Parke and surrounding counties
- Jennings and surrounding counties
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Washington, Scott, Clark, Floyd, Harrison, and Crawford counties
Career Coaching and Approved Trainer Opportunities: Program leaders can contact a Workforce Coordinator for career coaching to implement professional development plans with staff, pursue higher education, or take the next step in their careers. Learn how to become a Professional Development Trainer or Approved Training Organization in Indiana by registering to join one of the two upcoming orientations:
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Share Your Thoughts for a Chance to Win a Tablet
- Early Care and Education (ECE) program leaders
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Program teachers
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Caregiving staff
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ECE system partners
By completing the 15-minute survey, you will be entered to win an 11-inch tablet from the TECH Connect program by SPARK Learning Lab. We appreciate your time and feedback.
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Ahora es tu oportunidad de influir en futuros entrenamientos
Sólo quedan unos días para completar la encuesta de Evaluación de las Necesidades de Desarrollo Profesional (DP) 2024. Sus opiniones son cruciales para ayudar a SPARK Learning Lab y a Office of Early Childhood and Out-of-School Learning a desarrollar la formación, el apoyo/entrenamiento y los recursos que satisfagan sus necesidades, especialmente en el ámbito empresarial y tecnológico.
¿Quién puede realizar la encuesta?
- Líderes del programa de Cuidado y Educación Temprana (ECE)
- Profesores del programa
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Personal de cuidado
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Socios del sistema de ECE
Recuerde que participar le da la oportunidad de ganar una tableta de 11 pulgadas del programa TECH Connect de SPARK Learning Lab.
Get Pay by Enrollment Assistance
If you 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:
Important reminders for providers with active vouchers:
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You will still be paid for your first missed attendance submission. However, payment will not continue until all missing attendance has been submitted. Attendance periods must be submitted in order of occurrence.
- To submit attendance, you must select the 'Submit' button in either the provider portal or your Child Care Management System (CCMS).
- Roster clean-up must be done every two weeks before submitting that attendance period. Do not submit attendance that you know is incorrect.
- Payment details will always be posted on Wednesday afternoons during the pay week. Deposits will be made on Thursdays. View the 2024 payment schedule.
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For instructions on how to view your payment details, review the Provider Quick Guide. The only person who can see the payment details is the person who registered the banking information. A PDF copy can be saved or printed.
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In addition to submitting absences in the provider portal, you must keep a backup attendance method (CCMS, electronic tracking, or paper sign-in sheets with parent signature) for up to three years. This does not include food program menus.
- Providers will now have 16 paid closures per year. This is an increase from the original 11 paid closures per year.
Contact the SPARK Help Desk for more support by calling 1-800-299-1627.
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Join the Go NAPSACC Collaborative for ECE Leaders
Earn six training clock hours and receive a Lakeshore® materials kit for your program by joining the upcoming Breastfeeding and Infant Feeding Go NAPSACC Collaborative with SPARK Learning Lab, starting the week of September 30.
The collaborative will include:
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Learning sessions: Engage in discussions and activities centered around the Go NAPSACC online tool's learning modules.
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Action periods: Explore the practical application of strategies using the Go NAPSACC tool to assess current practices, educate staff, and implement changes to promote healthy habits.
Space is limited. Complete an interest form to join this collaborative learning opportunity with ECE program leaders and learn how to foster healthy habits in early childhood settings. Take this opportunity to enhance your program and improve the well-being of the children in your care.
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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.
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