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Office of Early Childhood & Out-of-School Learning |
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Review CCDF and OMWPK Waitlist Update
The Office of Early Childhood and Out-of-School Learning (OECOSL) has implemented a waitlist for all new applicants seeking Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF) and On My Way Pre-K (OMWPK) vouchers. If you submitted a voucher referral for a child care worker on or after November 20, 2024 using the expanded eligibility for child care workers process, the referral has been added to the CCDF waitlist. When funds become available, the employee will be notified via email to complete an application and submit their documents for enrollment. Children of child care workers are prioritized on the waitlist for voucher assistance.
If the child care worker's income is at or below 150% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL), they do not need a referral. They should instead apply for child care assistance at Early Ed Connect to be placed on the CCDF waitlist.
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Take the 2025 Indiana Head Start Needs Assessment Survey
The Indiana Head Start State Collaboration Office (IHSSCO) and Indiana Head Start Association (IHSA) have partnered with Transform Consulting Group (TCG) to complete the 2025 Indiana Head Start Needs Assessment. Results from this Needs Assessment Survey help guide annual updates to IHSSCO's strategic plan and objectives.
You are invited to complete the survey. Provide input on the needs of Head Start programs and their partners. Have questions about the survey? Email Ashleigh Moon (ashleigh.moon@fssa.in.gov), or Rhett Cecil (rcecil@indianaheadstart.org).
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Stay Up to Date on Pay by Enrollment Updates
If your child care program accepts Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF) or On My Way Pre-K (OMWPK) vouchers, you will receive two 1099s for 2024 taxes if you worked the entire year. This is because Indiana transitioned payment vendors in 2024. One 1099 will be from Conduent (previous vendor), and one will be from Tyler Technologies (current vendor). You must file both 1099s with your taxes. These 1099s will be available before the end of January.
Your program receives 16 paid closures per calendar year, which reset January 1. All paid closure days (16) should be used before selecting any non-paid days, including any closures due to inclement weather.
Looking for more Pay by Enrollment support? Join upcoming webinars from the Office of Early Childhood and Out-of-School Learning (OECOSL) and SPARK Learning Lab. These webinars will cover troubleshooting common attendance and Child Care Management System (CCMS) issues, how to perform roster removals and corrections, checking payments, and auditing and fraud.
Register for upcoming webinars:
For more Pay by Enrollment provider support, call the SPARK Help Desk at 1-800-299-1627. Families can get support by calling Indiana 211 or their local eligibility office.
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Register for Group Coaching
There's only a little time left to join the upcoming round of SPARK Group Coaching opportunities. Group coaching lasts for two to three months and provides an excellent learning environment. Discuss topics relevant to your program with a SPARK Coach and a small group of your peers.
Remaining Registration Deadlines:
- Tuesday, January 14: NAFCC
- Tuesday, January 14: NECPA
- Martes, 14 de enero: NECPA (en Español)
- Wednesday, January 15: Infant Toddler for Facilities
- Wednesday, January 15: Active Supervision for Homes
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Start the New Year with Calm
Begin the new year feeling Calm. SPARK Learning Lab is offering a premium Calm subscription to bring you peace in 2025. Improve your sleep, mindfulness, anxiety, and much more with this subscription.
Eligible individuals must work, own, or volunteer in an Indiana-based early childhood education or out-of-school care program. Fill out this short form and enjoy your no-cost subscription until February 2026.
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Attend Upcoming SPARK Learning Lab Trainings
Explore upcoming training opportunities through SPARK Learning Lab. See a full list of upcoming face-to-face training, live webinars, and live resources, plus read training descriptions and find registration instructions at IndianaSpark.com/training.
In-Person Training
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Get Professional Development Support from INAEYC
The Indiana Association for the Education of Young Children (INAEYC) has several upcoming opportunities for child care providers:
Early Bird Conference Registration: Early bird registration is open until Friday, January 17 for the 2025 Indiana Early Childhood Conference. This event takes place March 28-29 at the Indiana Convention Center. Conference scholarships are available to a limited number of eligible providers. Register for the conference.
- Wednesday, January 15 at 10 a.m. ET or 1:30 p.m. ET | Model Work Standards: Overview and Intro for Early Educators
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Thursday, January 16 from 10 to 11:30 a.m. ET or 1:30 to 3p.m. ET | Taking on Turnover: How's the Weather? Looking At Your Organization's Climate (Part 2)
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Thursday, January 16 at 1 p.m. ET | Indiana Trainer and Training Approval System Orientation
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January 28 at 9 a.m. ET | Indiana Trainer and Training Approval System Orientation
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January 30 from 10 to 11:30 a.m. ET or 1:30 to 3 p.m. ET | Taking on Turnover: Onboarding and Marketing My Program
Indiana AEYC Non-Formal CDA Project: INAEYC is pleased to announce the availability of the Child Development Associate (CDA®) credential courses through the Indiana Non-Formal CDA Project. These courses are being provided at no cost to recipients through funding by the Child Care Development Fund (CCDF) and the Department of Workforce Development (DWD).
Eligible applicants must:
- Be a resident of Indiana who is at least 18 years of age
- Work at least 25 hours per week in Indiana
- Have a current criminal history/background check on file with OECOSL
- Have a High School Diploma or High School Equivalency (HSE)
- Be employed in a licensed childcare center, family childcare home, registered ministry, or certified as a LLEP CCDF provider by OECOSL
Interested in applying? Email pd@inaeyc.org for more information.
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