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Welcome to PEI Provider News! Our weekly e-newsletter to providers combines provider resources, stories of interest, exclusive educational opportunities and grant information.
Coronavirus Guidance from DSHS and the Governor is available online for all Texans as we respond to the pandemic. Information changes weekly; it's a good idea to bookmark this page for the most up-to-date, accurate information on current response efforts.
Help and Hope COVID-19 resource page: Visit HelpAndHope.org to find updated resources for providers and the general public.
Coronavirus Resources for PEI Providers: Information on the COVID-19 virus for providers.
The Center for Violence Prevention has created an 18-week Healthy Relationship Texting Campaign that includes information and national resources about healthy, unhealthy, and abusive relationships. During the COVID-19 pandemic there will be inequities faced by members of our communities, especially those who are isolated. If you or someone you know is in a harmful relationship, please use or share this free resource. To sign up, text the word CONNECT to the short phone number 37420.
The 20th Annual Partners in Prevention Conference is fully virtual, and registration will go live around September 1st.
Conference dates are as follows:
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PIP Conference:
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PIP Grantee Meetings
(formerly known as Pre-Conference day):
- October 27, from 1:00-4:00 p.m.
- October 28, from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Partners in Prevention is the largest annual gathering of prevention and early intervention professionals in Texas. The conference attracts parent educators, youth service providers, civic leaders, policy advocates, researchers and others with a professional interest in child and family well-being, youth development and juvenile justice.
Our 2020 conference theme is Intersections: 20 Years of Navigating Families to Success. We're excited to connect with prevention and early intervention professionals from across Texas as they seek new connections, directions and roadmaps to increase the available opportunities that maximize the potential of the children, youth and families they serve.
As in previous years, each grantee will receive a discount code for up to four free registrations per contract. Any registrations beyond that will cost $75 each, and only if you wish to register more than four people for the conference. There will be no early bird registration discount. Please contact pipcon@austin.utexas.edu if you have any questions. We look forward to “seeing you” there!
Partners in Prevention
Conference Prep Webinar
When: Wed, Aug 26, 2020 1:00 P.M - 1:30 PM CDT
Join PEI to receive guidance on conference registration, use of discount codes, Grantee Meeting Day, and more.
Screen time has gone from a distraction to the way we are working, learning and staying in touch. It’s important for families and caregivers to adjust expectations accordingly, understand that all screen time isn’t equal, and realize that screens are helping everyone cope. Working with families to help them cope with screen time during the pandemic? Here's some advice that can help.
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Not all screen time is equal. Online lessons, researching for assignments and talking about homework with classmates are all vital to a successful school day. When school is over, though, put all school items in a box and the laptop on the charger. Build in a 15-minute screen-free break, family walk or other physical activity to help everyone de-stress from the day.
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Safety first in all things. All screens are at risk for abuse. Don't assume that even a school laptop is safe and secure! Talking to your kid about online safety, online bullying and online predators. Cameras and other apps that can record you should be monitored.
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Find out why and how your kids are using screens. Knowing what your kids are enjoying online is the first step. Downloading the apps your children are using and getting comfortable with them is a great way to connect. Interact with them as they use their screens. Ask them about their favorite creators and streamers, or check out a video together.
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When it comes to setting rules, simpler is better. With mindless screen time, like non-educational video games or TikTok videos, use timers and clocks to keep the rules in check. Be flexible but firm over mealtimes and bedtimes (and waking up). Making a house rule that devices go on their chargers one hour before bedtime and one hour after they wake up is a great idea.
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Set an example. Telling a child not to use screens while you're on your phone or laptop sends a very specific message. Be a model for kids. Setting a specific place in the house as a charging station (to see where all the phones/tablets/laptops are) can help the whole family. No phones in bed is great for the whole family, and helps everyone get some sleep.
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Flexibility is key. Right now kids of all ages miss their friends, and phones and laptops are their only way to stay in touch. If they’re interacting with friends, even if they’re playing video games or watching YouTube videos together, consider giving them quite a bit of freedom – especially during these social distancing times.
Be Strong Families is hosting a series of COVID-19 related webinars in English (12:00 p.m.) and Spanish (1:30 p.m.) daily. Check out their website for topics including grieving experiences and expectations, family storytelling workshop, self-care for caregivers, financial resilience, and candid experiences of COVID-19.
For more information email: PEItraining@dfps.state.tx.us.
Internet Safety
Today's technology provides many useful avenues for children’s educational and social development. That same technology has also created an environment of risk for youth. Learning where, when and what children access while on the Internet and helping them to understand potential dangers they may encounter online is imperative for creating a safe environment for our children to learn, play and grow. In this workshop, parents and caregivers will be empowered establish boundaries for children, communicate with youth about risks and how to manage encounters when they occur.
Achieve OnDemand: Ages and Stages Questionnaire-3™ Overview and Best Practices
Children grow and change rapidly. Home visitors can use the Ages and Stages Questionnaire-3 (ASQ-3) as a tool to celebrate how each child is developing and support parents’ role in that growth. A home visitor who stays on schedule for ASQ-3 screenings supports a parent's investment in their child's future and provides ways to encourage next steps in their development. In this course, you will learn how to administer the ASQ in partnership with a parent; score the screening; and talk with parents about potential concerns.
This Achieve OnDemand learning experience qualifies for .3 IACET Continuing Education Units (CEUs). Full completion and/or attendance of the learning experience, a passing score on any post-test(s), and completion of the end of course evaluation are required to be awarded IACET CEUs.
To take the course: Type or paste the course names above into the search bar on the PEI Learning Hub.
• Click on the course and select “request.”
• On your transcript select “launch” to begin.
• When the video is complete, go to "completed" courses in your transcript.
• Select "evaluate" to provide feedback.
For questions, contact PEITraining@dfps.state.tx.us.
Fall is here and school is in session. PEI staff has collected five resources for providers that can help children and families, regardless of what the school day looks like in your community:
PEI has several items for providers to download and use in their communities to help families and children.
The Texas Department of Family and Protective Services has published a detailed Virtual Child Safety Tips Document, which includes signs to look for and contact information if you feel a child may be in danger.
Children's Advocacy Centers of Texas has a variety of resources for parents, teachers and school employees. Download printable guides on Managing Stress For Parents and this Safety Tip Guide For Educators.
Motherly's blog post on defining a successful school year has advice on how to roll with the changes as children return to the classroom (virtual or in-person).
The Department of State Health Services is offering free posters and other promotional materials to guide communities on slowing the spread of COVID-Also, feel free to post and share the social media tools on your Facebook, Instagram and Twitter pages.
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