PEI Provider News Volume 7, Issue 8

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PEI Provider News
A PEI Newsletter Volume 7, Issue 8

Welcome to PEI Provider News! Our weekly e-newsletter to providers combines provider resources, stories of interest, exclusive educational opportunities and grant information.



Coronavirus Resources

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 ProvidersInformation on the COVID-19 virus for providers.

Be Strong Families COVID-19 Daily WebinarsBe Strong Families is hosting a free series of webinars in English (12:00pm CDT) and Spanish (1:30pm CDT) 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. 


2021 Prevention Calendars Now Available

Parenting Calendar 2021 Covers

This free family resource is filled with helpful tips for parents and caregivers of children of all ages. It’s available in English and Spanish, and endorsed
by The Texas Pediatric Society.

Order while supplies last! Calendars are shipped in quantities of 100 calendars per box. Shipping is free.


Order 2021 Calendars


Questions? Contact us.


Dating Matters and the Future of Teen Dating Violence Prevention

Dating Matters is an evidence-based teen dating violence prevention model that includes prevention strategies for individuals, peers, families, schools, and neighborhoods. It focuses on teaching 11-14 year old's healthy relationship skills before they start dating and reducing behaviors that increase the risk for dating violence, like substance abuse and sexual risk-taking.

Learn more at the Center for Disease Control Dating Matters homepage.

If you'd like to read an article on this by Katrina J. Debnam & Jeff R. Temple, email PEInews@dfps.state.tx.us.


Register for the 2020 Pediatric Brain Health Summit

The 2020 Pediatric Brain Health Summit, which is online and free to attend on November 5-6, 2020, is part of the Texas Pediatric Brain Health Initiative, a multi-sector, multi-agency collaboration focused on the prenatal to three-year-old developmental window. The purpose of the summit is to focus on building stronger connections between pediatric providers and community-based organizations that provide support and services for families.

Visit the Summit's website to get more information and make sure to register for both days of the Summit!


Connect with the PEI Learning Hub

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Workplace Ethics Made Simple

Raise awareness, provide a framework for ethical decision making, and help create a company that employees can be proud of.

Achieve OnDemand: Foundations of Infant Mental Health Practice in Home Visiting (Self-Paced Course)

Caring about the parent-child relationship is a primary purpose of home visiting with families. By using the power of observation, listening, and inquiry with a family, you activate a parent's learning so they use the same strength-based skills with their child. This course covers critical issues in infant mental health, including brain development and attachment. It provides practical ways home visitors can use observation and listening to strengthen the parent-child relationship. It also incorporates strategies for incorporating reflection to extend the 'learning together.

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 these courses: Type or paste the course names above into the search bar on the PEI Learning Hub:

  1. Click on the course and select “request”
  2. On your transcript select “launch” to begin
  3. When the video is complete, go to "completed" courses in your transcript
  4. Select "evaluate" to provide feedback

For questions, contact PEITraining@dfps.state.tx.us.


The Essentials of Home Visiting

Essentials Home Visiting

Achieve OnDemand is changing its name to The Essentials of Home Visiting. Beginning October 7th, please use this link for any webinars from Start EarlyTM, formerly The Ounce/Achieve OnDemand.

Register for and attend webinars in the Essentials of Home Visiting portal at a cost of $25.00 per webinar session. Note: This training can earn you in-service credits towards Endorsement® from your state’s Infant Mental Health Association if your state is a member of the Alliance for the Advancement of Infant Mental Health®.

Matching Family Needs to Resources

Date: Tuesday October 27th
Time: 12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m. (CST)
Register by Mon, Oct 26th, 2020, 12:00 PM CDT

As a home visitor, it can be challenging to align available resources to the needs of families. This webinar explores how to carry out your role in the infant mental health spectrum and feel confident in connecting families to community resources and supports when the need arises. This webinar complements the Foundations of Infant Mental Health in Home Visiting self-paced course.


Funding Opportunities

The Prevention and Early Intervention (PEI) Division seeks applications to develop and implement:

All requests, questions or other communication about this RFA shall be made in writing to: 

Jennifer Kim, CTCD, CTCM
Health and Human Services Commission 1100 West 49th Street; Mail Code 2020 Building S Austin, TX 78756
Jennifer.Kim@hhs.texas.gov

All communications between Applicants and DFPS staff members concerning the RFA are strictly prohibited, unless noted elsewhere in this RFA. Failure to comply with these requirements may result in disqualification of Applicant's Grant Application. 


State Education Funds for Families of Students with Cognitive Disabilities

Governor Greg Abbott and the Texas Education Agency (TEA) today announced the establishment of the Supplementary Special Education Services (SSES) program to connect eligible students with severe cognitive disabilities with additional support for the critical services they require. The program provides up to $1,500 dollars per eligible student for Texas families to purchase supplementary special education services. Through this funding source, Texas families can purchase supplemental supports such as tutoring, therapy, and digital resources through vendors approved and vetted by TEA.

For more information, please contact the Governor’s Press Office at (512) 463-1826.

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