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Our weekly e-newsletter to providers combines provider resources, stories of interest, exclusive educational opportunities, and grant information. In this issue:
 Babies grow best in stable environments, but for families living in poverty, difficulties feeding, clothing, and maintaining housing for babies can undermine their development. Though assistance can help families bridge the gap, few families who could benefit from the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program’s basic assistance actually receive it, and the persistent effects of racism and sexism in the program’s history continue to contribute to lower allocation of TANF funds to direct assistance in states with higher populations of Black and other families of color.
To inform economic assistance policies, this fact sheet takes a look at TANF in its 25th year and its role in the lives of babies in poverty.
See also: State of Babies Yearbook
 National Breastfeeding Month Social Media Toolkit
While breastfeeding awareness is important year-round, for the month of August, we encourage you to continue promoting breastfeeding education with your networks. In collaboration with Texas Health and Human Services Commission and the Texas Department of State Health Services, we put together this toolkit with social media posts, resources, and graphics to help raise awareness about the importance and benefits of breast milk, while empowering and supporting all mothers in their breastfeeding.
 Join us every 2nd and 4th Tuesday of the month as we explore current, relevant topics based on state trends, featuring PEI speakers and guest experts.
Quality Incentive Project: Phase II
Date: September 21st
Time: 2:00 P.M. - 3:00 P.M. CST
Register
Join us to learn about the next phase for PEI’s Quality Incentive Project. This session is particularly relevant for Texas Home Visiting, HOPES, and FAYS programs.
 To take these courses: Type or paste the course names below 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.
Domestic Violence in Home Visiting (Self-Paced Course)
Domestic violence is a prevalent and recurring issue in home visiting. In this course, you will build your confidence to address domestic violence while working with families as their home visitor. Topics include the impact of violence on family systems, parenting, and child development. Common scenarios and strategies are presented for talking with parents about keeping themselves and their children safe. This course supports you in developing a non-judgmental approach in working with families whose background and circumstances may or may not be differ from your own. Note: This Achieve OnDemand learning experience qualifies for .3 IACET Continuing Education Units (CEUs).
Painless Performance Conversations
A Practical Approach to Critical Day-to-Day Workplace Discussions.
 Grantees can now download a complete list of upcoming trainings on the PEI Learning Hub.
Access the Essentials of Home Visiting Portal free of cost. Use this link to register.
Maintaining Boundaries in Home Visiting for Supervisors
Date: August 31st
Time: 10:00 A.M. - 11:00 A.M. CDT
Register by: August 30th at 10:00 AM CDT
As a supervisor, how can you help home visitors set and maintain boundaries with the families they serve? The discussion will cover self-awareness, challenges home visitors face, and how to support staff. Note: This webinar complements the Supervising Home Visitors self-paced course.
Exploring Values and Beliefs Around Parenting
Date: September 1st
Time: 12:00 P.M. - 1:00 P.M. CDT
Register by: August 31st at 12:00 P.M. CDT
We all come to the table with our own beliefs about parenting. This webinar covers how to acknowledge and monitor those beliefs and address how they may impact the work we do with families. Note: This webinar complements the Foundations of Infant Mental Health in Home Visiting self-paced course.
The Impact of Domestic Violence on Children
Date: September 9th
Time: 10:00 A.M. - 11:00 A.M. CDT
Register by: September 8th at 10:00 A.M. CDT
As a home visitor, how can you help families understand child growth, child development, and how parenting techniques may impact their child's development? This webinar focuses on risk factors, family patterns, and cultural beliefs related to domestic violence. Note: This webinar complements the Domestic Violence in Home Visiting self-paced course.
Matching Family Needs to Resources
Date: September 15th
Time: 12:00 P.M. - 1:00 P.M. CDT
Register by: September 14th at 12:00 P.M. 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. Note: This webinar complements the Foundations of Infant Mental Health in Home Visiting self-paced course.
 Boots on the Ground: Community-Driven Mental Health Care for Military Families
Date: October 1st
Time: 10:00 A.M. - 11:00 A.M. CST
Register
DFPS Chief Prevention and Community Well-Being Officer, Sasha Rasco, is speaking at the Engage & Excel mental health conference, putting policy into practice.
In 2018, more than 500 Texas veterans died from suicide. While about half of all veterans underutilize VA services, the remainder seek care through community health systems. Additionally, veteran family members are increasingly in need of mental health care due to the impacts of military deployment. We’re long overdue for a shift in the response to the mental health needs of veterans and their families, and this session will offer provide ideas on how we can get there. Session attendees will come away with practical knowledge about better integrating military family care into community health systems.
The Role of Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics in Early Diversion: A Group Discussion Webinar
Date: September 1st
Time: 3:00 P.M. CST
Register
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration GAINS Center Date of Event: September 1, 2021 Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics (CCBHCs) have proven to expand timely access to treatment for individuals who are justice involved, by preventing entrance into the criminal justice system, or promptly engaging individuals into treatment upon reentry. This panel discussion and question and answer session will provide an overview of CCBHCs.
Advancing Wellness and Resilience in Education: Schools CAN!
Date: Each Thursday in September
Time: 10:00 A.M. - 1:00 P.M. CST
Register
Join the Texas Education Agency and its planning partners for the Fifth Annual Advancing Behavioral Health Collaboration (ABC) Summit, Advancing Wellness and Resilience in Education: Schools CAN!, hosted virtually throughout the month of September. This summit will be an opportunity to bring together Education Service Centers, district and campus leaders, professional school counselors and educators, school mental health and health professionals, and community partners. The month will highlight information about student mental and behavioral health supports within the Safe and Supportive School Program, showcasing new tools and resources, highlighting best practices from Texas schools, and providing opportunities for design thinking and planning.
 Early Efforts | Supporting Families: COVID and the Future of Home Visiting Programs
Date: September 7th
Time: 1:00 PM CST
Register
COVID-19 has presented both challenges and new opportunities for evidence-based home visiting programs for young children and their families. Join a panel comprised by national home visiting leaders to discuss the impacts of the pandemic and how it may create new opportunities to strengthen service delivery.
FY 2021 Continuum of Care Competition and Noncompetitive Award of Youth Homeless Demonstration Program Renewal and Replacement Grants
The goal of the Youth Homelessness Demonstration Program (YHDP) is to support the development and implementation of a coordinated community approach to preventing and ending youth homelessness and sharing that experience with and mobilizing communities around the country toward the same end. The population to be served by the demonstration program is youth experiencing homelessness, including unaccompanied and pregnant or parenting youth.
Who is eligible to apply?
Visit Grants.gov for more information.
If you have any events or news that you would like to share in the next e-newsletter please email PEINews@dfps.texas.gov
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