PEI Grantee News Volume 8, Issue 16

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PEI Grantee News
A PEI Newsletter Vol. 8, Issue 16
HNY2022

Welcome to PEI Grantee News!

Our weekly e-newsletter to providers combines provider resources, stories of interest, exclusive educational opportunities, and grant information. In this issue:

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Strengthening Families Social Media Toolkit

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We’re kicking off the new year providing you with tools and resources to help strengthen Texas families! For the month of January, the PEI Communications Team has crafted content designed to give caregivers the tools and resources to help strengthen their families and help children thrive. The content can be shared on your organization’s websites, social media channels, and with your community not only this month, but year-round.

The Strengthening Families Toolkit is compiled using the Five Protective Factors which provide strategies that help us:

  • Re-envision how to strengthen families as a unit
  • Build positive relationships between children and caregivers
  • Mitigate the risks that lead to child abuse and neglect

Click the button below to explore the toolkit and feel free share on your socials and with your networks!

Visit the Strengthening Families Toolkit

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National Mentoring Month

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January is National Mentoring Month and is an exciting time for the mentoring movement, full of opportunities to learn, inspire, connect, and advocate. For ideas on how you can drive meaningful change for young people this month and beyond, check out the resources and opportunities here:

National Mentoring Month

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Essentials of Home Visiting Courses

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Grantees can now download a complete list of upcoming trainings on the PEI Learning Hub

Did you know?

Essentials of Home Visiting Trainings:

  • are approved training opportunities for multiple credentials;
  • are IACET accredited (International Accreditors for Continuing Education and Training); 
  • count towards training requirements to earn and renew a Infant/Early Childhood Mental Health Endorsement® from the Alliance for the Advancement of Infant Mental Health.

Upon completion of the Essentials of Home Visiting learning experiences, participants earn in-service training credits from First3Years Texas. Review this crosswalk, which details The Essentials of Home Visiting trainings that support each Endorsement Knowledge & Skill Area, as well as credit hours a professional may earn upon completion.

Access the Essentials of Home Visiting live webinars through the Essentials of Home Visiting Portal free of cost. 

Use this link to register for any webinars from Start EarlyTM


Understanding Substance Abuse through the Family Lens

Date: January 11th
Time: 12:00 P.M. - 1:00 P.M. CDT
Register by: December 10th at 12:00 P.M. CDT

As a home visitor, how do you intentionally respond to situations where substance abuse is present in the families you support? This webinar discusses ways to recognize a family's values and strengths which can help guide you approach when working with a family impacted by substance abuse. We will also explore how substance abuse affects family dynamics. Note: This webinar complements Challenges in Home Visiting: Substance Abuse self-paced course.

Reflective Supervision

Date: January 14th
Time: 10:00 A.M. - 11:00 A.M. CDT
Register by: January 13th at 12:00 P.M. CDT

The reflective supervision model offers supervisors and staff an opportunity to engage in a collaborative process that involves shared power, clear mutual expectations, and free-flowing communication. This webinar examines the reflective supervision model as a process between the supervisor and staff member that differs from administrative supervision. Administrative supervision is about “the work you do,” and reflective supervision is about “what the work is doing to you.” As a result of this webinar, you will more prepared and confident when participating in reflective supervision with your staff. Note: This webinar complements the Supervising Home Visitors and the Impact of Trauma in Supervising Home Visitors self-paced courses.

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NIMH Director’s Innovation Speaker Series

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Addressing Social Determinants to Optimize Infant Brain Development

Date: January 18th
Time: 2:00 P.M. - 3:00 P.M. CDT 
Register

In this talk, Cynthia Rogers, M.D. will provide an overview of adverse exposures and their influence on child development, discussing exposure to poverty, crime, and pre-and postnatal exposures to psychopathology and substance use. Dr. Rogers will also discuss ongoing longitudinal studies examining the role of social determinants on neonatal brain development, subsequent social-emotional development, and prevention and intervention strategies to optimize child development.

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Central Texas African-American Family Support Conference

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Date: February 3-5, 2022
Register

The CTAASFS conference provides opportunities to learn more about mental health, intellectual and developmental disabilities, substance use disorder and physical health challenges and solutions affecting families in and surrounding Central Texas. The conference is open to professionals of all walks of life and members of the public with lived experience navigating health and social systems. CEUs are available.

Learn more and register online

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Children's Crisis Services Survey

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Background

The Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) has developed a brief survey about children’s mental health services. Specifically the survey is looking at the needs and gaps related to state psychiatric hospital services and community-based services that may reduce the need for state psychiatric hospital services. HHSC will use the survey results to help in future planning for crisis mental health services and service delivery for children up to age 18.

Your expertise is requested

The survey should take less than 10 minutes to complete. Survey responses will remain anonymous. Pursuant to state law, parental consent is required for certain minors to complete the survey. HHSC encourages you to share the survey link with staff, local stakeholders and members of your local communities.

To complete the survey go to:

https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/T37GMF8

The survey will remain open through January 14, 2022

If you have questions about the survey email BHSOMD@hhs.texas.gov or HHS_SHS_Questions@hhs.texas.gov.

For more information about HHSC State Hospital Services click here.

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Funding Opportunity

AmeriCorps

AmeriCorps Texas Planning & Operating Grants Now Available for 2022-2023

Apply for resources to launch & operate an AmeriCorps Texas program in 2022. Grow the reach & impact of your nonprofit, school, or agency by leveraging the power & resources of national service! We are offering new funding opportunities for organizations interested in launching an AmeriCorps program in Texas. Grants are available to support organizations in either planning & development or launching & operating new AmeriCorps programs that engage individuals in direct service to address critical needs across Texas. Notice of Intent to Apply form is due Thursday, March 3, 2022.

Planning Grant Notice of Funding

Planning Grant recipients receive financial support up to $75,000 and OneStar training & resources to develop an AmeriCorps program from September 2022-August 2023. Planning grantees are expected to be better prepared to compete for an AmeriCorps operating grant in the 2023-2024 grant cycle.

APPLY


Operating Grant Notice of Funding

Operating Grant recipients should be prepared to launch an AmeriCorps program with AmeriCorps members starting service in September 2022. All AmeriCorps members must serve solely within Texas. Grant amount awarded is based on the number of AmeriCorps members serving with your program.

APPLY

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Job Opportunities

PEI Parent Partner Position

Do you know a parent that has experience serving on a parent advisory committee, has been a mentor, or who has been active in prevention or other services in your community? If so please share this exciting opportunity!

Our Parent Partner assists PEI in effectively incorporating parent input into the work we do with the families of Texas. The right applicant will offer their skills and expertise to:

- Review and provide guidance to PEI staff in the development of policy,

- Practice and promote family-focused philosophy,

- Assist in integration of new methods and procedures as it relates to parent support,

- Plan, develop, and revise policy and procedures,

- Prepare routine and special reports about the work we’re doing in this area (including presentations!).

Check out the job link and apply today!


PEI Training and Development Specialist Opening

PEI is searching for a Training and Development Specialist to perform advanced (senior-level) training and development work designed to advance the skills and knowledge of the prevention workforce and improve existing trainings. Work involves analyzing training needs, coordinating, and conducting training sessions using a variety of training methods, and developing and evaluating training programs. May plan, assign, and/or prioritize the work of others. Works under limited supervision, with considerable latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment.

See the job link for more info.


PEI Division Administrator for Research and Evaluation

The Prevention and Early Intervention Division is accepting applications for a PEI Division Administrator for Research and Evaluation.

This position helps oversee our data and IT system, evaluation projects, continuous quality improvement work, and deep dives into data to help tell the story of prevention in Texas. Position will supervise six staff and is housed in Austin. Learn more


Office of Court Administration Liaisons

Early Intervention Court Liaisons will develop and nurture relationships withcommunity resources and services that provide support to families, to create and maintain a community system of care for young children and their families. These positions will support the local child protection court and help develop prevention service capacity in targeted communities through connection to local referral networks to better connect and inform families of services available. 

There are three Early Intervention Court Liaison positions available, one in each of the following counties: Bell, Galveston, and Lubbock.

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Cybersecurity Training

All users of the PEIRS application are required to complete an IT cybersecurity training on an annual basis. To meet this requirement, PEI offers a training created and hosted by Texas Health and Human Services. This training is approved by the Department of Information Resources.

Annual Cybersecurity Training

When you arrive on the website, select the option for HHS Information Security/Cybersecurity Training for Contractors FY2022.

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You will see this image next to the training:

If this is your first time using the HHS Learning Portal, you will have to register for a new account before enrolling in the course. Note that this account is different from the HHS Enterprise Portal registration and the DFPS Learning Portal.

Once the training is completed, users should complete the knowledge test, print the completion certificate, and save with other contract compliance documents.

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COVID-19 Information and Resources

It is easier than ever before to get a vaccine, booster, or test. COVID-19 vaccinations and tests are free and require neither identification nor insurance. Sites are busy due to the holidays so tests or vaccines may need to be scheduled ahead of time. 

Residents can locate providers in their area using Vaccines.gov or texting their zip code to 438829 (822862 in Spanish) to find a nearby clinic. Residents can also call 3-1-1 (512-974-2000) for more information regarding COVID-19 testing and vaccinations. 

Visit the Texas DSHS and HHSC websites for more updated statewide COVID-19 information and resources.

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Share Your Work!

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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