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Our weekly e-newsletter to providers combines grantee resources, stories of interest, exclusive educational opportunities, and grant information. In this issue:
 
PEI Grantees have access to a treasure trove of resources online. Here's a list for you to explore.
 Social Media Toolkits
PEI offers a variety of social media banks and messaging that you are welcome to download, use, and share year round. Toolkits are updated regularly with new information each year. Adapt and use them on Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, Twitter, and LinkedIn!
Program Descriptions
Detailed explanations about each of our programs can be found online at our PEI Program Hub. Check out our service maps, standards of measurement, and more.
Community Toolkit
Understanding that there is no “one size fits all” approach for supporting all Texas communities, this toolkit is intended to offer a range of resources to support a collaborative approach to developing strategies that align the prevention of child maltreatment and the promotion of positive outcomes for Texas children, youth, and families.
Volunteer and Service Projects Hub
Do you have volunteers seeking their next project? Check out the DFPS Volunteer Hub! There are projects needing helping hands in every corner of Texas. Explore the Hub
 The Texas Health and Human Services Commission is launching Niños Sanos de Texas (Healthy Texas Kids), a new YouTube channel for Spanish-speaking children. The made-for-kids videos include topics like improving nutrition, physical health, and boosting physical activity.
Developed by the Texas WIC program, Niños Sanos de Texas includes videos of fun dances and indoor and outdoor activities, featuring Zobey, a friendly purple puppet who loves to dance and play with friends. Previously, the Spanish language videos were combined with the English language videos on Healthy Texas Kids YouTube channel. Separating the channels into English and Spanish will make the content easier for parents and kids to find.
 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'.
Spark Training: Adolescent Brain Development
This training, developed by the Adolescent Health Initiative at the University of Michigan and adapted by the Texas Dept. of Family and Protective Services, discusses how knowledge of adolescent brain development can inform the work we do with teens and help us approach them in a sensitive and developmentally-appropriate manner to best meet their needs.
To take these courses: 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.
 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
Estar Presentes para las Familias
Date: November 10th
Time: 12:00 P.M. - 1:00 P.M. CST
Register By: November 9th, 12:00 P.M. CST
¿Qué impacto tienen nuestros valores y experiencias personales en el trabajo que hacemos? Se tratarán las cualidades de no juzgar, de estar presente y de escuchar activamente, así como algunas barreras potenciales que impiden escuchar activamente. Este ciber seminario, complementa el curso autodirigido Fundamentos de las Visitas a Hogares.
The Cultural Iceberg: A Deeper Dive
Date: November 16th
Time: 12:00 P.M. - 1:00 P.M. CST
Register By: November 15th, 12:00 P.M. CST
This webinar will explore the values and beliefs that contribute to child-rearing and parenting that require sensitive exploration of and genuine respect for when culture of the family differs from the culture of the home visitor. The majority of these values and beliefs are below the surface of what is seen, felt, and heard by the home visitor. By having an awareness and consideration of these values and beliefs, home visitors can support families in increasing the benefits families receive from home visits.
 Date: November 30th and December 1st (this is a 2-day training)
Time: 9:00 A.M. - 3:30 P.M. CST
Register By: November 16th
Based on the Principles of Family Support Practice and the Strengthening Families Framework and its research-based evidence-informed 5 Protective Factors, the National Family Support Network has created a common language across different kinds of Family Strengthening and Family Support programs such as Family Resource Centers, home visiting programs, and child development programs.
This two-day virtual certification training details how the Standards can enhance work with families. Whether you are setting up a new program or strengthening an existing one, the Standards provide a blueprint for implementing best practice. Participants who complete the full 2-day session will receive a certificate from the National Family Support Network that is valid for two years.
All participants will have a manual mailed to you a week prior to training. Please make sure all mailing information is correct prior to submitting your registration. Spots are limited and registration fills quickly!
Please reach out to Chelsy Alexander (calexander@tacfs.org) with any questions!
 Date: December 8th
Time: 9:00 A.M. - 10:00 A.M. CST
Register
Partners in Prevention isn't just a once a year conference - it's a year round call for action and collaboration.
Our new Partners in Prevention Learning Series will begin in December. We will be hosting a different speaker related to relevant and timely issues on a different subject every other month. One (1) Social Work CE credit/contact hour will be provided for this event after evaluation feedback is received.
Our first topic is Moving the Work Upstream: Addressing Disproportionate Representation and Disparate Outcomes. Our featured speakers will be Mosley Hobson and Sharibeth Niehaus with the Office for Addressing Disproportionality and Disparities.
Date: November 8th
Time: 3:30 P.M. - 5:00 P.M. CST
Register
In the Fall of 2021, TexProtects electronically “traveled” to eight different areas, including the Rio Grande Valley, to find out how we could best serve families and safeguard children. Our legislative priorities for the 88th Legislative Session were shaped by this crucial information. This fall, we are going back to the Rio Grande Valley and working with Easterseals Rio Grande Valley once more to reveal this legislative agenda, participate in additional conversations, gather new information, and encourage continued partnerships to get these efforts across the finish line.
TexProtects is honored to partner with Easterseals Rio Grande Valley, as they are dedicated to serving families with young children to provide critical early intervention and early support services that partner with families to provide the skills, information, and support needed to ensure young children have a good start in life.
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Date: November 10th
Time: 12:00 P.M. CST
Register
The research is clear. When children at various stages of CPS involvement are placed with relatives – who often step up to provide care – there are better outcomes. However, as it stands, relatives are not given the same support as other caregivers in Texas. This Session, Texas must ensure that every caregiver, no matter where the child is placed, has adequate support to meet the child’s needs.
Join a panel of child welfare experts featuring Judge Delia Gonzales, Mercedes Bristol and Kerrie Judice for a discussion on:
- The state of kinship care in Texas
- Solutions to advocate for in the upcoming session
- How these solutions would be a game-changer for Texas’ over-capacitated foster care system
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 Date: November 18th
Time: 10:00 A.M. - 11:30 A.M. CST
Register
Join the HHSC Office of Disability Prevention for Children for a live webinar on preventing injuries in infants and children during the holidays.
While the holidays are a time for joy and celebration for many, injuries or deaths resulting from toys, decorations, and other causes are all too frequent. Presenters will address these issues, as well as practical tips and resources aimed at promoting infant and child injury prevention. Attendees can participate in a fast-paced prevention trivia challenge during the event.
This webinar is intended for parents, providers who work with families, and others caring for infants and children throughout the state. Live captioning and American Sign Language interpretation will be provided.
For questions, email Jay Smith at jay.smith@hhs.texas.gov or call 512-206-5100.
 Date: November 29th - December 1st
Time: 9:00 A.M. - 2:00 P.M. CST
Register Now
The 6th Advancing Behavioral Health Collaboration (ABC) Annual Summit will be held virtually on November 29th, November 30th, and December 1st. Registration is free.
This year’s theme is Integrating School Mental Health to Support the Whole Child. Presentations will focus on ways to elevate and integrate school mental health and wellness to support the whole child by advancing school mental health practices and strengthening community partnerships.
Each of the three days will highlight different levels of tiered integrated students supports including universal, targeted, and intensive interventions. This summit will showcase best practices, shared insights, and provide resources to advance school mental health.
Participation is encouraged for professionals working in education service centers, local education agencies, state agencies, and community organizations who desire to support schools, learn from colleagues, and strengthen student mental health in Texas.
The 2023 Calendars are now available for preorder. 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.
Calendars can be ordered in multiples of 100 with a maximum order of 500.
Thoughts, comments or suggestions to make PEI Grantee News work better for you? Send them to PEInews@dfps.texas.gov!
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