|
Our weekly e-newsletter to providers combines grantee resources, stories of interest, exclusive educational opportunities, and grant information. In this issue:
Governor Abbott Launched the “One Pill Kills” Statewide campaign to combat the growing national fentanyl crisis. We are sharing the attached information to help you spread the word in your local communities about fentanyl and provide you with resources. According to the latest information:
- Fentanyl, a synthetic opioid, is the leading killer of Americans between the ages of 18-45.
- More than 2,000 lives were lost to fentanyl in Texas last year.
- Texas has experienced a 500% increase in fentanyl-related deaths since 2019 (according to provisional data from the Texas Department of State Health Services).
- Under Operation Lone Star, Texas law enforcement alone has seized over 380 million lethal doses of fentanyl since 2021—enough to kill every man, woman, and child in America.
Share the QR Code above to spread awareness of Narcan locations in your community, and click the link below to access additional resources for the "One Pill Kills" campaign.
|
 As we head into summer and swimming weather in Texas, we kick off National Water Safety Month in May! We want your help empowering communities with resources and safety tips to help keep Texas children and families safe around water.
We encourage you to promote water safety awareness with your networks not only for the month of May, but year-round, especially in the summer when drowning rates rise. Our goal is to reach as many individuals as possible to equip families with knowledge and resources to support water safety practices in Texas.
Included in this toolkit:
-
Messaging: The sample messaging can be used as is or can be customized in any way that works best for your community. For example, if your agency has specific local resources or if your agency has a specific prevention program, consider replacing some of the links directing to the Get Parenting Tips website with links directing to your program’s information.
-
Images: There are some sample GetParentingTips.com branded social media image designs included in this toolkit that you are free to share on your socials and with your networks.
-
Resources: Additional water safety resources are listed for more info.
 
 We'd love to get your feedback on PEI’s Training. This survey will assist us with planning our training schedule for upcoming years and future PIP conference sessions. Please take a moment to answer a few questions by clicking on the link below:
The survey will close on May 19th.
 In Case You Missed It!
Prevention Across Texas - Showcasing Region 7
PEI is hosting our second Prevention Across Texas series. These webinars will showcase and highlight innovation in prevention from across the state. Members that we are showcasing were selected form the grantee day poster walk. We are excited to have this conversation with 4 members from Region 7 which is comprised of the following programs: CYD, Fatherhood EFFECT, HOPES, and TNFP. Join us to hear about their programs and success stories. Webinar recorded on 3/23/2023.
PIP Learning Series: Fostering Interactions That Build Community
Youth come to our programs with issues on their mind and in their hearts. As we transition back from virtual learning, it is important to rebuild community in the education setting through the creation of safe environments where youth can process their thoughts and feelings. This interactive training will provide participants with strategies for using various types of community circles in a youth program and allow participants to experience participating in them as well. Morning meetings, closing meetings, restorative justice circles and community circles help build strong communities for our youth that create a foundation for healthy social and emotional growth. Presented by Suzy Filardo and Olga Gonzalez. Recorded on 4/13/2023.
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.texas.gov.
As of May 1, 2023, all Achieve OnDemand Self-Paced Course enrollment will NO longer be available in the Texas Learning Hub. You can access and enroll into the Achieve OnDemand self-paced courses through the Start Early, Essentials of Home Visiting learning portal. For questions or to request access for new members, contact PEITraining@dfps.texas.gov
Courses in the PEI Learning Hub remain in a “Pending Evaluation” status until the course evaluation is completed. So, get those evaluations finished!
Essentials of Home Visiting: Trauma for Supervisors: Putting the Pieces Together (Webinar)
Date: May 17th
Time: 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM CDT
Register By: May 16th, 12:00 PM CDT
As a supervisor, how can you support your staff and yourself in an intentional and trauma-informed manner? This webinar discusses the impact of trauma on multiple constituents – children, families, home visitors, supervisors and communities. We also identify common supervisory pitfalls as well as support strategies designed to improve the outcomes of each scenario.
Essentials of Home Visiting: Maintaining Boundaries in Home Visiting for Supervisors (Webinar)
Date: May 23rd
Time: 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM CDT
Register By: May 22nd, 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. This webinar complements the Supervising Home Visitors self-paced course.
As of May 1st, 2023, Achieve on Demand Self-Paced Courses
All Achieve on Demand Self-Paced Courses can be accessed and enrolled through the Start Early, Essentials of Home Visiting learning portal.
Questions?
The Essentials of Home Visiting System Registration
The Essentials of Home Visiting live webinars through the Essentials of Home Visiting Portal are free of cost.
Visit the Essentials of Home Visiting portal.
For questions or to request access for new members, contact: PEITraining@dfps.texas.gov
Standards of Quality Training are happening twice in May!
Texas Family Support Network will be hosting The Standards of Quality for Family Strengthening and Support Training on May 31st and June 1st . If you would like to attend the training, please read the information below and click the link to register for ONE of the trainings
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 called The Standards of Quality for Family Strengthening and Support.
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. The training dates and times are as follows:
May 31st 9:00am to 3:30pm
June 1st 9:00am to 3:00pm.
Register Here
Registration closes on May 23rd
Registration is limited and fills quickly. There is a waitlist, but it is not guaranteed that you will be added to the training - you will be notified via email if you are added to the training. If you have a team of more than 12 people, please reach out to Chelsy Alexander directly at calexander@tacfs.org to discuss other options.
 |
A Café Training is an experiential and highly interactive workshop that prepares participants to convene and conduct Be Strong Families Cafés and to serve as Table/Room Hosts at these Café's.
By the end of the training, participants will know the anatomy of a Be Strong Families Café process, how to create their own Café theme, and how to build on the Café experience to enhance programming for parents and youth. We will discuss the philosophical foundations and research underlying Cafés as an educational and engagement strategy. They will also experience conducting and participating in Cafés.
PEI is providing four locations to attend in-person and four dates to attend virtually.
- In-Person classes are two-day sessions and will train you on how to host an In-Person Parent Café.
- Virtual classes are only for participants who have previously attended an in-person training session and are wanting to learn how to host a virtual Parent Café. The virtual class provides additional tools to support hosting an online Parent Café.
- 30 participants per session.
Houston:
-
June 5th & 6th - In-Person - Register here (This session is at capacity, but you can register for the wait list)
-
June 8th - Virtual Session - Register here
McAllen:
|
 Training Resources for Grantees: PIP Learning Series
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 began in December and has been very successful. We will be hosting a different speaker related to relevant and timely issues on a different subject every other month. One Social Work CE credit/contact hour will be provided for these events after evaluation feedback is received.
Our upcoming webinars include:
- June 8, 2023 "Texas Child Mental Health Consortium: Game Changer in Youth Mental Health” presented by Luanne Southern Registration Link: http://attend.com/TXChildMentalHealth
- Note: There will be one Nursing CNE or one Social Work CEU available for this session after completion and after the evaluation is received.
If you missed any of the previous webinars you can view them on the PEI Learning HUB:
- December 8, 2022- “Moving the Work Upstream: Addressing Disproportionate Representation and Disparate Outcomes” presented by Mosely Hobson and Sheribeth Niehaus
- February 9, 2023- “Keeping them Safe While Your Kids Get Their ZZZs” presented by Kathryn Sibley and Sergio Martinez
- April 13, 2023- “Fostering Interaction That Build Communities” presented by Suzy Filardo and Olga Gonzales
Registration Now Open!
PEIRS 101 for Home Visiting Models
This is a general overview of the PEIRS application and will include a range of important topics for PEIRS data entry. This training is meant for anyone wanting to further enhance their PEIRS knowledge, such as new users who need that first-hand knowledge on getting started with the PEIRS application or any other providers who would like to further refresh their understanding.
Thursday, May 25, 2023, 1:00PM- 2:00PM
Register Here
PEIRS 101 for Non-Home Visiting Enrollment, Data Entry, and Forms
This is a general overview of the PEIRS application and will include a range of important topics for PEIRS data entry. This training is meant for anyone wanting to further enhance their PEIRS knowledge, such as new users who need that first-hand knowledge on getting started with the PEIRS application or any other providers who would like to further refresh their understanding.
Tuesday, May 30, 2023, 1:00PM- 2:00PM
Register Here
Upcoming Trainings
Using PEIRS to Support Quality & Measure Outcomes
Tuesday, Jun 20, 2023, 1:00- 2:00PM
Registration- Coming Soon
CQI: Using PEIRS and a CQI Framework to Improve Outcomes
Tuesday, Jul 25, 2023, 1:00PM- 2:00PM
Registration- Coming Soon
Evaluations: Past, Present, and Future- Grantees
Tuesday, Aug 29, 2023, 1:00PM- 2:00PM
Registration- Coming Soon
Previous Trainings
If you missed any of the previous webinars, you can view them in the PEI Learning HUB.
All Things MIECHV Data! - Tuesday. April 18, 2023
On April 24, the USDA extended the option for Texas WIC clients to redeem alternative brand milk-based formula to ensure WIC families have access to formula. Texas WIC will continue to offer some temporary alternative brands through May 31, 2023 when Enfamil Infant and Enfamil Gentlease are not available.
Because there are not alternative brand equivalents to Enfamil Reguline or Enfamil A.R., patients may seek guidance for other options if these formulas are not available.
Alternative brand flexibilities do not affect therapeutic formulas, such as premature transitional, hypoallergenic or elemental formulas. These may still be requested through the Medical Request for Therapeutic Formulas.
Resources for Health Partners:
If you have questions about available formula, please contact the State Formula Team at: FormulaTeam@hhs.texas.gov
Our 7th Annual Texas Fatherhood Summit will return in person on June 1st in Austin.
After two years of virtual gatherings, the summit will serve as a celebration and exploration of the work that providers, community stakeholders, and partnership state agencies do to support fathers in Texas communities as well as share trends and best practices related to fatherhood specific initiatives.
The overarching goal of the Fatherhood Summit is to build and share a comprehensive approach to supporting Texas fathers and their families. Attendees will return to their communities with energy, resolve and resources to deepen support for fathers across Texas.
We are excited to announce that our keynote speaker will be Dr. Armon Perry. Dr. Perry is a Professor in the Kent School of Social Work at the University of Louisville, Kentucky. His research efforts center on the intrapersonal, interpersonal, and external factors that influence men's involvement in the lives of their children and families, as well as the impact of that involvement on the well-being of the family. The findings of his research have pointed to the tools, resources, and experiences that shape men’s ability to be involved fathers, the role that mothers play in facilitating or truncating fathers’ involvement, and social service providers’ attitudes toward engaging fathers.
|
Registration Closes May 22nd, 2023!
Registration is open for the 2023 Texas Suicide Prevention Symposium happening June 13th-15th virtual or in person in New Braunfels! Network with your colleagues, exhibitors and national, state and local experts.
June 13: Schools, Youth and Higher Education, presented by South Southwest Mental Health Technology Transfer Center
June 14: General Session: presented by Texas Health & Human Services
June 15: Service Members, Veterans and Families, presented by Endeavors
For more information and to register visit the event registration site:
 TNOYS works across the state to strengthen youth services. The TNOYS conference is a valuable opportunity for youth with lived experience, and the professionals who work with and support children, youth, and young adults. Guided by the theme Unearth Your Brilliance, the TNOYS Conference offers dynamic sessions that will equip participants to tap into their strengths, build connections, and learn what's on the cutting edge of youth services.
Registrants can sign up for one or more of the following options:
-
In-Person Conference from June 14- 16 (14 CEUs available): In Houston for 2.5 days of inspiring speakers, 40+ workshops, networking, and fun activities.
-
Pre-Conference Institutes on June 13 (4-6 CEUs available): Full-day (4-6 hour) training sessions in Houston. Please note that separate registration is required.
-
Virtual Day on May 18 (5 CEUs available): A one-day virtual event with a smaller selection of workshops for those who cannot travel to Houston.
You can register for the conference using the Conference Registration Form. To learn more about TNOYS, please check out the TNOYS webpage. Please feel free to share the TNOYS Conference Flier with your team!
Department of Family and Protective Services Prevention and Early Intervention (PEI):
-
State Policy Specialist - Performs highly advanced consulting and technical assistance work for the Prevention and Early Intervention Division including overseeing and managing PEI internal legislative coordination (including analysis, responses and reports, implementation management, and tracking) and helps to develop ad hoc reports and presentations, generates executive communications, and regular reports on major projects, initiatives, and grants.
-
Preschool Development Grant Program Specialist: Provide oversight and support for community-based grantees implementing PEI programs, including providing consultative services and technical assistance throughout the planning and implementation of programs and services.
-
Contract Specialist IV: Performs highly complex (senior-level) grant and contract management work managing PEI contracts, including coordinating, developing, negotiating, monitoring and evaluating a broad range of PEI service and administrative contracts.
Health and Human Services Office of Mental Health Coordination:
-
Program Specialist VI - The Office of Mental Health Coordination has a job opening for a Program Specialist VI. This position will work to coordinate and implement projects under the Texas System of Care grant. For more information, please see the link to the posting below. Feel free to share the posting with anyone who might be interested.
Texas Workforce Commission Child Care and Early Learning (CC&EL):
-
CC&EL Business Analyst: TWC is hiring for two Business Analysts, who will coordinate internal and external projects and grant activities, including a website expansion and cross-agency integrated system planning.
|
