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Tuesday, November 16, 2021
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This month, the VDOE is feeling very thankful for all of our early childhood care and education partners. Whether you are a teacher or caregiver, a program leader, a professional support, or otherwise, we appreciate your dedication to keeping Virginia’s young children safe and learning this year!
We know that right now, self-care and attention to mental health is more important than ever. The VDOE recognizes the importance of staff well-being and mental health and will highlight ways to better promote these vital systems strengthening components in future Readiness Connections.
Here are a few resources we would recommend this week:
Thanks for all you do! Take a look below to see the important updates from this week.
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Child Care Centers and Family Day Homes
Apply now for the Child Care Stabilization Grant Program!
VDOE is now accepting applications for the Child Care Stabilization Grant Program, funded by the American Rescue Plan Act. All eligible providers must apply by November 30, even if you received funding through a previous grant program. Find more information about the program, including how to apply, at doe.virginia.gov/childcaregrants.
- The Virginia Early Childhood Foundation has hosted several briefings related to the Child Care Stabilization Grant Program. The recordings are posted online.
Virginia Child Care Scholarship Program - Spring 2022 Application Window
The Virginia Child Care Provider Scholarship Program is available for child care program staff (center-based and family child care). The program pays for 2 classes a semester and there are no out-of-pocket costs for the student upon award. The application period for Spring 2022 classes is open October 15, 2021 through December 1, 2021. To learn more about this program, including how to apply, click here.
Portable Background Checks - Information Coming Soon
Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) works closely with the Office of Background Investigations (OBI) to ensure child care workers are properly screened and to find ways to expedite the process. VDOE and OBI are partnering to implement the new “background check portability” due in January. This new process will be handled manually until the launch of the new child care licensing system (expected to launch during the summer of 2022). More information on the new “portable” child care background check process will be sent to all the child care providers in the near future.
Central Registry Requests (CRS) through the Office of Background Investigations (OBI)
OBI recently received an unprecedented volume of requests for background check processing. Staff are working diligently to handle the high volume and hired additional staff resources last week to assist. At this time, OBI is only expediting CRS search requests that involve foster care, court hearings, adoption or the emergency placement of a child. Please do not submit a status request within 15 days of a submission.
OBI Contacts
Follow up on a request: backgrounds@dss.virginia.gov
Status updates: crs_operations@dss.virginia.gov
Billing: crs_billing@dss.virginia.gov
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Early Childhood Special Education
Correlation Between the Inclusive Classroom Profile (ICP) and Classroom Assessment Scoring System Pre-K (CLASS Pre-K)
The Inclusive Classroom Profile (ICP) complements the Pre-K CLASS by providing a more in-depth look at the strategies that support young children with disabilities in inclusive settings. This document shares the correlation between ICP and CLASS areas, providing examples of what it looks like in the classroom.
New "Virginia Inclusion" Page: A Deeper Look
As seen in last week’s Readiness Connection, we will be looking at the components of the new “Virginia Inclusion” page more closely. This week check out the Participation heading which contains resources related to the topics of Naturalistic Instruction, Embedded Instruction, Systematic Instruction, and Social Interactions.
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VQB5 - Virginia's Unified Measurement and Improvement System
Updated Overview of VQB5 Documents
The VDOE has recently updated the Overview of VQB5 document to reflect the progress that has already been made during Practice Year 1. This two-page overview provides a summary of the Who, What, When, and How questions for the new Unified Virginia Quality Birth to Five System (VQB5). To learn more about VQB5 check out the new VQB5 Overview, which is also available in Spanish.
RFP Announcement: Coordination & Management of External CLASS Observation Audit System
VDOE is looking for a supplier to provide and manage an External CLASS observation & auditing system for VQB5. View the solicitation and virtual pre-proposal conference information for details. To protect the integrity of the procurement, please direct all questions via email to: Ebony.Beaver@doe.virginia.gov.
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Early Learning Support
Virginia’s Early Childhood Mental Health Consultation (ECMHC) Pilot Has Launched in the Greater Richmond Region
Virginia’s Early Childhood Mental Health Consultation (ECMHC) Pilot launched this month in the Greater Richmond Region. ECMHC is an intervention strategy that aims to promote young children’s social-emotional development and mental health well-being. Visit the VDOE Early Childhood Standards, Curriculum and Instruction webpage (ECMHC section) for more details about the pilot.
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