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Tuesday, December 7, 2021
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Welcome to the first full week of December! We are finding it hard to believe how quickly this year has gone by! As we all prepare ourselves for a month full of celebrations, events, and end-of-year wrap-ups, the VDOE wanted to share the following wellness tip for balancing all that is going on.
Wellness Tip: Take Time to Check Your Inner Energy Gauge
“Mindfulness is the basic human ability to be fully present, aware of where we are and what we’re doing, and not overly reactive or overwhelmed by what’s going on around us” (What is Mindfulness: mindful.org). For this month’s wellness highlight, we’re taking cues from Mindfulness Teacher Anna DeLong, LCSW, CEAP. Read her Inner Energy Guide on the VKRP Blog Spot.
We wish you all the start to a happy holiday season!
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Save the Date
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Child Care Centers and Family Day Homes
ARPA Child Care Stabilization Grants: First Quarter Deadline December 10
VDOE is accepting first quarter applications for the Child Care Stabilization Grants through this Friday, December 10. Eligible providers must apply by December 10, 11:59 PM to receive the maximum funding. Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis for the following quarters. More information is available at doe.virginia.gov/childcaregrants. You can also find webinar recordings, resources, and technical assistance opportunities from VECF at www.vecf.org/arpa.
Afterschool Programs: Survey for the Afterschool Alliance
The Afterschool Alliance is conducting a short survey for programs that provide out-of-school time care services (before/ after school and summer breaks) to families. This survey should only take approximately 10 minutes and closes on Sunday, December 12th. By completing this survey, you are helping to document the ways in which the pandemic continues to have short-and long-term effects on your program from Covid-19 and what support your program is providing to the children and families in your community. Click here to start the survey.
Free Online Health and Safety Training for Child Care and Preschool Programs
VDOE partners with the Community College Workforce Alliance to offer two free, self-paced online courses for child care (center-based and family) and preschool programs. Those courses are Child Abuse and Neglect: Recognition and Reporting and Health Screening for Child Care Professionals. These courses are great to include in the orientation process of a new staff member to your program.
Survey for Child Care Providers from UVA
VDOE is working with the University of Virginia to survey all child care providers serving children ages 5 and younger across the Commonwealth. Topics include managing site finances, staffing, and the Child Care Subsidy Program. The survey is voluntary and responses are confidential. Respondents will receive a gift card after completing the survey. Look for an email with a personalized survey link from Daphna Bassock (noreply@surveys.virginia.edu).
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Virginia Preschool Initiative
Late Enrollment for VPI Programs in 2021-2022
The VDOE is pleased to announce all Late Enrollment requests submitted via Fall Verification will be approved for funding for the 2021-2022 school year. More detailed information will be released through a letter to division superintendents, to be released later this month.
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Early Childhood Special Education
LEADS Website Account - Update to Receive Announcements
Are you receiving emails related to the latest updates in Early Childhood Special Education? To be sure, create an account on the LEADS site and check off “Send me timely notices.” This will ensure you join our mailing list and receive the latest email updates, such as the “Resource Recharge” emails, the most recent of which contained important information regarding changes to Indicator 6. Register for an account on the LEADS website.
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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.
Updated Virginia Quality Transition Plan
The VDOE has recently updated the VQ Transition Plan to support current Virginia Quality programs with the overall transition to the new VQB5 system.
Family Survey
UVA is conducting a short, online survey of families with children 0-5 enrolled in VQB5 participating sites to learn about their experiences finding and using ECE programs. Eligible families who complete the Virginia Families with Young Children Survey can enter a raffle to win a $100 gift card! Share the survey link with your VQB5 site’s families today: https://bit.ly/va-family-survey. (Reference UVA IRB-SBS Study #2444)
Early Learning Support
Click here for more information about Early Learning Support.
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ECE Resource Hub Focus of the Month: Fostering Empathy and Supporting Children’s Developing Sense of Self
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