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Child Care Centers and Family Day Homes
Free Training Opportunities
As a reminder, DOE has partnered with Community College Workforce Alliance (CCWA) to offer two classes at no cost to all providers working in a Virginia child care program:
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Child Abuse and Neglect: Recognition and Reporting; and
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Health Screening for Child Care Professionals, also known as Daily Health Observation Training for Early Childhood Professionals (DHO)
Take advantage of these free opportunities today. More information can be found on the CCWA website.
Virginia Department of Health (VDH) - Recorded Informational Sessions Test to Stay
Virginia Department of Health (VDH) local health districts are actively distributing eMed proctored at-home COVID-19 rapid test kits to child care facilities for diagnostic testing of students, teachers, and staff. Child care facilities are invited to attend VDH Child Care Testing Office Hours on Tuesday, April 26th from 3:30pm - 4pm to ask questions about how to use test kits and implement Test to Stay. Starting May 5th, 2022, Child Care Office Hours will be weekly on Thursdays from 3pm - 4pm. Facilities may drop in to the Office Hours to ask questions during the allotted time. Please register for Office Hours here.
Please visit the VDH Child Care Testing Website for detailed guidance on how to use the test kits and the Test to Stay option for child care facilities.
If you are a child care facility administrator who is interested in receiving test kits from your local health district, please fill out the survey linked here.
Sign-up to Participate in the Early Learning and Development Standards (ELDS) Micro-Credential Pilot - $50 Pilot Completion Stipend Provided!
See information in the below in the Early Learning Supports section or fill out the ELDS Micro-Credential Pilot interest form to learn more.
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Virginia Preschool Initiative
VPI/ECSE Coordinators Meeting on Gap Analysis- Wednesday April 27
VDOE is previewing a new data tool that will help VPI coordinators and other key stakeholders make decisions about access, enrollment, and supply-building in their local communities.
- VPI and ECSE Coordinators are invited to join VDOE staff on Wednesday, April 27, 2022 at 2 PM to learn more about the tool and offer feedback.
- Registration is required. Please register here to join the conversation.
VPI Spring Application- Due May 15
The VDOE has released the VPI Spring Application. This application, released via the Single Sign-On Web System (SSWS) contains all the necessary questions and information needed to apply for VPI for the 2022-2023 School Year. An email was sent to current VPI coordinators that included instructions along with the updated VPI Guidelines and FAQ. Superintendent’s Memo #087-22 was released on April 22 with additional information on the application.
The VDOE will host a webinar to review the VPI Spring Application on May 4:
New VPI Teachers and Teacher Assistants Invited to Participate in Early Learning and Development Standards (ELDS) Micro-Credential Pilot - $50 Pilot Completion Stipend Provided!
See information in the below in the Early Learning Supports section or fill out the ELDS Micro-Credential Pilot interest form to learn more.
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Early Childhood Special Education
Creating Connections to Shining Stars – Keynote Speaker Announced!
Dr. Jim Harris, owner of Opportunities Consulting Services and the Associate Director of the West Virginia Autism Training Center at Marshall University, will deliver the keynote speech at this year’s Creating Connections to Shining Stars. Dr. Harris will focus on children’s developmental needs and how they relate to challenging behavior. The Preconference Day is full, and limited spaces remain for days 2 & 3 of the conference. Virtual registration is open.
VPI/ECSE Coordinators Meeting on Gap Analysis- Wednesday April 27
See information above in the Virginia Preschool Initiative section.
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Head Start
Expanded Categorical Eligibility for Head Start Families
The Office of Head Start issued an Information Memorandum ACF-IM-OHS-22-03 which outlines the inclusion of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits in the interpretation of “public assistance” to determine categorical eligibility for enrollment purposes. This policy is effective immediately and will reduce barriers for families’ equitable access to Head Start. Programs should review their Eligibility, Recruitment, Selection, Enrollment, and Attendance (ERSEA) policies and procedures to ensure they support the new policy change.
Reminder: Notice of Funding Opportunity Now Available for Select Counties
The Department of Health and Human Services has extended the deadline for two new Head Start Notice of Funding Opportunity applications available on Grants.gov totaling $2,102,781 for the following service areas:
Service Area(s)
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Total Funding Available
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Caroline County
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$983,950
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Essex, Lancaster, Northumberland, Richmond, and Westmoreland Counties
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$1,118,831
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Please review eligibility guidelines, and all application packages must be submitted electronically by May 5, 2022. If you have difficulty accessing the full announcement electronically, please contact: Valerie Pels-Kohout at OHSgrants@koniag-gs.com
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VQB5 - Virginia's Unified Measurement and Improvement System
VQB5 Practice Year 2 (2022-2023) - Board of Education Review and Opportunity to Learn More
Last week, the Board of Education received a progress update on VQB5 Practice Year 1 and completed the first review of the Guidelines for VQB5 Practice Year 2. Presentation materials and information shared during the BOE meetings on April 20th and 21st are available on the BOE public meeting website.
Early childhood programs interested in learning more about VQB5, can view this VQB5 Information Flyer which explains the benefits to participating in Practice Year 2, along with the timeline and requirements for the upcoming 2022-2023 practice year.
Early Learning Support
Early Learning and Development Standards (ELDS) Micro-Credential Pilot - Sign Up for Info and $50 Pilot Completion Stipend
VDOE has partnered with the Vinod Chacra IMPACT Lab at Radford University to pilot an ELDS micro-credential. This 5-hour, non-credit bearing, online, self- and competency-based micro-credential will launch this summer. Up to 1,000 birth to five educators will receive a $50 completion stipend (for the pilot only) and professional development credit. Family day home and child care educators will be prioritized for enrollment. Complete the ELDS Introduction Micro-Credential Pilot interest form to learn more.
Interested Programs- Now is theTime to Request Enrollment for the STREAMin3 Curriculum Model
The STREAMin3 curriculum model is an open-source curriculum option available to all publicly-funded birth to five programs in Virginia at low-to-no cost. Request enrollment now! Visit streamin3.org to learn how to get the curriculum.
If you missed the informational webinar earlier this month, view the recording or call the STREAMin3 team with your questions at 855-STRMIN3 (855-787-6463), Monday-Thursday 9AM-3PM.
Start Kindergarten Confident and Prepared with this Amazing Summer At-Home Learning Opportunity!
Waterford Upstart Summer Learning Path is an at-home PreK learning program for children the summer before kindergarten.
Children will love learning with fun activities that teach reading, math, and more—all at no cost! Waterford Upstart Summer Learning Path will provide everything needed to complete the program, including computer and Internet to qualifying families.
The Waterford Upstart Summer Learning Path school readiness program includes:
- Award-winning software
- Independent online activities and resources for off-line practice
- Guidance and tools to help support learning
Click here to learn more! Visit waterford.org/summer or call 888-982-9898 to get started today!
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ECE Resource Hub Focus of the Month: Supporting Children’s Social Problem-Solving Skills
Check Out The Ready B5 Recap!
Click here to view the Inaugural Edition of Ready B5 Reacap, the new Quarterly Newsletter for Early Childhood Care and Education in Virginia.
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