✉️ VDOE Readiness Connections Update: October 29, 2024

Virginia Department of Education sent this bulletin at 10/29/2024 12:00 PM EDT

Tuesday, October 29, 2024

Save the Date

October 30 at 1 p.m. - Webinar: Early Childhood Special Education: Know Your Data. Register

October is Down Syndrome Awareness Month

October is Down Syndrome Awareness Month, a time to celebrate individuals with Down syndrome and promote inclusion. Acknowledge this month by listening to Megan Bomgaars, an individual with Down syndrome, deliver an important and inspiring message: “Don’t Limit Me!” and view resources from the National Down Syndrome Congress and the National Association for Down Syndrome.

Early Childhood Special Education Classrooms Survey is Due November 1

If you oversee ECSE programs, we want to hear from you! Please see the ECSE section below for more details on the Early Childhood Special Education Classrooms Survey: Implementation of Developmental and Supplemental Curricula and Resources.

Virginia Child Care Provider Survey – we want to hear from you!

If you lead a child care center or family day home that serves children ages 0-5, you may be eligible to take a confidential survey that will help us understand how to better support providers. All eligible respondents will receive a $30 gift card after completing the survey!

Our partners at UVA have sent emails with your site’s unique survey link (from noreply@surveys.virginia.edu). Please see the FAQ (www.see-partnerships.com/providersurveyfaq.html) with any questions, or contact our UVA partners at see-partnerships@virginia.edu or 434-297-6882.

Child Care Centers and Family Day Homes

VDOE Child Care Provider Scholarship Program Accepting Applications through November 26 for Spring 2025 Courses

Students seeking a certificate/degree in Early Childhood Development or Montessori Certification may apply for a VDOE Scholarship for APPROVED COURSES at Virginia’s Community Colleges and Certified Montessori Training Programs. Dual-enrolled students are eligible for these scholarship funds as well as those working in (or desiring to work in) early care and education programs. Scholarships are applied toward the cost of in-state tuition and the lifetime maximum award for NEW scholarship accounts is $4,130. Applications for Spring 2025 scholarships will be accepted online through November 26, 2024.

Virginia Preservice Training Feedback Survey – Due November 8

The Office of Child Care Health and Safety hosted a listening session on October 22 in the Peninsula/Eastern region to join in conversation with early childhood professionals and provide the opportunity to share feedback on the Virginia Preservice Training for Child Care Staff. If you were unable to attend and would like to provide feedback on this training, please complete this survey no later than November 8.

Safety Reminder for Fall Celebrations

With fall harvest festivals and Halloween parties underway, the VDOE reminds caregivers and educators to be vigilant about monitoring candy and treats for potential choking hazards. Many candies and other foods can pose choking hazards for young children. Small party favors including plastic rings, erasers, and other holiday trinkets can also be a risk.

Child Care and Lead Poisoning Prevention Webinar Recording Available

On October 22, the Virginia Department of Health Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program offered a webinar to increase lead poisoning prevention awareness in an effort to reduce childhood exposure to lead. This webinar recording, slides and FAQ document are now available for caregivers and parents on the VDH website.

Virginia Preschool Initiative

VPI Fall Verification Open Now - Due November 11

Fall Verification, released via the Single Sign-On Web System (SSWS), contains all the necessary questions and information needed to report for Virginia Preschool Initiative (VPI) for the 2024-2025 school year. In order to support divisions, the VDOE will hosted a technical webinar to review the VPI Fall Verification Report. Fall Verification must be completed in SSWS by November 11.

Early Childhood Special Education

Early Childhood Special Education Classrooms Survey

The VDOE is collecting information to better understand the unique needs in ECSE classrooms through the Early Childhood Special Education Classrooms Survey: Implementation of Developmental and Supplemental Curricula and Resources. The survey includes questions about the use and implementation of core developmental and supplemental curricula and resources used. The individual who serves as ECSE Coordinator or has knowledge of the division’s ECSE program is invited to respond. This survey is for informational purposes only. Please respond by November 1.

Tomorrow: Early Childhood Special Education: Know Your Data Webinar

The VDOE will offer a webinar focused on ECSE data and improving inclusion in Early Childhood Care and Education programs. Participants will receive information related to the most recent data on inclusion in Virginia and implications for improving inclusive practices. This will include Indicator 6 (Early Childhood Placement), Virginia Preschool Initiative (VPI), and Head Start data. This webinar will also offer resources and opportunities for professional development.

Webinar: Early Childhood Special Education: Know Your Data
Date: October 30, 1:00 - 2:00 p.m.
Register

From Myths to Reality: Integrating Assistive Technology into Literacy and Learning Conference

Registration is open for the 2024 TechKnowledgy Conference! During this three-day, in-person conference, participants will not only learn about evidence-based assistive technology with learners of all ages and abilities, but will walk away with skills that equip them to implement these practices in their day-to-day work. This year’s conference features an Early Childhood strand. Anyone who supports young children with disabilities is encouraged to attend.

Event: 2024 TechKnowledgy Conference
Dates: November 18 – 20
Register

Head Start

Head Start Forecasted Grant Funding Opportunities

The Office of Head Start has posted the Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for several communities in Virginia. Applications are available by the grant opportunity number listed below and are due for submission by December 20, 2024. Interested entities or agencies should review the grant opportunities and forward any questions to OHSgrants@koniag-gs.com.

Grant Opportunity Number	Localities	Estimated Funding
HHS-2025-ACF-OHS-HP-0125 Early Head Start Partnerships	Charles City; Gloucester, King William, King and Queen, Middlesex, Mathews, New Kent, and West Point Counties	$1,471,780.00
HHS-2025-ACF-OHS-CH-0124 Head Start and Early Head Start	City of Charlottesville, Albemarle, Fluvanna, Louisa, and Nelson Counties Charles City; Gloucester, King William, King and Queen, Middlesex, Mathews, New Kent, and West Point Counties	$3,443,054.00 $2,111,087.00

VQB5 - Virginia's Unified Measurement and Improvement System

Fall CLASS Observation Window: August 15 - December 22

VQB5 sites are required to complete two types of CLASS observations: local and external observations. This fall all VQB5 classrooms must complete a local CLASS observation coordinated by their Ready Regions, with scores entered in LinkB5 by Dec 22. Additional external CLASS observations will also be completed in some classrooms.

Learn more about local and external CLASS observation requirements on the VQB5 Measuring Quality Interactions webpage.

Online CLASS Observer Trainings (Fall/Winter)

The VDOE is hosting a limited series of virtual CLASS Observer trainings for individuals who work at or support VQB5 child care centers and family day homes. During this virtual training, participants will build an in-depth understanding of the CLASS methodology and prepare to reliably assess teaching quality by focusing on the most important driver of classroom learning: the interactions teachers have with children.

View Training Dates for Infant, Toddler, and Pre-K options.
Contact your Ready Region for the registration code.

Early Learning Support

Save the Dates! STREAMin³ November Training Events

STREAMin³ November professional development events will focus on using formative assessments in the portal to individualize instruction. For more information, explore the Training and Events webpage.

Webinar: November 13 at 1:00 p.m. Register
Live Online: November 26 at 6:00 p.m. Register for English or Spanish session
Office Hours: Every Tuesday from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Pop in to talk with coaches

STREAMin3 Office Hours every Tuesday! Join Coaches from STREAMin3 on Tuesdays for optional office hours for support with STREAMin3 implementation. Spanish-speaking coach available.

Join STREAMin3 Office Hours
Weekly on Tuesdays, 11:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.

Ready B5 Recap Fall Edition is HERE!

Click to view the fall edition of Ready B5 Recap, the Quarterly Newsletter for Early Childhood Care and Education in Virginia.

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