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Welcome to the November edition of the Head Start Collaboration
Office (HSCO) newsletter! This last month, the HSCO has focused on professional
development systems development, building capacity for infants and toddlers in
our state, as well as listening to a variety of stakeholders to gain input and
ideas on the HSCO priority areas for the baseline application narrative. As
always, being out in communities across the state and listening to partners is
a vital reminder of the great work we’re all doing. There are many
opportunities to strengthen the foundation for all children and families, and
you are all a part of this important work!
Thank you for your daily presence in the lives of children and
families across our state.
Thank you,
Caitlin Jensen,
HSCO Administrator
Standards Alignment, State to Local Collaboration, Community Input Early Learning Coalitions Meeting Schedule is now posted. Click the below link to find a community meeting near you!
http://www.del.wa.gov/publications/communications/Alignment%20Input%20Statewide%20Schedule.pdf
A new Early Childhood Education Bachelor of Applied Science
(BAS) program is being developed by North Seattle College, in collaboration
with Seattle Central College. The program would be the first ECE BAS in
Washington, allowing preschool teachers/administrators with an Associate of
Applied Science (AAS) to earn a baccalaureate degree in as little as six
quarters, with all ECE classes held just two nights per week. Classes will be
centrally located and public transit accessible with free parking provided.
Those with Associates or Bachelors in other fields are also eligible. The
degree is currently in the approval process, with a hopeful start date of
January 2016.
All who are interested in continuing their education are
asked to complete a survey, which will help us design the most useful degree
possible, and gives you an opportunity to get further information.
Please click or copy and paste this into your web browser to
complete the survey:
http://webshares.northseattle.edu/nsccsurvey/BAS_ECE_September_2015/Index.htm
For more information, please contact Anne Garrett at (206)
934.4587, or anne.garrett@seattlecolleges.edu
Please join us during either one or both of our planned webinars to discuss the HSCO Baseline Assessment document around the 2015 HSCO Priorities. This document will guide the drafting of the next 5 year grant. Your input is valuable. You can view the document prior to our calls by clicking here:
 Above: Members participate in an icebreaker to learn about one another.
The newly established Parent Advisory Group (PAG) met for the first time last month
in Seattle. The Washington State Department of Early Learning (DEL) has selected
17 parents across the 10 regions of the Early Learning Regional Coalitions as members of the group. The PAG will act as
a sounding board for decisions, ideas and questions that shape the future of DEL
and early learning programs throughout the state.
At the meeting, parents discussed topics including, but not limited
to:
From the parents' perspective, the group
determined what they would like to see happen in Washington for our state's
littlest learners. PAG members are passionate about multiple early learning
topics and expressed the need for:
-
More supports for children with special needs
from the ages of three and five.
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Increase quality and access to early
learning opportunities across the different types of providers, starting at
birth.
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Improved content in early learning
settings.
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Cultural, special health care needs,
promoting social emotional growth, so children have a strong foundation of
healthy positive experiences before and throughout school.
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Supports for mental health, especially
post-partum depression. There are services available for wealthy and low-income
mothers, but not middle income. Provide access to all mothers who need
support.
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Increased transparency and accessibility for
state programs. Citizens understand what they’re paying for and there are no
stigmas around accessing services.
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Access to quality care, no matter where you
live in Washington.
More was discussed during the day-long
retreat in Seattle, and the PAG will continue to provide essential insight for
DEL to produce strong, quality early learning initiatives in the future. Their
next conference call is scheduled for early November.
To learn more about DEL's PAG visit: http://del.wa.gov/development/strengthening/pag.aspx
On
October 19, 2015, the DEL filed two proposed rule making forms with the
Office of the Code Reviser for revisions to the DEL WAC chapters. The rule
proposals:
1.
Create a pilot program to expand the availability of quality,
comprehensive full day, full year early learning opportunities for infants and
toddlers.
2.
Update, streamline, and improve efficiency for the department’s
hearing process and procedures.
Hearings
to receive public comment on the proposed rules will take place in Spokane and
Olympia on November 24 2015, at 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., respectively. See
below for specific public hearings information.
DEL Rules Quick Links
1.
Pilot Program To Expand The Availability Of Quality, Comprehensive Full Day,
Full Year Early Learning Opportunities For Infants And Toddlers
2.
Updates To DEL's Hearing Rules Chapter
To
sign up to receive email notifications for future rule changes click here.
You
can also email
or write the DEL's Rules Coordinator at:
Rules
Coordinator
Washington State Department of Early Learning
P.O. Box 40970
Olympia, WA 98504-0970
Region X partners from the Office of Head Start, Office of Child Care, Training & Technical Assistance, as well as Department of Early Learning Partners are coming together on November 12th at the Tukwila Community Center to learn from the EHS-CC Partners and develop collective approaches to strengthening supports for child care providers who serve infants and toddlers. Last month, Matt Judge, Heather Moss and Caitlin Jensen attended site visits and community meetings with EHS-CC Partnership grantees. Great work is going on and we hope to continue to support and build momentum for these partnerships across the state.
To learn more about the EHS-CC Partnerships sign up for ACF's webinar discussion with presenters Linda K. Smith, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Early Childhood Development; Shannon L. Rudisill, Associate Deputy Assistant Secretary for Early Childhood Development; Blanca Enriquez, Director, Office of Head Start; and Rachel Schumacher, Director, Office of Child Care.
You can register by following the link below:
Moving Forward With the Early Head Start – Child Care Partnerships: Highlights, Lessons Learned, and Early Successes by visiting: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/5665357177564136449
Early Achievers Resources for Head Start
The Department of Early Learning has a webpage with resources specific to Head Start Grantees and Early Achievers. To learn more visit http://www.del.wa.gov/care/qris/EAHeadStartECEAP.aspx
Download
the Latest Version
The updated Head Start
Resources application (app) is now available for your Apple and Android
mobile devices. It is packed with new and improved features. Explore all that
the Early Childhood Learning and Knowledge Center (ECLKC) has to offer. Find
resources, tools, videos, and strategies to prepare children for school and
support families—on the go!
The app offers high
definition with a shorter loading time for all content, including videos.
The updated Policy and
Regulations tab puts the Head Start Program Performance Standards, Fiscal
Regulations, Program Instructions, Information Memorandums, and Head Start
Act right at your fingertips. Each set of standards and requirements is
broken down into sections, making it effortless to find the right information
fast.
Use the Head Start
Center Locator to find the nearest Head Start and Early Head Start centers.
Switch between map and list views to access more information about individual
programs.
Access the App
Download the app for
free from the App Store and Google Play: https://eclkc.ohs.acf.hhs.gov/hslc/customerservice/new-media/mobile-app.html
The ECLKC is a website for the early learning community with the predominant target users being Head Start and Early Head Start grantees. It is a great resource for grantees with areas of focus including Families, Quality Teaching and Learning, Cultural and Linguistic Responsiveness, Early Head Start, Program Management and Fiscal Operations, Health and Parent, Family, and Community Engagement.
Each focus area has multiple resources, videos, webinars and articles you can utilize for operating your Head Start program. You can sign up to receive their newsletters by visiting each section and subscribing. Visit the ELCKC here: http://eclkc.ohs.acf.hhs.gov/hslc
Since 2011, with your help, we have honored 112 men and
women in Washington for the roles they have taken with their families, school
and communities. They have been recognized because they have shown strength,
courage and empathy in their communities. Parenting is a wonderful
learning and discovery process.
Please take a moment to nominate a
parent, primary caregiver or guardian who is working toward building one or
more of the five protective factors. The Five Protective Factors are: Parental Resilience, Social Connection, Knowledge of Parenting and Child Development, Concrete Support in Times of Need, Social and Emotional Competence of Children.
More information on the Strengthening Families website including the nomination
form can be found here:
http://www.del.wa.gov/development/strengthening/work.aspx
Please contact Jenni at Jennifer.Olmstead@del.wa.gov with any questions.
WERA/OSPI Annual Conference
“Learning, Leading, Linking: Promoting Growth for All”
December 9-11, 2015
Hilton Seattle Airport Hotel and Conference Center
Washington Educational Research Association (WERA) and the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) present the WERA/OSPI Annual Conference on December 9-11, 2015 at the Hilton Seattle Airport Hotel and Conference Center. The annual conference is also supported by the National Council for Computer Education (NCCE).
All registrants will automatically receive one year WERA membership as a benefit of registering for the Conference.
Preliminary Breakout Session List
REGISTER NOW to join your colleagues from across the state for this outstanding event. The conference will feature two nationally known keynote speakers, a Pre-Conference day filled with workshops on topics of particular interest, and two days of breakout presentations from educators across the state. There will be presentations of value for teachers, principals, curriculum specialists, central office staff, and post-secondary educators.
PLUS
We continue our focus on PreK-3rd Grade issues with Pre-Conference sessions and many breakout sessions during the conference.
National Council for Computer Education (NCCE) will provide Tech sessions.
CONFERENCE REGISTRATION AWARDS AVAILABLE: The purpose of the 2015 WERA Conference Registration Award is to increase awareness of WERA with preference given to persons from Eastern Washington who have not attended or from Eastern Washington school districts which have been underrepresented at previous conferences. Limited funds available. To apply, complete the 2015 WERA Conference Registration Award nomination form and return before November 18.
Visit www.wera-web.org for further information about Washington Educational Research Association (WERA).
Save The Date
May 4, 5, and 6, 2016 at the Tacoma Convention Center.
The purpose of the IECC Conference is to provide opportunities for families and service providers to come together to learn, share and advocate on behalf of all young children, especially those with developmental delays, disabilities and/or other special health care needs.
Call For Presenters
We are pleased to invite you to submit a proposal to present at the 2016
conference. The IECC Conference is well known within the State of Washington
for providing high quality, evidence based training for families and
professionals working with young children (ages birth to eight) and their
families. For additional information about this premier training opportunity,
visit: http://www.ieccwa.org
Important Deadlines
- We are currently seeking session presenters. Our submission
deadline for presenter proposals is November 15, 2015. To apply online click
here.
- Exhibitors - early bird registration is through March 15, 2016.
To apply online click
here.
Please feel free to share this invitation with your colleagues.
For Questions or More Information visit: http://www.ieccwa.org
The federal Office of
Head Start in Washington, DC has changed location. The new address took
effect Sunday, Nov. 1, 2015. Please send any mail correspondence to:
Office of
Head Start
330 C Street, SW
#4301
Washington, DC 20201
The Office of Head
Start is located within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services,
under the Administration for Children and Families.
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