Hello From The HSCO

Standards Alignment Community Input Portal Now Open For Public Comment

Dear Community Members, Partners and Colleagues,

In summer 2015 the Legislature passed the Early Start Act, historic legislation that supports the state early learning mixed-delivery system, strives to improve children outcomes, and calls for enhancement of quality early learning services. For the last two months Department of Early Learning in collaboration with Thrive Washington, Early Learning Regional Coalitions, and Child Care Aware has been collecting a Standards Alignment Community Input to support and influence one of the Early Start Act mandates – alignment of the licensing and ECEAP standards within the Early Achievers Framework. The Regional Early Learning Coalitions had organized and facilitated 22 meetings around our state collecting a community standards alignment input.

The Alignment Community Input Portal is providing an opportunity for all members of the community to share their standards alignment input.

The portal is open from December 21st, 2015 to January 29th, 2016.

Your insight and recommendations are invaluable.  This is very challenging work for everyone involved, and your input matters. 

Getting your questions, your recommendations and most importantly your solutions makes all the difference.

Please use this link to access the Alignment Community Input Portal - www.del.wa.gov/government/EarlyStartAct/Alignment.aspx.

Early Achievers Orientation- January 21, 2016

Minnette Mason, our Early Achievers Integration Specialist, is offering an Early Achievers Orientation webinar on January 21, 2016, at 1:30 p.m. You can register by clicking here. This orientation is an overview of Early Achievers, including the components covered in the rating, and the role of the Head Start grantee. Participants will gain a deeper understanding of Washington’s quality rating and improvement system (QRIS) and also have an opportunity for Q & A. Attending an orientation is required for those assigned as the Primary QRIS contact; but the information provided is helpful to anyone who wants to know more about Early Achievers. Minnette’s role at DEL is to assist Head Start grantees or ECEAP contractors who must enroll in Early Achievers. She also provides guidance to participants who are seeking resources as they prepare for rating.

For More Questions or to learn more about Head Start and Early Achievers, please contact Minnette.Mason@del.wa.gov

Early Literacy Summit

When Struggling Readers Thrive, Dreams Come True

Jan. 22-23, 2016  |  Portland  | Oregon Convention Center

Is your team working on supporting strategic reading instruction for struggling students? Are you looking for strategies to share with parents and communities to grow students’ literacy skills? Are you working on how new assessments “make sense” with students’ growth in literacy? This summit is for you.

This conference brings together international and nationally-known experts in teaching reading and writing to young children. Learn about the latest research, proven strategies, and cutting-edge innovations at the classroom, school, and system-level. 

There is a special "summit within a summit" for full-day kindergarten teachers on Jan. 23 at the Benson Hotel. 

This event is just around the corner! Register today!

DEL Files Permanent Rules to Allow for the Early Head Start - Child Care Partnership Slots Pilot Program

DEL filed a permanent rule making order on November 25, 2015, to create a pilot program that expands the availability of quality, comprehensive full day and full year early learning opportunities for infants and toddlers. These rules became effective on December 26, 2015.

Learn more here:

Filed Permanent Rules - WAC 170-290

Concise Explanatory Statement

Early Start Act New Rules Under Development

New rules will become effective in the coming weeks. Here is a brief description and web link to more information about each of the new rules. Please feel free to share this information.

Rules Effective Saturday, January 16, 2016

1. On December 16, 2015, the department filed permanent rules removing the term “nonsectarian” from the Early Childhood Education and Assistance Program (ECEAP) rules in order to align the chapter with the Early Start Act. The rulemaking also created an “eligible organizations” definition to describe the type of providers who may apply to become ECEAP contractors. Read more about it here. 

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

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

Early Achievers - Outreach Toolkit for Participants

Joining Early Achievers and working toward a quality level of excellence is worth celebrating! DEL and Child Care Aware of Eastern Washington have partnered to create outreach toolkits for Early Achievers participants. The customizable marketing materials below will help Early Achievers participants share information and celebrate your quality improvement activities with different audiences: current and future families, media, and your community. If you have questions about how to use any of these materials—or suggestions for other materials that would be useful — email DEL or contact your local Child Care Aware of Washington office.

http://del.wa.gov/care/qris/outreach/EAOutreachToolkit.aspx

Updates to Immunization Requirements for Child Care and Preschool

Thank you very much for your efforts to make sure children in your care are well immunized. The new immunization requirements for child care and preschool have been updated for 2016-2017. Here are links to the charts showing the immunization requirements. There is a simpler chart for parents and a detailed chart for providers:

• Parent chart (English) 
• Child care providers

There are no changes to the immunization requirements from the current year. Additional resources can be found on our vaccine requirements web page. If you have any questions, please send an email to oicpschools@doh.wa.gov.

Thank you!

Are You a Head Start or Child Care Provider in Need of Health Insurance?

Now’s your chance to sign up for affordable health insurance. Open Enrollment happens once each year. This year’s Open Enrollment runs from November 1 through January 31. Health insurance can help you stay healthy so that you can take good care of yourself, your family, and the children who are counting on you.

 What you need to know:

• The Marketplace helps uninsured people find affordable health coverage.

• Getting covered is easier than ever. Every year, the process of signing up for coverage gets simpler, and financial help is available. You may qualify for:

• Private insurance plans. Most people can find health insurance plans available for $75 or less per month. You may qualify for lower costs based on your household size and income. Plans cover essential health benefits, pre-existing conditions, and preventive care.

• Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP). These programs cover millions of families with limited income, disabilities, and other circumstances.

• Go to www.HealthCare.gov to learn about how the Marketplace works and how to get insurance.

• If you already have health insurance and want to choose a new plan based on your needs and budget, you have until January 31, 2016, to enroll for new coverage.

• Free help is available. Get answers to your questions by contacting our trained professionals for free and confidential assistance. Call 1-800-318-2596 or find free in-person help in your community by visiting LocalHelp.HealthCare.gov.

Ready to apply and enroll or have questions?

• Visit HealthCare.gov or call 1-800-318-2596, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Good news for those who work with Head Start and ECEAP programs: More children will be tested for lead under lawsuit settlement

Under a lawsuit settlement, all Washington children covered by Medicaid will be eligible for lead-poisoning testing if their parents request it — or if they live in old buildings, are recent immigrants or face other exposure risks.

To read more visit: http://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/health/more-children-will-be-tested-for-lead-under-lawsuit-settlement/

Is your area at a high risk for being exposed to Lead?

The state Department of Health also unveiled an online map that allows residents to determine the relative risk from lead in their neighborhoods.

Let's Move! Child Care Breastfeeding Support FREE Online Training Course

Free online STARS training course

http://depts.washington.edu/uwcphn/work/ece/lmccbfs_module.shtml

Let’s Move! Child Care: Breastfeeding Support is a training course for early childhood professionals about how to support breastfeeding moms and babies and the benefits of doing so. The training was developed and is maintained by state-approved trainers at the University of Washington Center for Public Health Nutrition. The material in this training has been adapted from the national Let’s Move! Child Care training on infant feeding. Participants who complete the training

will earn 1 STARS continuing education credit in Health, Safety & Nutrition.

By the end of this training, participants will be able to:

1. Explain how breastfeeding affects health and why it is important for child care programs to support

breastfeeding moms and babies.

2. Describe the evidence-based best practices to support breastfeeding in child care.

3. Apply new strategies to improve breastfeeding practices and policies in your child care program.

4. Talk to parents about the feeding environment you provide for infants in your care. work/ece.shtml

Trainings, tools, & publications to support healthy eating and active play in early learning environments

This online training is made freely available to early childhood professionals thanks to support from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Washington State Department of Health.

http://depts.washington.edu/uwcphn/work/ece.shtml

2016 Unsung Hero Nominations Needed

Please help us spread the word about our Unsung Hero campaign that will be taking place during the month of February 2016.

The Strengthening Families Team needs your help—they need more nominations for 2016 Unsung Heroes.  Since 2011, we have honored 112 men and women in Washington for the roles they have taken with their families, school and communities.  We know there are more unsung heroes that need to be recognized for the work they do with children.  Please take a moment to nominate a parent, primary caregiver or guardian today.

Nomination forms must be turned in by January 4, 2016.  More information on our website including the nomination form can be found here:

http://www.del.wa.gov/development/strengthening/work.aspx

Head Start and Early Head Start Economic Mobility Week Webinar Series and Virtual Resource Fair

Feb. 22 - 25, 2016

Register Online Now!

Supporting families’ financial security and economic well-being is not new to Head Start. Let’s recommit to this important part of our family partnership work. Please join the Office of Head Start (OHS), national experts, and Head Start and Early Head Start programs as we highlight successes and examine the challenges in supporting family financial stability and employment, training and education, and career opportunities.

Who Should Participate?

This webinar series will benefit an array of audiences, including: Head Start and Early Head Start directors, managers, and parent leaders; T/TA providers; and early childhood leaders who support child and family progress.

How to Register

Space is limited. If you would like to register for the webinars and virtual resource fair, please complete each registration separately. We encourage you to register for all of the week’s events.

Webinar Series and Virtual Resource Fair

Webinar 1: Building Foundations for Economic Mobility
Tuesday, Feb. 23, 2016
3-4 p.m. EST
Register Now!

Webinar 2: Building Foundations to Increase Family Financial Knowledge and Capability
Wednesday, Feb. 24, 2015
3-4 p.m. EST
 Register Now!

Webinar 3: Building Foundations for Parent Employment, Education, and Career Aspirations
Thursday, Feb. 25, 2016
3-4 p.m. EST
Register Now!

Building Foundations Virtual Resource Fair and Networking
Friday, Feb. 26, 2016
3-3:45 p.m. EST
Register Now!

Questions?

For more information, please contact us at PFCE@eclkc.info or call (toll-free) 1-866-763-6481.

Measuring What Matters: Using Data to Support Family Progress

Now available on the ECLKC!

The National Center on Parent, Family, and Community Engagement (NCPFCE) is pleased to share the Measuring What Matters Series. Find resources designed to help staff partner with families. Learn how to use data to support family progress and strengthen efforts to provide quality services for children and families. Find all available series resources under Family Progress on the Using Data for Family and Program Progress page.

New! Tracking Progress in Early Care and Education: Program, Staff, and Family Measurement Tools

Families who are safe and healthy, with strong relationships and adequate financial resources are in a good position to help their young children learn and thrive. Explore examples of measurement tools to help you partner with families and build on their strengths. Programs can use results to identify possible support services, make appropriate referrals, and set program goals or objectives. Also available in an At-a- Glance version.

Measuring What Matters: Exercises in Data Management

Explore this series to learn how to use data more effectively in your work with children and families. These resources will help you support family progress. Use them to strengthen your efforts to provide quality services using the four data activities: Prepare, Collect, Aggregate and Analyze, and Use and Share.

Career Opportunities

Position: Assistant Site Supervisor
Location: Highline Early Learning Center
1 Regular, Full-Time position: 37.5 hours/week

Children's Home Society of Washington (CHSW) boasts one of Washington State's most robust child and family service networks, and protects, educates, and counsels thousands of children every year. Our mission is to develop healthy children, create strong families, build engaged communities, and speak and advocate for children.

Located on the Highline Community College campus, our Highline Early Learning Center offers preschool, Early Head Start, Head Start and Early Childhood Education and Assistance Program (ECEAP) programs. Children receive high-quality early learning in the areas of social and emotional development, cognitive and language skills, as well as creative arts, music, and exposure to a variety of cultures and languages. Trained professionals work individually and in group settings with your child to help them meet their developmental milestones and prepare them for success in school, and life. 

The parent is recognized as the child's primary teacher, so we strive to keep parents involved in their child's development while encouraging parent/child interactions. On-site parent discussion rooms are available where educators and parents meet regularly to discuss the progress and needs of the child. The center serves the surrounding community and is also available for the children of students, staff, and faculty at Highline Community College, and is accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children. 

The Assistant Site Supervisor is responsible for assisting in overall operations of the Early Learning Center. S/he assists in providing orientation and training of new employees, volunteers, practicum, and work-study students. S/he assists in creating individual training plans. The Assistant Site Supervisor facilitates meetings with staff and parents. S/he ensures compliance with Head Start Performance Standards, NAEYC Standards, State child care licensing requirements and other federal/state laws and regulations. S/he assists in creating and maintaining partnerships with the college administration, educational program department heads and staff, and support staff.

Qualifications
• Bachelor's degree with an emphasis in Early Childhood Education
• Two years' experience in a comprehensive ECE classroom or related setting
• Or; a combination of education and experience that demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and abilities required
• Two years of supervisory experience

Benefits include medical, dental, vision, and 401k options as well as paid sick, personal holiday, and vacation time.

For a full job description, please visit our application page at:
Assistant Site Supervisor

For a complete list of open positions please visit our job webpage at:
CHSW Job Board

The Department of Early Learning (DEL), in partnership with the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) and Thrive by Five Washington, published the Early Learning and Development Guidelines (guidelines) for children from birth through third grade. The guidelines replace the Early Learning and Development Benchmarks, which were first created in 2005 to outline what children know and are able to do at different stages of their development. The Guidelines are available in English and Spanish. Download an electronic copy here. Hard copies of the Guidelines are free of charge, but people who order are responsible to pay for handling and shipping. Order them at myprint.wa.gov

Contact Us!

We're on the web! www.del.wa.gov/partnerships/head-start

If you have suggestions for future newsletter topics or feedback/questions regarding any of the HSSCO's activities, please contact DEL's HSSCO Project Coordinator April Messenger at (360) 725-3517 or April.Messenger@del.wa.gov

We spotlight programs that are doing special events or initiatives in our newsletters. If you know of a program that deserves a spotlight, please email us!