March 2016

Hello From the HSCO!

The Early Childhood Education Career Planning Portal  is now live and available for you! 

The Department of Early Learning (DEL), the Center for Excellence for Careers in Education and the Washington State Board for Community and Technical Colleges (SBCTC) have partnered to release the Early Childhood Education Career Planning Portal.

“Professional development is a key component of enhancing early education in Washington state,” said DEL director Ross Hunter. “The launch of this portal is one way that we hope to make higher educatio

The portal is currently live at ececareers.del.wa.gov. It features early childhood career options with “day-in-the-life” descriptions and position qualifications. Users can easily browse college degrees and certificates, connect directly with college advisors and begin planning career and education goals. Users are also able to navigate the site independently, with an advisor or an Early Achievers coach.

One of the most innovative features of the Early Childhood Education Career Planning Portal is the advanced search function. It allows for a map-view of all educational programs throughout the state—online programs are also listed and described.

Support services are available on the portal, including, scholarship information, links to early learning partners and the professional development division at DEL.

Over the last few years, Professional Development Leadership at DEL and the Center of Excellence for Careers in Education helped to create the portal with the vision that was informed by many early learning partners.  The Career Planning Portal is a tool that can be used independently, with an advisor, with a coach or even a peer-mentor.   Take a few minutes to check it out!

For more information about professional development or the new portal, please contact: MERIT@del.wa.gov.

DEL Welcomes Tleena Ives as Tribal Liaision

DEL is happy to announce the addition of a Tribal Liaison to our team! Tleena Ives began at DEL on February 22. Tleena is an enrolled member of the Port Gamble S’Klallam Tribe and is a descendant of the Colville Confederated Tribes and Suquamish Nation. She comes to DEL with her Bachelor of Arts in Indigenous Education and is a national trainer with Indian Health Services and the National Head Start Family Literacy Center. Tleena has experience with and passion for early education and tribal relations. Please welcome Tleena!

Request for Confidential Client Information Thank you to all who have submitted your information requests for participating in this years' Data Share for potential children who are eligible for Head Start and ECEAP services. We anticipate that you will receive your information by March 15, 2016 via Secure File Transfer. Also, please remember you must: •       Only use the information for recruitment and enrollment purposes for ECEAP and Head Start. •       Keep the information confidential at all times. •       Submit a signed non-disclosure form to DEL for each person who will have access to the information. This form is available at www.del.wa.gov/publications/eceap/docs/NondisclosureForm.doc.   •       Destroy the information after the recruitment period, and submit an original form to DEL verifying that you have done so within 15 days.  DEL will notify you when your information is posted. You must download and save it within 13 days. At that point, it is deleted from the SFT site. The website for the SFT is https://sft.wa.gov/.  If your SFT password has expired, please send a password re-set request to April.Messenger@del.wa.gov

Blue Ribbon Commission on Children and Families

Governor Inslee signed Executive Order 16-03 establishing a Blue Ribbon Commission to explore the creation of a Children and Family Department in Washington State government. DEL will participate on the commission that is tasked with sending the Legislature recommendations for organizational structure, cost estimates, and measurable benchmarks for assessing the effectiveness of the new department.

P-3 Symposium March 10th- Space still available!

2016 4th Annual P-3 Symposium
March 10, 2016 (Thu)
Preliminary Program available
 
7:30 a.m. – 8:30 a.m. Registration
8:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Keynote and Breakout Sessions
Hilton Seattle Airport Hotel and Conference Center
17620 International Blvd., Seattle, WA 98188
 
$150 Registration Fee 
Lunch is included 
FREE clock hours and STARS Hours
Session strands will include leadership, early numeracy, literacy, full-day kindergarten and social emotional; including updates from state and local leaders from the early learning field.
Don’t miss this opportunity to connect with colleagues, share best practices and learn from the work of experts in the early learning community.  This annual event is co-sponsored with OSPI, Department of Early Learning, Thrive Washington, and others.
 
SPACE AVAILABLE - REGISTER NOW

Coaching Corner Webinars

In Coaching Corner webinars, Head Start coaches connect, share ideas, and develop strategies for coaching teachers on practices to improve child outcomes. The recorded webinars and related resources have been archived on the ECLKC for future use.

See “Coaching Corner Webinars” on the “Practice-Based Coaching Key Resources” page - http://eclkc.ohs.acf.hhs.gov/hslc/tta-system/teaching/development/coaching-corner-webinars.html

DEL Standards Alignment

DEL is in the process of creating a single set of standards for child care licensing, Early Achievers, and ECEAP as required by the 2015 Early Start Act. In November and December, state Early Learning Coalitions hosted 22 community input meetings. More than 650 early learning educators representing different services, programs and organizations provided DEL with their valuable input. Click here to learn more about the standards alignment process and the community input or contact Luba Bezborodnikova, DEL Assistant Director for the Early Start Act, at luba.bezborodnikova@del.wa.gov.

More than Songs and Sombreros: Webinar on Dual Language Learners

This webinar, “More than Songs and Sombreros: Incorporating an Emphasis on Dual Language Learners in Your Program,” emphasizes content and evidence-based practices for dual language learners.  March 29, 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.  Register here.

Introducing FREE nutrition and cooking classes in King County!

Eat right when money’s tight. Learn to plan, shop, save & cook. 

A series of four, two-hour classes include cooking, tasting, and fun activities.

1)    Plan: Planning Meals  
2)    Shop: Using Food Labels   
3)    Save: Saving Money   
4)    Cook: Cooking a Meal
Complete all four classes – Get a free gift!
Classes are for low-income audiences.
Sign-up at GetHealthy@kingcounty.gov or drop-ins are welcome.
Meet instructor in the lobby 15 minutes before class starts. 
Materials available in English and Spanish 
Interpreters available upon request. 
Website: www.kingcounty.gov/SNAP-Ed
Email: GetHealthy@kingcounty.gov

Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA): Opportunities for Early Learning

BUILD hosted a webinar focused on the new federal education law - Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) - and its new provisions pertaining to early learning, starting with infants and moving through the early elementary grades. View the webinar recording and slide deck to learn what the law provides for young children and how you might use this new law to forward your own work in the early childhood system.

Starting Strong Call for Presenters

Invitations are now open to present at the Starting Strong P-3rd Grade Institute to be held this coming August 1 – 3 at the Tacoma Convention Center. 

The purpose of the Institute is to bring together Early Learning Professionals and K-12 educators for discussions about innovation and alignment between systems.

Goals of the Starting Strong P-3 Institute

•       Increase connections between Early Learning and K-12 professionals;

•       Apply theory to practice within a P-3 framework;

•       Present information about Washington's Early Learning priorities, initiatives, and promising practices;

•       Support educators in leading change.

For more information on presenting please visit: http://www.startingstrong.net/#presenters

Minnette Mason, our Early Achievers Integration Specialist, is offering an Early Achievers Orientation webinar on March 31, 2016, at 11:30 a.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.

Below is information to show the progress of Early Achievers in Head Start and ECEAP sites for year end of 2015.  If you have more questions about Early Achievers, please contact Minnette directly at minnette.mason@del.wa.gov.  

Career Opportunities

Head Start Openings

Department of Health and Human Services 

Regional Program Manager

Become a part of the Department that touches the lives of every American! At the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) you can give back to your community, state, and country by making a difference in the lives of Americans everywhere. It is the principal agency for protecting the health of citizens. Join HHS and help to make our world healthier, safer, and better for all Americans.

As a Regional Program Manager in the Administration for Children and Families (ACF), Office of Head Start (OHS), you will provide executive leadership and program direction to accomplish the effective and efficient funding and oversight of Head Start/Early Head Start and State Collaboration grantees and regional operations. 

For more information about this position visit: USAJOBS.GOV

Child Care Program Specialist

As a Child Care Program Specialist in the Administration for Children and Families (ACF), Office of the Child Care (OCC), you will conduct a variety of activities and projects related to the administration of Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF) and Early Head Start Child Care Partnerships. For more information visit: USAJOBS.GOV

Lower Columbia College Head Start and ECEAP 

Director Sandy Junker has announced her retirement from her position. While we are all going to miss her dearly, she has asked us to send this employment opportunity near and wide so that LCC has a great chance of finding a qualified applicant to replace her.

You can find more information here: 

http://lcc.ctc.edu/info/webresources2/HumanResources/JobsAtLCC/Director_Jan16.pdf

Capital Region Educational Service District 113 

ESD 113 is looking for the next leader of their Head Start/ECEAP Program, which serves 535 Head Start and 266 ECEAP children throughout Thurston, Mason and Grays Harbor Counties. 

Visit www.teachinginwashington.com for a position description and to apply online. For best consideration apply by 3/20/16. 

Educational Service District 123

ESD 123 is recruiting for an Early Learning Director. This is located in Pasco, WA. For more information click here.

Department of Early Learning

Early Learning Statewide Licensing Administrator

The Early Learning Statewide Licensing Administrator is a key leadership position in DEL's  licensing division. This position is responsible for the management and oversite of four regional Licensing administrators with indirect management of licensing supervisor, licensors and support staff positions. This position reports directly to the Assistant Director responsible for licensing services.

Find out more about the job and others here.

Other Opportunities: 

Office of the Education Ombuds is currently hiring for two positions. Click below for the relevant job descriptions.

• Associate Education Ombuds and Community Liaison
• Intake Specialist

Upcoming Events

Children's Justice Conference: 
Shining the light on children
May 2-3, 2016
Spokane, WA
 
Infant and Early Childhood Conference
May 5-6, 2016
Tacoma, WA
 
2016 Student Support Conference
May 11 - 13, 2016
Wenatchee, WA
 
Voices of Tomorrow
East African Family Child Care Conference
May 28, 2016
Seattle, WA
 
Starting Strong:
P-3rd Grad Institute
August 1-3, 2016
Tacoma, WA
 
Summer Changes Everything joins Bridges Conference in 2016
October 24-26, 2016
Seattle, WAEarly Learning Advisory Council (ELAC)Meeting schedule
 
Early Support for Infants and Toddlers (ESIT) State Interagency Coordinating Council Meeting schedule

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Thanks for everything you do to support young children in Washington!