Early Learning Facilities Grant
The Early Learning Facilities Program
The Early Learning Facilities (ELF) program aims to help Early Childhood Education and Assistance Program (ECEAP) contractors and Working Connections Child Care (WCCC) providers to expand, remodel, purchase, or construct early learning facilities and classrooms necessary to support early learning opportunities for children from low-income households.
K-12 School District Funding Round: The K-12 School District Funding Round is now open!
Please click here to access the application in ZoomGrants. Applicants for this funding will go through a competitive process. To know more about this funding opportunity and program requirements, see the application materials posted below:
Funded projects must result in an increase in early learning capacity. Projects must also commit to reserving spaces for either the Early Childhood Education and Assistance Program (ECEAP) and/or the Working Connections Child Care Program (WCCC) and must participate in Early Achievers.
Please visit Commerce website for more information. https://www.commerce.wa.gov/building-infrastructure/capital-facilities/early-learning-program/
Early Childhood Equity Grant Application
DCYF is pleased to announce that the Early Childhood Equity Grant application is now available.
This grant is intended to serve as a step toward expanding access to early learning statewide and transforming Washington's early learning system to make it more inclusive and equitable. The grant will support inclusive and culturally and linguistically specific early learning and early childhood and parent support programs across the state.
Who is Eligible to Apply?
- Licensed or certified child care providers with an open license in good standing.
- License-exempt Family, Friend, and Neighbor (FFN) providers serving children receiving state subsidies.
- Early Childhood Education and Assistance Program (ECEAP) contractors.
- Recognized Play and Learn Groups. Learn about these groups on the DCYF Early Childhood Equity Grant webpage.
How Do I Apply?
The application is open now and will close at 11:59 p.m. on Aug. 16, 2022.
Will Technical Assistance be Available?
Technical assistance will be available to all providers and will include preparation, application support, and assistance with record keeping. In addition, providers may access technical assistance in their preferred language by telephone, internet, or in person.
For more information about this grant, including additional frequently asked questions and contact information for technical assistance, please visit the DCYF Early Childhood Equity Grant webpage.
If you have questions about the application, the timeline of the funding, or other questions specific to the Early Childhood Equity Grant, email dcyf.childcaregrants@dcyf.wa.gov.
Child Care Stabilization Grants
The Child Care Stabilization Grant has been extended to Sept. 30, 2022.
If you are a licensed or certified child care provider and have not applied, there is still time to apply for the Child Care Stabilization Grant in the WA Compass Provider Portal. The application is open now and will close at 11:59 p.m. on Sept. 30, 2022.
If you are a license-exempt Family, Friend, and Neighbor (FFN) provider and have not applied, you can apply for the Child Care Stabilization Grant on the DCYF FFN Stabilization Grant Website. The application is open now and will close at 11:59 p.m. on Sept. 30, 2022.
For any question on the grant please email dcyf.stabilizationgrant@dcyf.wa.gov.
Teaching Strategies®
DCYF ECEAP has purchased The Creative Curriculum Cloud ®, Ready Rosie, GOLD®, and Online Professional Development for ECEAP Contractors for the 2022-23 program year. These digital offerings will become available for access between late June and the middle of July according to the roll out schedule.
What you need to know about The Creative Curriculum® Cloud:
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Creative Curriculum® Cloud subscriptions will be assigned to sites by whoever is listed as ECEAP contractor administrators in MyTeachingStrategies®
- Once administrators receive a welcome e-mail about the Cloud from Teaching Strategies, they will be able to allocate the Cloud to Classrooms at the site so teachers have access. Teachers will not have access until this step is complete. Note: in order for The Creative Curriculum® Cloud to be visible, each Classroom will need to be in the system with a primary teacher and at least one child.
- Some programs have multiple administrators so it is possible that not all administrators will initially be given access to allocate the Cloud to Classrooms
- If there is a need for different or additional administrators to have the ability to allocate the Cloud contact Jess Robertson (they/them) at, robertson@dcyf.wa.govto get this change submitted to Teaching Strategies®
- The number of subscriptions available is based on the number of teachers listed in ELMS for classrooms for 2022-23 as of 6/5/22
- We did not include Summer ECEAP classes in the counts since we are not expecting GOLD assessment for summer classes (working day classes were counted)
- We realize that information in ELMS may change during the summer or in the fall, but we did the best that we could with the fiscal timelines we have for ordering and having to hand count each teacher inELMS
- Adjustments during the year are expected
- For support related to The Creative Curriculum® Cloud and GOLD®, administrators can register to attend back-to-school webinars here, new teachers can register here, and returning teachers register here. Our Teaching Strategies® support contact is Veronica White (she/her) and you can reach her via email w@teachingstrategies.com or schedule time on her calendar here.
What you need to know about ReadyRosie®:
- ReadyRosie® will be handled similarly to The Creative Curriculum® Cloud
- The same people who were identified as administrators for The Creative Curriculum® Cloud will be given administrator access for ReadyRosie®
- Once administrators receive an e-mail about ReadyRosie® they will be able to allocate ReadyRosie® access to any staff (teachers and family support) at the site
- If programs decide there should be different or additional administrators contact Patty Hinojosa (she/her) at h@teachingstrategies.com and Cc Kerry Beymer (she/her) at kerry.beymer@dcyf.wa.govto get this change submitted to ReadyRosie®
What you need to know about GOLD®:
- GOLD® will work similarly to previous program years
- Updates to GOLD® happen periodically so teachers can expect changes to the program interface over time
- For assistance with GOLD:
- Call (844) 854-4653
- Email wa@teachingstrategies.com(and Cc elms@dcyf.wa.gov if you want ECEAP to track the issue)
- The phone number is a dedicated line for GOLD users under the DCYF license. They are able to resolve 80% of issues on the first call.
- Email works best for in-depth or ongoing issues. There is typically a 48 hour response time.
What you need to know about Online Professional Development (OPD):
- OPD will work similarly to previous program years
- Updates to OPD happen periodically so teachers can expect changes to the program interface over time
- In-Service (STARS) hours are available for some of the OPD courses. See the ECEAP MyTeachingStrategies® Training Resource for more information.
2021-22 ELMS Data Entry
- Beginning July 1, ELMS opens the 2022-23 school year.
- Remember to switch back to 2021-22 to complete the June Monthly Report (due by July 10) or enter end-of-year data.
- All 2021-22 data entry was due by July 10.
Please check the ELMS News page for information and updates.
Offered by the DCYF ECEAP Office.
Basecamp Supports for ECEAP and Early ECEAP
DCYF ECEAP hosts a number of Basecamps and monthly webinars to support staff in various roles around the state. Details of each Basecamp and their related webinar schedules can be found here.(Please note: if you are having problems viewing the link, please clear your internet cache and the new PDF schedule will populate. Thank you!)
Recruitment, Eligibility and Enrollment (REE) Training Deep Dive
DCYF REE staff will host a training that takes a deeper look at recruitment, eligibility and enrollment scenarios, ELMS procedures and related resources. There will also be time for Q&A.
This training is recommended for staff who have already taken the online REE training.
Aug. 24, 1 – 3 p.m. Join Zoom Meeting | Meeting ID: 810 5468 1327 | Passcode: 986066
Sept. 15, 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. Join Zoom Meeting | Meeting ID: 863 0226 7383 | Passcode: 611797
Recruitment, Eligibility and Enrollment (REE) Basecamp and Check-ins
Check-ins are held through Zoom on the first Thursday of each month, beginning again August 4. Join by monthly links found on the DCYF website: https://www.dcyf.wa.gov/services/early-learning-providers/eceap/contractors/direct-service-staff/enrollment
This online resource for REE staff provides time to connect about enrollment and eligibility topics and will take the place of in-person REE trainings, until further notice.
- The REE Check-ins and Basecamp allow staff to:
- Share ideas, strategies and resources that support in-home learning.
- Support each other regarding shared challenges and struggles.
- Access links to professional development opportunities.
- Ask policy and ECEAP Performance Standard questions.
Offered by external partners.
Virtual DCYF Indigenous Children, Youth & Families (ICYF) Conference
August 10-11, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. with keynote speaker Rebecca Nagle, the Award-winning advocate, writer, citizen of Cherokee Nation and host of the chart-topping podcast “This Land.”
Save the date for this free virtual event. More information can be found here.
WA Nature-Based Learning Competencies Published
DCYF recently published the WA Nature-Based Learning Competencies: Supplement for Early Care and Education Professionals, where DCYF formally recognizes promoting children’s ecological identity and nature-connectedness as a distinct goal for children’s learning and development, and describes the professional competencies that support this goal and the many benefits of nature-based early childhood education and care.
Arts Uplift! Arts, Access, and Inclusion in PreK-Grade 3
A FREE virtual conference for educators, teaching artists, and leadership across Washington State!
Join your colleagues to learn about arts, access, and inclusion in PreK to Grade 3. The Arts Uplift! conference brings together early learning educators, arts specialists, teaching artists, counselors, administrators, and caregivers working to expand accessible arts instruction in their communities. Participants gain tools for their own creative growth and teaching practices.
When: August 2 – 4, 9 a.m. - 1:45 p.m. Free Clock Hours and STARS Hours will be available! Register here.
National Maternal Mental Health Hotline
The National Maternal Mental Health Hotline and Perinatal Support Washington’s Parent Support Warm Line (PS-WA) is excited to share this new resource.
The National Maternal Mental Health Hotline provides 24/7, free confidential support, resources and referrals to any pregnant and postpartum individual facing mental health challenges and their loved ones. The line is staffed by licensed and credentialed perinatal MH and healthcare providers, childbirth professionals, and certified peer specialists. Call or text 1-833-943-5746 to connect with counselors or to learn more. Available via phone and text in English, Spanish and other languages by request.
Perinatal Support Washington’s Parent Support Warm Line provides ongoing emotional support, wellness planning and targeted provider and community services referrals. They do the leg work by reaching out to providers about availability and insurance. They provide check ins after the initial call and ongoing emotional peer support. Not just for parents, they assist family members, friends and providers as well. Call or text 888-404-7763, email warmline@perinatalsupport.org or request a call back by filling out this online form. Available in English and Spanish.
How Paternity Leave Helps Dads and Babies Bond
Accessible paid paternity leave policies are an important way to take care of new dads so they can help their babies and families flourish. For a more in-depth dive, please click here.
Celebrating Pride Month and Inclusion for All Families
In this resource from Zero to Three, you’ll read about how early childhood educators, caregivers and parents can make an effort to maintain a welcoming atmosphere, which creates an environment in which all children and families can thrive. Learn how you can show appreciation and enthusiasm for supporting LGBTQ+ families and early childhood professionals, and their needs here.
Summertime Fun & Brain Building Activities
Activities Guide: Enhancing and Practicing Executive Function Skills with Children from Infancy to Adolescence
Executive function and self-regulation (EF/SR) skills provide critical supports for learning and development, and while we aren’t born with these skills, we are born with the potential to develop them through interactions and practice. Our activities guide offers a variety of age-appropriate activities and games to support and strengthen various components of EF/SR in children. Each chapter contains activities suitable for a different age group, ranging from 6-18 months to adolescents. The full guide is available in Arabic. Two sections — 5 to 7 year-olds and 7 to 12 year olds—are available in French.
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