The Astronaut with a Song for the Stars: The Story of Dr. Ellen Ochoa by Julia Finley Mosca, illustrated by Daniel Rieley 

If you have a mission, a dream to explore, but no one like you has achieved it before... Meet Dr. Ellen Ochoa-a determined space pioneer with a stellar symphony of talents. Growing up in a family of immigrants, Ellen dreamed of becoming a professional flutist, but all of that changed when she discovered engineering in college. Though she was told that field of study wasn't for girls, the bright young scientist refused to give up-ultimately becoming a NASA astronaut who shattered barriers and rocketed to success! Learn more and where to find the book, here! For reading age 5 - 10 years. 

Listen to Iredell Museums Kids! read The Astronaut with a Song for the Stars: The Story of Dr. Ellen Ochoa, by Julia Finley Mosca, and see the beautiful illustrations, by Daniel Rieley (watch time 5:49): 

The Astronaut with a Song for the Stars

Tiokasin Ghosthorse

Tiokasin Ghosthorse performs his music and explores his advocacy in this compilation from the Native Arts and Cultures Foundation 2017 National Artist Fellows Convening in Portland, Oregon (watch time 4:32):

Tiokasin Ghosthorse

September 2023 

September 2023 heralds in a whirlwind of gifted talents, exceptional experience, and extensive grass roots knowledge to the ESIT State Leadership Team as we wholeheartedly welcome E’Renae Antalan as the new ESIT Community Collaboration Coordinator!

E’Renae is a veteran, wife, mother, and grandParent (with a capital P) whose been raising her two little minion co-workers/grandchildren, Kalli and Chilli for the past 8.5+ years. She started out with ESIT back in 2018, in the Parent Institute for Engagement (PIE) one year leadership training program, just seeking some Grown-Up time! Throughout her leadership training program and ever since her graduation from PIE, E’Renae steadfastly represented the parent perspective within early care and education settings across multiple advisory environments. She boldly speaks her truth with courageous humility and demonstrates equity-based leadership values in all that she does. Fast forward to now and she will be stepping out of her role ---sniffles---as the State Interagency Coordinating Council Chair, but enthusiastically jumping into her new position on the Partnership, Collaboration, and Family Engagement Team, in the ESIT State Leadership Office. In this position, E’Renae will be responsible for coordinating and managing complex and multi-dimensional communication, advisory, and collaborative partnership structures necessary to support statewide early support service delivery systems that provide equitable access to services for all eligible children and their families.

In her spare time, she enjoys spontaneous travel with grandkids in tow, listening to thriller audiobooks only while driving, or just sitting in her rocking chair dozing and bundled in a warm blanket. Something her grandmother would do to help soothe her to sleep when she was a child.

We are so very blessed that E’Renae has chosen our team to share her valuable time, relentless positivity, engaging humor, and dynamic energy!  

The October SICC meeting is just around the corner, please join us virtually!

Save the Date

Wed., October 18 | 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. | Agenda TBA

Register for October SICC Meeting

For Review

The draft April SICC meeting minutes have been posted to ESIT's SICC Meetings page for your convenience to review before the meeting.

SICC Direct List 

If you would like your email added to the SICC direct email list to receive the agenda and meeting materials in advance of upcoming SICC meetings, email Will Moncrease Jr., with the subject: Add me to SICC DL.

Questions?

Please contact DCYF ESIT Partnership & Collaboration Manager, Will Moncrease, Jr., at Will.Moncrease@dcyf.wa.gov.

Welcome to your Dose of Data!

Dose of Data will be a regular segment covering brief stats on the ESIT program. For any questions about Dose of Data, please contact Sarah Adams, at sarah.adams@dcyf.wa.gov. 

This week on Dose of Data, we will look at the percent of infants and toddlers, ages zero to two, being served in-home or community-based settings from *Federal Fiscal Year (FFY) 2018 to 2022.

*Federal Fiscal Year runs from July 1 to June 30. This data is a child count (single-day data snapshot) taken on December 1 of each FFY.

Why is it important?

Infants and toddlers learn best in natural settings. Providing services in the child’s own home or community helps them interact more comfortably with caregivers and ESIT staff.

Early Support for Infants and Toddlers (ESIT) State Leadership Office has continued to contract with Washington State University (WSU) to launch, collect, and analyze the results of the Family Outcomes Survey for Indicator C4: Family Outcomes, in the Washington State Performance Plan.  

Family Outcomes being measured include:

1. Families know their rights.
2. Families effectively communicate their children's needs.
3. Families help their children develop and learn.

For more details, to review the sample cover letter and survey that families will receive:

Family Outcome Survey

The support every child and family receives from their FRC is such a vital ESIT service. You are a critical professional on every Individual Family Service Plan (IFSP) and your voice is important.  

Please join us for an hour-long focus group opportunity. This will be a time to share your experiences as an FRC and offer the State Leadership Team a glimpse into ways we can better support you in your role. 

Register for one:

 Thurs., October 5 | 9 - 10 a.m.

OR

Thurs., October 5 | 12 - 1p.m. 

We are looking for a Resource Allocations Specialist (PS3) to join our ESIT State Leadership Team!

As the Resource Allocations Specialist, you will serve as a primary point of contact with internal/external entities, while coordinating contract development schedules to ensure effective and efficient organizational timelines are met within the context of state and federal requirements. You will perform all aspects of professional-level contract coordination and grant management administration for the ESIT Program. The position closes Tues., Sept. 26.

Click below to learn more about this position and apply:

Resource Allocations Specialist (PS3) 

Would you like to help DCYF ESIT finalize the new Late Referrals Practice Guide?

We are looking for up to 10 ESIT direct service providers from a mix of disciplines and locations to read through and let us know that you think about the updated guide.

If you would like to volunteer, please email maia.thomas@dcyf.wa.gov. The first 10 ESIT service providers to reply, that fit a mix of provider types and agency locations, will be invited to review the document, give written feedback and attend a Zoom focus group to discuss.

The commitment will likely take 2 – 3 hours total. Your feedback is important to us!

These drop-in sessions are for ESIT providers only. Providers must have received PFR Level 1, 2, or 3 training to attend.

Thurs., Sept. 28| 10:30 a.m. - 12 p.m.
PT panelist attending

Register for September PFR Drop-in session

Join ESIT providers from across Washington State and PFR Trainer Carol Good to discuss embedding the PFR consultation strategies into your everyday coaching practices.

Mark your calendars!

Mark your calendars for the dates below and be on the lookout for registration information for upcoming dates. Check back for updates regarding more panelists attending.

Register for Upcoming Drop-In Session Dates

• Wed., Oct. 18 | 1 - 2:30 p.m. | Register
• Wed., Nov. 15 | 9 - 10:30 a.m. | Register
• Thurs., Dec. 7 | 1 - 2:30 p.m. | Register

Interested in having all your staff trained in Promoting First Relationships? Virtual or In-Person options are available! Apply today to indicate your agency’s interest!

For a limited time, ESIT is funding opportunities for ESIT agencies to receive agency wide PFR Level 1 training, agency wide PFR Booster sessions, or a 90-minute consultation with a PFR trainer. These opportunities are available directly to your agency to train your full staff, at no cost to you. Both virtual and in-person options are available for PFR Level 1 and PFR Booster trainings. If training is in-person, the agency must provide the space for the training. For virtual training, depending on number of attendees per agency, multiple agencies may be combined.

Applications due Friday, October 6. Click below to apply:

Application of Interest for Agency Wide PFR Training

Read full details about PFR Training Level 1, PFR Booster Trainings, Agency Specific Date Options and individualized PFR consultation for ESIT agencies:

Apply Now for PFR Opportunities!

Last Chance to Register!

Registration closes soon so head over to the 23-24 Ongoing Professional Development and Calendar for the full descriptions and registration links.

• Promoting First Relationships (PFR) Drop-In Session | September 28
• Introduction to Reflective Supervision for Supervisors | Begins October 3

Newly Added Training Opportunities!

Full description of each training including registration information is available in the 23-24 Ongoing Professional Development and Calendar.

• Domestic Violence Assessment and Response | October and Winter and Spring 2024
• Safety Planning with Families | November and Spring 2024
• Using Reflective Supervision Through a Multi-Cultural Lens to Honor Others in Relationship-based Work to Promote, Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging | October

Questions?

For questions about training, contact dcyf.ESITtraining@dcyf.wa.gov.

These Reflective Consultation groups are facilitated by Carol Good, MSW, LICSW, IMH-E. Participants may count these hours towards Reflective Supervision hours for the Washington Association of Infant Mental Health endorsement. Please email endorsement@wa-aimh.org for more information regarding endorsement requirements.

Exciting news! ESIT has openings in our Reflective Consultation groups offered through the University of Washington. Reflective Consultation is monthly, protected time that gives providers the opportunity to explore their work with families and young children in a safe, supportive space. It offers a time to think about their own needs, and to think about the emotional needs of both parents and children. It also provides an opportunity to hear and learn other perspectives. Participants report feeling increased joy and competence in their work, and increased empathy for the families they work with. Reserve your spot as soon as possible:

Provider group openings

• Second Tuesday of the month | 8:30 - 9:30 a.m.
• Second Thursday of the month |1 - 2:30 p.m.
• Second Tuesday of the month | 3 - 4 p.m.
• First Wednesday of the month | 1 - 2 p.m.

Group Openings for Providers Facilitating Reflective Consultation

This group is for ESIT providers who facilitate individual/group reflective consultation in their organizations.  This RC group will be specifically focused on the parallel process of reflecting on supporting others in their reflective practice.

• Second Wednesday |2 - 3 p.m.

Reserve Your Spot!

Please contact dcyf.ESITtraining@dcyf.wa.gov. This training opportunity is being offered as part of our State Systemic Improvement Plan (SSIP) and ESIT provider course fees are covered by DCYF/ESIT. These groups are for ESIT providers only.

DCYF ESIT has funding available to offer scholarships to assist with covering costs related to WA-AIMH endorsement registration, membership, and processing fees. The Washington Association of Infant Mental Health offers different levels of endorsement credentials and provides recognition of specialized knowledge in professionals working with families and young children. It is an internationally recognized credential and is for anyone who works with families and young children in the fields of early care and education, prevention and early intervention, home visiting, the medical and behavioral health professions, child welfare, mental health, policy and advocacy, research and others. Learn more about the WA-AIMH endorsement here.

Scholarship funds must be accessed by June 30 or applicants will need to re-apply after July 1.

Scholarship Opportunities 

If interested in applying for WA-AIMH endorsement scholarship opportunities:

Complete the scholarship application

Information Sessions

WA-AIMH offers information sessions in order to ask questions, gather details, and gain a better understanding of the endorsement process. To schedule time with the endorsement coordinator or for other endorsement inquiries, please contact endorsement@wa-aimh.org.

WA-AIMH has Spanish support available for applicants going through the endorsement process. Please contact Veronica Rosa at veronica@wa-aimh.org for additional information.

Northwest Center’s Hospital-to-Home Systems Change Team is utilizing the Project ECHO® model to share knowledge and build communities of practice to support infants and caregivers discharging from the hospital into ESIT services. Join us for these free, virtual trainings. Download the ECHO brochure here.

ESIT Support Team ECHO

• Wednesday, September 27 | 9 – 10:30 a.m.
• Wednesday, October 11 | 9 – 10:30 a.m.
• Wednesday, November 8 | 9 – 10:30 a.m.
• Wednesday, December 13 | 9 – 10:30 a.m.

Register here for ESIT Support Team ECHO

Parent & Caregiver ECHO

*Please share with parents/caregivers of infants currently in the NICU or recently discharged

• Feeding & Growth ECHO: https://forms.gle/p5gwJDmAnMjqutoN9

Each ECHO group will meet for 90 minutes on Wednesdays: September 27, October 11, November 8, and December 13. The three separate ECHO groups will run at the following times: 

• ESIT Support Team ECHO | 9 - 10:30 a.m.
• Parent & Caregiver ECHO | 11 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
• Feeding & Growth ECHO | 1 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.

Register here for Parent & Caregiver ECHO

Questions? 

Reach out to Sara Circelli and Tiffany Elliott at traininghospitaltohome@nwcenter.org

The Early Hearing Detection, Diagnosis, and Intervention (EHDDI) program is excited to announce an opportunity for you to join a pilot testing team for three new learning modules to support FRCs and ESIT providers in working with children who are deaf or hard of hearing (DHH) and their families. Your feedback is crucial in ensuring that these modules meet the needs of our learners.

The objective of this pilot test is to:

• review the content for accuracy,
• evaluate the usefulness of the modules, and
• review for technical issues.

Each module is designed to take approximately 1 hour to complete, followed by a 15-minute evaluation.

We are looking for a mix of 8 - 25 ESIT Service Providers (FRCs and others) with a range of experience working with kids who are DHH.

We expect that the modules will be ready to review the week of October 23^rd. You can sign-up to review one, two, or all three of the modules.

Learn more about the modules and express your interest in participating by completing the application form by October 6:

FRC and ESIT Provider Training Module Pilot

If you have any questions or would like more information, please do not hesitate to reach out to Karin Neidt, at karin.neidt@doh.wa.gov.

Thank you for your time and willingness to help improve these learning modules!

Want to join our exclusive team of PCI Instructors from around the world?

The NCAST PCI Instructor Workshop is an 8 partial days intensive workshop to prepare professionals for the role of training others in the NCAST Parent-Child Interaction (PCI) Feeding & Teaching Scales.

This workshop is designed for professionals working with families with infants and young children who have a role in the ongoing training of community health care service providers. Those planning to use the PCI Feeding and Teaching Scales in research are encouraged to attend.

Parent-Child Interaction (PCI) Instructor Virtual Workshop
Oct. 16 - 19 & 23 - 26 | $2,100

(PCI) Instructor virtual workshop