Washington State Department of Children, Youth & Families

Washington State Department of Children, Youth & Families sent this bulletin at 01/08/2024 09:00 AM PST

Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page.

ECEAP is Washington’s pre-kindergarten program that prepares 3- and 4-year-old children furthest from opportunity for success in school and life.

January 2024 Issue

child drawing

ECEAP Updates

ECEAP Request for Applications (RFA) Open Now

The Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) has  released the 2024-25 Comprehensive Early Learning Services Request for Application (RFA) now including expansion for ECEAP, Birth to 3, ECLIPSE and ECEAP Complex Needs Funding (CNF).

Current and potential ECEAP contractors are strongly encouraged to apply for ECEAP and B-3 ECEAP expansion, and current ECEAP contractors only may apply for ECLIPSE expansion and CNF funding. 

Here is some key information for this process: 

  • The Smart Sheet Survey Application can be found on the ECEAP Expansion page and is due no later than January 12, 2024, by 5 p.m.
  • The completed CNF Application (for current ECEAP contractors only) is due no later than February 1, 2024 by 5 p.m.
    • Please fill out the Smart Sheet Survey first to indicate your interest in CNF, even if you are not applying for ECEAP expansion. It is basic information that should take just a few minutes to complete and will enable DCYF ECEAP to track all grant requests.
  • All RFA materials can be found on DCYF’s ECEAP Expansion page at: https://www.dcyf.wa.gov/services/early-learning-providers/eceap/expansion-of-services  under 2024-25 Comprehensive Early Learning Services Request for Application (RFA)
  • Office Hours for Applicants (click on link the day of):

For all questions about the RFA process, please email the Comprehensive Early Learning Services Expansion RFA Coordinators:

Lastly, even if you are not applying for expansion slots, your neighboring organization may be. Be on the lookout for requests for coordination of services from applicants both large and small. These conversations and collaboration are part of the process to ensure that any eligible child who is entitled to be enrolled in ECEAP shall receive services. 

 

2023-24 Statewide Variances and Clarifications to B-5 ECEAP Performance Standards

In the fall, we shared information with contractors about proposed statewide variances and clarifications to the 2023-24 ECEAP Performance Standards. This information is now finalized and can be found here on our DCYF ECEAP Contractor page under the Laws, Rules and Standards.

 

DCYF Helps You Find Eligible Children

Annually, DCYF provides interested ECEAP contractors and HS grantees with the names and addresses of DSHS client families with children who may be eligible for ECEAP or Early ECEAP.

If you want to receive this family contact information, please do the following:

  • The ECEAP Director or Director’s designee (one person per contract), enters zip codes in ELMS by February 1.

To do so, please use the following steps:

  • In ELMS, go to the “Locations & Classes” tab.
  • Click the “Service Areas” link next to your contractor name.
  • Review and/or add zip codes from which you recruit children for ECEAP.
  • Answer YES to the question, “Would you like to receive this information for families residing in the zip codes entered above?”
  • Enter the name and email address of the person who will act as the contact person for your contract.
  • Click “Save”
  • This same process can be completed for grantees by the Head Start Director on the Head Start tab in ELMS, under Grantee Information.

 

ELMS Updates

Please check the ELMS News page for additional information and updates. The latest information is always at the top of that page.

  • ELMS Data Entry – Remember to keep ELMS up-to-date. The data is used regularly to monitor compliance with ECEAP requirements, answer questions from legislators and other policymakers, and inform decisions about ECEAP policy. See ELMS Data Entry – Minimum Requirements.
  • Monitoring Your 90-day Requirements – For each child, by the 90th calendar day from their start in an ECEAP class, you must complete their vision and hearing screenings; verify their well-child exam and dental screening results; and complete their developmental screening. You must enter each of these results in the ELMS>Child/Family Updates section.

For assistance, email elms@dcyf.wa.gov.

 

ECEAP Complex Need Fund

2023-2024 ECEAP CNF Awardees you have an upcoming progress report due on January 31st for your ECEAP Complex Need Fund award. If reports are not turned in on time it can hold up contractor payment. Contact your CQI Specialist before reports are due if there are concerns about not being able to turn reports in on time. Submit to: dcyf.eceap@dcyf.wa.gov

  • Progress report due January 31st, 2024 for July 1st, 2023 – December 31st, 2023.
  • Final report due July 10th, 2024 for January 1st, 2024 – June 30th, 2024.

2024-2025 ECEAP CNF Applications are now being accepted. Please refer to the Request for Application (RFA) sent out in early December and the Guidance Document for more information on applying. Applications are due no later than February 1st at 5 PM.

In This Issue:

Important Dates:

January 12-RFA Smart Sheet Survey Due 

January 31-CNF Progress Report Due

 

Questions?

Email questions about newsletter topics to eceap@dcyf.wa.gov or your Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) Specialist.

For additional information about ECEAP or the Washington State Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF), please visit our Contractor webpages.

DCYF Updates

Portable Background Check Updates

Effective Jan. 1, 2024, all child care and early learning providers, including those not working directly with children or youth, who were previously allowed to work supervised after submitting their background application, must complete fingerprints and have a “Cleared” status in the Managed Education and Registry Tool (MERIT) to continue work at the child care facility.

Any application received by DCYF on or after Jan. 1, 2024, for child care and early learning providers,

must have an approved background check clearance for each applicant, staff member, or eligible

household member, which includes fingerprints, before the background check applicant can be hired or

be on the child care or early learning premises, even if the applicant may not work directly with children

or youth.

 

DCYF ECEAP created additional information for ECEAP contractors and providers. This information can be found here.

More information about Background Check fingerprint process can be found here.

 

DCYF is Hiring a Child Care Grants Coordinator

The Child Care Grants Coordinator leads the implementation of grant awards and incentive processes. You will support outreach and communication efforts to early learning partners and stakeholders while ensuring timely quality assurance processes. Also, this position manages data and reporting, identifies child care grant trends, and recommends changes to program policies when necessary.

  • For more information or to apply, click here.

DCYF Training Opportunities and Support

Performance Standards Monthly Deep Dive

 This month we will be discussing the Professional Development , Training , and Requirements (PDTR) section of the 0-5 ECEAP Standards.

  • January 12th 2024, 10:00 to 11:00
  • Register here

El Puente

“El Puente,” our quarterly webinar for Spanish-speaking family support staff to create space to talk about Mobility Mentoring Bridge relevant to the Hispanic population. (This webinar will only be in Spanish)

  • January 05, 2024, 10:00 AM Pacific Time
  • Join here

Mobility Mentoring Webinar

Our next webinar is January 11th @9:00am to 10:00am. We are going to be discussing “Brain Science and Mobility Mentoring part 1”.

Teaching Strategies ECEAP Office Hours

Register to attend Teaching Strategies ECEAP Office Hours. Register in advance and attend to get answers to your specific questions about any of your Teaching Strategies digital resources. 

  • 2nd& 4th Wednesdays of the month
  • Register here

ReadyRosie for ECEAP - How to Get Started

Join us to learn how to get started with ReadyRosie! This session is for administrators and educators new to ReadyRosie or those needing a refresher. In these sessions, we'll cover: What is ReadyRosie? How to invite families to join, share customized content, communicate with families, and read data.

  • Every 2nd Thursday of the month from 10-10:45 a.m.
  • Register here

Trainings, Seminars and Resources Offered by External Partners

January UW Cultivate Learning Coach Webinar

Please join us for the January Cultivate Learning Webinar which continues training coaches on Video Highlights. During this webinar, our primary focus will be on deepening our understanding of the QUIC Tool. The goal is for coaches to have the knowledge and skills needed to leverage Video Highlights effectively.

  • January 11, 2024 from 2:00-4:30 p.m.
  • Join here

Key Highlights of the Session:

  • QUIC Tool Exploration: Gain a comprehensive understanding of the QUIC tool
  • Video Criteria Review: Watch videos that showcase each criteria, allowing for a hands-on exploration of their application.
  • Interactive Discussions: Engage in meaningful discussions with fellow participants to share insights and perspectives on the observed criteria.
  • Scoring Insights: Delve into the intricacies of scoring videos, ensuring participants feel well-prepared to utilize Video Highlights reports in their coaching practice.

Early Relational Health: A New Perspective on Your Role as an Early Care and Education Professional

Early relational health (ERH) is an emerging concept that organizes the cumulative understanding of the relational foundation of children’s and adults health and wellbeing. Unlike earlier research, the vision of ERH is inclusive (not limited to any one profession), reciprocal (caring for both children and the adults), and fundamentally rooted in relational human experiences.

In this webinar, you will:

  • Explore the science and concept of Early Relational Health and connect and compare that with existing ideas in early childhood;
  • Understand the importance of this inclusive “relationship-centered” framework in describing the work of early care and learning.
  • Discuss the foundational principles of the early relational health profession in creating a healthy ecological system for children, families, and professionals.
  • January 17, 2024 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Register Here

Equity, Child Development, Education and Health

Snack Talks-UW Haring Center

Check out this resource for Snack Talk. This visual conversational support can be used to promote interactions between learners during mealtimes.

New Year, New Way of Showing Up

This blog post by Dr. Donna Housman of the Housman Institute, higlights ways to become more available to children in the midst of our own struggles by consciously building our own emotional intelligence.

Young Children and Screens

Use this toolkit to help families nurture young children's development in the digital age.

Facilitate meaningful conversations with parents and caregivers with these six workshops, available in English and Spanish. Share strategies to help young kids develop essential life skills, both with and without the use of screens.

Get started with the workshop series guide in English or Spanish.

Gates Resource Guide

This resource guide was developed by educational specialists to provide helpful resources to help teachers working with students in inclusive educational settings. Although the list was developed with a focus on supporting students with specialized learning needs, there are resources on this list that will benefit every student and every teacher

Expanded Healthcare Options for Undocumented Individuals in Washington

There are two important opportunities for undocumented individuals, regardless of immigration status, to sign up for healthcare coverage in WA.

  • First, from Nov 1, 2023 – Jan 15, 2024, undocumented individuals can buy low cost healthcare plans (Cascade Care and Cascade Savings plans) on the Washington Healthplan finder. 
  • Second, starting July 1, 2024, the Washington State Health Care Authority (HCA) will offer limited enrollment into Apple Health (Medicaid) at no cost for undocumented adults.

Learn more about these critical Health Care options in this FAQ which is also available in several languages. If you want more information, start here to connect with a navigator or broker in your community.

Ampliación de las opciones de atención de salud para las personas indocumentadas sobrevivientes en Washington.

Hay dos oportunidades importantes para que las personas indocumentadas, independientemente de su situación migratoria, se inscriban en la cobertura de atención médica en WA.

  • En primer lugar, del 1 de noviembre de 2023 al 15 de enero de 2024, las personas indocumentadas pueden adquirir planes de asistencia médica de bajo coste (planes Cascade Care y Cascade Savings) en el buscador de planes de salud de Washington (Washington Healthplan finder).
  • En segundo lugar, a partir del 1 de julio de 2024, la Autoridad de Asistencia de Salud del Estado de Washington (HCA) ofrecerá una inscripción limitada en Apple Health (Medicaid) sin coste alguno para las personas adultas indocumentadas.

Obtenga más información sobre estas opciones críticas de Atención Médica en esta sección de preguntas frecuentes: que también está disponible en varios idiomas. Si desea más información, comience aquí para conectarse con un navegador o intermediario en su comunidad.

DOH launches interactive tool to connect people to Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) Nutrition Program

The Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) Nutrition Program of Washington released an online tool to help people find their closest WIC clinic and apply for benefits. The new WIC Clinic Locator map showcases the more than 200 WIC clinics across the state and provides clinic addresses, phone numbers, and hours of operation. There’s also a new WIC Interest Form people can fill out online and submit to their clinic of choice, who will then contact applicants directly. Health care providers and community-based organizations can also use the form to refer people to the WIC program.