🌞 VDOE Readiness Connections Update: August 2, 2022

Tuesday, August 2, 2022

Child Care Centers and Family Day Homes  |  Virginia Preschool Initiative  | Early Childhood Special Education  |  Head Start  | VQB5  | Early Learning

Child Care Centers and Family Day Homes

ARPA Child Care Stabilization Grants: Fourth Round & Monitoring Updates - Webinar on August 4 

The Virginia Early Childhood Foundation and the VDOE will host an informational webinar "ARPA Child Care Stabilization Grants: Fourth Round & Monitoring Updates" on Thursday, August 4, 2022 from 1:30 – 3:00 p.m.  Come learn about the fourth (final) round of ARPA Child Care Stabilization Grants, including: anticipated award amounts, expected timelines for delivery, and next steps for providers. 

• APRA Child Care Stabilization Grants: Fourth Round and Monitoring Updates
• August 4 at 1:30 - 3:00 p.m.
• Register for the webinar

VQB5 Information Session for Subsidy Vendors - Webinar on August 24

On August 24, VDOE will host a webinar for subsidy vendors, who serve children ages birth to five, to provide information about the VQB5 2022-2023 Practice Year.  The webinar will also include information about how VDOE is supporting subsidy vendors to meet the new VQB5 quality expectations. This webinar is intended for site directors/administrators, family day home providers and other program leaders who support subsidy vendors. ​

• VQB5 Information Session for​ ​Subsidy Vendors
• ​August 24 at 12:00 p.m.
• Register for the webinar

Apply for the Virginia Child Care Financing Program - You May Be Eligible for a 0% Interest Rate Loan

The Virginia Department of Education, in partnership with the Virginia Small Business Financing Authority, offers a low interest child care loan to eligible center-based and family day home providers. Eligible applicants can borrow amounts ranging from a $15,000 to $250,000 cap (depending on provider type) at a 0% interest rate. 

For more information, please review the program flier here or contact Karen White at karen.white@sbsd.virginia.gov.

Virginia Preschool Initiative 

VPI New Coordinator - Webinar on August 17

VDOE will host a training for VPI Coordinators new to their position for the 2022-2023 school year. Reporting timelines and other annual requirements will be reviewed. This session will be recorded and sent to all registered participants as well as posted to the VPI website after completion. Registration is required

• VPI New Coordinator Webinar
• August 17 at 11:00 a.m.
• Register for the webinar 

Bring Wolf Trap Early Arts Learning Programs to Your School District!

Wolf Trap Institute for Early Learning Through the Arts leverages the power of the performing arts to provide early childhood educators with high-quality professional development to create joyful, active learning experiences for young children. Programs are now available to Pre-K, K, & 1st grade classrooms in school districts across Virginia.  

Complete the Virginia New Partner Interest Form by September 15, 2022 or join a virtual Informational Session on Wednesday, August 3 at 11 a.m.: Register here. Or contact education@wolftrap.org/703-255-1933.

VPI Local Criteria Eligibility Waiver for 2022-2023: Window 2 Now Open, Closes August 15 

The VPI Local Criteria Eligibility Waiver is now open. This is the second of three application windows to submit the VPI Local Criteria Eligibility Waiver, which allows divisions to request that more than 15% of their VPI slots use locally determined eligibility criteria. Each application is reviewed by the Superintendent of Public Instruction and VDOE staff. To complete, ensure access to the application in SSWS by contacting your local SSWS manager.

Learn more about the upcoming Coordinated Preschool Enrollment webinar on August 16, 2022 at 2:00 p.m. highlighted in the Head Start section below. Or Register here.

Early Childhood Special Education

Fundamentals of Early Childhood Special Education Administration Webinars

This two-part webinar series is intended for new ECSE administrators or those who would like a refresh on topics related to ECSE administration. The series will cover important topics, including an overview of Early Childhood and Early Childhood Special Education programs, VDOE guidance regarding inclusive practices, an overview of ECSE indicator data (indicators 6, 7, and 12), and VQB5. Participants are to attend both sessions.

• Fundamentals of ECSE
• August 9 & August 11, 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
• Register for the webinar
  
  

Applications Open: Itinerant Early Childhood Special Education Service Delivery Model Community of Learning

The VDOE will offer an Early Childhood Special Education (ECSE) Service Delivery Model Community of Learning this fall for teachers endorsed in ECSE who use the itinerant model. The six-session, virtual series will focus on building competencies to implement itinerant services to ensure the active and meaningful participation of young children with disabilities in general education settings. Applications are now open and should be submitted by September 2.

• Itinerant Early Childhood Special Education Service Deliver Model Community of Learning
• September 27 – November 2

Head Start

Creating Supportive Environments

The National Center on Early Childhood Development, Teaching, and Learning has created a webinar series to prepare teachers and providers for the new program year.  This webinar opportunity will share strategies for creating supportive environments that are inclusive and can help prevent challenging behaviors in preschool aged children.  English and Spanish captioning will be available.

• Ten Tips for Creating Supportive Environments That Can Prevent Challenging Behaviors

• August 11 at 3:00 p.m.

Coordinated Preschool Enrollment - Webinar on August 16

On August 16, VDOE will host a webinar for early childhood program leaders.  Any individuals who act as administrators or coordinators for Head Start, VPI, ECSE, and Mixed Delivery programs are invited to attend.  The purpose is to share local options and strategies for coordinated preschool enrollment across all early childhood education programs to expand access and enrollment.

• Coordinated Preschool Enrollment Webinar

• August 16 at 2:00 p.m.

• Register for the webinar

VQB5 - Virginia's Unified Measurement and Improvement System

VQB5 Practice Year 2 Registration Open Now Open!

Registration for the second practice year of VQB5 opened on August 1! All publicly funded programs should register for Practice Year 2 to prepare for the new VQB5 system. Programs must register by September 16, 2022 through Ready Regions. Contact your local Ready Region for registration details.

VQB5 Participation FAQs

For additional information about the definition of ‘publicly funded programs’ and the VQB5 participation requirements, please view the VQB5 Participation FAQs.

Early Learning Support