July 14, 2020 Culturally Responsive Parent Engagement Are you interested in learning how to create a more culturally and linguistically responsive early learning environment? Join the National Center on Parent, Family, and Community Engagement (NCPFCE) on July 28 for their webinar, “Culturally Responsive Parent Engagement.” About In this webinar, participants will explore tools, resources, and ideas they can use to create a more culturally and linguistically responsive environment. Join fellow educators to learn how it can help families engage in their child’s early learning and hear from programs that have successfully engaged families from diverse backgrounds as leaders and advocates. This webinar is best suited for Head Start and Early Head Start directors, managers, family services staff, and parent leaders; T/TA providers; and early childhood leaders who support children and their families. Registration To register and learn more, visit the event webpage. Participants will receive a certificate of participation upon completion of the webinar. More Information For questions, contact NCPFCE at pfcewebinars@ecetta.info or 855.208.0909.
December 19, 2019 Head Start Coaching Companion Available If you are an early care and education professional who is interested in receiving coaching feedback and sharing videos, consider using the Head Start Coaching Companion! About By utilizing the Head Start Coaching Companion, early childhood professionals will view examples of teaching practices, record their teaching interactions, and track their progress using three major components of Practice-Based Coaching (PBC), including: shared goals and action planning; focused observation; and reflection and feedback. Though PBC was designed with Head Start programs in mind, it aligns with a variety of coaching models. Requirements To utilize the Head Start Coaching Companion, professionals should have access to a computer, tablet, or smartphone with basic video editing software; a digital video camera, tablet, or smartphone with video capability; and reliable internet access. Video footage will be utilized to record teaching interactions. See the Head Start Coaching Companion handout to learn more. Learn More To get started, educators can submit a Coaching Companion application and learn more online. View the Coaching Companion PDF or email coachingcompanion@eclkc.info for additional information. *Information provided via Early Learning Resource Center (ELRC) Region 5
December 12, 2019 NAFCC Calls for National Conference Workshop Proposals The National Association for Family Child Care (NAFCC) is currently seeking workshop proposals for the 30th National Family Child Care Conference, taking place in Norfolk, Virginia July 15-18, 2020. NAFCC works to support and leverage a nationwide network of providers and partners in expanding and promoting the power of family child care. About Workshop proposals should focus on family child care providers and the many qualities that make family child care unique to early care and education. Attendees are looking for sessions that focus on practical solutions to increase their knowledge and effectiveness; to engage and challenge their thinking; and to nurture their purpose, creativity, and professional excellence. Presenters should focus their content for the various roles in family child care, such as: family child care providers; early Head Start community; child nutrition community; coaches, mentors, and trainers; family child care networks; and/or state agencies. Many conference attendees have a strong background in family child care and programs, so advanced level workshops are encouraged, as are Spanish speaking presentations. Submit Your Proposal If you’re interested in submitting a workshop proposal, visit the NAFCC website. Proposals must be submitted by January 15, 2020. Click here to learn more. *Information provided by the Pennsylvania Key
November 26, 2019 2020 Early Childhood Education Advocacy Fellowship Trying Together invites early care and education professionals to apply to its 2020 Early Childhood Education (ECE) Advocacy Fellowship to strengthen their voice as an early childhood advocate. Online applications are being accepted now through Tuesday, December 31 at 11:59 p.m. About In this nine-month program, ECE Advocacy Fellows: develop their role as a “change-maker”; harness their leadership skills; learn to use research-based communication strategies to build positive impact; gain knowledge of public policy processes and key players, and their effect on their work; and receive a stipend (along with their employer) for their time. At this time, Trying Together offers the fellowship program at no cost to the participant and will provide lunch and snacks at each session. Travel stipends are available on a case-by-case basis. Intended Audience Trying Together’s ECE Advocacy Fellowship has been designed for professionals working in the early care and education field, including: center administrators and teachers; family child care providers; school-age child care providers; Head Start teachers; pre-k teachers; PK-4 teachers and principals; home visitors; trainers; professors of higher education; and child care resource and referral professionals. Session Details From January–September 2020, Fellows will meet as a group on the last Tuesday of each month (tentatively) from 12:00-4:00 p.m. Dates are subject to change but will be finalized in January 2020. Participants should expect an additional two to four hours of work every month. We recognize that conflicts may arise unexpectedly, but each participant should plan to participate in all program activities if accepted into the Fellowship. At each workshop, an informed early childhood, public policy, or community leader will facilitate, drawing on information from regional or national experts to share the latest news, research, and strategies to improve early childhood public policy. Workshops will include opportunities for networking, professional growth, and community development. Application Details Online applications are being accepted now through Tuesday, December 31 at 11:59 p.m. Our selection committee seeks to admit an evenly balanced cohort with regard to geography, diversity, experience, interest, etc. All participants will be notified by the first week of January 2020. To apply, visit the ECE Advocacy Fellowship page. More Information For more information about our public policy efforts at Trying Together, contact Cristina Codario by email at cristina@tryingtogether.org or by calling 412.567.3673.
August 30, 2019 Enrolling and Supporting Families Experiencing Homelessness Join the National Center on Parent, Family, and Community Engagement on October 1 for their upcoming webinar, “Enrolling and Supporting Families Experiencing Homelessness: Conversations with Families about Living Experiences and Housing Goals.” About Staff in Head Start, Early Head Start, and child care programs are often in a position to have talks with families about their living situation. They can use the definition of homelessness included in the McKinney-Vento Act as a blueprint for providing information and support to families. In this webinar, develop a shared understanding of McKinney-Vento definition and common terms as they appear in regulation and practice. Learn how relationship building and exemplary practices are key when in engaging in sensitive conversations with families. This is the first webinar in the Enrolling and Supporting Families Experiencing Homelessness Webinar Series. Register To register and learn more, visit the event webpage! *Information provided by ECLKC
Webinar | Improving Outcomes for Opioid-Exposed Newborns Join the National Center on Early Childhood Health and Wellness (NCECHW) on September 24 for their upcoming webinar, “Improving Outcomes for Opioid-Exposed Newborns: Together, We Can Do Better.” About Join part two of NCECHW’s three-part webinar series to learn about how Head Start and Early Head Start programs are uniquely qualified to support children and families impacted by opioid and other substance use disorders. An expert specialist will provide information on perinatal opioid use, the most effective treatments for opioid addiction, and infants exposed to opioids. Explore how to help support young children and their families impacted by opioid and substance misuse. Register To register and learn more, visit the event webpage! *Information provided by ECLKC
August 16, 2019 Improving Outcomes for Families Affected by Opioids Join the National Center on Early Childhood Health and Wellness on August 22 for “Improving Outcomes for Families Affect by Opioids” to learn how Early Head Start and Head Start are uniquely positioned to support children and families impacted by opioids and other substance use disorders. About In this three-part webinar series, expert specialists will provide information on: perinatal opioid use; infants exposed to opioids; the impact of the opioid crisis on young children, parents, families, and communities; and how to help support young children and their families impacted by opioid and substance misuse. Registration To register for the webinar, visit the event webpage.
March 7, 2019 2019 National Survey of Early Care and Education Underway Overview Data collection for the 2019 National Survey of Early Care and Education (NSECE) has begun. The Administration for Children & Families, Office of Child Care is now collecting new, nationally representative information about all parts of early care and education and families’ needs for ECE services, including child care, Early Head Start and Head Start, and pre-k programs. Goals A key aim of the 2019 surveys is to provide updated profiles of individuals and programs providing ECE and to describe ECE use in households across the United States. This information provides a more representative sample that will better inform future policy and research. All data provided by households and providers will be used only for statistical purposes, and the identities of individuals and programs will not be disclosed. Participation The Administration for Children and Families has contracted with the National Opinion Research Center (NORC) at the University of Chicago to conduct the 2019 NSECE. NORC has sent mailings to selected providers and households throughout the country, inviting them to participate in the study. We are writing you to ask your support for this critical data collection effort. If you are contacted by providers, households, teachers and caregivers, or other members of the public, please emphasize and reassure those individuals that the 2019 NSECE is a legitimate and vital effort for our programs and our ability to help all children get access to high-quality ECE programs. Learn More Read more about the survey and access findings from the 2012 survey.
