A Few Words...
Our collaborative partners have been so very busy!
Some exciting news:
The CASE office staff participated in the NGI Trivia charity event. The winning prize of $2000 going to the non-profit of the winning team's choice. I am happy to report the CASE team won 1st place and $2000 for our Glenbard ECC. Thank you CASE!
In other news, we are now an "Authorized Gateways Provider" through CASE. What does that mean for GECC? It means that now, when we offer professional development opportunities, folks registered within the Gateways system will earn professional credit!!! We are so excited for what this means for providers in our community!
Enjoy the sunshine and stay well!
Best Wishes,
Jeanine Woltman
Partner Spotlight: Child and Family Connections
Partner Organization: Child and Family Connections of DuPage
Representative: Jillian Santora
Area Served: DuPage County
Who: The Child and Family Connections (CFC) office is the point of entry for the Early Intervention (EI) program in DuPage County. EI provides a variety of services for families with young children 0-3 who have developmental concerns or a development diagnosis. The program follows a parent coaching model, rooted in the principle that all families help their children learn and grow. Available services include developmental, speech, physical, and occupational therapies. Families have the option to transition into the Early Childhood program offered through their local school district once their child turns 3.
What's Been Happening: Early Intervention has always been a natural environment based program, allowing us to come to our families homes, daycare, etc. We have recently implemented Live Video Visits as another modality of service for our families.
What's New: Just this year, a new law was passed allowing the extension of Early Intervention for children with summer birthdays who are eligible for Early Childhood IEP services.
Connection to GECC : Child and Family Connections has partnered with GECC for several years. We work closely with the school districts and home visiting programs within GECC.
Where to go to learn more? Dayonepact.org or to make a referral call 331-481-4263
Developmental Screenings made EASY!!!
Check out our NEW Glenbard ECC access to the ASQ-3 and ASQ SE-2 Developmental Screenings for any children residing in the Glenbard area ages birth to 5:
https://www.casedupage.com/glenbard-early-childhood-collaborative/
Thanks to our ASQ Team who helped get it up and running!
Preschool and Childcare Provider NEEDS SURVEY
We know that since the pandemic began, the needs of providers to our youngest learners have only increased. We are looking for ways we can be of support to you and your staff. Please complete this brief needs survey by March 21st and help us to best help you in your work with young children.
Needs Survey click HERE
Glenbard ECC 2022 Spring Meeting Schedule
Who: Members include representatives from relevant sectors including parents, school, library, home visiting, nutrition and food security, health department, childcare, community service, police. Act as a public voice for the GECC and its work. Not involved but want to be? Reach out to jwoltman@casedupage.com and let us know!
When: Thursday April 21, 2022
Time: TBD
Where: Zoom https://us06web.zoom.us/j/95519756111?pwd=Y2tjcGQ5Z0hTYjgrZzhmYlNIdmRrQT09
Glenbard Full Collaborative Quarterly Meeting
Who: Includes parents and representatives from all sectors working with families of young children in the Glenbard community. Persons in this voluntary position understand that working together is necessary to achieve the common goals and strategies of the collaboration. Not involved but want to be? Reach out to jwoltman@casedupage.com or join us at our next meeting!
When: Tuesday March 1, 2022
Time: 1:30 - 3:00PM
Where: Zoom https://us06web.zoom.us/j/96013363498?pwd=b2FZSFg3TTRKNmdqSkpLYVZzVDQ0QT09
Glenbard Parent Advisory Council
Who: The Parent Advisory Council (PAC) is open to parents, grandparents and/or guardians within the Glenbard community who are committed to advancing the goals and strategies of the GECC. The Council amplifies parent and family voice, helps ensure families are represented and engaged in all aspects of GECC, and provides counsel and leadership to determine and implement GECC’s strategic priorities. PAC members should reside in the community. The GECC coordinator and team will work to ensure interpreters, transportation, childcare and other supports are available to members to reduce attendance barriers.
When: Thursday March 10, 2022
Time: 1:30 - 2:30 PM
Where: Zoom https://us06web.zoom.us/j/96959221161?pwd=Nk9xU2RCZlQ3VDNqeFF4Vm5wQlJKZz09
Please reach out with any questions you might have!
Jeanine Woltman
224-588-4012
Birth to Five Illinois: Community Engagement Live Webinars
Following the virtual, regional kick-off events held in early February, Birth to Five Illinois will be holding Community Engagement Live Webinars on Zoom from 6-7pm on Tuesday and Thursday evenings between March 8 and April 5, 2022 to:
Meet with your community
Introduce our team
Share more about what the work of the Birth to Five Action and Family Councils will be
Answer questions
Please consider completing an application to be part of the DuPage Action Council or the DuPage Family Council. These are both great ways to support our community and have your voices heard!
Early Childhood GPS: Children’s Resilience and the Importance of Everyday Interactions
Dr. Junlei Li and Dr. Dana Winters of the Fred Rogers Center present:
"Children's Resilience and the Importance of Everyday Interactions"
Tue, Mar 1 @ 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Free
The power of human relationships – between parents and children, teachers, and students – comes from simple, ordinary moments of interactions. However, it is by no means “simplistic.” When we recognize what a human interaction can be and can do, we can understand how each of us have opportunities to connect, reciprocate, include, and support other human beings – whether we are caregivers supporting our children, or other grown-ups. In this interactive presentation with Dr. Junlei Li and Dr. Dana Winters, Fred Rogers Center practitioners, participants will explore what’s rich and powerful about even small and brief moments of human interactions.
Junlei Li is the Saul Zaentz senior lecturer in early childhood education at the Harvard Graduate School of Education. His research and practice focus on understanding and supporting the work of helpers – those who serve children and families on the front lines of education and social services. Li’s work is significantly influenced and inspired by the pioneering work of Fred Rogers (creator of Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood). He previously served as the Co-Director and Professor for Early Learning and Children’s Media at the Fred Rogers Center at Saint Vincent College.
As the Executive Director of the Fred Rogers Center for Early Learning and Children’s Media, Dana Winters seeks to apply and advance the legacy of Fred Rogers in serving children and their helpers. Dana supervises the Center’s research lab, Incubator 143, which partners with educators, trainers, advocates, and researchers to focus on identifying and amplifying the simple active ingredient that universally helps serve children—the power of human connection. Dana holds a Ph.D. in administrative and policy studies from the University of Pittsburgh, a M.A. in education from Indiana University of Pennsylvania, and a B.A. in sociology from Saint Vincent College.
The Fred Rogers Center web site
This event will be presented virtually. The link will be posted here when available to log in to this webinar from your computer, tablet or phone.
Sesame Street: Managing Big Feelings Toolkit
Managing Big Feelings Bundle
Unexpected (and even expected) changes can lead to big feelings for young children. Try out this multimedia resource bundle for some activities to help children notice, name, and manage big feelings.
Free Webinar Series: Reclaiming, Centering and Affirming Our Joy in Raising Black Children
Reclaiming, Centering, and Affirming Our Joy in
Raising Black Children
March 7th to May 16th, 3 PM ET / 12 PM PT
The Parenting While Black series is starting soon! Get ready to be a part of the conversations on March 7th, kicking off the series with Standing in our Black Joy and Excellence with our Children, Families, and Communities. This FREE 6-week webinar series offers a safe and welcoming space to hold conversations for and by Black families. All are welcome to join and engage in these powerful conversations!
Each webinar is 1 hour followed by a NEW 30-minute Q&A session with our parent panelists. You spoke. We listened. This series will be moderated by Eurnestine Brown, Ph.D., Director of Relational Equity and Belonging at the Brazelton Touchpoints Center.
All webinars will have live Spanish translation and closed captioning available.
https://bostonchildrens.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_fgjFIAd6T0SMI1AiO6bbOA
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Glen Ellyn Public Library | Glenside Public Library | Helen Plum Library |
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Winter Play Resources from Illinois Early Learning Project
Enjoy the Winter Wonderland (for those last few days of winter)
It’s February in Illinois, and regardless of whether the groundhog saw his shadow or not, there are probably still snowy days ahead. Outdoor Play: Weather or Not offers great suggestions for determining when it is safe for young children to be outside. If you do go out, our tip sheet Say Yes to the Mess! Snow Time offers ideas for incorporating learning into snow play. And if you can’t go outside, or just prefer to stay inside where it is warm, our collection of more than 100 Learning at Home Activities has enough simple ideas to keep your child engaged for days!
Birth to 3 AND Preschool Programs Conducting Screenings and Enrolling!!!
Preschool: Our partner school district preschools and Head Start are all conducting screenings for kids entering preschool.
- Marquardt D15/Head Start: Families can call (630) 784-4801 to make an appointment.
- Queen Bee D16: Appointments needed for screenings. To set up a future screening appointment call (630)344-5600.
- Glen Ellyn D41: Go to the district webpage and complete: Parent Information Form, Home Language Survey, ASQ questionnaire. https://www.d41.org/domain/516
- Glen Ellyn CCSD89: Contact the district for options (630)469-8900
- Lombard D44: see attached flyer
Questions or want to learn more about these and other opportunities for families? Contact Jeanine, or the programs directly.
Community Consolidated School District 89 conducts developmental screening periodically during the school year for children from the age of 2 years 10 months through 5 years old.
Families are strongly encouraged to complete both of the following screening tools in order to determine needs, prior to a developmental screening appointment:
- The Developmental Screening Information Sheet
- The Ages & Stages Questionnaire, 3rd Ed. (ASQ-3) screening tool (English / Español)
- The Ages & Stages Questionnaire: Social-Emotional, 2nd Ed., (ASQ:SE-2)
The results of the screening highlight the student’s strengths and areas for growth. If additional screening appears appropriate, parents will be asked to schedule an appointment.
Appointments for developmental screening can be made by calling Briar Glen Elementary School at (630) 545-3300. The following are developmental screening dates for the 2021-22 school year:
- August 27, 2021
- October 29, 2021
- January 28, 2022
- April 29, 2022
Parents of children ages birth to 3 years of age, who have concerns regarding developmental delays or special needs may contact Emma-Leigh Strock, School Psychologist, at (630) 545-3522, or estrock@ccsd89.org.
For more information please access the D89 website:
1. Complete the ASQ process HERE
2. Complete the Parent Information Form
3. Complete the Home language survey
For information contact:
Mayra Rojas
Preschool Parent Teacher Coordinator
630.534.7466
mrojas@d41.org
Glenbard Early Childhood Collaborative
MISSION
Glenbard Early Childhood Collaborative* is a group of community-based partners who work with families and young children to develop and support an environment where all are safe, happy, healthy, and eager to learn.
*The Glenbard Community includes Glendale Heights, Glen Ellyn, Lombard, and parts of Addison, Bloomingdale, Carol Stream and Wheaton
VISION:
Working together as a community to create a society that empowers young children and their families.
Podcast: Building Resilience Through Play
New Podcast Episode
The Brain Architects: Building Resilience Through Play
These days, resilience is needed more than ever, and one simple, underrecognized way of supporting healthy and resilient child development is as old as humanity itself: play. Far from frivolous, play contributes to sturdy brain architecture, the foundations of lifelong health, and the building blocks of resilience, yet its importance is often overlooked. In this podcast, we explore the role of play in supporting resilience with a panel of experts on play. Andres Bustamante, Erum Mariam, Laura Huerta Migus, Lynneth Solis, and Michael Yogman share their ideas and personal stories about applying the science of play in homes, communities, and crisis environments around the world.
Listen to the podcast
"Play allows children to deal with uncertainty ... it allows children to pivot, to adapt, to follow different paths, depending on what’s happening right in front of them ... it’s an iterative process."
--Lynneth Solis, Harvard Graduate School of Education
The Brain Architects Podcast: Building Resilience Through Play
