#INspirEDearly
October 2019, Volume 8
Welcome
New Releases from IDOE
Science Foundations Guidance
- English Language Arts
- Mathematics
- Social Emotional
- Approaches to Play and Learning
- Social Studies
- Science
The Creative Arts and Physical Health and Growth Guidance documents are in development.
We are grateful to the IDOE Staff, our workgroup members, and our partners that support this project!
Capacity Building Grant
The Office of Early Childhood and Out-of- School Learning (OECOSL) Request for Funding (RFF) 20-002 was released on September 23, 2019, and is posted at: https://www.in.gov/fssa/carefinder/5465.htm.
OECOSL RFF 20-002 seeks applications from 1) Indiana county/community coalitions containing early childhood education providers or 2) individual Indiana early childhood education providers interested in building their capacity to provide high quality early childhood education to eligible four-year-old children through either achieving a PTQ Level 3 or Level 4 rating and/or expanding the number of available seats for eligible four-year-old children. For this round of the Early Childhood Capacity Building Grant Program, only county/community coalitions and/or individual early childhood education providers from the following Indiana counties are eligible to apply:
Adams, Benton, Blackford, Boone, Brown, Cass, Clinton, Crawford, Dearborn, Decatur, Fountain, Franklin, Fulton, Greene, Huntington, Jasper, Jay, LaGrange, Lawrence, Martin, Miami, Montgomery, Morgan, Newton, Noble, Ohio, Orange, Parke, Perry, Pike, Pulaski, Putnam, Randolph, Rush, Scott, Spencer, Switzerland, Tipton, Union, Vermillion, Washington, Wells, and Whitley
Grant applications are due by Friday, November 8, 2019 at 5:00 p.m. ET. Please note that applications must be completed on the Early Learning Indiana online application platform (https://earlylearningin.submittable.com/submit). Please see the RFF document for detailed application instructions.
An optional informational webinar will be held at 8:45 a.m. ET on Wednesday, October 2, 2019. The webinar will be accessible at: https://Indiana.AdobeConnect.com/oecosl. A recording of the webinar will be posted on the RFF webpage for those who cannot attend. OECOSL will also be holding in-person information sessions across the State on October 15, 16, and 17 to support applicants in writing high-quality applications that meet all grant requirements. Please see the RFF webpage https://www.in.gov/fssa/carefinder/5465.htm for times and locations. All attendees must RSVP to OECOSLgrant@fssa.in.gov by October 11.
Opportunity: Community of Practice for Indiana Administrators
Opportunity: Spark Learning Lab Regional Advisory Committee (RAC)
We want to share an opportunity for you to be involved in the new statewide technical assistance provider for Indiana early childhood education programs, “SPARK Learning Lab”. While partners across the state work hard to launch this initiative, we are thrilled to offer YOU an opportunity to get involved in the success of SPARK.
SPARK will have a Regional Advisory Committee (RAC) in each Service Delivery Area. Councils will provide feedback on the following:
- The development and piloting of the program self-assessment
- Format and methods of technical assistance support
- Module content
- Soliciting feedback from other programs in their region
- Program and policy development
Learn more about the RACs in the attached document. If you are interested in joining the RAC in your SDA, please fill out the online application by October 18th: www.IndianaSpark.com/RAC.
If you have any questions, you can contact Mike Bachman, Project Director, mbachman@shineearly.com or Margaret Smith at m.smith@transformconsultinggroup.com.
It's That Time - OMWPK Enrollment!
Are You Eligible to Become an On My Way Pre-K Provider?
Check out this resource to determine if you meet the requirements. Providers from all counties became eligible to apply on July 1st. Public School Pre-K Coordinators or Administrators can contact Pre-K Expansion Specialist, Sarah Parks-Reese, for additional support.
ISPROUT Updates and Reminders
Teachers have been trained and students are being evaluated with ISPROUT! Here are some updates and reminders regarding ISPROUT:
- ISPROUT is for all students with an IEP. If you have other students you would like to assess with ISPROUT, contact Felecia Jordan.
- The help desk is available to answer your system and technical questions 24/7. You can contact them by calling 888-602-8343.
- We have frequently asked questions available on the ISPROUT website. This is being updated regularly based on educator questions.
- If your district or school needs a data manager, you can request access here. The data manager webinar is available to view at any time.
- Teacher training may still be underway in your school. If you do not have a trainer in your district, instructions for training will be posted on the ISPROUT website.
If you have additional ISPROUT questions, please contact Felecia Jordan at fjordan1@doe.in.gov.
Spotlight From the Field
Janice White
Janice was nominated by several of her colleagues to be spotlighted in #INspirEDearly. All of the nominations highlighted her passion for serving children and families, strong leadership skills, and dedication to quality improvement! One of her colleagues says:
"Janice exudes passion in all she does. She exhibits strong leadership skills and works directly with staff members to develop leaders in a culture of excellence. Janice has strong parent/family interaction skills and ensures teachers are teaching using developmentally appropriate practices that are in line with the Early Learning Foundations. She seeks to educate the whole child in a program that is trauma-informed. Janice is a team player that works diligently to collaborate with all stakeholders."
Thank you, Janice, for everything you do for young children and their families!
Nominate Your Colleague!
Resources We Love
Attendance Works Resources for Early Learning Programs
Online Professional Development Resources
Professional Development
Bright Beginnings: Supporting Early Childhood Mental Health Conference
Early Childhood/Preschool/Child Care directors, teachers, and providers and family members of children ages 3- to 8-years-old are invited to come together for a day focused on mental health through inclusive practices and positive social-emotional and behavior supports for young children. IDOE is pleased to be providing four breakout sessions throughout the day!
Registration is required and additional details can be found here.
Please contact Dr. Kelli Servizzi, HSE Preschool Coordinator, with any questions at kservizzi@hse.k12.in.us.
Saturday, Oct 5, 2019, 08:45 AM
Hamilton Southeastern High School, East 126th Street, Fishers, IN, USA
Engage With Us
Sarah Parks-Reese
Email: sparksreese1@doe.in.gov
Website: www.doe.in.gov/earlylearning
Location: 115 West Washington Street, Indianapolis, IN, USA
Phone: 317-234-5719
Twitter: @sarahlee218
Krystal Robinson
Email: krobinson2@doe.in.gov
Website: www.doe.in.gov/earlylearning
Location: 115 West Washington Street, Indianapolis, IN, USA
Phone: 317-232-0510