Early Education Newsletter
June 2021
Build, Learn, Grow Scholarship
What is the Build, Learn, Grow Scholarship? For families with qualifying incomes (128%- 250% of the federal poverty level), classified as essential workers, the state of Indiana can cover 80% of child care costs for kids up to age 12, including before-school and after-school care. As an example, a family of four earning $66,000 per year will qualify for a Build, Learn, Grow scholarship.
Remember that early childhood education and care and out-of-school-time workers are essential, so those with qualifying incomes can also apply to receive this scholarship for their children!
Program Requirements
Early care and education and out-of-school-time programs must be CCDF eligible to participate in the Build, Learn, Grow scholarship program. If your program is not CCDF eligible, contact your state licensing consultant to get started.
Programs must complete the required Build, Learn, Grow informational session in SPARK Learning Lab and submit their Build, Learn, Grow consent form in order to claim family scholarships.
Complete the 30-minute Build, Learn, Grow Information Session in Indiana Learning Paths. Log in or create a free account at ilead.in.gov. Then click the green "Start Your Indiana Learning Path" button. Choose "Courses" from the menu on the left-hand side, and search "Build, Learn, Grow Scholarship Fund Information Session" to register and start the course.
REcorded Webinar: May 25th Build, Learn, Grow Webinar
need i-lead help? having trouble accepting your invitation? need assistance learning to navigate i-lead?
Join SPARK Learning Lab's Mailing List
CDA Renewal Amnesty Extension
Now is the Time to Renew your CDA®!
You recognize the importance of providing our youngest learners with the education they deserve. If you need to renew your CDA credential, the Council is extending the deadline for the Renewal Amnesty program to December 31, 2021. Check out the new tutorial and discover how easy it is to become active again.
We hope this extension will provide the time you may need to take advantage of this special opportunity. The program allows anyone with a CDA credential expiration date going back as far as January 1, 2010, to complete the renewal process and make their credential active again.
Get Ready, Set and…Learn more here!
Share Your Story with INAEYC!
The Workforce Systems team at INAEYC wants to connect with YOU – what challenges are you and your team working to solve right now? What celebrations do you want to share about the hard work happening in your program? How can we help you and your team meet your professional goals? Share your story with our team, and we can collaborate, share resources, and offer supports to help you reach your goals!
Our team can offer support and resources related to recruitment and retention, supportive work environments, planning for professional growth, national accreditation, and more!
Contact us at workforce@inaeyc.org to ask about completing your Workforce Profile and connecting with an Early Childhood Workforce Coordinator in your community.”
Don't Miss Out on Important Information
The Office of Early Childhood and Out-of-School Learning sends out text updates with urgent policy changes, funding updates, COVID-19 resources, and much more. If you do not currently receive these text messages, text “Updates” to INKIDS to get convenient updates straight to your phone.
If you already receive text updates, take the next step and update your text preferences. You can subscribe to the information that is most relevant to you, like program information about the Child Care and Development Fund, On My Way Pre-K, or Paths to QUALITY.
Text “Updates” to INKIDS or 465437
Professional Development:
Erikson Institution Summer Learning Series
Early Childhood Professionals—this summer, grow your knowledge and skills to work effectively with young children and their families through Erikson Institute’s exciting series of online learning opportunities!
Our 2021 summer learning series offers virtual, interactive workshops with Erikson experts who lead participants through an in-depth exploration of a particular topic. Topics include technology, social work, math, and social and emotional learning.
Courses vary from free to paid, with or without CEUs, and may be part of a related series.
Check out the details below:
Technology: Wednesday June 9, 4:00-4:30PM CT (free)
TEC Center’s Favorite Tech Tools
Technology: Tuesday July 13, 3:00-4:30PM CT ($75)
Transitioning Forward: Lessons Learned for the Fall
Math: Wednesday July 14, 9:00AM-4:30PM CT ($150)
Nurturing Math Thinking with Infants, Toddlers, and 2s
Staff Retention from Inception: Effective Interviews and Onboarding in ECE, by Beth Canon
June 9, 2021 I 2:00 PM Eastern Time
Do you ever wonder why recently hired staff don’t hang around for long, or worse, behave in ways that make you question your own judgment in hiring them? Every childcare business should have interview and onboarding/orientation processes that are streamlined, consistent and empowering for new staff members. From the moment you first screen applicants through the moment you make the job offer, you will want to share the roadmap to them becoming a part of the team. Hiring and onboarding are best thought of as a process of ramping staff into the culture of your program– think of it as organizational socialization!
New employee onboarding is the process of integrating a new employee with your program and its culture, as well as getting a new hire the tools and information needed to become a productive member of the team. You’ll need to cover all the necessary steps to prepare for onboarding a new employee and guide them through the process of becoming part of a successful team. Click here to learn more.
Ready and Resilient! Promoting the Resilience of Children and Adults
August 4, 2021 | 2 PM Eastern Time
Registration for the ZERO TO THREE Annual Conference 2021 will open this month.
Get ready to register early!
This year’s theme is Take Heart. Join us to advance our shared goals, grow your professional network, and deepen your learning and practice. Throughout the conference, you will Take Strength from this community. Be inspired by one another and empowered by what we can and will do together. Take Chances and be a brave learner with us. You will learn new perspectives and have courageous conversations about the most pressing issues young children and families face. Take Action and be an advocate. Your voice matters. Take Care before, during, and after the conference. When we take care of ourselves, we take better care of our babies.
The last year has been hard. Join Zero to Three to reflect, renew and imagine what we can accomplish together.
Resources:
Vroom Tips™ Growing Young Brains with Music and Dance
IAN Summer Learning Standards
Summer is here! Many summer programs are ramping up their programming. How can you be sure you are providing high quality summer programming for the children of your community? Utilize the IAN Summer Learning Standards to assess your program. The purpose of the Indiana Afterschool Standards is to outline the path and steps that lead to high quality youth programs that take place outside the school day. The afterschool standards are based on national research and best practices in the youth development and education fields. Click here to learn more.
Family Resources:
Recorded: What to Look for in a Quality Summer Program
Breastfeeding Basics
CASY's Family Engagement Specialists were excited to welcome Shelbey Rea from Indiana Women, Infant, and Children (WIC) last month. Shelbey shared an overview
of what to expect in the early days after delivery as well as discussed baby friendly hospital initiatives while explaining why they are put into place. Watch the recording to learn all this and more.
Heatstroke Prevention Awareness
A child’s body temperature rises three to five times faster than an adult’s. Don’t leave your child behind in the car for essential errands, even if you think it’ll be quick.
Why Are Kids Different at Home and at School?
Some hold it together at school, only to lose it at home. Others stress out in the classroom.
It’s not unusual for kids to behave differently in different settings. For instance, you’d expect a child to act one way at a friend’s birthday party and another at her grandparents’ house. But the behavior of some kids — especially those with issues such as anxiety, learning disabilities, ADHD and autism — can vary much more markedly, especially when they’re at home versus school. This discrepancy can leave parents puzzled, if not upset, and worried that they’re doing something wrong. Continue reading here.
Stay Connected:
Email: help@casyonline.org
Website: www.casyonline.org
Location: 1101 South 13th Street, Terre Haute, IN, USA
Phone: 800-886-3952
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CASY.Inc