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Early Learning Opportunities, La Casa Hogar

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Early Learning Opportunities, La Casa Hogar

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Sign up to receive the Notes from Olympia, a weekly newsletter including the latest updates on early learning policy issues in Washington state.

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Dolly Parton’s America : Episodes | WNYC Studios | Podcasts

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The story of a legend at the crossroads of America’s culture wars.

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What does equity mean to you?
As a visual learner, this image really keeps me centered on equity

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Waterford UPSTART - Kindergarten Readiness

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Waterford UPSTART - Kindergarten Readiness

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Waterford Upstart Early Learning Program - Online Registration

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An online early learning program that teaches children reading, math, and science skills to prepare them for kindergarten and beyond-in just minutes a day.

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House Budget amended to add $1M for this program. Originally proposed as a bill by Rep. Corry, not advanced out of committee, but added to House Budget. (budgets are not yet finalized)

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House Budget amended to add $1M for this program. Originally proposed as a bill by Rep. Corry, not advanced out of committee, but added to House Budget. (budgets are not yet finalized)

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Waterford Upstart Early Learning Program - Online Registration

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An online early learning program that teaches children reading, math, and science skills to prepare them for kindergarten and beyond-in just minutes a day.

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Erica Hallock, Director of Policy and Advocacy with  Start Early WA

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Erica Hallock, Director of Policy and Advocacy with  Start Early WA

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Erica Hallock

Director, Policy & Advocacy, Start Early Washington

Erica Hallock serves as the Director of Policy and Advocacy for Start Early Washington. She has worked in early childhood, health and human services policy in both California and Washington state.

She has a B.A. in Political Science from the University of California at Riverside and a Master of Public Policy and Administration from California State University Sacramento.

She is a proud mom of two young adults (one of whom teaches in Washington's state preschool program) and lives in Spokane when she is not in Olympia.

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Erica Hallock, Director, Policy & Advocacy , Start Early Washington

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Director, Policy & Advocacy, Start Early Washington Erica Hallock serves as the Director of Policy and Advocacy for Start Early Washington. She has worked in early childhood, health and human services policy in both California and Washington state. She has a B.A.

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Join us March 14-16, 2023 for our 12th annual Summit. Engage with systems leaders, researchers, practitioners, policy advocates, families, key partners and decision makers in a collaborative pursuit to advance the home visiting field.
Learn More

From our classroom to your home, discover early childhood resources from our experts that you can use with your little ones to make learning fun!
Explore Our Resources

Our Mission

Start Early advances quality early learning for families with children, before birth through their earliest years, to help close the opportunity gap.
About Us

What We Do

Our comprehensive approach to early learning and care applies our deep expertise in program, policy and research so that children, families and educators can thrive.
Our Approach

Our Reach

From our roots directly serving families and children on Chicago's South Side and in rural Illinois, we have expanded to impact programs and policies nationwide.

Our Blog & Featured News

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Stay Connected

Sign up to receive news, helpful tools and learn about how you can help our youngest learners.
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Start Early | Champions for Early Learning

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Join us March 14-16, 2023 for our 12th annual Summit. Engage with systems leaders, researchers, practitioners, policy advocates, families, key partners and decision makers in a collaborative pursuit to advance the home visiting field. Learn More From our classroom to your home, discover early childhood resources from our experts that you can use with your little ones to make learning fun!

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Powdered infant formula recall expands following reports of bacterial infections

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Powdered infant formula recall expands following reports of bacterial infections

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For immediate release: March 2, 2022 (22-031)

Contact: DOH Communications

Recalled formulas may be linked to several Cronobacter illnesses, two nationwide infant deaths

OLYMPIA - Abbott Nutrition has expanded its voluntary recall of certain powdered infant formulas produced at the company's manufacturing facility in Sturgis, Michigan, because of possible Cronobacter contamination. Parents and caregivers should not feed their babies recalled Similac, Alimentum, or EleCare powdered formulas.

Recalled powdered infant formulas include Similac PM 60/40 with lot code 27032K80 (can) / 27032K800 (case), in addition to Similac, Alimentum, or EleCare powdered formula products that have all three of these conditions:

First two digits of the code are 22 through 37, and

The container contains "K8," "SH," or "Z2," and

The use-by date is 4-1-2022 (APR 2022) or later.

Product lot codes can be found on the bottom of the package. To confirm if a product is included in the recall, customers can enter their product lot code on Abbott Nutrition's website or call 1-800-986-8540. If a formula you own is included in the recall, immediately stop feeding it to your baby and return it for a refund at the store where you bought it. You can also return it to Abbott Nutrition. If you cannot find the code on the powdered formula package, do not use it. If the formula you use is not included in the recall, it is still safe to use and does not need to be thrown out or returned.

In Washington, at least 18,000 families who receive formula through the Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) program may be involved in the recall. A similar number of families not on WIC may also be using recalled formula. Washington WIC is working hard to provide formula alternatives for families but cannot guarantee alternatives will be available in every store, so please call the store ahead of time to ensure the formula you need is available. WIC families can also reach out to WIC clinics and check the WIC shopping app for updates. Additionally, if you are feeding your baby both breastmilk and formula and want to do more breastfeeding, WIC has trained staff available to help. If you are not on WIC, please reach out to your health care provider for support.

The first symptom of Cronobacter infection in infants is usually a fever accompanied by poor feeding, excessive crying, or very low energy. Some infants may have seizures. Contact your child's health care provider if your baby is experiencing these symptoms or if they consumed the recalled formula.

Parents and caregivers should never dilute powdered infant formula and should not make or feed homemade formula to infants. Additional information on formula preparation and storage can be found on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's website.

The recall remains under investigation by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. At this time, no known cases have been reported in Washington.

The DOH website is your source for a healthy dose of information. Find us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter. Sign up for the DOH blog, Public Health Connection.

###
Printable Version (PDF)

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Powdered infant formula recall expands following reports of bacterial infections

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For immediate release: March 2, 2022 (22-031) Contact: DOH Communications OLYMPIA - Abbott Nutrition has expanded its voluntary recall of certain powdered infant formulas produced at the company's manufacturing facility in Sturgis, Michigan, because of possible Cronobacter contamination. Parents and caregivers should not feed their babies recalled Similac, Alimentum, or EleCare powdered formulas.

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Washington State Department of Children, Youth & Families

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Calling all special needs dads! Do you often feel overwhelmed trying to have a career, a relationship, a family, all the therapy appointments? Meet other dads who are going through some of the same things. Casual meet-ups via Zoom. Dads getting together, sharing stories, and offering support.

Meetings happen every second Thursday of the month from 6:30 - 8 p.m.

Register here

For more information, visit www.dadsmove.org

Dr. Ashley Penney, PhD, BCBA-D, of the University of Washington Autism Center, shares helpful tips for understanding ABA therapy and considerations for finding a good provider fit for your family and child. This free webinar is intended for parents of children recently diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder looking for information about starting an ABA program.

Target Audience: Parents or other caregivers of children recently diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder.
Register Here
Getting the right help for students with disabilities is made easier when families learn key vocabulary and understand how to use it. PAVE provides videos to support learning about student rights and how to work with the school to get individualized support.
Learn More Here
Use these free tips and resources for encouraging learning and positive interactions with children at home. Many resources are focused on young children, but most can be extended for children of all ages.
See More
Questions? Suggestions?

Contact Vanessa Allen, DCYF ESIT Family Engagement Coordinator, at vanessa.allen@dcyf.wa.gov.

Llamando a todos los papás con necesidades especiales! ¿A menudo se siente abrumado tratando de tener una carrera, una relación, una familia, todas las citas de terapia? Conozca a otros papás que están pasando por algunas de las mismas cosas. Encuentros casuales vía zoom. Los papás se reúnen y comparten historias, y ofrecen apoyo.

Las reuniones se realizan cada segundo jueves del mes de 6:30 p.m. a 8 p.m.
Registrarse aquí
Para obtener más información, visite www.dadsmove.org

La Dra. Ashley Penney, PhD, BCBA-D, del Centro de Autismo de la Universidad de Washington, comparte consejos útiles para comprender la terapia ABA y consideraciones para encontrar un buen proveedor adecuado para su familia y su hijo. Este seminario web gratuito está destinado a padres de niños recientemente diagnosticados con trastorno del espectro autista que buscan información sobre cómo iniciar un programa ABA.

Público objetivo: padres u otros cuidadores de niños recientemente diagnosticados con trastorno del espectro autista.
Registrarse aquí
Obtener la ayuda adecuada para estudiantes con discapacidades es más fácil cuando las familias aprenden vocabulario clave y entienden cómo usarlo. PAVE proporciona videos para apoyar el aprendizaje sobre los derechos de los estudiantes y cómo trabajar con la escuela para obtener apoyo individualizado.
Aprenda Más Aquí
Comuníquese con Vanessa Allen, Coordinadora de Participación Familiar de ESIT a vanessa.allen@dcyf.wa.gov.

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The ESIT Family Newsletter|El Boletín Familiar de ESIT

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Calling all special needs dads! Do you often feel overwhelmed trying to have a career, a relationship, a family, all the therapy appointments? Meet other dads who are going through some of the same things. Casual meet-ups via Zoom. Dads getting together, sharing stories, and offering support.

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DCYF: Strengthen Families Locally Weekly Newsletter

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DCYF: Strengthen Families Locally Weekly Newsletter

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Washington State Department of Children, Youth & Families

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February 25 – Strengthen Families Locally Weekly

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Washington State Department of Children, Youth & Families sent this bulletin at 02/25/2022 10:25 AM PST

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Early Learning Budgets: Legislative Session 2022

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Early Learning Budgets: Legislative Session 2022

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The Investing in Children Coalition Equity Action Team recognizes that equity is an ongoing process that involves input from recipients, continued evaluation, and shared accountability. We further understand that equity is an assessment-based process and outcome that must be open to the truth.

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Alignment: diversity, inclusion, and equity are intercorrelated in our work as a coalition

Have a shared definition of equity that reflects the Yakima and Kittitas County

Encourage all organizational partners to develop a strong diversity statement

Evaluate power dynamics by being aware of our own behavior and power and keeping ourselves in check

We want to help create an environment where success is unavoidable for young children

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Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

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Skills such as taking a first step, smiling for the first time, and waving "bye bye" are called developmental milestones. Children reach milestones in how they play, learn, speak, act, and move.

Click on the age of your child to see the milestones:

"Learn the Signs. Act Early." materials are not a substitute for standardized, validated developmental screening tools.

Special acknowledgments to the subject matter experts and others who contributed to the review of data and selection of developmental milestones, especially Paul H. Lipkin, MD, Michelle M. Macias, MD, Julie F. Pajek, PhD, Judith S. Shaw, EdD, MPH, RN, Karnesha Slaughter, MPH, Jane K. Squires, PhD, Toni M. Whitaker, MD, Lisa D. Wiggins, PhD, and Jennifer M. Zubler, MD.
Sincere gratitude to Natalia Benza, MD and José O. Rodríguez, MD, MBA for their thoughtful review of the Spanish-language translation of these milestones.

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“learn the signs. act early.” milestones

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Developmental milestones are things most children can do by a certain age. Track your child's milestones and talk with your child's doctor at every visit about the milestones your child has reached

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Advocacy Week: Talking Points and Schedule

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Advocacy Week: Talking Points and Schedule

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WCFC Advocacy Week: Talking Points and Schedule

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WCFC Advocacy Week: Talking Points and Schedule

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Health Care Premium Assistance for Employees of Child Care Facilities 

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Health Care Premium Assistance for Employees of Child Care Facilities 

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https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82463641490

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FCC Launches Affordable Connectivity Program

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In accordance with Congressional directives, the FCC officially launched the Affordable Connectivity Program, the $14.2 billion successor program to the Emergency Broadband Benefit which helped almost 9 million afford internet access during the pandemic.

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Please follow this link to sign in for today's meeting!

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Please follow this link to sign in for today's meeting!

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March 2022 Investing in Children Coalition Meeting

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March 2022 Investing in Children Coalition Meeting

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Slow internet? Effort aims to boost broadband in Yakima Valley with help from infrastructure bill

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A lack of broadband infrastructure has hindered education, economic development and public services to rural Yakima County residents for several years. A team of local officials is working to find

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Estakio Beltran, Director of Community Innovations and Advocacy

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Estakio Beltran, Director of Community Innovations and Advocacy

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Email: estakiob@yakimavalleycf.org
Phone: 509-457-7616 | Cell: 509-907-7837
Yakima Valley Community Foundation 111 University Parkway, Suite 102 | Yakima, Washington 98901 www.yakimavalleycf.org

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The Investing in Children Coalition is partnering with the Northcentral Early Learning Coalition to plan and host an early learning conference in Central WA during the first half of 2022 (the exact date is yet to be determined). The conference would be modeled after the Starting Strong Conference that Thrive WA hosted for many years.
Prioritizing everyone's safety, our 2022 conference would be held virtually.
Please complete this brief survey to provide feedback about session topics, attendance, and leadership opportunities.

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Investing in Children Coalition - 2022 Early Learning Conference

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The Investing in Children Coalition is partnering with the Northcentral Early Learning Coalition to plan and host an early learning conference in Central WA during the first half of 2022 (the exact date is yet to be determined). The conference would be modeled after the Starting Strong Conference that Thrive WA hosted for many years.

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https://www.washingtoncfc.org/fair-start-for-kids-act-communication-toolkit

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Big Thanks!

This project would not have been possible without the many advocates, experts, and WCFC Early Childhood Network members who provided valuable time, input, and skills. Special thanks to the following individuals who participated on the Fair Start for Kids Act Communication Workgroup:

Toolkit design & content creation

Colleen Condon, Molly Curtiss, Molly Draben, Cadie Dye, Debbie Ham, Brittany Hartikainen, Katie Maisch, Eiledon McLellan, Melissa McPheeters, April Messenger, Linden Obel, Nancy Spurgeon

Toolkit translation

Marina Medrano

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Fair Start for Kids Act Communication Toolkit - Washington Communities For Children

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This project would not have been possible without the many advocates, experts, and WCFC Early Childhood Network members who provided valuable time, input, and skills.

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borrowed from ESD 105

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Questions, comments, concerns? Write away! 

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Questions, comments, concerns? Write away! 

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We encourage you to use the comment section below to write any questions, comments, or concerns that you have about the meeting. Feel free to also leave questions for the speaker or meeting facilitators.

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Why Early Learning is Important:

Research has shown that children who are able to participate in early learning programs perform better throughout their years of schooling. Early learning programs focus on six areas of kindergarten readiness:

Social-Emotional - Children do better in school when they can regulate their emotions, establish positive relationships with others, and constructively participate in group settings.

Physical - The early years are important for the development of fundamental gross-motor and fine-motor skills needed to be active learners.

Language - Children need to understand increasingly complex language and use language to express their thoughts, ideas, needs, and feelings.

Cognitive - Children are more successful in school when they have positive approaches to learning, and are able to attend, engage, and persist to solve problems.

Literacy - A child's progress in reading and writing is one of the best predictors of whether the child will function competently in school and in life.

Math - Research shows that math is the number one predictor of future success in reading and math.*

*Duncan, Greg. University of California, 2007. Early Childhood Longitudinal studies. "The strongest predictors of later achievement are school-entry math, reading, and attention skills. Early math skills have the greatest predictive power."

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Research has shown that children who are able to participate in early learning programs perform better throughout their years of schooling. Early learning programs focus on six areas of kindergarten readiness: Social-Emotional - Children do better in school when they can regulate their emotions, establish positive relationships with others, and constructively participate in group settings.

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National Equity Project: Liberatory Design Training

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National Equity Project: Liberatory Design Training

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Reconocimiento de Tierra
"Nos gustaría reconocer que venimos a ustedes desde las tierras tradicionales de los primeros habitantes de nuestro valle, las 14 Tribus y Bandas Confederadas de la Nación Yakama, y honramos con gratitud a la tierra misma y a la Tribu Yakama.”

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You can get ACP if you (or someone in your household) participate in one of these programs:

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You can get ACP if you (or someone in your household) participate in one of these programs:

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Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), formerly known as Food Stamps

Medicaid Special
Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC)

Supplemental Security Income (SSI)

Federal Public Housing Assistance (FPHA)

Veterans Pension and Survivors Benefit

Free and Reduced-Price School Lunch Program or School Breakfast Program, including at U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)

Community Eligibility Provision schools in the 2019-20, 2020-21, or 2021-22 school year

Received a Federal Pell Grant in the current award year

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Log into Facebook to start sharing and connecting with your friends, family, and people you know.

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Transitional Kindergarten (TK) is a kindergarten program for children, below the age of five, who do not have access to high-quality early learning experiences prior to kindergarten.

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Liberatory Design - National Equity Project

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Liberatory Design - National Equity Project

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Why Liberatory Design?
We are all living in challenging times that our past experience and training has not sufficiently prepared us for. Too often, well intentioned equity efforts do not succeed-and even produce unintended consequences. This can lead to frustration, hopelessness and cynicism.
It's important to consider why so many equity efforts stall or fail to achieve intended outcomes:

They do not employ a deep enough equity lens-for example, a diversity and inclusion focus as opposed to interrogating deeper causes produced by systemic oppression.

They take the form of traditional linear, hierarchical plans that focus on strategies, goals, timelines, metrics and accountability. These efforts don't recognize the messiness and complexity of the challenge, so they often are ineffective and, sometimes, even backfire.

They are created in the context of dominant white culture, in traditional structures (e.g. committees, task forces), or in teams that don't have an effective approach to the work. Common problems include:

group members unable to engage in authentic critical dialogue;

lack of trust, especially across role/power and identity difference, that undermines team efficacy;

the process doesn't bring forward sufficiently creative thinking;

urgency leads to hasty, misguided decisions;

creative and potentially powerful solutions are not accepted by leadership.

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Liberatory Design - National Equity Project

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Addressing equity challenges and change efforts in complex systems with liberatory design. Learn more about this process or register for an upcoming course.

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The Early Learning Advisory Council (ELAC) was created by the Legislature in 2007.

ELAC representatives from around the state meet regularly to provide input and recommendations to the Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) so our strategies and actions are well informed and broadly supported by parents, child care providers, health and safety experts and interested members of the public.

Governor Jay Inslee holds final authority for policy decisions.

The council has adopted a Racial Equity Framework through which it conducts its business as an advisory board to the Department of Children, Youth, and Families.

Members

The Early Learning Advisory Council (ELAC) members are a diverse group of people whose role is to provide DCYF with input and recommendations to inform DCYF's work.

ELAC includes parents, child care providers, health and safety experts, legislators, representatives of Tribal Nations, independent schools, K-12 and higher education, and others who are interested in creating a statewide early learning system that helps all children realize their full potential.

Some ELAC members are appointed by the Governor. Others are appointed by various entities as required in the legislation that created ELAC.

Meetings

The Early Learning Advisory Council has six regular meetings each year, held on the first Tuesday of odd months. At each meeting, ELAC members get updates on DCYF's work and provide input and recommendations to DCYF.

Members of the public are welcome to attend ELAC meetings. Public comment periods are offered throughout each meeting. The locations and times vary for each meeting.

2022
December 6, 2022 August 2, 2022 October 4, 2022 June 7, 2022 April 12, 2022 February 1, 2022
At the time of the meeting, please join the Zoom meeting via the link below.

9:00am-3:00pm

Meeting number (access code): 824 9183 1069
Meeting password: 904723

Join by phone: 1 253 215 8782 US Toll
Passcode: 904723

2021
December 7, 2021 October 5, 2021 - Joint Early Learning Advisory Council, Provider Supports Subcommittee, and Parent Advisory Group Meeting August 3, 2021 June 1, 2021 - Joint Provider Supports Subcommittee Meeting March 30, 2021 - Joint PAG Meeting February 2, 2021

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Department of Children, Youth & Families

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The Early Learning Advisory Council (ELAC) was created by the Legislature in 2007. Read the statutory language ELAC representatives from around the state meet regularly to provide input and recommendations to the Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) so our strategies and actions are well informed and broadly supported by parents, child care providers, health and safety experts and interested members of the public.

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@forthekidswa

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https://www.washingtoncfc.org/fair-start-for-kids-act-communication-toolkit

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Big Thanks!

This project would not have been possible without the many advocates, experts, and WCFC Early Childhood Network members who provided valuable time, input, and skills. Special thanks to the following individuals who participated on the Fair Start for Kids Act Communication Workgroup:

Toolkit design & content creation

Colleen Condon, Molly Curtiss, Molly Draben, Cadie Dye, Debbie Ham, Brittany Hartikainen, Katie Maisch, Eiledon McLellan, Melissa McPheeters, April Messenger, Linden Obel, Nancy Spurgeon

Toolkit translation

Marina Medrano

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Fair Start for Kids Act Communication Toolkit - Washington Communities For Children

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
This project would not have been possible without the many advocates, experts, and WCFC Early Childhood Network members who provided valuable time, input, and skills.