Tuesday, November 22, 2022 | |
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Dear Sara,
We hope you are feeling energized by the crisp air and fall colors as we enter into the holiday season!
As a valued member of our ECESF community, we know sharing resources you need is essential to our collective work. Our November newsletter highlights some of the most prominent issues across the field, along with special events & updates from our organization.
In this newsletter:
- Policy 101 Training
- Important Provider Resources
- ECE Updates in State Policy - Elections, Advocacy, & UPK
- ECE Funding & Financial Assistance
- Public Health & COVID-19 Resources
- Community Events & Resources
Whether or not you celebrate Thanksgiving, we can all agree the long holiday weekend is a much needed respite from our caregiving work during which we can reflect with gratitude.
We wish you all the best for a few days of personal rest and/or time with loved ones.
In community,
Sara & Anna
info@ecesf.org
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Thank you to those who attended our State and Local ECE Policy 101 Training which ECESF co-hosted as part of the SF ECE Advocacy Coalition last Wednesday!
It was amazing to see the community turnout. We deeply appreciate Denyne and Matthias for spending their time and sharing their knowledge with us.
If you were not able to attend, you can view the recording in English, Spanish (Español), or Chinese (中文).
TextLn
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Updated ELS Voucher Certificates
Message from the Department of Early Childhood (DEC):
"In response to important feedback from our ELS educators, the Department of Early Childhood (DEC) will be removing the rate amount from its ELS Voucher certificates starting November 1, 2022. This does not change the rates in any way, it simply removes the rate amount from appearing on the ELS Voucher certificate. This way programs have more discretion with parents regarding the ELS Voucher amount they receive for each enrollment. The rates will still appear on the State AP funded vouchers (CAPP and CalWORKs), as this is a requirement of State law."
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Fiscal Year 2022–23 California State Preschool Contract Changes
The Early Education and Nutrition Fiscal Services (EENFS) Office is providing all contractors with the Fiscal Year 2022-23 California State Preschool Contract Changes letter. Please review details for information important to all California State Preschool Program (CSPP) operators. Topics include changes to reimbursement rates, adjustment factor updates, attendance and fiscal reporting, family fee waivers, and reimbursement, among others.
If you have any questions regarding this correspondence, please contact your assigned EENFS Fiscal Analyst from the EENFS Fiscal Apportionment Analyst Directory.
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New FREE Child Care Public Search Tool
California Child Care Resource & Referral Network has launched a new website that provides much-needed go-to resources for parents in California to search for and find relevant child care quickly and efficiently.
MyChildCarePlan.org is a website and support platform designed to provide California’s families with the information they need to make the best possible child care choices for their children. The site offers a highly customizable child care search tool and connection to local R&R counselors to help parents to find child care that meets their family’s unique needs.
With MyChildCarePlan.org, parents can access the information they need to find child care they can trust, and providers can easily promote their services to families who need them.
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Watch the Bold on Early Educator Compensation Briefing
In case you missed the Nov. 2 webinar briefing, Bold on Early Educator Compensation: Lessons from States Taking Action, state-based solutions and challenges were promoted, and viewers shared their interpretations of being bold on compensation. “It means we have a nation that respects and honors educators by providing them compensation that allows them to thrive, not simply survive,” said one participant.
View the briefing and be inspired!
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Check out this ECE Advocacy map!
See what's happening in ECE across each state across the US. This interactive map offers resources about early childhood education at the individual state level as well as specific topic areas nationally. Here you can find state policy initiatives and legislation focused on #ECE as well as ally organizations who are working on specific areas.
Find out about early childhood news on the Defending the Early Years Advocacy Map.
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Universal Preschool/PreKindergarten (UPK) | |
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Early Education Division (EED) Universal PreKindergarten Weekly Office Hours
The EED will be hosting virtual office hours every other Wednesday afternoon targeted for LEAs (school districts, charter schools, county offices of education) so that attendees can receive technical assistance around CSPP and UPK budget implementation and policy changes.
To register, visit Universal PreK Office Hours - Elementary (CA Dept. of Ed).
Upcoming Dates
November 23, 2022 - 4:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
December 7, 2022 - 4:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
December 21, 2022 - 4:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
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ECE Funding & Financial Assistance | |
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GRANTS TO FUND EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATORS FOCUSED ON PLAY-BASED LEARNING
Defending the Early Years (DEY) offers a mini-grant initiative to help foster your good work in your community as related to DEY’s three principle goals:
- To advocate at the grassroots, local, state, regional, and federal levels for education policies based on child development theory and research.
- To mobilize the early childhood community to speak up for age-appropriate standards, assessments, and classroom practices that are based on research.
- To promote appropriate practices in early childhood classrooms and to support educators in counteracting policies and practices that undermine whole child health and optimal learning.
GRANTS OFFERED IN THE RANGE OF $200 TO $500 PER APPLICATION.
Upcoming deadlines: Dec. 1, 2022, Mar. 1, 2023, and June 1, 2023.
Applications will be reviewed and up to 12 awards will be granted per year (depending on grant sizes). Applicants can apply for a mini grant once per year.
Learn More and Apply Here!
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Middle Class Tax Refunds Are On The Way
Tax relief is headed to most Californians' bank accounts or mailboxes. As part of the latest state budget, California included approximately $9.5 billion in tax rebates to help fight global inflation that has raised the price of essentials, like groceries. Payments will range from $200 to $1,050, depending on the California Adjusted Gross Income stated on 2020 tax forms and the number of dependents claimed. There is still time to determine your eligibility.
Determine eligibility and/or estimate your refund here.
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Educational Support Grant Opportunity
Students pursuing a career in early childhood or child development may be eligible to apply for the Educational Support Grant. Students may apply at the beginning of each semester that they are enrolled in courses at a California community college. Limited funding is distributed on a first come, first served basis.
See the flyer to learn more!
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Abolitionist Teaching Network (ATN) Grants for Educators
Applications close THIS Sunday, November 27!
ATN is seeking applications from those who work to further abolitionist education in the following categories:
- Educators: Anyone who works in an educational capacity with learners of any age.
- Early Care Educators: Those working with learners birth - age 5 and/or their families in formal or informal educational settings
- Educators Working for Disability Justice: Those working for the abolition of carceral logics and spaces as they intersect with ableism
Applications close on Sunday, November 27, 2022. Learn more and apply for the ATN grant here.
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Public Health & COVID-19 Resources | |
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Monkeypox Toolkit for Schools and Early Care and Education Programs
Due to concerns about the monkeypox virus the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has released the Monkeypox Toolkit for Schools and Early Care and Education Programs. This toolkit includes information for administrators, youth, and parents on topics such as identifying monkeypox, safety considerations in congregate settings, avoiding stigma and fear-based exclusion surrounding the virus, and what to do if you are concerned that you or a child has contracted the virus.
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Marketplace Open Enrollment for Health Insurance
Open enrollment for marketplace health plans is open from Nov. 1, 2022 to Dec. 15, 2022. CCR&Rs, child care programs and families can learn more at HealthCare.gov, including insurance options, as well as finding assistance in enrolling. CCR&Rs can provide this information to families and child care programs to help ensure access to health care for the child care community.
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COVID 19 Test to Treatment Program
If you have COVID-19 symptoms, you can get tested, be seen by a health care provider, and receive medication -- all in one place at a Test to Treat site. If you have medical conditions which make you more likely to get very sick with COVID-19, you may be eligible to receive treatments. Both adults and children over 12 can receive treatments. Learn more about the Test to Treat Program.
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PIN 22-28-CCP - Updates to the California Department of Public Health Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Guidance for Child Care Providers and Programs | |
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The Communities of Support: Reflective Practice and Caregiver Well-Being Series
Join virtual, free monthly sessions that offer a consistent and supportive space for early learning and care providers from a variety of backgrounds to share their experiences. Hosted by California Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health Consultation (IECMHC).
Groups are offered in both English and Spanish for family, friend, and neighbor (FFN) caregivers, family childcare (FCC) providers and center-based program staff to support their well-being in their daily care and interactions with young children and their families. Options are also available for providers who identify as Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC) who may prefer to meet in a space with other BIPOC caregivers in a group that is facilitated by BIPOC facilitators. Early childhood materials, resources and participation stipends are available.
For more information on this series, register for the Information Session Zoom Meeting (Spanish interpretation available) on Jan 9, 2023 06:00 PM or Jan 21, 2023 01:00 PM.
Also, FREE Consultation for Home-Based Care Providers!
The IECMHC Network offers 12 hours of individualized consultation for FFN and FCC providers virtually and/or in person to address the social and emotional well-being of children and the adults who care for them. In appreciation of their participation, providers will receive early childhood materials and resources. Read the Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health Consultation for Family Child Care & Family, Friend and Neighbor Providers flyer to learn more.
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Upcoming Community Events | |
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What Will the Mid-Terms Mean for the Future of Child Care?
Tuesday, November 29 at 11 AM PST/ 2 PM EST
Register Here
The winners of the 2022 mid-term elections will be positioned to make public policy decisions that directly impact the child care sector.
Join the CCAoA Policy and Advocacy team for a live webinar to discuss the impact of the mid-term elections on child care policy and preview advocacy strategies for the post-election landscape.
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Partnering With Tribes To Support P-3 Alignment
Thursday, December 1 from 3:30 PM to 5:00 PM
Register Here
This webinar is designed to inform and support local educational agencies, community-based organizations and their partners to better understand the sovereignty of tribal nations and the history of their interactions with public education systems, as well as learn from tribal leaders and parents about how to effectively partner with tribes and effectively engage with and support representation of tribal families from preschool through third grade. For information on CDE news related to the P-3 initiative and to ensure you receive updates about future webinars, email "subscribe” here.
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December 1, 2022 at 1 - 2 PST/ 4 - 5 PM EST
Register Here
It's time to talk about the real impacts and possibilities of QRIS systems. Are Quality Rating & Improvement Systems positively impacting equity, quality, and outcomes for children? Are they meeting the needs of practitioners, families, and administrators?
Join this webinar to bring practitioner voices in the conversation around adapting quality rating systems for early childhood education.
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Are you an Early Care Educator in San Francisco?
¿Es usted un educador de cuidado infantil en San Francisco?
您是舊金山的早期護理教育工作者嗎？
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ECESF is a grassroots organization bringing San Francisco early care educators together across diverse ECE community and public sites. We are peers supporting each other, making sure we all know what's happening, and ensuring that new programs implemented to help us and the important work we do really do make a difference. If you are passionate about child care and education and know that a well-paid, stable workforce and great working conditions are essential to deliver great services, you won’t want to miss out on the discussions happening in our ECESF community including:
- Educator focus groups
- Core leadership meetings
- Teacher advocacy meetings
- Special events & community discussions
If you or an educator you know is ready to get involved, fill out our ECESF Interest Form below and we'll make sure you get connected!
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ECESF es una organización de base que reúne a los educadores de atención temprana de San Francisco en diversos sitios públicos y comunitarios de ECE. Somos compañeros apoyándonos unos a otros, asegurándonos de que todos sepamos lo que está pasando y garantizando que los nuevos programas
que se implementan para ayudarnos y el importante trabajo que hacemos realmente marquen la diferencia. Si le apasiona la
atención y educación infantil y sabe que una fuerza laboral estable y bien pagada junto
con excelentes condiciones de trabajo son esenciales para brindar excelentes servicios, no querrá perderse las conversaciones que
tienen lugar en nuestra comunidad ECESF, que incluyen:
- Grupos de enfoque de educadores
- Reuniones de liderazgo central
- Reuniones de defensa de los docentes
- Eventos especiales y debates comunitarios
Si usted o un educador que conoce están listos para involucrarse, complete nuestro Formulario de interés de ECESF a continuación y nos aseguraremos de entrar en contacto.
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ECESF 是一個草根組織，聚集了來自不同ECE 社區和公共場所的早期護理教育工作者。我們是相互支援的伴，我們確信我們都知道當下正在發生的事情，並確保實施的新計劃可以幫助我們以及我們所做的重要工作確能有所作為。如果您對兒童護理和教育充滿情，並且知道高薪、穩定的勞動力和良好的工作條件對於提供優質服務至關重要，那麼您一定不想錯過我們 ECESF 社區正在進行的討論，包括：
● 教育工作者焦點小組
● 核心領導會議
● 教師宣傳會議
● 特別活動和社群討論
如果您或您認識的教育工作者準備參加，請填寫下面的ECESF 興趣表，我們一定會聯繫您！
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ECESF receives funding from the Department of Early Childhood (DEC) to provide field building and peer supports to early care educators, as well as generous donations and in-kind contributions to build our advocacy and community work from individual early care educators, and allies, community organizations and agencies. Support our work. Donate! | | | | | |
