January 22, 2024

UPK Updates

Happy new year! We are excited for all this year will bring, including the roll out of UPK year 2. There are many great changes in the works, including changes to make the application process smoother for families for the 2024/2025 school year. Dates for open enrolment will be set in the coming weeks, and the LCO team will be happy to share all the new changes as soon as possible.

Providers, new and returning; Information about year 2 registration will be coming soon from CDEC so please be on the lookout!

We also have some exciting news! We have added to our team, please help us welcome our new UPK Implementation Specialist!

"Hello! My name is Rita Archuleta, I have been with Early Childhood for 27 years. I have worked in many different capacities in the field. I started off volunteering in my son’s class and then asked if I would be interested in a position at the Head Start in which he attended. I started as a teacher assistant and then moved on to a lead teacher while I attended college and received my AA. I then moved on to become a Family Service Coordinator and attended Adams State University and received my BA. I spent time as Assistant Director, a Family Service Worker, and completed a Coaching position as well during the last 27 years. I feel that the different positions have helped me to better understand and grow in the Early Childhood field. As we all know, it is forever changing and I plan to continue to grow and learn. I will be joining the coaching team for the Early Childhood Council as the UPK Implementation Specialist. I'm excited to not only learn but also share my knowledge and experiences."

Thank you Hoyt Anderson for your donation!

The Early Childhood Council of the San Luis Valley and the Parents as Teachers Program would like to say thank you to Hoyt Anderson at Alamosa Building Supply for making a donation to support our families and children to stay warm this winter. Thank you your donation is very much appreciated.

Congratulations Sanford Preschool on your Colorado Shines Rating!

Annual Parent Letters

Annual Parent Letters for school (K-12) and child care for the 2024-25 school year have been updated.

By February 15, per Colorado Board of Health rule 6 CCR 1009-2, schools and child cares are required to directly distribute the Annual Parent Letter to the parent(s) or legal guardian(s) of every enrolled student.

● Schools and child cares are required to include the school's specific

immunization and exemption rates for the MMR vaccine for the school's

enrolled student population from the prior school year (2022-23).

● School and child cares may include the school's specific immunization and

exemption rates for other school-required vaccines for the school's enrolled

student population from the prior school year (2022-23).

● Rates from the 2022-23 school year are located on the Department’s public

immunization data dashboard.

See full detail here

Welcome to the PLAYbook:

Toddlers: Children Ages 19–36 Months Old

Growth & Learning - Toddlers are developing independence. They have a stronger sense of self-awareness. They understand that they are separate individuals from their caregivers. They are learning how to consider others’ perspectives. More and more, they insist on trying tasks by themselves and exerting control over their environment. They have a growing interest in books, art, toys and other activities.

Explore more by clicking the link below for the full Playbook!

Early Head Start -

NOW ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS!

Now accepting applications for Early Head Start! Click the link below to complete the interest form.

Click Here for interest form.

Social/Emotional Strategy of the month-

Our Rules

Click here for the activity

Haga clic aquí para la actividad

Coaching

Play in Early Childhood: The Role of Play in Any Setting

The science of child development points to three core principles that can guide what society needs to do to help children and families thrive.

1. Supporting responsive relationships

2. Strengthening core life skills

3. Reducing sources of stress

Play in early childhood is an effective way of supporting all three of these principles. In this video, learn more about how play can foster children’s resilience to hardship, and how the complex interactions involved when children play help build their brains.

The ECC SLV EQIT Team would like to give a

HUGE Congratulations to the following Early Childhood Professionals for completing the Fall 2023 Expanding Quality in Infant Toddler Care Course:

Carter Farrell

Esther Vasquez

Bertha Gutierrez

Raylandie Anderson

Lucille Statum

Beverly Martinez

Megan Gonzalez

Amanda Atencio

Resource and Referral

The Boy and Girls Club/Alamosa 5th Day Program has several exciting new options available for this Spring 2024 semester that are currently open for registration.

All programs are FREE, but on a first come first serve basis as spots are limited! Sign up today to reserve your spot!

Are you looking for childcare?

Is your child over two years old? We have family child care home providers who want to hear from you! There are multiple spots available in Rio Grande County. Please contact Amanda Atencio at ecresource@ecclsv.org for more information.

Professional Development

Scholarships

*We still have funds for scholarships, please click on the link below to fill yours out today!

Scholarship Application | Early Childhood Council of SLV (eccslv.org)

*Here is the link to TEACH CO. Please check into everything they can offer for ECE.

TEACH Colorado | Homepage | TEACH.org

*ECCLA is currently offering several different scholarships.

https://ecclacolorado.org/scholarshipsandgrants/

**Scroll to the end of article for more ECCLA details**

TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES

*Pyramid Plus Approach will be offered this semester.

ABOUT THE TRAINER:

Mara Hsu Mara is currently working with the Rocky Mountain Research Center and partnering with the Early Childhood Council of the San Luis Valley on a public health practice-based core research project designed to reduce the intergenerational transmission of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) in the San Luis Valley. She believes in all children having a solid social and emotional foundation. Mara enjoys spending time with her husband of 20 years and two adult sons.

Please see the following flyer for information:

https://eccslv.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/2024-Pyramid-Training-Flyer-ECC-SLV.pdf

To register, click here:

https://eccslv.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/2024-ECC-SLV-PPA-Registration-Form.pdf

*Upcoming Live Virtual & In-Person Training Events

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Nm0RGhirJcglkPQDsx85FyX55QgjTN5HXWlsy-wJ1DY/edit

*Early Childhood Investigations

https://mailchi.mp/earlychildhoodwebinars/newsletter-february-2467069?e=80334fe5c1

*Clayton Early Learning

https://www.claytonearlylearning.org/elevate/elevate-trainings-events.html

PDIS

PDIS Affidavits:

The Department is excited to announce there is no longer a backlog of ECPC applications. At this time, ECPC applications are reviewed within a two-week timeframe. Effective December 31, 2023, those wishing to use an ECPC for job qualification should now have an active credential certificate available or on file. An application may be submitted through the PDIS. The extension of the ECPC expiration date and the licensing affidavit process will be discontinued.

Virtual 2024 Pyramid Trainings

We are excited to have an interest in attending a virtual Pyramid Plus Approach Training this semester.

Please note the deadline for applications will be 02/02/2024. If you have any questions, you may contact Mara Hsu at 719-588-1882 or email her at mara.hsu@cuanschutz.edu

Click on the buttons below for more information and to access the registration form.

Registration Form

Pyramid Plus Approach Training Flyer

**ECCLA Details continued**:

Visit ECCLA web page for full details here

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