What's New in the ECE Community

Rhode Island Governor Gina Raimondo recently announced the establishment of a $5,000,000 Child Care Provider Relief Fund to provide critical resources necessary to help sustain the State’s essential child care provider infrastructure. LISC Rhode Island, in partnership with the Rhode Island Department of Human Services, will administer the fund for Child Care providers impacted by the COVID-19 shut down. The resources are available as a result of CARES Act funding and can be used for small capital improvements needed to reopen under new DHS and CDC guidelines, as well as to cover up to three months of carrying costs incurred during the shutdown.

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La gobernadora de Rhode Island, Gina Raimondo, anunció recientemente el establecimiento de un Fondo de Ayuda para Proveedores de Cuidado Infantil de $5,000,000 para proporcionar alivio crítico necesario para ayudar a mantener la infraestructura esencial de proveedores de cuidado infantil de nuestro estado. LISC, en asociación con el Departamento de Servicios Humanos (DHS), administrará estos fondos como subsidios de emergencia para la comunidad de proveedores de cuidado infantil y aprendizaje temprano de Rhode Island a través de un proceso de solicitud competitivo.

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RI-Itinerant Early Childhood Special Education (RI-IECSE) is a six (6) session professional development series in which special education teachers, therapists, and educational leaders will learn about the RI-IECSE service-delivery model. The professional development focuses on the changing role of the early childhood special education teacher and therapist, from one that is based primarily on direct instruction to one that includes ongoing and robust collaboration with the general early childhood teacher. Topics will include how best to use the time dedicated to direct instruction, how to hold productive collaborative meetings, and how to partner with the early childhood teacher to embed instruction into daily classroom activities. Classes will be held July 20, August 3, 17, 24, September 21, and 28 from 9:00am-12:00pm.

Intro to the RI-IECSE Service Delivery Model for General EC Teachers and Coordinators is a 2-module informational training that introduces the RI-Itinerant Early Childhood Special Education (IECSE) service delivery model. The training includes a focus on the roles of the special educator, as well as the general early childhood teacher while introducing the research behind the model, the rationale for adoption, the key features, and the alignment with RI’s vision for supporting all young children within high quality early learning programs. The sessions will be held on August 25 and 27 from 3:00pm-6:00pm.

Both offerings will be held over Zoom and participants will receive a link once they have registered. Please register through the RIDE Workshop Registration System and search for IECSE. If you have difficulty with registration contact Ruth Gallucci at ruth.gallucci@ride.ri.gov.

The National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) is offering six weeks of newly recorded presentations to support your professional development. The Virtual Institute is open to anyone who is interested in some of the latest research and best practices in early childhood education. Starting June 1, NAEYC will offer over 100 presentations of content shared by NAEYC experts and a diverse group of presenters from all sectors of the industry.  Presenters include policy experts, higher education faculty, school leaders, researchers and educators.  While typically this type of content is only offered at NAEYC Professional Learning Institute, we are providing access to these presentations during the NAEYC Virtual Institute at no charge as our gift to you for all that you give to young children and their families. Access the Virtual Institute here.

The Rhode Island Department of Human Services (DHS) Office of Child Care has announced an orientation date for the summer of 2020 for people interested in obtaining a state license to operate as a family child care home provider.

DHS, in collaboration with the Center for Early Learning Professionals, will offer the orientation sessions on Wednesday, July 15 from 9:00am – 12:00pm (English) and 1:00pm – 3:00pm (Spanish). We will set up an additional date in the fall, so stay tuned for more information on this page. For the time being, all orientations will be held virtually.

The orientation sessions explain the licensing process to participants, and are the first step toward obtaining a state license. Participants need to attend just one orientation. After the orientation, participants then enroll in and complete a training series that provide information about health and safety in family child care homes, state licensing regulations, and high-quality learning environments for young children. After participants complete the training, Center staff will support them as they apply for licensure.

If you are interested in starting a family child care home, please reach out to the Child Care Licensing Unit at 401-462-3009 or DHS.Childcarelicensing@dhs.ri.gov. From there, we can add you to the list for the next virtual orientation and follow up training – we look forward to working with you all!

Nicole Chiello
Child Care Administrator for Licensing and Regulations
Department of Human Services (DHS)
25 Howard Ave, Building 57
Cranston, RI 02920
C: 401-487-6603
Nicole.Chiello@dhs.ri.gov

Rhode Island Department of Education (RIDE) is re-releasing the application for the Birth to Pre-K Comprehensive Literacy State Development (CLSD) Grant. RIDE encourages all interested parties to complete the application for the opportunity to purchase and support high-quality curriculum within their LEA’s or child care organizations.

Completed proposals must be submitted electronically by 5:00pm, Friday, June 12th to: RIPre-K@ride.ri.gov.

Visit the CLSD page on the RIDE website for further information and to download the Birth to Pre-K grant application.

Rhode Island College (RIC) is offering the course “Infants and Toddlers in Early Care and Education Programs (ECED503)” as part of it’s Early Childhood Education Graduate Program. The course covers components of quality group care for infants and toddlers. Topics include professional responsibilities, health and safety routines, appropriate materials and environments, and legal issues for child care providers. It is scheduled to run from May 18 – June 26. You can register online at: www.ric.edu. The call number for registration is 30485.

Sending on behalf of Office of Child Care

Traducción en español está abajo

May 4, 2020

 Valued Providers,

As you know, the Governor announced on Friday her intention to reopen child care on June 1^st. Prior to reopening, providers are being required to submit a plan outlining how they will adhere to new regulations specific to COVID-19. Part of this plan includes watching a webinar developed by DHS. This webinar will provide an overview of new regulations and CDC guidelines as well as support on how to develop your plan. Your participation is required as part of your COVID-19 plan approval process.

This webinar will go live on Wednesday, May 6^th at 1:00pm. Because this is being done on a virtual platform, there will be a limited number of spaces available for this May 6^th viewing. However, the entire webinar will be recorded and posted to the Center for Early Learning Professionals (The Center) website within 24 hours of the original event (https://center-elp.org).  The link to the May 6^th viewing is listed below.

https://meetings.ringcentral.com/j/1494439282 [meetings.ringcentral.com]

Because this webinar is being recorded, registered participants will not have an opportunity to ask question.  If, after you have watched the webinar, you have questions specific to your program or your plan, please contact your assigned licensor or the Child Care Licensing team at DHS.Childcarelicensing@dhs.ri.gov.

We realize that you are anxious to learn more about this process. We ask for your patience and understanding while we do our best to ensure we are sharing information in a timely but also efficient and accurate manner. As always, my team is available to assist you in any way we can. Please do not hesitate to reach out with any questions you might have.

Nicole Chiello
Child Care Administrator of Licensing
Nicole.Chiello@dhs.ri.gov

Se envía este documento en nombre de la Oficina de Cuidado Infantil

4 de mayo de 2020

Apreciados Proveedores,

Como ustedes saben, la Gobernadora anunció el viernes su intención de reabrir el cuidado de niños el 1ero de Junio. Antes de la reapertura, los proveedores están obligados a presentar un plan que describa cómo se adherirán a las nuevas regulaciones específicas de COVID-19. Parte de este plan incluye ver un seminario web desarrollado por el DHS. Este seminario web proporcionará una visión general de las nuevas regulaciones y directrices de los CDC, así como apoyo sobre cómo desarrollar su plan. Su participación es requerida como parte de su proceso de aprobación del plan COVID-19.

Este seminario web se pondrá en marcha el jueves 7 de mayo a la 1:00 pm. Debido a que esto se hace en una plataforma virtual, habrá un número limitado de espacios disponibles para esta visualización del 7 de Mayo. Sin embargo, todo el seminario web se grabará y publicará en el sitio web del Centro de Profesionales de Aprendizaje Temprano (Centro) dentro de las 24 horas posteriores al evento original (https://center-elp.org).  El enlace se muestra a continuación.

https://meetings.ringcentral.com/j/1489542377 [meetings.ringcentral.com]

Debido a que este seminario web se está grabando, los participantes registrados no tendrán la oportunidad de hacer preguntas.  Si, después de haber visto el seminario web, tiene preguntas específicas para su programa o su plan, comuníquese con su trabajador de licencia asignado o con el Equipo de Licencias de Cuidado Infantil en el DHS.Childcarelicensing@dhs.ri.gov.

Nos damos cuenta de que usted está ansioso por aprender más sobre este proceso. Pedimos su paciencia y comprensión mientras hacemos todo lo posible para asegurarnos de que estamos compartiendo información de manera oportuna, pero también eficiente y precisa. Como siempre, mi equipo está disponible para ayudarle en todo lo que podamos. Por favor, no dude en ponerse en contacto con cualquier pregunta que pueda tener.

Nicole Chiello
Administrador de Licencias de Cuidado Infantil
Nicole.Chiello@dhs.ri.gov

The Department of Human Services and BrightStars would like to learn more about how the COVID-19 public health crisis is affecting your program. How is your child care program adjusting and adapting? What supports do you need from the state to continue to work with your staff and the families, and to ensure everyone’s health and safety?  We recognize that COVID-19 has dramatically changed how we work and live, and want to ensure that the state supports programs and staff in ways that are relevant and useful for Rhode Island’s child care workforce.

Thank you for everything you’re doing, including taking the time to share your experiences and challenges here today.

Please take 10 minutes to complete the survey by clicking here.

El Departamento de Servicios Humanos y BrightStars desean obtener más información sobre cómo la crisis de salud pública de COVID-19 está afectando su programa. ¿Cómo se está ajustando y adaptando su programa de cuidado infantil? ¿Qué apoyo necesita del estado para continuar trabajando con su personal y las familias, y para garantizar la salud y la seguridad de todos? Reconocemos que COVID-19 ha cambiado drásticamente la forma en que trabajamos y vivimos, y queremos asegurarnos de que el estado respalde los programas y el personal de manera relevante y útil para la fuerza laboral de cuidado infantil de Rhode Island.

Gracias por todo lo que está haciendo, incluyendo el tomarse el tiempo para compartir sus experiencias y desafíos aquí hoy.

Por favor tóme 10 minutos para completar la encuesta a continuación: La Encuesta.

The Rhode Island Department of Education (RIDE) is now accepting applications for programs to become pre-kindergarten providers for the 2020–2021 school year. Eligible organizations include licensed child care programs, Head Start organizations, public schools, and non-public schools. There will be an informational webinar on March 10 and all applications are due by March 31. Here is a link to the Request for Proposals for RI Pre-K Programs. You can find additional information on the RIDE website.

The Autism Project is offering the following three online trainings:

• Understanding Autism – March 5 from 6:30–8:30pm
  Participants will learn about children with communication and self-regulation challenges and how their needs impact their behavior.
• Visual Supports in Practice – April 9 from 6:30–8:30pm
  Participants will learn how to create and use visual supports to better support individuals with autism spectrum disorder.
• Positive Behavior Supports – May 7 from 6:30–8:30pm
  Participants will learn how to help parents and professionals view challenging behavior through a different lens addressing possible skill deficits, coexisting conditions, and motivation of behaviors.

Approved PD hours for Rhode Island are available, as are NASW-RI credits. There is a $30 fee per class. For further information, email Deb Langevin or call 401-785-2666 ext. 5.

Photo credit: PlusLexia.