eNotes
January 20, 2017In this Issue:
- Review of Early Learning Programs for Children Less Than 6 Years of Age Source: U.S. Departments of Education and Health and Human Services - January 16, 2017
- Joint Statement on Collaboration and Coordination of the MIECHV and IDEA Part C Programs Source: U.S. Departments of Education and Health and Human Services - January 19, 2017
- Fostering Healthy Social and Emotional Development in Young Children Toolkit Source: U.S. Departments of Education and Health and Human Services - January 18, 2017
- Report on Early Childhood Mental Health Consultation in the U.S. Source: ZERO TO THREE - January 17, 2017
- Integrating Home Visiting in State and Tribal Early Childhood Systems Source: ZERO TO THREE - January 18, 2017
- Updated! State Infant-Toddler Policy Self-Assessment Toolkit Source: ZERO TO THREE - December 29, 2016
- International Journal of Early Childhood Special Education - New Issue Available Source: International Journal of Early Childhood Special Education - December 2016
1. Review of Early Learning Programs for Children Less Than 6 Years of Age
A newly released report, The Department of Health and Human Services and the Department of Education Joint Interdepartmental Review of All Early Learning Programs for Children Less Than 6 Years of Age, finds that only eight federal programs have the primary purpose of promoting early learning for children from birth to age six: Child Care and Development Fund; Head Start; Early Head Start; Preschool Development Grants; Department of Defense Child Development Program; Part C of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA); Part B, Section 619 of the IDEA; and Family and Child Education (FACE). These programs provide critical services and work together to help meet the diverse needs of children and families across the country, however investments fall short of need and many eligible children and families are not receiving services. The report discusses proposals to close existing gaps in both access and quality, and describes ongoing efforts to reduce fragmentation and promote coordination.
2. Joint Statement on Collaboration and Coordination of the MIECHV and IDEA Part C Programs
A new Joint Statement on Collaboration and Coordination of the Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood Home Visiting and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act Part C Programs (January 2017) sets a vision for stronger partnerships, collaboration, and coordination between awardees of the Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood Home Visiting Program (MIECHV) and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, Part C Early Intervention Program for Infants and Toddlers with Disabilities (IDEA Part C Program). The statement:
- Provides an overview of the MIECHV and the IDEA Part C Programs;
- Emphasizes the potential for collaboration and coordination between MIECHV awardees and the IDEA Part C State programs
- Highlights existing opportunities for partnerships between MIECHV awardees and the IDEA Part C State programs; and
- Provides recommendations to States, territories, tribal entities, and local programs for identifying and increasing opportunities for collaboration and coordination.
3. Fostering Healthy Social and Emotional Development in Young Children Toolkit
Every day, families and educators have opportunities to nurture children's social and emotional development through everyday interactions and activities. The U.S. Departments of Education and Health and Human Services together with Too Small to Fail recently released a Fostering Healthy Social and Emotional Development in Young Children Toolkit, which provide examples of simple actions caregivers can take to connect with babies and toddlers, manage young children's behavior, and help children develop relationships, regulate their behavior and emotions, and talk about their feelings. The toolkit includes:
- A tip sheet for families of infants, toddlers, and preschoolers
- A tip sheet for providers and educators in infant, toddler, and preschool programs
- A milestones chart with key information on social and emotional development from birth to age 5
- A fact sheet on the research behind social and emotional development in early childhood and lifelong outcomes
- A "Let's Talk About Feelings" poster
4. Report on Early Childhood Mental Health Consultation in the U.S.
ZERO TO THREE's Policy Center has released a new paper, Early Childhood Mental Health Consultation: Policies and Practices to Foster the Social-Emotional Development of Young Children (January 2017). The paper provides an overview of early childhood mental health consultation (ECMHC), current issues in the field, and possible future directions. It provides a snapshot of current programs across the nation and highlights challenges and innovations that are shaping the field. Thirteen states are profiled, underscoring the variability of how ECMHC programs are funded, managed, implemented and staffed. Guiding questions are provided for states to consider in designing and creating their ECMHC programs.
5. Integrating Home Visiting in State and Tribal Early Childhood Systems
ZERO TO THREE's Policy Center recently released a new framework for Integrating Home Visiting in State and Tribal Early Childhood Systems (2017). It highlights seven areas where there are opportunities to better integrate home visiting in the early childhood system. Each area includes a definition, a list of strategies, and several state and tribal examples. ZERO TO THREE developed the framework in collaboration with community of practice teams from six states (Illinois, Missouri, New York, Washington, West Virginia, and Wisconsin), in order to share strategies and examples with the field. Any additional examples from states or tribes can be shared with ZERO TO THREE at policycenter@zerotothree.org.
6. Updated! State Infant-Toddler Policy Self-Assessment Toolkit
ZERO TO THREE's Policy Center recently updated Infants and Toddlers in the Policy Picture: A Self-Assessment Toolkit for States (December 2016) to reflect national data and state policy actions from the past year. This online toolkit is intended to help state policy leaders assess the current status of services for infants and toddlers and their families and set priorities for improvement. It is divided into sections focused on: good health, strong families, positive early learning experiences, and collaboration and system building. Scan down the page to access a companion resource, "Survey Questions for Families of Young Children," which can be used to better understand families' experiences accessing services. Please feel free to contact ZERO TO THREE at StateAssessment@zerotothree.org to request a phone consultation for more information.
7. International Journal of Early Childhood Special Education - New Issue Available
The December 2016 issue of the International Journal of Early Childhood Special Education (INT-JECSE) (Volume 8, Issue 2) is now available online and freely accessible. INT-JECSE is an open-access, peer reviewed journal offering scholarly articles on various issues related to young children with special needs (0-8 age) and their families. View the Table of Contents with abstracts and links to the full-text articles.