eNotes
October 9, 2015In this Issue:
- Early Learning Language and Literacy Series Launched Source: Preschool Development Grant Technical Assistance Program - October 8, 2015
- The Impact of Discrimination on the Early Schooling Experiences of Children from Immigrant Families Source: Migration Policy Institute - Retrieved October 9, 2015
- HHS Launches National Center of Excellence for Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health Consultation Source: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services - October 10, 2015
- IDEA State Performance Plan/Annual Performance Report 2015 Indicator Analyses Source: U.S. Department of Education - October 7, 2015
- New Cross-Sector Early Childhood Training and Technical Assistance (T/TA) System Source: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families - October 5, 2015
- Home Visiting Evidence of Effectiveness 2015 Review Source: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Planning, Research and Evaluation - October 8, 2015
1. Early Learning Language and Literacy Series Launched
The Preschool Development Grant Technical Assistance Program recently launched a free new 14-module Early Learning Language and Literacy Series, designed for professionals who are working to support the language and literacy development of young children, birth to five. Two key objectives for the series are:
- To provide teachers with background information/research on early language and literacy
- To provide evidence-based strategies to support the language and literacy development of young children
2. The Impact of Discrimination on the Early Schooling Experiences of Children from Immigrant Families
A new report, The Impact of Discrimination on the Early Schooling Experiences of Children from Immigrant Families (September 2015), describes the types of personal and structural discrimination that young children of immigrants may experience during their early school years and how those experiences can affect their academic trajectories, as well as their social, emotional, and mental development. The authors provide recommendations for training teachers, building relationships between schools and immigrant communities, and encouraging more culturally sensitive learning experiences.
3. HHS Launches National Center of Excellence for Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health Consultation
This week the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) launched the new National Center of Excellence in Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health Consultation (IECMHC). IECMHC is a multi-level preventive intervention that teams mental health professionals with people who work with young children and their families. The model builds the capacity of teachers and families to promote social-emotional and behavioral development. It has demonstrated impacts for improving children's social skills and adult-child relationships; reducing challenging behaviors, expulsions and suspensions; increasing family-school collaboration; increasing classroom quality; and reducing teacher stress, burnout, and turnover. See the full announcement here.
4. IDEA State Performance Plan/Annual Performance Report 2015 Indicator Analyses
Two new reports from the U.S. Department of Education provide a national quantitative picture of the implementation of the Individuals with disabilities Education Act (IDEA), Part B and Part C. The reports summarize data from the FFY 2013 Annual Performance Reports (APRs) and amended State Performance Plans (SPPs), which were submitted by states to the Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) in 2015.
- Part C SPP/APR 2015 Indicator Analyses - In this report, Indicator 11 is a new indicator for FFY 2013 that requires states to develop a multi-year State Systemic Improvement Plan (SSIP) for improving results for infants and toddlers with disabilities and their families.
- Part B SPP/APR 2015 Indicator Analyses - In this report, Indicators of particular interest to the early childhood field include: Indicator 6: Preschool Least Restrictive Environment, Indicator 7: Preschool Outcomes, and Indicator 12: Early Childhood Transition. For Part B, Indicator 17 is a new indicator requiring states to develop a SSIP for improving results for children with disabilities.
5. New Cross-Sector Early Childhood Training and Technical Assistance (T/TA) System
The Administration for Children and Families (ACF) has announced a new cross-sector Early Childhood Training and Technical Assistance (T/TA) System that brings together funding, knowledge, and skills from the Office of Child Care, the Office of Head Start, the Maternal and Child Health Bureau, and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. The intent is to build the capacity for excellence in early childhood services regardless of setting or funding stream. The national centers include:
- National Center on Early Childhood Development, Teaching, and Learning
- National Center on Early Childhood Health and Wellness
- National Center on Early Childhood Quality Assurance
- National Center on Parent, Family, and Community Engagement
- National Center on Afterschool and Summer Enrichment
- National Center on Program Management, Fiscal, and Operations
6. Home Visiting Evidence of Effectiveness 2015 Review
Home Visiting Evidence of Effectiveness (HomVEE) was launched in 2009 to identify home visiting models that meet criteria of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services for an evidence-based early childhood home visiting service delivery model. HomVEE has released the results of its 2015 review. The review found two new models that meet the evidence criteria: Healthy Beginnings and the Health Access Nurturing Development Services (HANDS). Read the executive summary to learn more.