Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Disorder Awareness Day – Informational Forum

August 28, 2015

Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Disorder (FASD) is an often overlooked and under-diagnosed condition with serious developmental implications that confers automatic eligibility for IDEA Part C, Connecticut Birth to Three System supports.  Learn more from Dr. Carol Cohen Weitzman, Yale School of Medicine and State ICC member, and colleagues from across the state: Wednesday, Sept. 9  – 9 AM – 12 noon Legislative Office Building, Hearing Room 2E,  Hartford, CT registration begins at 8:30 Space is limited.  Please RSVP to mgiovannucci@abhct.com or dachenbach@abhct.com Co-Sponsored by the CT Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services, The CT Department of Children and Families and Advanced Behavioral … Continue reading

New COS Session Added to Module!

August 25, 2015

Huh? Previously we posted about a free online learning module for the Child Outcome Summary (COS) Process A fourth session has just been added outlining the 7-point scale used to indicate a child’s status on each of the three outcomes at a given point in time.  The 7-point scale indicates how the child’s current functioning compares to age-expected functioning for his or her chronological age Below is the direct link to the site where you can learn more and register for access to the module. http://dasycenter.org/child-outcomes-summary-cos-process-module-collecting-using-data-to-improve-programs/

View Archived Sessions from the National Autism Conference

August 13, 2015

Earlier this month the Pennsylvania Department of Education, Bureau of Special Education, and PaTTAN sponsored the National Autism Conference.  Many of the sessions were made available at no cost via live webcasting.  Here is a link to see some of the archived sessions from this year and last years conference. View the archived webcasting sessions here.

Conference: Building A Great Life!

August 6, 2015

Celebrate the 25th anniversary of the ADA and the 40th anniversary of the IDEA with families, self-advocates and professionals on October 2 and 3, 2015 in Farmington. Go here for more information: http://pathct.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/Building-a-Great-Life-Registration-Book-SERC-FINAL-7-14-_Page_1.jpg Register  before Sept. 11th: http://buildingagreatlife.eventbrite.com Hemos incluido información y hoja de inscripción en español

Upcoming Natural Learning Environment Training

August 6, 2015

This is a critical training for all interventionists in the Birth to Three System. An overview of Birth to Three best practices will be presented including Natural Learning Environments, Coaching as a Style of Interaction, and Primary Service Provider approach to teaming. Focus will be on developing increased competence in using a family’s everyday activities, and all the learning opportunities present within that activity, to promote child development and increased participation.  This training is now open for registration on the Birth to Three Calendar.

ECTA Center eNotes

August 4, 2015

Do you get these Early Childhood TA Center emails each Friday?   The articles are often very interesting and relevant like the new parent portal at Zero to Three or the Spanish language video on Early Hearing Screening.    To sign up email sue.goode@unc.edu  

Circle of Security Sensitivity Training

July 31, 2015

A three day Circle of Security Sensitivity training will take place in New Britain on October 20 – 22.  This training is appropriate for registered parent educators, psychotherapists, early intervention specialists and other helping professionals.  For more information and registration: Circle of Security

OEC Strategic Plan Public Forums

July 21, 2015

The OEC will hold public forums across the state to seek input from the public on its strategic plan framework. Over the past decade, many reports have been written by commissions, task forces, policy groups, researchers and state agencies about ways to improve public policy and direct dollars to better support young children and families. These reports incorporated significant public participation and the OEC has chosen to use the wisdom, work and input collected in these reports as a starting point for its strategic plan framework. The OEC has reviewed over fifty of these state and national strategy papers and … Continue reading

STEPs Parent Leadership Series

July 17, 2015

The CT Parent Advocacy Center (CPAC) is conducting a STEPs Parent Leadership series in New Britain this September.  Learn more at  www.cpacinc.org . Register at http://www.cpacinc.org/projects-programs/next-steps/ Please share this opportunity with parents!

SPIDER Overview Video!

July 14, 2015

Recently about five programs had new people managing their SPIDER data.  We held a webinar and recorded it and NOW for the first time you can watch Sandy Booth walk viewers through all the SPIDER screens!  This is a training that we used to hold in Hartford once a year but now it can be viewed on demand without the long drive.   The link is on the website under For Providers > SPIDER Video Manual or here is the URL  https://www.birth23.org/providers/spider/ The video is just over an hour long but you can watch it in chunks or “scrub”  to the sections … Continue reading

2015 CAEYC “Pathways to Quality” Conference

July 14, 2015

The Connecticut CAEYC Conference is taking place October 16 & 17, 2015.  The presenter, Holly Elissa Bruno, MA, JD, is a best‐selling author, international keynote speaker, ground‐breaking radio host and seasoned team builder. She is a dynamic speaker and will be presenting: Friday – Leading on Purpose: Essential Leadership Competencies from the Inside Out, and on Saturday – Hats Off to You: Everyday Miracle worker in Children’s Lives. Saturday also includes Workshops with well-know leaders addressing a variety of topics related to early childhood development and education.

RFP for Presenters for Childhood Conversations Conference

June 24, 2015

Childhood Conversation is a statewide conference for parents, community providers, childcare providers and teachers.  The 10th annual conference is scheduled for April 2, 2016 in Windsor.  The RFP for conference presenters is now available on the Childhood Conversations website.  The deadline for submission is September 10th. http://childhoodconversations.com/request-for-presenter-2/

Provider Focus Group July 14th

June 17, 2015

The CT Early Childhood Comprehensive Systems (ECCS) Planning Committee wants Your input on Screening A Focus Group just for Birth to Three System providers is planned for: Tuesday, July 14 9:30 – 11 AM United Way of CT – 1344 Silas Deane Highway, 4th floor, Rocky Hill Continental breakfast provided ECCS is focusing on comprehensive developmental screening in Connecticut. Your perception of current screening practices and their impact on you, childcare providers and families is vital. Please share your experiences and insight. Contact Heather Spada, ECCS Coordinator, at heather.spada@ctunitedway.org or 860-372-4240 to RSVP before July 10. Visit www.eccsct.org for more … Continue reading

4 Webinar Series on EI and Social Emotional Development

June 16, 2015

This series of four 90 minute webinars on Early Intervention and Social Emotional Development in the Early Years is free and available to all interested programs and providers. https://learn.extension.org/events/2085#.VYA4Emfwuot

Essentials for Parenting Toddlers and Preschoolers Toolkit

June 8, 2015

The Essentials for Parenting Toddlers and Preschoolers is a free, online resource developed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Designed for families of toddlers and preschoolers, this website is organized by child age, and offers videos, activities, and print materials to address common parenting challenges, including tantrums and whining.    

Parent Training Opportunity – Understanding Data

June 3, 2015

Family Leaders Institute by DaSy* – What’s in a number? Do you know a parent leader who is seeking training in understanding children’s educational data? One parent can be sponsored to go to Atlanta, Georgia this October 6 and 7 and learn how to meaningfully engage as a stakeholder in conversations about data. This institute is intended to help the parent advocate for improvements in Part C and preschool special education. Go to http://dasycenter.sri.com/downloads/FLI_flyer.pdf for more information.   *DaSy is the Center for IDEA Early Childhood Data Systems

Share the Eligibility Result with PHCP

May 21, 2015

PHCPs Need To Know the Eligibility Result for Their Patients “Our son”….“My patient”….“A child on my roster” When a child is evaluated by Birth to Three, there are at least three adults that think of that child as “mine”: the parent, the child’s primary health care provider (PHCP), and You – if you are on his Birth to Three team.  All help support the little one’s health and development.  All need to communicate – with parent consent – about what is happening with the little guy. It starts at your first visit: Ask the parent for permission to release the Eligibility result … Continue reading

Last minute news

May 21, 2015

If you are reading this in the weekly blog summary email, you’re too late.

You can however read this to see how to set your devices so you don’t miss time sensitive blog posts.

Check Out This NEW COS Online Module!

May 15, 2015

Source: Early Childhood Technical Assistance Center and the Center for IDEA Early Childhood Data Systems – May 15, 2015 This new free online module draws from the work of the Early Childhood Outcomes Center and is designed to help early intervention and preschool special education staff understand the Child Outcomes Summary (COS) process. It provides key information on the process and practices that contribute to consistent and meaningful COS decision-making. The first three sessions are available for use now and are meant to provide a basic understanding of the COS process. They include: Session 1: So What’s This All About? … Continue reading

Go Baby Go!

May 12, 2015

Two great opportunities coming up to support early mobility and exploration through the Go Baby Go Program founded by the University of Delaware! Central Connecticut State University and Plainville High School will team up to build 6-8 modified toy cars for kids who need them @ Plainville High School. No cost to family, just need to register, contact  Contact: Rose Flammang PT, DPT rflammang@connecticutchildrens.org  or Michele Dischino CCSU Associate Professor dischinomic@ccsu.edu Initial modifications will occur May 26th. Kids and their families will join on May 27th 8am-11am to be fitted and final modifications made.  Families will get to take home … Continue reading