Birth to Three Blog
Home Visitor Online Learning Modules
July 16, 2019
The Office of Early Childhood has overseen production of high-quality, engaging online modules for home visitors. Modules include: Talking With Families About Safe Sleep, Family Play and Child Development, Infant Mental Health, Trauma Informed Care, Healthy Families. Modules are in English and Spanish and are accessed here. The link will also be added to our website.
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IDEA Determinations
June 19, 2019
Connecticut received the state’s “determination letter” from the US Dept. of Education Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) and for the 13th year in a row Connecticut received a determination of “meets requirements”. That is the highest level determination. This is important because it is one indicator of the health of the system. The change in how programs are paid was very disruptive for everyone and yet we continue to meet IDEA requirements. The only way we could do this is through your efforts ensuring that families have timely initial IFSP meetings, new services, and transition conferences. This is in addition … Continue reading
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WEBINAR: Coaching in Early Childhood Sept. 25, 2019
June 17, 2019
Sponsored by Brookes Publishing This webinar will provide the background and rationale for using a coaching interaction style in early childhood programs to build the capacity of parents, teachers, and other care providers to promote child learning within the context of everyday routines and activities. In this powerful webinar, the presenters, Dathan Rush and M’Lisa Shelden, will share the evidence-based characteristics of coaching practices and discuss strategies that can be used by all early childhood educators from a variety of backgrounds. Join us to learn: The rationale for using a coaching interaction style with parents, teachers, and other care … Continue reading
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BESB announces trainings for Fall 2019
June 14, 2019
Below are links for DORS-BESB Fall In-Services 2019 Wed 9/25/19 – Paraprofessional Day – (Paraprofessionals may only register for Day 1) space is limited https://www.eventbrite.com/e/teaching-students-visual-impairment-w-multiple-disabilitiesdb-para-day-tickets-63003160148 Thurs 9/26/19 – Professional Day – (Families, Education Teams, Administration may register for Day 1 or Day 2) space is limited https://www.eventbrite.com/e/teaching-students-visual-impairment-w-multiple-disabilitiesdb-prof-day-tickets-63009876236 School Age In-Services: Monday 9/23/19 – Teachers with Students who Read Braille: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/2019-strategies-and-techniques-for-teaching-students-who-read-braille-tickets-62813981309 Tuesday 10/1/19 – Paraprofessionals: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/strategies-and-techniques-for-paraeducators-working-with-students-with-visual-impairments-in-tickets-52405716910 Wednesday 10/2/19 – Teachers with Students who Read Large Print: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/strategies-techniques-4-teachers-working-wstudents-who-read-large-print-tickets-61312514381
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Prenatal Exposure to Substances
June 4, 2019
In partnership with ITCA, ECTA has posted a new webpage on Young Children who are Exposed Prenatally to Substances and their Families: http://ectacenter.org/topics/earlyid/prenatalsubstances.asp This page includes Federal laws, research, and resources on policy/guidance and state examples. This page will also provide a link to the updated webpage Child Maltreatment: Referral Requirements under CAPTA and IDEA and Resources: http://ectacenter.org/topics/earlyid/capta.asp
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WEBINAR: Yuck! I Don’t Eat That! Nutrition & Selective Eating in Young Children with Autism
May 9, 2019
About This Webinar: Many families of young children with autism and related disorders face challenges related to diet, nutrition, and food selectivity. This webinar addresses common concerns of families surrounding dietary preferences and limitations often seen in young children with autism. The presenters will highlight the effects of food preferences, aversions, and special diets on child and family outcomes. They will also discuss ways professionals and families can encourage young children with autism to broaden their diet and provide strategies for ensuring quality nutrition in young children with autism and related disorders. Yuck! I Don’t Eat That! Nutrition & … Continue reading
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Coaching Video
April 17, 2019
Foundations of Coaching in Early Childhood: Partnering with Parents and Professionals is a video training resource for early childhood coaches, based on the 5 key characteristics of coaching as outlined by Dathan Rush and M’Lisa Shelden. It was developed in partnership with CT. Birth to Three and includes video of the coaching being used during a Birth to Three home visit, in a home child care, and center based child care. Watch the full video (run time 21:07) or watch the individual chapters focusing on the 5 characteristics of coaching.
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WEBINAR: ACEs Part I – An Introduction to ACEs and Toxic Stress
April 1, 2019
ACEs Part I: An Introduction to ACEs and Toxic Stress Presented by Laura Krug and Sarah MacLaughlin, ZERO TO THREE Tuesday, April 9, 2019, 2:00 pm EDT Register Today! Please join ZERO TO THREE’s HealthySteps staff members, Laura Krug, Director of Training & Technical Assistance and Sarah MacLaughlin, Senior Writer & Training Specialist, for the first session of a 2-part series introducing Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and Toxic Stress. This webinar will present findings from the Adverse Childhood Experience Study and implications for the long-term health of those who experience childhood adversity. The presenters will also discuss the 10 types … Continue reading
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Birth to Three SLP training a success!
March 30, 2019
Kudos to 30 speech language pathologists from Birth to Three who attended a training on Augmentative and Alternative Communication on Saturday at New England Assistive Technology! The training was sponsored by the Birth to Three system and a wealth of knowledge, ideas and support was shared!
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CT-AIMH 2019 Spring Conference: The Power of Early Childhood Experience in Shaping Risk & Resilience
March 28, 2019
Click the following link for more details: CT-AIMH 2019 Spring Conference: The Power of Early Childhood Experience in Shaping Risk & Resilience
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WEBINAR: Service Coordination Matters – A Web Conversation To Recognize What You Bring to the EI Team April 9, 2019
March 14, 2019
The Service Coordination Community of Practice (SC CoP) was created to recognize the value of service coordinators and give these important early intervention team members a professional home. The SC CoP offers service coordinators the opportunities to network with others across the nation, share SC-related resources and tips, and learn about topics relevant to providing high quality service coordination. Meetings & Events Upcoming Events Service Coordination Matters – A Web Conversation To Recognize What You Bring to the EI Team Tuesday, April 9, 2019 at 2:00 – 3:00 pm ET Register to join the conversation here: https://attendee.gototraining.com/r/5668701918898151425 Join this first SC … Continue reading
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WEBINAR: Helping Families Meet Resource Needs and Achieve Self-Sufficiency April 2, 2019
March 14, 2019
Join the webinar here: https://attendee.gototraining.com/r/4984756208515540737 “Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day. Teach him how to fish and you feed him for a lifetime” (translation from Chinese philosopher Lao Tze). Early Interventionists and other home visitors who work with families with young children often support families with resource needs. We produce lists of resources or information, make referrals for families, and even bring resources or materials to the family. We are trying to help, but these practices do not necessarily assist the family with build the capacity to meet their ongoing resource needs or future … Continue reading
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Governor Lamont Visits the OEC!
March 7, 2019
When Governor Ned Lamont took office in January he made it clear to our Commissioner, Beth Bye, that he wanted to meet the people working at the state agencies and today was the day he visited the Office of Early Childhood. With those of us who were available, he even posed for this photo but he did more than buzz through. Governor Lamont asked important questions so he can better understand what we all do. He will likely remember Birth to Three well!
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FFY19 Part C Federal Application Draft Available for Comment
February 26, 2019
The Draft FFY19 (7/1/19-6/30/20) Part C Federal Application is now available for public comment. It can be found here. https://www.birth23.org/aboutb23/fedapp/ Written comment on the application must be submitted by 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday, April 23, 2019. Comments should be sent to the attention of Alice E. Ridgway by mail at the Office of Early Childhood, 450 Columbus Boulevard, Hartford, CT, 06103-1835, fax 860-622-2789, or e-mail: Alice.Ridgway@ct.gov. Two public hearings concerning the proposed application will be held as follows: Monday, April 15, 2018 from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the Silas Bronson Library, 267 Grand Street, Waterbury, CT 06702 Tuesday, … Continue reading
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Service Coordinator CoP now in DEC!
February 26, 2019
The National Service Coordination Community of Practice (SC CoP) within Division for Early Childhood (DEC) has officially launched! Visit the new page on the DEC Website (https://www.dec-sped.org/servicecoordinationcop) to learn more about this CoP and its leaders!
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AAC Training for Speech Pathologists in Birth to Three
February 22, 2019
Elena Fader, M.A., CCC-SLP Assistive Technology Specialist will present a one-day workshop on March 30, 2019 for SLPs working in Birth to Three. The focus is on team collaboration, needs assessment, and a comprehensive feature matching process that can help set a child on the right path for AAC success. Learn through readily available resources, product demonstrations, and hands-on learning opportunities. Register on the Birth to Three Calendar.
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Child Conversations presents Together We Will @ Hartford – Windsor Marriott March 29th & 30th
February 14, 2019
Office of Early Childhood is sponsoring the Event. You may register for Single Day or Two Days. Learn to Support and Develop Children’s Social Emotional Skills to Reduce Challenging Behaviors, Strengthen Families and Communities. The 2019 conference registration deadline March 22, 2019. You may register here http://childhoodconversations.com/attend/. For more information visit the Child Conversation’s website http://childhoodconvo.wpengine.com/.
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FFY/SFY18 FINAL APR
February 8, 2019
Every year the Connecticut Office of Early Childhood submits a report to the US Department of Education about how we are doing on compliance and results for Part C of the IDEA. The final report is available here https://www.birth23.org/aboutb23/gensup/apr/.
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Webinars on Autism
February 6, 2019
The University of Illinois is producing 4 webinars starting in April, focusing on supporting families with children with Autism. A grant through the Military Families Learning Network aims to produce web-based professional development for professionals working with both military and civilian families. Focus is on early interventionists and early childhood special educators. More information on upcoming Webinars. https://militaryfamilieslearningnetwork.org/2019/02/06/fdei-autism/
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Smart Ears: Upcoming Online Workshops
January 22, 2019
Smart Ears is pleased to offer live online workshops on teaching children with hearing loss to listen and talk. The workshops are aimed at education and health professionals who work with children with hearing loss. More Information.
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