Birth to Three Blog
NEAT’s Third Annual AAC Summer Event: AACtion Camp in July 2021
June 15, 2021
NEAT will be holding its third annual AAC summer event on July 19, 20, and 21! This year it is called “AACtion Camp” and will be virtual with camp themed activities for individuals who use AAC and their families to enjoy. Professionals are encouraged to attend, too, both to learn about AAC and to contribute their own tips and tricks in a collaborative way. On the third day, there will be short trainings on various AAC apps (Proloquo2Go, LAMP WFL, TouchChat, etc.) as well as on AAC implementation tips/communication partner strategies. It is FREE for anyone to attend, so save the … Continue reading
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“Joint Part C/Part B Early Intervention convening with CT Leaders in the field of ASD”
June 1, 2021
Due to an enthusiastic response, we have increased the capacity of slots to attend on June 8th. If you have previous tried to register and were told the convening was closed, you are in luck! Please take a moment to register now! The meeting link will be forwarded upon registration. *Advanced registration required! Register here! Joint Part C/Part B Early Intervention convening with CT Leaders in the field of ASD Please join Alice Ridgway, Part C Coordinator, Nicole Cossette, Assistant Part C Coordinator and Dr. Andrea Brinnel, SDE IDEA 619 Part B Manager in welcoming Dr. Ann Milanese, Dr. Marianne … Continue reading
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June 8, 2021 12:00-1:30 PM Joint Part C/Part B Early Intervention convening with CT Leaders in the field of ASD
May 25, 2021
UPDATE <<Sorry for the registration issues – thanks to the folks at Zoom Support the registration link is working now.>> https://zoom.us/meeting/register/tJ0ocumgrD0sH9M9oRzyQFYRQwZE7u6v4ZWj Please join Alice E. Ridgway, Part C Coordinator, Nicole Cossette, Assistant Part C Coordinator and Dr. Andrea Brinnel, SDE IDEA 619 Part B Manager in welcoming Dr. Ann Milanese, Dr. Marianne Barton, and Dr. Christine Peck to discuss challenges and advances around providing supports to children and families, especially as they transition from Birth to Three to preK special education. · How are early diagnosis and intensive supports changing children’s developmental trajectories? What are the implications? · Is an … Continue reading
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Panel Recommends Early Intervention and Parent Coaching for Infants with Cerebral Palsy
May 19, 2021
The recommendations apply primarily to children ages 0 to 2 years who are at high risk or have a diagnosis of cerebral palsy. Recommendations include comprehensive multi-disciplinary care, addressing sleep and feeding issues that may interfere with motor and cognitive gains, supports in the context of child-parent interactions, and coaching of parents and caregivers! AMAZING! The rest of the world is catching on to what we have known and been doing in Birth to Three for ages. https://www.medpagetoday.com/neurology/generalneurology/92621
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B-3 Learning Community: Addressing Parent to Parent Conflicts
May 18, 2021
Join us virtually Friday, May 21, 2021 at 12pm for a facilitated discussion on “Addressing Parent to Parent Conflicts” with an expert: Aileen McKenna, Ph.D., I.M.H., Manager, OEC Home Visiting Programs, Family Liaison, CT Birth to Three. Agenda for the meeting can be found here.
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Equity in Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health Consultation Webinar
May 11, 2021
The Center of Excellence for Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health Consultation has a free webinar series to promote equity for children and families from marginalized communities. The webinar on May 26, “Culture, Identity, and History as Sources of Strength and Resilience for Asian American & Pacific Islander Children & Families,” will discuss racial bias and inequities in the early care and education experiences of Asian American & Pacific Islander children and families, and explore ways to support and strengthen culturally responsive relationships and responses in infant and early childhood mental health consultation. Register at the link above.
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Free Webinar – Making Meaning of Scores: A Refresher in Understanding Standardized Assessment Scores
April 29, 2021
Riverside Publishing is offering a refresher webinar on understanding and explaining standardized scores. May 6th. Register here.
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CPAC event April 22 @ 5:30 pm: Update from the Bureau of Special Education
April 20, 2021
Join Bryan Klimkiewicz, Special Education Division Director, and CPAC staff as we discuss COVID-19 and special education – where are we now and what can we expect for children receiving special education services? Register here!
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Continuing Education Opportunity: Pediatric Symposium 2021
April 19, 2021
The Pediatric Symposium is an evidence-based program designed to provide healthcare professionals with insight into the role of orthotic intervention for optimal management of a wide range of pediatric diagnoses. The Hanger Institute for Clinical Research and Education, along with the Cromwell, CT Hanger Clinic team, has organized this symposium on May 20, 2021 as a virtual event. Attendees will have an opportunity to further their knowledge of common pediatric diagnoses, presentations, and the role of orthotic intervention. To register for this event, https://hangerclinic.com/events/professional-events/pediatric-symposium-2021/.
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State Systemic Improvement Plan (SSIP) Is Now Online
April 3, 2021
This is a link to the State Systemic Improvement Plan (SSIP) report. It is a very long document, best viewed online. The SSIP is due to the US Department of Education’s Office of Special Education Programs by April 1, 2020. For more information about the SSIP, click here.
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Transition Policy Available for Public Comment
April 1, 2021
NOTICE OF PUBLIC PARTICIPATION, COMMENTS, AND HEARINGS – Posted April 1, 2021 The draft policy available here TransitionPolicy-DRAFT-1Apr2021 is being proposed as an addition to the Birth to Three Transition Policy currently on file with the US Department of Education. The Office of Early Childhood (OEC) as the lead agency for the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) Part C “Birth to Three”, in partnership with the Connecticut State Department of Education, proposes to extend the definition of “Eligible Children” in Connecticut General Statute (CGS) §17a-248, Definitions (4), as well as §§38a-490a and 38a-516a. This policy changes the maximum age … Continue reading
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Learning Series with Early Childhood Professionals: What Does Social Communication Mean for Young Children with Autism
March 29, 2021
This workshop will focus on preverbal communication, and the importance of turn taking and joint attention in the development of social communication. Caregivers will learn about the importance of developing social communication early in life and they will be able to distinguish between social and instrumental interaction during play-based activities with their children. Workshop presented by Dr. Kwangwon Lee from the Center for Early Childhood Education at Eastern CT State University and Family Connections Program at The CT Parent Advocacy Center (CPAC). Wednesday April 7th 6 PM. Registration required for this event: https://bit.ly/3bW95WY For additional questions, please email Adriana Fontaine … Continue reading
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Free training from Military Families Learning Network Early Intervention Team
March 17, 2021
Military Families Learning Network Early Intervention team (MFLN), a grant project at the University of Illinois including web-based professional development for professionals working with both military and civilian families. April 14 kicks off the 2021 webinar series “Good Things Come in Threes.” Webinars in this series will discuss evidence-based strategies used by early interventionists (EI) and early childhood (EC) professionals that promote child development through caregiver-child interactions. These strategies, referred to as triadic strategies, focus on the interactions between three individuals: the child, caregiver, and EI/EC professional (McCollum & Yates, 1994).
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New module on Partnering with Fathers
March 10, 2021
The newest Home Visiting module on Partnering with Fathers is now available. Promo video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JUML2fNJ5vQ&feature=emb_title Page to access this and other topics : https://www.easternct.edu/center-for-early-childhood-education/online-learning-modules.html
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Draft State Systemic Improvement Plan (SSIP) is Now Online!
March 2, 2021
This is a link to the draft of the State Systemic Improvement Plan SSIP report. It is a very long document, best viewed online. The SSIP is due to the US Department of Education’s Office of Special Education Programs by April 1, 2021. For more information about the SSIP, click here. If you have any questions or comments please email nicole.cossette@ct.gov and alice.ridgway@ct.gov no later than March 20, 2021.
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Part C Draft Application
March 2, 2021
Draft Part C Application Available for Comment March 1, 2021 Each year Connecticut submits an application to the US Department of Education (ED) Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) for about $4M in funding to support the administration of Part C of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA Part C). Here is a link to the draft FFY21 Part C Application. Written comment on the draft application must be submitted by 5:00 p.m. on Monday, April 26, 2021. Comments should be sent to the attention of Alice E. Ridgway, by mail at the Office of Early Childhood, 450 Columbus … Continue reading
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Read OEC’s new handout about promoting well-being during COVID-19
February 11, 2021
The Office of Early Childhood (OEC) has a new fact sheet with a list of trusted organizations offering support to families during the emergency. The resources — which were provided by the Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (DMHAS) — include links and contact information for behavioral health support, community resources, crisis hotlines, and more. Read the “promoting well-being” fact sheet here
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Motor Therapists: Free Courses on Orthotics
February 10, 2021
Cascade is offering a Intro to Dynamic Bracing Course Series. Courses are free and available asynchronously. Access Cascade Training Here
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Learning Series for Families About Language Development
February 9, 2021
Join Speech Therapist, Kaili Rehm, MS, CCC/SLP, and Special Education Teacher, Ashley Baehr, DT, BS/ECSE, from Reachout, Inc. Learn how language develops in young children and what expressive and receptive language skills are. Participants will learn what skills young children need to communicate emotions, thoughts, ideas, and feelings effectively. Families will have the opportunity to discuss suggestions to improve their young child’s language skills, and will learn when it is appropriate to make a referral to Birth to Three. For more information email:afontaine@cpacinc.org Register here!
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FFY19 SPP/APR Is Available Online
February 9, 2021
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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