Birth to Three Blog
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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New Webinar offered by Zero to Three!
February 4, 2021
Supporting Young Children and Families Using Telehealth During the COVID-19 Pandemic Wednesday, February 10, 2021 2:00-3:15 PM ET Live version is free for members Event link is available for 30 days for non-members Register Now The COVID-19 pandemic has been challenging due to restrictions on in-person work and the need to use telehealth. While clinicians and other providers have faced some barriers, they have also learned about unexpected advantages. This webinar will describe the approaches taken to deliver mental health services to young children and families and the lessons learned by four different programs during the unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic. Zero … Continue reading
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Where Do We Grow From Here? Virtual Conference April 2021
January 22, 2021
2021 Virtual Conference – April 16 & 17 Childhood Conversations and Together We Will presents: Where Do We Grow From Here? Reflections on Covid, Recovery & Rebuilding See www.childhoodconversations.com for more information.
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Priority Testing now available to Birth to Three personnel providing services for young children!
January 12, 2021
Here is the link to the updated OEC Memo 23-revised identifying Birth to Three personnel providing services to young children as a group qualifying for priority Covid-19 testing. OEC Memo 23 revised
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Draft SPP/APR Is Now Online!
January 4, 2021
This is a link to the draft of the combined State Performance Plan / Annual Performance Report. It is a very long document, best viewed online. As usual, Connecticut continues to do very well on both the compliance and results indicators. The APR is due to the US Department of Education’s Office of Special Education Programs by February 1, 2021. For more information about the SPP, click here. Indicator (11), also known as the SSIP will be completed for an April 1, 2021 submission. If you have any questions or comments please email nicole.cossette@ct.gov no later than January 20, 2021.
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Advance Your Practices: Early Intervention Specialist Course @ UCONN
December 22, 2020
Are you working in Birth to Three and want to expand your knowledge and practices with families. The University of Connecticut, Mary Beth Bruder, is offering a course including a series of 3 modules on early intervention. The course will allow for graduate credit or a stipend, as well as attainment of the CT. Birth to Three Early Intervention Specialist Credential after successful completion of the 3 modules. Course starts in January. Apply now! If you have any questions, please contact Gabriela Freyre-Calish at (860) 679-1563 or email at freyre@uchc.edu Here is what your colleagues are saying: “If you are passionate about what you do … Continue reading
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If you don’t know about Charting the LifeCourse, now is a great time!
December 16, 2020
Building a great life starts early. If you get the CSDE Bureau Bulletin you will have seen that the Bureau of Special Education, in collaboration with the RESC Alliance, is offering several FREE, virtual sessions of Person-Centered Planning: LifeCourse Planning Tools. As you know Charting the LifeCourse, a universally-designed person-centered planning framework, is a tool to assist individuals and families of all abilities and ages to develop a vision of a good life. Participants in this session will understand the importance of person-centered/futures planning, become familiar with the LifeCourse tools, and how to use them to support the development of the … Continue reading
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