CCDAA Fall TA 2014 Workshop Descriptions Workshop Session 1 Wednesday, October 29, 2014 Title: Creating Quality Learning Environments Using the Environment Rating Scales – Pictures From the Field Presenters: Tricia Sifford, Director of Early Learning Initiatives, Branagh Information Group Description: Participants will learn the various ways childcare quality can be measured using the scales. The natural progression of quality will be reviewed taking participants through the levels of quality (Licensing, Self-Assessment, QRIS, and Accreditation). Presenter will share with participants’ photos of classrooms that have taken the journey towards quality and really made positive changes in their classrooms. A photo album of before and after pictures that will surely inspire teachers to go back to their classrooms with some great ideas! Title: The DRDP 2015 – What It’s All About Presenter: Carolyn Loveridge, Early Education and Support Division, Quality Office, California Department of Education Description: This workshop presents an overview of the 2015 DRDP and discusses the features of the new instrument. It also includes how a reliable assessment instrument is developed, and what supports are planned for the implementation of the new instrument. Title: Calculating, Collecting, and Earning Family Fees Presenters: Lupe Romo-Zendejas, Richard Miller, & Lori August-Anderson, Early Education and Support Division, Field Services Office, California Department of Education Description: This workshop will focus on the basic elements of assessing a family fee, developing family fee collection policies, fiscal reporting and how to earn your family fees. Participants will learn how to calculate and make adjustments to family fees, and address delinquent family fees and payment plans. Best practices will be discussed and a question and answer period will be included. Title: Preparing for a Contract Monitoring Review (CMR) Presenters: Cindy Grayson & Shellie MacColl, Early Education and Support Division, Field Services Office, California Department of Education Description: This workshop will provide participants with an overview of the CMR process and help contractors prepare for a review. There will be an item-by-item discussion of the CMR instrument, CMR logistics, along with a question and answer session. Title: Outside Environments Presenters: Eric Nelson, Outdoor Classroom Project & Preschool Food Initiative Steering Committee Description: Teachers are the single most critical element needed for the successful implementation of the Outdoor Classroom. This workshop will provide keys to getting teachers invested and involved in its success, and provide both a theoretical explanation and examples of effective teacher engagement with children and children’s activities outdoors. Workshop Session 2 Wednesday, October 29, 2014 Title: Setting Up a Parent Appeal System and Parents Rights Presenter: Cliff Marcussen, Executive Director, Options – A Child Care and Human Services Agency Description: CDD recently added clarifications on the rights of parents regarding parent appeals. What are those rights? How do you set up a cost-effective appeals system in your agency that complies with those rights? Also, tips on NOAS to not lose appeals. Title: Handbooks and Written Materials for Center-Based Programs Presenters: Cindy Grayson, Early Education and Support Division, Field Services Office, California Department of Education Description: This workshop will provide information to enable contractors to establish policies and procedures consistent with the requirements of their contract and reflective of the program’s mission and goals. Included will be suggestions for how to make the written information understandable and accessible to parents and providers. Title: Eligibility, Need, and Family Size in Early Education and Support Division Programs Presenter: Nancy DeArmond & Nancy Ranieri, Early Education and Support Division, Field Services Office, California Department of Education Description: This presentation will use the APMU and CMU Review Guide with presentation slides to present information about how to verify eligibility, need, and family size in CDD programs. Best practices will be provided to avoid errors. Time will be provided for questions. Title: LAUP Coaching Model within the Context of California Race to the Top ELC Presenter: Nidia Hernandez, Race to the Top Analyst & Edith Garcia, Race to the Top Supervisor, Los Angeles Universal Preschool Description: LAUP will present an overview of LAUP’s implementation of California’s Race to the Top – Early Learning Challenge (RTELC) grant in LA County. We will outline the features of coaching in early childhood settings to provide strengths-based assistance and help programs build upon their existing systems, and align their standards with the statewide TQRIS-framework to ensure children with high needs have access to quality early learning. Finally, we discuss providers’ experiences receiving coaching, the impact of coaching in quality improvement, and the challenges and limitations ECE providers face in implementing and sustaining programs that align with TQRIS standards. Title: Avoiding Stress – A Strength Based Approach Presenter: Steve Erwin, Consultant, Kaplan Early Learning Company Description: Participants will gain an understanding how strengthening their protective factors and promoting positive relationships can reduce everyday stress. This workshop will explore the dynamics of a classroom environment that can create stressful situations for both children and teachers. The workshop will provide strategies that can reduce and avoid stress. Workshop Session 3 Wednesday, October 29, 2014 Title: Creating Positive Partnerships with Families Presenter: Lorna Knight, Regional Director, Kidango, Inc. Description: Participants will identify who are our partners and why is this partnership important. We will recognize the assets of our partners and how we can strengthen this partnership. We will also examine reasons why there are challenges in this relationship and how we can work to improve this partnership with families. Title: Handbooks and Written Materials for Alternative Payment Programs Presenters: Joe Martinez & Vanessa Saunders, Early Education and Support Division, Field Services Office, California Department of Education Description: This workshop will provide information to enable contractors to establish policies and procedures consistent with the requirements of their contract and reflective of the program’s mission and goals. Included will be suggestions for how to make the written information understandable and accessible to parents and providers. Title: Enrollment and Earnings Projections for Center-Based Programs Presenter: Lisa Wilkin, Executive Director, Child Development Consortium of Los Angeles Description: This workshop will address how to project enrollment and earnings for CCTR and CSPP contracts. Topics will include making an enrollment plan, analyzing enrollment date and implementing strategies for adjusting enrollment to fully earn the contracts. Title: Bringing the Learning Foundations and Curriculum Framework to Life in Your Program Presenter: Syndey Fisher-Larson, President, California Community College Early Childhood Educators, Professor, College of the Redwoods Description: The Learning Foundations (PS & IT) are the heart of the California Early Learning System. When linked with the Curriculum Framework and the DRDP, these tools allow teachers to support each child in their classrooms in developmentally appropriate and playbased way. This workshop will look at the Foundations as the driver of curriculum development. Title: Common Core State Standards – Play Based Responses in Early Childhood Education Presenters: John Holanda, Early Childhood Specialist Consultant & Maria Teresa Ruiz, Early Childhood Consultant Dual Language Specialist, PurpleIam.com Description: The objective of this “hands-on play-based workshop” is to demonstrate and deepen the understanding of developmentally appropriate practices within Early Childhood Programs that serve children from Pre-Kindergarten through Third Grade. The session will demonstrate “play-based strategies” and “intentional design” as a standardized approach paired to enhance cognitive instruction, childteacher interactions, and the foundational experiences that can support “school readiness” for children and families. The Presentation will model how evidenced based measurable learning approaches will help children to develop self-regulation, executive function, as well as academic and intellectual dispositions enhanced through high quality play-based learning experiences. Workshop Session 4 Thursday, October 30, 2014 Title: The Triangle of Learning: Family, Education and Community Presenter: Shalek Chappill-Nichols, Educator/Activities Developer, RAFT/Truth Consultant Description: In the Triangle of Learning: Family, Education, and Community we will explore different hands on activities that education programs can use to incorporate family and community involvement in their program. Title: New Attendance Reporting Requirements for AP Contractors (AB 274) Presenter: Lupe Romo-Zendejas, Early Education and Support Division, Policy Office, California Department of Education Description: This workshop presents an overview of the upcoming changes to attendance reporting as prescribed in AB 274. It will provide information on how provider and parents must track attendance as well as reimbursement requirements for AP contractors. Title: How to Earn Your Contract for Center-Based Programs Presenters: Lisa York, Yashima Daniels & Daniel Shin, Child Development Fiscal Services, California Department of Education Description: This workshop is designed for contractors of all experience levels. CDFS representatives will discuss how contractors should monitor their center-based contract earnings throughout the fiscal year by carefully reviewing the calculations sheets from CDFS. Topics covered to include: understanding the calculation worksheets, the importance of using the accrual method for reporting expenses, strategies to increase enrollment, earning the family fees, and valuable resources to monitor and increase contract earnings. Title: Supporting Quality Programs: Accessing Quality Improvement Resources Statewide Presenter: Arlene Paxton, Director, PITC Partners for Quality, Nancy Herota, Director of School Readiness & Linda Olivenbaum, Director, CA Early Childhood Mentor Program, WestEd, Center for Child and Family Studies Description: Administrators attending this workshop will come away with an understanding of how to access a variety of California Department of Education resources including professional development and technical assistance, to support efforts in administering quality childhood education programs. Title: Continuing the Momentum: Advocating for Early Childhood Education Presenters: Alex Cooke, Publisher, On the Capitol Doorstep Description: We will explore the success and divisions in the 2014 California State Budget. We will talk about whom our partners are and what the challenges we will face are as we look forward to continuing to advocate for early education. Workshop Session 5 Thursday, October 30, 2014 Title: Using California Department of Education Infant/Toddler Resources to Improve Early Care and Education Presenter: Sy Dang Nguyen, Early Education and Support Division, Quality Office, California Department of Education & Arlene Paxton, Director, PITC Partners for Quality, WesteEd, Center for Child and Family Studies Description: This workshop will provide guidance on using resources from the California Department of Education to improve early care and education for children birth to 3 years of age. Participants will learn how the Infant/Toddler Learning and Development Foundations, the Infant/Toddler Learning and Development Program Guidelines and the Guidelines for Early Learning in Child Care Home Settings can be used to support high-quality infant/toddler programs by implementing program policies and day-to-day practices that enhance early development. Title: Parent Appeals Presenter: Susan Just, Early Education and Support Division, Policy Office, California Department of Education Description: EESD staff along with a panel of contractors will discuss the notice of action and appeal process to include the Parent Appeals Management Bulletin and the Parent Appeal Information Pamphlet. The EESD staff will provide a power point presentation which will include the regulations specific to the notice of action and parent appeals. The panel will share their experiences and provide guidance on the local hearing process. Audience participation is encouraged. Title: Managing the Maze – Blended/Braided Funding and Partnerships Presenters: Camilla Rand, Director, Contra Costa County Community Services Bureau, Catherine Goins, Assistant Superintendent, Placer County Office of Education, Damon Carson, Vice President, Neighborhood House Association, Pamm Shaw, Executive Director of Early Childhood Services, YMCA of the Central Bay Area and Maria Carriedo, Principal Early Childhood Education, Berkeley Unified School District Description: Strategies that allow funds and resources to be used in more flexible, coordinated, and sustainable way are critical to the success of efforts to improve the coordination and impact of early childhood education. This workshop focuses on how organizations can facilitate the blending and braiding of funds and resources to encourage cross-systems collaboration and, in turn, to improve the education outcomes for all children and employment outcomes for families. Title: Enriching Preschool Wellness Environments Presenter: Courtney Thornburg, Nutrition Education Specialist, California Department of Education & Nancy Herota, Director, Sacramento County Office of Education Description: Are you interested in learning how to enrich preschool wellness environments through resources, trainings, and a bestpractice program? The California Department of Education will showcase free online educational resources, free and low-cost trainings that provide professional growth hours, and a new coaching and recognition program called Preschools Shaping Healthy Impressions Through Nutrition and Exercise (SHINE). The Preschools SHINE program consists of 10 elements that enrich the childcare wellness environment. Preschools SHINE child care sites implement optimal policies and practices that support children’s health, wellness, and readiness to learn and is closely aligned to meet competencies included in the California Preschool Learning Foundations. Title: Linking Child Outcomes and Family Outcomes Presenter: Peter Huffaker, Founding Partner, CCR Analytics Description: Struggling with how to connect the data you collect on your children with the data you collect on your families? We will explore a case study that links DRDP child assessment data with family outcomes data. Then we will review a framework that you can use to integrate your child and family data, how to present the insights from the integrated analysis, and discuss how to use the data to guide program choices. This workshop will be lively and interactive. Come prepared to engage! Workshop Session 6 Thursday, October 30, 2014 Title: Reflective Practices that Support All Children Presenters: Sue Bollig, CIBC Network Coordinator & Jan Kearns, CIBC Outreach Specialist, WestEd Center for Prevention & Early Intervention Description: A PowerPoint presentation will be used to introduce reflective practice with interactive opportunities to participate in reflective inquiry. We will share success stories from the field and adaptations made for developmentally appropriate practice. Participants will view an online website demonstration of CIBC resources and will engage in small group practice of reflective inquiry, using CIBC handouts and reflective tools. Title: Reimbursing Providers with Checks is Costly and Risky Presenter: Greg Hudson, Consultant, GMH Consulting Description: There is an alternate – a combination of electronic funds transfer (EFT) for providers with bank accounts and pre-paid cards for those without. Using this alternative reduces admin costs, ensures admin reimbursement for all payments, eliminates returned 1099’s and increases provider net reimbursement. Title: CDD-801A & 801B Data Collection Presenter: Sandy Wills, Early Education and Support Division, Policy Office, California Department of Education Description: This workshop provides a brief update on recent changes to the CDD-801A as well as upcoming changes to the CDD-801B. The remainder of the workshop will be an open forum and attendees are encouraged to bring their questions. Title: Support Staff’s Professional Development with the CA ECE Competencies Presenter: Jan Delapp, ECE Faculty & Michelle Matias, Supervisor, American River College Description: This workshop will provide an orientation to the ECE Competencies and some tools available to assist individuals in determining their professional competence. It will provide an overview of the CA ECE Competencies, including the 12 areas and 4 contexts, and offer specific ideas to help staff identify their own competency levels. Title: Are You an Effective Leader? Presenters: Sandra Wafford-Pinkins, Program Manager & Letisha Brooks, Program Manager, Community Action Partnership of Kern Description: In this workshop we will focus on how effective are you as a leader/administrator. Participants will engage in discussions, small group activities, and a walk about. Participants will learn that being an effective leaders means that you have a variety of qualities and attributes that encourage staff to work with them. The goal is to enhance their knowledge, and share ideas that they can incorporate into their jobs.