Start Early

Registration is now open for the ACSES Framework Introductory Series Sessions 2-6. Join us this fall for the ACSES Framework Introductory Series: Creating Equitable Classrooms with ACSES. This engaging six-part series introduces a practical, action-oriented framework for creating more equitable early childhood classrooms. Earn CEUs or count sessions towards your CDA. Sessions 2 – 6 are bundled for $250 and include access to all live sessions, post-session recordings, and CEU credits. Register for the series today! https://lnkd.in/gUm-m3MN

Decades of research show the clear benefits of Early Intervention (EI) for infants and toddlers with developmental delays or a medical condition/diagnosis likely to lead to a developmental delay. In both Illinois and nationally, however, we are grossly under-serving eligible infants and toddlers, and babies under one year of age represent the smallest percentage of children served in Early Intervention. Illinois is currently exploring approaches to address some of these disparities by convening a multidisciplinary policy advisory body of stakeholders and leaders from across the state to develop recommendations (forthcoming) aimed at strengthening connections to EI for infants and toddlers with medical complexities. In a new video, Start Early Policy Specialist Zareen Kamal describes the numerous barriers to timely access to EI that families may face, and parent advocates also share their personal experiences in navigating both the health and EI systems for their children. Forming a policy advisory committee and developing a cross-system advocacy strategy is just some of the work Zareen and her team are executing to break these barriers. Zareen recently spoke at the ZERO TO THREE LEARN Conference with Alison L. Liddle PT, MPP, PCS and Jaclyn Vasquez in their session, “Advancing Equity in Early Intervention: Parent, Provider, and Policy Perspectives,” on the need for Illinois to implement these changes to truly move the needle on the issue of increasing equitable access to EI for babies under one. Hear about what she, along with many others, are doing to advocate for systems change to better serve all children and families.

Start Early’s Barbara Cooper, Ph.D will be speaking at The BUILD Initiative summit alongside partner, Dr Stephanie Curenton about The ACSES Framework: Building Racially Equitable and High-Quality Classrooms, Workforce, and Systems. To learn more about the ACSES Framework and the Start Early + ACSES partnership, join us this fall for an engaging six-part series introducing ACSES - a practical, action-oriented framework for creating more equitable early childhood classrooms. Our first FREE webinar: Beyond the Talk: Creating Racial Equity in the Classroom is on Thursday, August 29, 2024 at 12-1 p.m. CT. https://lnkd.in/gwXJciYc

“While Republicans and Democrats agree that child care is lacking in America they remain divided on many specifics of how best to solve the problem. It is time we solve this problem.”   In a new op-ed in TheFulcrum.US, Demi Siskind, PhD, Senior Research Scientist at Start Early, Educare Network researcher, and a Public Voices fellow with The OpEd Project in partnership with the National Black Child Development Institute, outlines the bipartisan opportunity to prioritize meaningful early care and education legislation. Read more:

We hope you’ll join us at our FREE webinar, “Beyond the Talk: Creating Racial Equity in the Classroom” on Thursday, August 29, 2024, at 12-1 p.m. CT. Our first webinar kicks off an engaging six-part series introducing ACSES, a practical, action-oriented framework for creating more equitable early childhood classrooms. The ACSES Introductory Series will build early childhood educators’ understanding of equitable classroom learning and offers practical strategies to support young Black and Brown learners. Participants will be able to earn CEUs or count webinars towards their CDA. Stay tuned for more information on how to register for the additional webinars in this series. Learn more about the ACSES Introductory Series and register today for our introductory webinar on August 29: https://lnkd.in/g7FQu9b6

Evidence shows that Early Intervention (EI) works – these services can radically improve long-term development for the infants and toddlers who have a medical condition or diagnosis that makes them at substantial risk for a developmental delay and disability. However, our current EI system is overwhelmed and underfunded. Data shows that we are under-serving eligible infants and toddlers, especially for babies under 1-year-old. Thousands of eligible babies under 1 aren’t getting these critical services. Nationally and in Illinois only about 1% of babies under 1 are getting EI. Start Early’s Karen Berman sat down with New America to discuss the unique challenges for babies under age one and their families in accessing EI services https://lnkd.in/givw7PUu

Hear from Early Childhood Practice Consultant for Start Early Michelle Lee at The National Association for Family Child Care (NAFCC) conference at her session Fostering the Three C's through a COP (Community of Practice) - Collaboration, Connection, & Community. Learn how to implement a community of practice to foster peer support for improved implementation, to gather lessons learned from the field, and to move policy agendas forward. Sign up here to find out where we'll be speaking next and access upcoming professional learning opportunities for the early childhood field: https://lnkd.in/gwXJciYc

Join Start Early Senior Manager for Professional Learning Kristie Norwood at The National Association for Family Child Care (NAFCC) conference at her session Building Community through Equitable Behavior Management & Nurturing Relationships. Understand and discuss the difference between punishment and supportive behavior management, share strategies to mitigate harm and increase equity in classroom settings and much more. Sign up here to find out where we'll be speaking next and access upcoming professional learning opportunities for the early childhood field: https://lnkd.in/eRS-Dubc

An article by The 19th explains how the child care crisis has affected small business across the country – owners are struggling to retain employees who can’t find affordable or quality care. A recent survey by Goldman Sachs found that more than 1/3 of small businesses owners say that the lack of child care in their communities is preventing them from operating or expanding their business. The cost of child care has been steadily rising for years and in 2023 child care cost families on average $11,582. Small business owners also Goldman Sachs they’d like to see government support for improving their options, with as many as 77% saying they would support an increase in federal funding for child care. Read more: https://lnkd.in/er92pc2Z

Don’t miss out on savings - discounted early bird registration fees are available through October 31 when you register for the 2025 National Home Visiting Summit! Join us in Washington, D.C. February 12-14 for our annual home visiting conference with 25+ workshops, 3 plenary sessions, Capitol Hill visits and MORE! New this year - we’re thrilled to offer Continuing Education Units (CEUs) included with your registration fee. Register to secure your spot today: https://bit.ly/3VE3CcS