Hello!

We all know that parent partnerships are an important part of your early childhood program. Professional literature reminds us that when families are involved in their children’s schools, children are more likely to succeed. But parents will often feel that the tone embedded in the call for parent involvement can be off-putting, rather than inspiring parents to bring their knowledge to help shape their child’s education. Changing this is complicated; as early childhood leaders, it requires some thought about supports and strategies for strengthening families.

Here are some new ideas to consider when you think about how to partner with families:

• Parents teaching parents: do parents have specific skills or interests? Some topics that might be fun would be sewing, cooking, making cards by hand, working on some phrases in a second language, or something that might be fun.
• Parent and staff book group: any book could work as long as there is interest.
• Using a “photo voice” project: this is a facilitated process that uses photos taken by diverse families to explore issues and challenges of parenting. The model lasts 4-6 weeks and at the end participants are asked to present their stories and identify an actionable community change. Photo assignments could include keeping your child safe and healthy, how moms feel judged or stereotyped, or how long and tiring the days can be.
• “Key person” approach: this is one staff person who may do a home visit with the child and family, who creates a special bond with the child and allows a strong connection between home and school. This has challenges and benefits, but a key person could also be an advocate for the child and family when a difficult situation comes up.
• Ask parents to sign up for family field trips: even better is to ask parents for ideas for field trips they would enjoy doing with the group. Consider a trip that is planned for children and parents on an evening or weekend. It could be as simple as a bus ride, an art session, nature preserve or for a hike.
• There is a national program called Watch D.O.G.S. (Dads of Great Students): This could include dads, grandpas or uncles; they might visit the school or do activities as a group, even group t-shirts might be fun!

When you think about family partnerships, remember a partnership is shared and goes both ways, so build relationships thinking of these dimensions: responding to family interests and needs, engaging in dialog with families, building on family knowledge, training parents for leadership, and facilitating connections in all of the child’s learning contexts.
                                                 Shirley
                 

Shirley Ritter (she/her/hers) – new email, shirley.ritter@aspen.gov
Director | Kids First
(O): 970.920.5370  | (C): 970.319.4124
www.cityofaspen.com/kidsfirst

Get THE SCOOP!

Join us in Carbondale at
FIRST FRIDAY, May 8th

FocusedKids will have a tent where kids can paint and plant their own “peace pot” with a small succulent (cactus.)  

Families are encouraged to create a place at home to go when members need a reset for their feelings or behavior…a place to find calm and to re-focus their attention on the positive.  That place can be inside or outside, and can include favorite things to support wellbeing.  The cactus requires little maintenance or water so is easy for kids to take care of.  Taking care of the plant is taking care of you! 

Kathy Hegberg, M.A.
Founder, Executive Director
khegberg@focusedkids.org
970-379-5377
www.focusedkids.org

              Licensing Corner

With the change in seasons so comes a change in technology!

Licensing, ATS, QRIS, and PDIS can now all be accessed through the Provider HUB: https://coloradoshinesportal.force.com/providerhub/s/login/

For licensing purposes, in addition to paying annual continuation notices through the HUB, providers can also submit licensing applications, change forms, online injury reports, appeals or waivers, and TRAILS requests. The following focuses on continuations, changes to the license, and TRAILS requests.

NOTE! If the continuation payment is past due, you won’t be able to access any other option than the continuation notice. After payment is made the account should be updated within a couple of days then you will be able to access other options. In some cases, the Office of Early Childhood support team needs to be contacted: cdhs_oec_communications@state.co.us or 303.866.5948.

Continuation Forms: Providers will continue to be emailed continuation forms on the 1st of the month, 3 months prior to the anniversary date. You will be able to access the continuation form through the Provider Hub exactly 90 days prior to the anniversary date. You can pay continuations with a credit card or e-check online through the third-party vendor on the HUB or you can mail a check or money order to our office with their signed paper continuation form. Credit card payments cannot be received over the phone or via mail.

Changes to a license: Providers are able to make changes outside of their continuation period with a change request form through the Provider Hub. This includes changes in age range, rooms used, mailing address, Federal employer identification number FEIN, capacities, or conditions.

Original Full Application: This application should be selected if the provider would like to request other changes such as a change in: physical address, license type, or governing body/ownership. 

Closure Requests: Closure requests can be also submitted through the Provider Hub.

TRAILS requests: Non-home child care facilities which include child care centers, school-age child care centers, and preschools: The individual/employee must complete the paper version Facility Child Abuse and Neglect request, and give the completed form to the appointed program representative requesting the background check results.
The program representative logs into the Provider Hub, under the facility license number, and enters the required information from the form. The program representative must sign the online form because the results are sent to the program. The online request and fee are submitted by the program representative. Make sure to keep the completed form in the staff’s personnel file.

NOTE! A mailed-in paper version of the continuation notice, applications, change requests and closures will still be accepted, however, providers are encouraged to use the Provider Hub for faster processing times. Only a check or money order will be accepted with the mailed-in form. All credit card and e-check payments must be submitted through the Provider Hub. Unfortunately, the Department cannot refund any form of payment.
If you have any questions let us know! Now go outside and grab some sun!

Your licensing crew, Sandy, Mark, and Monica

Coaching Corner

Updated Developmental Milestones The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) updated their developmental Milestones Checklists for infants and young children for the first time in over 10 years. The “Learn the Signs. Act Early” tools and resources are communication tools that aim to promote developmental monitoring by tracking developmental milestones and encouraging conversations between families, health care professionals, and early childhood professionals about child development. The revised milestones are a result of feedback from professionals and families, and reflect changes in the number and age-specificity of milestones.

CDC’s Developmental Milestones | CDC  (English and Spanish)


Megan Monaghan M.A. Ed., IMH-E®
Infant Family Associate
Kids First
Senior Quality Improvement Coach
P: 970.920.5373
C: 303.817.2867
www.cityofaspen.com

Mind Springs Aspen

Aspen’s Mind Springs Health provides outpatient counseling and therapy for a wide range of behavioral health problems. We treat people of all ages and services are offered throughout our community to include crisis, co-response, school based, community based and within our offices at the Schultz Health and Human Services building. The goal of all is to help those we encounter on their journey to mental well being.
 

Mind Springs Aspen would like to introduce you to some of the familiar faces you might see in the Community! This is the first installment in a continuing series of Mind Springs staff 

Heather Sipes

Current role at MSH
Outpatient Case Manager/MSW Intern
Your goals and aspirations
I hope to become an LCSW and work with children and families in the school setting.
Your most impressive and relevant achievements
I am currently working toward my MSW through the University of Denver. Prior to beginning my MSW program, I completed the PreK-12 School Social Worker Certificate through Colorado State University.
Quirky fact about you
My first job was de-tasseling corn in Nebraska.

April Whitham,MA

Current role at MSH
School Based Clinician II – Aspen School District
Your goals and aspirations
I love working with children, teens, families and couples.  I have a new found interest in working with the elder population and their families/caregivers and possibly the Hospice organizations in the valley.
 Your  most impressive and relevant achievements
Aside from getting my marriage & family therapy degree BY COMMUTING to Denver, while raising two small boys and helping my husband run our construction company here in Aspen (which took 5 years going part time), I was a pastry chef for 10 years in Aspen/Snowmass and had my own wedding cake business, where I once delivered a wedding cake to a venue by gondola (to the Glenwood Caverns) and to the Pine Creek Cookhouse by snowmobile! 
Quirky Fact about you
I worked/volunteered as an assistant to Julia Child for the first Food & Wine festival held here in Aspen.

Bethany Stith

Current role at MSH
BSA-Front Desk
Your goals and aspirations
getting certified in social work.
Your  most impressive and relevant achievements
going back to college while working full time, completed 3 expedition fights in a boxing ring.
Quirky fact about you
I have a BEARDED DRAGON named Dekker.