Head Start Training and Technical Assistance
Washington

The Washington T/TA Specialists work together to address training and technical assistance issues and interests of Head Start and Early Head Start grantees in the state. Because they have the opportunity to visit regularly with programs around the state, they hear about common interests and concerns. They also have the opportunity to witness many innovative, creative and effective strategies that Head Start and Early Head Start staff members are using to meet the challenges of providing quality services for children and families. In the coming year, the T/TA Specialists will be exploring ways to help programs learn about and share the "home-grown" expertise that exists within the state's grantees.

Announcements

Training

The Region X T/TA Team has been busy supporting Washington Head Start Programs. Some of the trainings that have been offered are:

• Making and Using Observations
• Emergent Writing
• Math and Problem Solving
• Science and Problem Solving
• Brain Development
• Bilingualism/Dual Language Research and Best Practices
• Reflective Supervision/Mentor Coach
• Language is the Key (Language Development)
• Program Governance- Board and Policy Council
• Effective Supervisory Practice
• Developing Program Outcomes

If you are interested in having the T/TA support your program, please contact your T/TA Specialist.

I Am Moving, I Am Learning

In December many Washington Programs participated in the I Am Moving, I Am Learning Training at Sea-Tac. Your T/TA Specialist is available to assist your program in implementation of IMIL activities.

CHILD Profile

CHILD Profile is a unique health program for all young children in Washington State. Our goal is to keep Washington's children as healthy and safe as possible. The Registry will also help keep track of children's immunizations in your practice.

Here you can find more information on what CHILD Profile is, how the Registry works, how you can participate, and more...

More information about CHILD Profile from the HCCW Conference/HS Session on May 23, 2007

From State or Local Organizations

Department of Early Learning http://www.del.wa.gov/

Washington's Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) Resources

The OSPI's Early Learning web site has a variety of information of interest to Washington HS/EHS programs. The main page can be accessed at: http://www.k12.wa.us/EarlyLearning/

Items of particular interest include the following:

"The Early Learning Tool Kit" is designed to "assist communities considering new or additional investments in early learning" and offers "policy guidance and practical tips for developing effective programs" http://www.k12.wa.us/EarlyLearning/EarlyLearningToolkit/index.html

"Student Readiness for Kindergarten: A Survey of Kindergarten Teachers in Washington State" http://www.k12.wa.us/earlylearning/pubdocs/KindergartenPreparednessSurveyReport.pdf [PDF]

Washington Learns

Washington Learns is Governor Gregoire's initiative to examine our state's education system—from early learning to K–12 to higher education—and find ways to improve it. Find out more at their website: http://www.washingtonlearns.wa.gov/default.htm

New Child Liability Insurance and Background Check Requirements

The Washington State Department of Social and Health Services, Division of Child Care and Early Learning, has posted information about new requirements for childcare liability insurance and background check forms on their web site. For details, please go to: http://www1.dshs.wa.gov/esa/dccel/index.shtml. Scroll down to the "Latest News" section to find out more.

Statewide DTaP Education Initiative

The Washington State Department of Health and Child Profile is working to educate parents statewide about the importance of timely DTaP vaccinations. For more information about their campaign, please visit their website at: http://www.doh.wa.gov/cfh/immunize/default.htm.

Recommended Links

The Department of Early Learning (DEL) came into existence July 1, 2006. DEL was formed as a result of Second Substitute House Bill 2964. This legislation was requested by Governor Christine Gregoire and passed by the 2006 Washington State Legislature.

Says Governor Gregoire, "The department will bring visibility and focus to early learning, along with the capacity to partner with the private sector to develop improved early learning opportunities for children and their parents."

Resources and Publications

Review of the Washington State Training and Registry System (STARS) [PDF]
A report by the consulting firm Public Knowledge, February 2005 (44 pages)

Early Learning Benchmarks (published June, 2005) [PDF]

Wheatley, M. (2005). Finding our way: leadership for an uncertain time. San Francisco: Berret-Koehler Publishing, Inc. (NOTE: Washington State Directors have been reading this book and it was discussed in book group sessions at their summer meeting.)

Ren-Etta Sullivan, D. (2003). Learning to lead: effective leadership skills for teachers of young children. Redleaf Press.

Archived Washington State Information

Washington State Archive