Joint Initiatives

Early Learning & Development Guidelines Series
2025-09-10 18:30 - 20:30 (America/Denver) | JI Ascend Center, 1600 N. Union Blvd., Colorado Springs, CO, 80909, United States
JI is excited to offer a series of four professional development trainings focused on the ELDGs, which outline the developmental milestones and learning progression of children from birth to 8 years of age. These guidelines are essential tools for supporting young children’s growth and success across early learning environments.
While we encourage participants to attend the full series for a comprehensive understanding, you are welcome to select the sessions that are most relevant to your role and program needs.
Registration for each session of this series is separate.
Topics/Dates:
August 20 | What are the ELDGs and Why Are They Important?
Register HERE
August 27 | Using the ELDGs for Lesson Planning
Register HERE
September 3 | Using the ELDGs for Child Assessment
Register HERE
September 10 | Using the ELDGs to Inform Socio-Emotional Development Lesson Planning
Register HERE

Child Development Associate+
2025-09-11 08:30 - 16:30, 2025-09-18 08:30 - 16:30, 2025-09-25 08:30 - 16:30, 2025-10-02 08:30 - 16:30, 2025-10-09 08:30 - 16:30, 2025-10-16 08:30 - 16:30, 2025-10-23 08:30 - 16:30, 2025-10-30 08:30 - 16:30 and 1 more date | JI/Foundations
The CDA+, created by Pikes Peak State College (PPSC), is a ten-session program (80 hours) that allows you to earn seven PLA college credits. If you have a current CDA, check out this NO-COST program that includes $800 in funding for YOU. Successful completion will eliminate the need for CDA renewal! Check out the flyer for full details and the link to apply below.
PROGRAM DETAILS

Joint Initiatives for Youth + Families provides in-person training
on Thursdays – see sidebar at right.
Training is assignment- and participation-based, with no testing
required for successful program completion.
CDA credential will be submitted for PLA college credits.

Prerequisite: Have a current Child Development Associate®
(CDA) Credential™. Your current CDA credential will be submitted
for college credits, eliminating the need for continual CDA renewal.
🔗 CDA+ FLYER

Colorado Shines Level 3-5 Rating Question and Answer session!
2025-09-19 13:00 - 14:30 | Online
Colorado Shines Level 3-5 Rating Question and Answer session!
Who: Hosted by your Colorado Shines Rating Team
This is a great opportunity to ask any questions you may have about documentation indicators, the Environment Rating Scales, or the rating process.
The Q&A is held on Zoom. Please make every attempt to log on to the Zoom meeting 5 minutes prior to the start of the meeting to avoid missing important details. Attendance details are posted below.
Zoom Meeting:
JOIN ZOOM HERE
Meeting ID: 853 3384 3288
Passcode: [REDACTED]

Beyond the ACEs Score | Parts 1 + 2
2025-10-14 18:00 - 20:00, 2025-10-28 18:00 - 20:00 | JI Ascend Center, 1600 N. Union Blvd., Colorado Springs, CO, 80909, United States
Look no further! Beyond the ACEs Score Parts 1 and 2 build upon each other and it’s intended for early childhood educators to better understand the impact of childhood trauma, how to implement strategies to prevent or mitigate the effects. Through building nurturing relationships, providing positive experiences, and offering safe environments for children to live, play, and learn, individuals can contribute to children’s healthy development.
Instructor: Paula Hergert, M.A.Ed., Prevention and Policy Specialist, El Paso County Public Health

Director's Professional Learning Community (PLC)
2025-10-22 13:00 - 14:00 | JI Ascend Center, 1600 N. Union Blvd., Colorado Springs, CO, 80909, United States
Join a focused PLC designed specifically for Early Childhood Directors committed to strengthening workforce development within their programs.
Participants will:

Gain tools and knowledge to support career ladder planning with staff
Explore and utilize a specialized Early Childhood Career Ladder Toolkit
Build a peer mentoring network to share strategies and support implementation
Collaborate on sustainable recruitment and retention strategies

This PLC provides a supportive, collaborative environment to help directors overcome internal capacity challenges and advance structured career pathways and equitable pay scale practices.

Pre-Licensing Training | Open a Family Child Care Business
2025-11-08 08:00 - 16:00, 2025-11-10 08:00 - 16:00 | JI Ascend Center, 1600 N. Union Blvd., Colorado Springs, CO, 80909, United States
Nov. 8 and 15 | In-Person at the Ascend Center
9:00 am – 3 pm
Instructors: Shaina Bretag, Foundations Coach
Becoming a Licensed Family Child Care Provider is an exciting career move that offers you the opportunity to provide appropriate care and guidance for other children in your community. Licensed Family Child Care Providers can earn income for their families while providing an invaluable service to the community.
Register for November training HERE | $50

Expanding Quality for Infants + Toddlers | Session B
2025-11-10 18:00 - 19:30 | CO
EQIT SESSION A
The 48-hour EQIT Curriculum provides a solid introduction to infant and toddler development, with a focus on providing quality group care for our youngest children. It builds on the knowledge and experience of infant and toddler caregivers through interesting, interactive, and fun activities.
Please note that when registering for an EQIT training through PDIS HERE, make sure to fill out all the fields, including a personal phone number. Also, it is important to check on and update the email address listed in the My Profile>Personal area before requesting registration. Your registration cannot be approved if it is missing any information.
Cost: $50
November 10, 2025 – January 29, 2026
Instructor: Erica Evans
The orientation is November 10th. See specific dates and locations for training in PDIS. The EQIT Curriculum has been approved by the Division of Child Care as one of the classes that can be used for Early Childhood Teacher Qualifications AND will count toward the Infant Toddler class that will be required for Director Qualifications.

Emergency Preparedness Refresher for Early Childhood Professionals
2025-12-10 18:00 - 20:00 | Online
The ChildCare Aware of America refresher training aims to help childcare programs and providers better prepare for emergencies. Participants will receive resources and the training covers:
• Importance of emergency preparedness for childcare
• Actions required for different emergencies
• Supporting children’s needs
• Writing an emergency plan
Instructor: Geanina Brown, Foundations Workforce Manager

Early Childhood Job Fair
2026-01-21 10:00 - 13:00 | Pikes Peak Workforce Center, 1675 Garden of the Gods Rd., Colorado Springs, CO, 80907, United States
SAVE THE DATE!
The Family Friendly Initiative, led by Joint Initiatives for Youth + Families, in partnership with the Pikes Peak Workforce Center, is sharing the opportunity to participate in an Early Childhood Education Job Fair on January 21, 2026. If your program is hiring for open positions, this is a great opportunity to meet early childhood professionals ready to join your team. If you are looking to build your career as an early childhood educator, this event is for YOU!
To sign up to be an employer at this event, it’s a two-step process.

Visit the Connecting Colorado website and click on the Register as an Employer button to create your account.
Then, click here to sign up for this specific event. There is no charge to be an employer.

To attend the event:

Visit the Connecting Colorado website and click on the Register as a Job Seeker button to create your account.
