Beyond the ACEs Score | Parts 1, 2, and 3
2024-10-03 18:00 - 20:00, 2024-10-17 18:00 - 20:00 (America/Denver) | Joint Initiatives for Youth + Families, 1600 N. Union Blvd., Colorado Springs, CO, 80909, United States
Promoting Positive Childhood Experiences: Through the Lens of the Neurosequential Model in Early Childhood Education.
Parts 1, 2, and 3 build upon each other. Children’s mental health training provides early childhood educators an opportunity to better understand the impact of childhood trauma and how to implement strategies to prevent or reduce the effects. Through building nurturing relationships, providing positive experiences, and offering safe environments for children to live, play, and learn, individuals can contribute to the healthy development and well being of all children in our community.

Part 1: Toxic stress, often precipitated by adversity in childhood, is the body’s response to lasting and serious stress. This type of stress affects how the brain and the body grow and develop, often causing lifelong behavioral and physical health issues. Join us to learn how Adverse Childhood Experiences may have impacted your life personally, those whom you love, or those whom you work with.
In Part 2, participants will learn ‘why’ adversity, especially in the early stages of development, creates the foundation for all future growth.
In Part 3, participants will address the question, “So, now what?” Participants will be introduced to primary concepts of the Neurosequential Model in Education to start creating relationships and environments where all children can flourish.

Instructor: Paula Hergert, M.A.Ed.
Part 1 • September 19 | Register HERE
Part 2 • October 3 | Register HERE
Part 3 • October 17 | Register HERE

Career Navigator Virtual Office Hours
2024-10-07 11:30 - 14:30, 2024-10-21 11:30 - 14:30, 2024-11-04 11:30 - 14:30, 2024-11-18 11:30 - 14:30, 2024-12-02 11:30 - 14:30, 2024-12-16 11:30 - 14:30, 2025-01-06 11:30 - 14:30, 2025-02-03 11:30 - 14:30 and 1 more date
FREE SUPPORT TO PURSUE OR ADVANCE YOUR CAREER!
Do you need guidance navigating the many paths toward a rewarding career in early childhood? Have you been in the field and would like to know the opportunities for advancing your career? Joint Initiatives offers free career navigation! It includes PDIS support, assistance with college enrollment or applying for the Advancing Early Childhood Educators program (below), answering CDA questions, portfolio support, + more!
NEW! Virtual Office Hours via Zoom!
1st and 3rd Mondays | 11:30 am–2:30 pm
¡Ofrecemos nuestros servicios en Español!
For the Career Navigation flyer in Spanish, click HERE.
Download our Navigator Flyer for details and the link to virtual office hours or visit our BuildMyECECareer.com to schedule a free time to chat.
SHARE THE OPPORTUNITY
If you know someone considering a career in early childhood education, BuildMyECECareer.com has complete details for getting started, including inspiring videos highlighting those in the field!
Advancing Early Childhood Educators FLYER 11.8.24

Child Care Focus Group for Parents + Caregivers
2024-10-16 13:00 - 14:00
We’re inviting parents of young children (ages birth–5) to join an in-person focus group and share their experiences and insights on early childhood care, education, and access. The purpose of these focus groups is to understand the unique needs of our community and explore opportunities for expanding Early Head Start programs where they’re needed most.

This event is offered in person. Focus group is limited to 8 participants, and you must reside in El Paso County, Colorado.
Child care is offered upon request through the registration page.
After the focus group, all adult participants will receive a $125 Walmart gift card as a thank you for your time. Limit one gift card per household. ID will be required, and the address must match the address on your registration.
Download flyer HERE.

Alliance for Kids Council
2024-10-22 13:30 - 15:00 | Family Resource Center/PPUW, 1520 Verde Drive, Colorado Springs, CO, United States
The Alliance for Kids Council meets monthly.
Meeting are a combination of online and in-person. Details/Zoom for meetings will be shared with Council members via email. If you would like more information about the Council, please contact Shay Almonte, Foundations Program Director, at salmonte@jointinitiatives.org.

Health + Well-Being Committee Meeting
2024-10-23 12:00 - 13:30 | Online
The Health + Well-Being Committee is a subcommittee of the Alliance for Kids Council and meets quarterly (January, April, July, and October). The committee is made up of agencies and individuals working collaboratively to guide the work of Alliance for Kids in meeting the goals and objectives of its Strategic Plan, which are aligned with the Early Childhood Colorado Framework.
Meeting details will be shared with committee members via email. If you have an interest in joining this committee, please contact Bernadine McCarron, Foundations Wellness Manager, at bmccarron@jointinitiatives.org.

UPK Roundtable for Early Childhood Providers
2024-10-24 18:00 - 19:00, 2024-10-25 13:00 - 2024-10-26 14:00 | Online
JOIN US!
The JI/UPK team’s monthly Roundtable will be held on the dates below. You may choose the time you prefer.
Thursday, October 24 | 6–7 pm
Friday, October 25 | 1–2 pm
The Zoom link is HERE for joining the Roundtable, and the passcode is UPK if needed. While we will do state updates, this will be an opportunity for you to ask questions and clarify information. Registration HERE is appreciated, but not required.

The Growing Brain | Parts 1, 2, and 3
2024-11-05 18:00 - 21:00, 2024-11-06 18:00 - 21:00, 2024-11-12 18:00 - 21:00 | Online
All babies are born with billions of neurons bumping around their brains… but very few of those neurons are connected. That’s where YOU come in! The Growing Brain professional development curriculum provides early childhood professionals with the knowledge, support, and evidence-based strategies they can use in everyday moments to support healthy brain development and build the connections babies need for success now and later in life.

REACH Executive Team Meeting
2024-11-07 11:45 - 13:15, 2024-12-05 11:45 - 13:15, 2025-01-02 11:45 - 13:15, 2025-02-06 11:45 - 13:15 | Online + In-Person
The Executive Team of the REACH Committee meets monthly to prepare for the full committee meeting.
The location and Zoom info will be provided in the meeting invitation prior to each meeting.
For more information about the REACH Committee, please contact Cassy Reyes.

REACH Committee
2024-11-13 13:00 - 14:30, 2024-11-21 13:00 - 14:30, 2024-12-19 13:00 - 14:30, 2025-01-16 13:00 - 14:30 | JI Ascend Center, 1600 N. Union Blvd., Colorado Springs, CO, 80909, United States
As the oversight group for Pathways, the REACH Committee brings together individuals and organization representatives able to incorporate wraparound services and crisis response for youth and their families experiencing multiple challenges in the Pikes Peak region and the 4th Judicial District.
Meetings are in person at the Ascend Center.
For more information, contact Cassy Reyes.

Active Shooter Survival Skills Training
2024-11-20 18:00 - 19:30 | Online
This training will include emergency preparedness training on active shooter survival skills. Topics will include: Run/Hide/Fight, preparation, and planning.

GRAND OPENING of Juvenile Assessment Center
2024-12-10 10:30 - 12:00 | Joint Initiatives for Youth + Families, 1600 N. Union Blvd., Colorado Springs, CO, 80909, United States
Joint Initiatives and School District 11 have partnered to launch a new youth center at Galileo Middle School.
Services provided to El Paso and Teller County youth:

Crisis intervention
Educational enrichment
Family Counseling
Substance abuse treatment
Tutoring
Mentoring
Individual plans based on assessments
Wraparound, multi-agency supports for youth and their families
Direct financial support for basic needs

A Deeper Dive into Suspension + Expulsion Practices
2025-01-25 09:00 - 10:30 | Joint Initiatives for Youth + Families, 1600 N. Union Blvd., Colorado Springs, CO, 80909, United States
This training is for individuals who have completed the PDIS training “Ending Suspension and Expulsion in Early Care and Learning Settings.” Participants will review material covered in the PDIS training and have the opportunity to engage with colleagues around this difficult topic.
Instructor: Erika Cincotta, Foundations Mental Health Practitioner
