Joint Initiatives

Early Childhood Staff Recruitment + Retention
2025-05-03 09:00 - 12:00 (America/Denver) | Online
While there is no easy answer to solve the early childhood workforce crisis, this session will support directors and administrators to think about the factors within their programs that support recruitment and retention. This session will provide meaningful insights and practical ideas into why turnover happens and how to reverse this trend within their programs and centers. It will also provide time to brainstorm together and learn how others are tackling the challenges of recruitment and retention.
Trainer: Maegan Lokteff, PhD
Early Childhood Council Leadership Alliance (ECCLA)

Career Navigator Virtual Office Hours
2025-05-05 11:30 - 14:30, 2025-05-19 11:30 - 14:30 | CO
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

FREE Playgroup for Parents + Caregivers
2025-05-07 09:30 - 11:00 | Penrose Library, 20 N. Cascade Ave., 80903
Join us for PLAYGROUP every other Wednesday from 9:30 – 11 am!
April 23
May 7, 21
Children (ages birth–5) and their parents, caregivers, grandparents, and/or favorite adults are invited for a playful morning of music, movement, art, and fun together!
This playgroup embraces children of all abilities. Older siblings are welcome, but the focus of the group will be on children five and under.
Adults must supervise their children.
To save time at the check-in table, REGISTRATION is REQUESTED.

REACH Committee
2025-05-15 13:00 - 14:30, 2025-06-19 13:00 - 14:30, 2025-07-17 13:00 - 14:30, 2025-08-21 13:00 - 14:30, 2025-09-18 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.

Nature Play at Home | Family, Friend + Neighbor Training
2025-05-28 09:30 - 11:00 | CO
The objective of this training is to encourage participants to engage in nature-based outdoor play and learning with young children on a daily basis to promote healthy physical, social-emotional and cognitive development. Participants will be introduced to simple, low-cost ways to support nature-based experiences in home-based care environments and will practice these approaches through hands-on demonstration activities. Participants will receive this training at no cost and will be provided with a materials grant to support the purchase of materials and supplies.
Training facilitated by ECHO (Early Childhood Health Outdoors)

Kids Count in Colorado Presentation
2025-06-25 09:30 - 11:30 | First Lutheran Church, 1515 N. Cascade Ave., Colorado Springs, CO, United States
Joint Initiatives is excited to share that the Colorado Children’s Campaign is coming back to El Paso County!

Join us on June 25th from 9:30 to 11:30 AM for a meaningful conversation about the challenges and opportunities facing children and families in our community. We’ll take a closer look at the latest data, what it means for El Paso County, and how we can work together to turn information into action.

This is a great opportunity to come together, learn, and connect around the children, families, and community we all care about.

View flyer HERE

We hope you’ll join us!

Director's Professional Learning Community
2025-06-25 13:00 - 14:00 | JI Ascend Center, 1600 N. Union Blvd., Colorado Springs, CO, 80909, United States
Join our PLC designed specifically for Early Childhood Directors!

Gain tools and knowledge to discuss and plan career ladder steps with staff.
Explore and review a specialized Early Childhood Career Ladder Toolkit.
Build a peer mentoring network to support implementation and foster sustainable recruitment and retention strategies.
Experience a collaborative space to mentor one another, overcome internal capacity limitations, and drive progress in workforce development through structured career pathways and pay scale supports.

Click JOIN NOW to begin creating a sustainable model for teacher recruitment and retention. Peer mentorship within a PLC is a powerful way to make this change happen.

Circle of Security Parenting Support Group (for Parents + Caregivers)
2025-06-25 18:00 - 2025-08-20 20:00, 2025-07-01 18:00 - 2025-08-26 20:00 | Online
Parents and caregivers are invited to a FREE 8-session class.
At times all parents feel lost or without a clue about what our child might need from us. Imagine what it might feel like if you were able to make sense of what your child was really asking from you. The Circle of Security Parenting™ program is based on decades of research about how secure parent-child relationships can be supported and strengthened.
Learning Objectives of the Program:

Understand your child’s emotional world by learning to read the emotional needs
Support your child’s ability to successfully manage emotions
Enhance the development of your child’s self esteem
Honor your innate wisdom and desire for your child to be secure

View flyer HERE.

Child Development Associate+ Info Session
2025-07-15 13:00 - 14:00 | Online
Come learn about the FREE CDA+, created by Pikes Peak State College, a ten-session program (80 hours) beginning this September that allows you earn seven college credits. Training is assignment- and participation-based, with no testing required for successful program completion. The program will translate to seven PLA college credits at PPSC.
Prerequisite: Have a current Child Development Associate® (CDA) Credential™. Your current CDA credential will be submitted for PLA college credits eliminating the need for continual CDA renewal.
Students completing the program will receive $800.00 in funding to help remove barriers.
View Flyer HERE.

FREE Playgroup for Parents + Caregivers
2025-08-13 09:30 - 11:00, 2025-08-27 09:30 - 11:00, 2025-09-10 09:30 - 11:00, 2025-09-24 09:30 - 11:00 | JI Ascend Center, 1600 N. Union Blvd., Colorado Springs, CO, 80909, United States
Join us for PLAYGROUP every other Wednesday from 9:30 – 11 am at JI’s Ascend Center location (1600 N. Union Blvd.)

August 13 and 27
September 10 and 24
October 8 and 22
November 5 and 19

Children (ages birth–5) and their parents, caregivers, grandparents, and/or favorite adults are invited for a playful morning of music, movement, art, and fun together!
This playgroup embraces children of all abilities. Older siblings are welcome, but the focus of the group will be on children five and under.
Adults must supervise their children.
To save time at the check-in table, REGISTRATION is REQUESTED.

Early Learning & Development Guidelines Series
2025-08-20 18:30 - 20:30, 2025-08-27 18:30 - 20:30, 2025-09-03 18:30 - 20:30, 2025-09-10 18:30 - 20:30 | 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+
2025-09-04 08:30 - 16:30, 2025-09-11 08:30 - 16:30, 2025-09-18 08:30 - 16:30 | 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

HomeFront Help Cohort Training for Trusted Caregivers
2025-09-06 08:00 - 16:00 | JI Ascend Center, 1600 N. Union Blvd., Colorado Springs, CO, 80909, United States
Operation Child Care Project (OCC Project) is a nationwide nonprofit led by military spouses, dedicated to improving child care access for military families.
Our HomeFront Help program trains and supports trusted community members to provide safe, flexible care options—filling critical gaps in emergency, part-time, and ad hoc child care. Participants in the HomeFront Help training program receive:

Free CPR training
FBI fingerprinting
Background checks + More
$250 Stipend

There is a brief online training requirement prior to participating in the in-person cohort, but the training is free and participants are paid to take it. Those who complete the in-person cohort training also receive a $250 stipend, and there are ongoing incentive opportunities. Together, we’re building a community-based solution that meets families where they are.

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: 271944

Parents Challenge Empowerment Sessions
2025-09-22 18:00 - 20:00, 2025-09-24 12:00 - 13:00 | CO
Parents Challenge provides families with information, training, mentoring, tools, and financial resources to equip them to choose the education they think best for their children. Learn more about Parents Challenge HERE.
Please see upcoming Empowerment Sessions below in order of date:
Raising Sons in a Changing World: Tools for Parenting Boys With Purpose, Connection & Confidence
September 22 | 6–8 pm
Learn practical tools to support your son’s identity, emotional health, academic focus, and sense of belonging. Walk away with strategies to improve communication, set clear expectations, and nurture his strengths, wherever he comes from and whoever he’s becoming.
Details HERE

The “Clean out Your Closet” Effect
September 24 | 12–1 pm
What is your clutter and disorganization trying to tell you? Being disorganized can be overwhelming. It’s important to identify the chaos and why it is happening. Dr. Lewis will share her techniques for getting motivated and becoming well-organized. She will explain how her CLEAN YOUR CLOSET method works.
Details HERE

Surviving the Shark Waters of Change
Oct. 4th | 9 am – noon
The session will focus on equipping the participants with strategic skills needed for success and personal development to include:

Writing a personal mission statement
Problem solving exercises with resources included
Charting a new path in life after trauma and high impact interpersonal communication skills

Details HERE

Early Childhood Development: Early Literacy
October 9 | 6–8 pm
Discover how language and literacy grow from birth and how to foster a rich reading environment at home.

Phonological Awareness – Playful ways to explore sounds in words.
Print Concepts – Simple strategies to teach how books and print work.
Language Development – Boost vocabulary through everyday conversations.

Details HERE

G.R.I.T.
October 14 | 6–8 pm
The GRIT Program teaches you how to recognize stress, build emotional strength, and support others through hardship and disaster. Learn how to listen effectively, guide people to resources, and strengthen resilience in yourself, your family, and your community. Be the steady voice when it matters most.
Details HERE

Keeping Kids Safe Online: A Parent’s Guide to Internet Safety
October 22 | 6–8 pm
In today’s digital world, staying informed is key to keeping your children safe online. This session will help parents understand online risks, from social media and gaming to cyberbullying and privacy concerns. Learn practical tips, tools, and conversation starters to help your child navigate the internet safely and responsibly.
Details HERE

Navigating AI: A Parent’s Guide
October 27 | 6–8 pm
Explore the exciting world of Artificial Intelligence and its implications for families. This workshop will demystify AI, providing parents with a foundational understanding of how it works, its presence in everyday life, and its potential impact on their children’s education and future. Discover how to leverage AI tools responsibly and discuss strategies for guiding your student in an AI-driven world.
Details HERE

Effects of Marijuana Usage
October 29 | 6–8 pm
As marijuana become more accessible and its use more widely accepted, it’s crucial for parents and caregivers to understand how it can affect young people. This session will explore the shirt- and long-term impacts of marijuana use on the developing brain, mental health, learning, and behavior. We’ll discuss current research, common myths, and signs of use to watch for. Participants will also gain strategies for talking with youth about marijuana in honest, non-judgmental ways that encourage healthy choices and open communication.
Details HERE

Family Team Building
November 4 | 6–8 pm
It’s easy to forget to have fun with your kids. Rules, responsibilities, schoolwork… and the day-to-day grind can prevent us from enjoying life as a family. That’s where intentionality comes in. You can stop and choose to take a moment to laugh and enjoy your family, but it may require planning. Parents often want to know how to prevent problem behaviors, or make sure their kids don’t make poor choices. One of the best, proactive, ways parents can protect their kids’ hearts is to build an identity of, “Our family knows how to have fun together!”
Details HERE

Fuel Your Joy, Feed Your Impact: Everyday Wellness for Purpose-Driven Parents
November 5 | 12–1 pm
As parents, we pour ourselves into raising children, supporting schools, and building strong communities. But what if the key to showing up with purpose begin with giving back… to yourself?
In this energizing and empowering session, Dr. Regina Lewis invites parents to rediscover wellness from the inside out. Drawing on timeless practices and supported by modern science, she reveals how gut health, emotional clarity, and mindful habits are essential not just for personal vitality – but for showing up as your best self at home and in life.
This isn’t about chasing perfection. It’s about cultivating presence, resilience, and joy in the everyday. You’ll leave with practical strategies to boost your energy, manage stress, and model healthy habits that ripple into your family and beyond. Because when parents thrive, the whole household rises.
Details HERE

Early Childhood Development: Social and Emotional Learning
November 6 | 6–8 pm
Learn how social-emotional development supports learning and lifelong wellbeing, with simple ways to nurture these skills at home.

Self-Awareness – Help kids identify emotions through modeling and reflection.
Self-Management – Teach calming routines and emotional regulation.
Social Awareness – Encourage empathy through stories and discussions.
Relationship Skills – Strengthen communication and cooperation through play.

Details HERE
