Joint Initiatives

Active Shooter Training
2022-09-20 18:00 - 19:00 (America/Denver) | Joint Initiatives for Youth + Families, 1600 N. Union Blvd., Colorado Springs, CO, 80909, United States
Our FREE active shooter presentation is an informal presentation where participants will learn about what an active shooter event is, trends during past events, and how to best protect yourself during an event. This presentation will be presented by the Colorado Springs Police Department using the Department of Homeland Security method of Run, Hide, Fight.

Developing Your Family Child Care Business
2022-09-17 09:00 - 15:30, 2022-09-10 09:00 - 15:30 | Online
Developing Your Family Child Care Business is a training program during which participants learn how to:

Assess their marketplace
Establish the parameters of their business
Manage their costs
Price their services appropriately
Work with families to create a successful business and partnership
Network with other providers in the community
Access needed community resources

The lessons are organized in modules with the following topics:

Exploring Business Ownership
Organizing and Managing My Child Care Business
Defining My Family Child Care Services
Analyzing the Family Child Care Business Market
Promoting My Family Child Care Business
Keeping Track of Finances
Operating My Family Child Care Business
Celebrating Our Accomplishments

Training Dates: Saturdays, September 10, 17, October 1, 8, 29, November 5 and 12
REGISTER HERE.

Universal Pre-K Input Sessions
2022-09-15 16:30 - 18:00, 2022-09-14 16:30 - 18:00, 2022-09-08 16:30 - 18:00
Colorado House Bill 22-1295 (Department of Early Childhood and Universal Preschool Program) passed with bipartisan support on April 25, 2022. This bill established operations and governance structures for the Colorado Department of Early Childhood (CDEC), moved programs to this new department, and established the Colorado Universal Preschool Program. Additionally, the bill established a new state-local partnership model: Local Coordinating Organizations (LCOs). In El Paso County, the Legacy Institute funded and convened stakeholders to determine the local organization best suited to apply for this role. Joint Initiatives has been selected as the Local Coordinating Organization (LCO) for this work and is excited to provide this hub of information as we plan for this new programming.
INFORMATION SESSION: UNIVERSAL PRE-K AND THE LOCAL COORDINATING ORGANIZATION

September 8 from 4:30-6:00 pm
Register HERE | Zoom

UNIVERSAL PRE-K INPUT SESSION: OWNERS + ADMINISTRATORS

September 14 from 4:30-6:00 pm
Register HERE | In-Person @ JI Offices

UNIVERSAL PRE-K INPUT SESSION: TEACHERS, TEACHER’S ASSISTANTS + CAREGIVERS

September 15 from 4:30–6:00 pm
Register HERE | In-Person @ JI Offices

UNIVERSAL PRE-K INPUT SESSION: FAMILY CHILD CARE PROVIDERS

September 20 from 6:30–8 pm
No registration required | In-Person
Holy Cross Lutheran Church, 4125 Constitution Ave., COS

UNIVERSAL PRE-K INPUT SESSION: FAMILIES

September 22 from 4:30–6:00 pm
Register HERE | In-Person @ JI Offices

JI offices are located at 6385 Corporate Drive, Suite 201, Colorado Springs. (For input sessions, please enter building on the east side, using the main entrance doors.)
For details, updates, and meeting notes, please visit our LCO hub of information on our website.

Alliance for Kids Legislative Subcommittee
2022-09-13 13:00 - 13:30, 2022-08-09 13:00 - 13:30, 2022-07-12 13:00 - 13:30, 2022-06-14 13:00 - 13:30, 2022-05-10 13:00 - 13:30 | Online
The Legislative Subcommittee of the Alliance for Kids Council meets monthly.
Meeting details/Zoom will be shared with subcommittee members via email. If you would like more information, please contact Kelly Hurtado, Foundations Program Director, at KHurtado@jointinitiatives.org.

Early Childhood Trauma Training | Part 1 and 2
2022-09-12 18:00 - 19:30 | Online
This training is offered on multiple dates. Please register for the specific date that works for you. Cost is $25 per session.
Part 1: A basic introduction to Early Childhood Trauma, Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs), and resources to help adults and children in a classroom setting be successful. This training is a requirement to take the advanced the Early Childhood Trauma Training Part 2.
September 12, 2022 | Register HERE
January 23, 2023 | Register HERE
Part 2: Must have taken Early Childhood (EC) Trauma Training Part 1. Following our EC Trauma Training Part 1, this training will give more research-based facts and resources to help children and adults in their environments feel successful. This advanced training will go over helpful tools to help children and adults with triggers that lead to anxiety.
November 10, 2022 | Register HERE
April 17, 2023 | Register HERE

Universal Pre-K Community Planning Meetings
2022-09-07 16:00 - 18:00
Colorado House Bill 22-1295 (Department of Early Childhood and Universal Preschool Program) passed with bipartisan support on April 25, 2022. This bill established operations and governance structures for the Colorado Department of Early Childhood (CDEC), moved programs to this new department, and established the Colorado Universal Preschool Program. Additionally, the bill established a new state-local partnership model: Local Coordinating Organizations (LCOs). In El Paso County, the Legacy Institute funded and convened stakeholders to determine the local organization best suited to apply for this role. Joint Initiatives has been selected as the Local Coordinating Organization (LCO) for this work and is excited to provide this hub of information as we plan for this new programming.
COMMUNITY MEETING 3
September 7 from 4–6 pm
Creekside Success Center
3850 Pony Tracks Dr., COS
COMMUNITY MEETING 4
September 28 from 4–6 pm
Zalman Center, Harrison High School, 1060 Harrison Rd., COS
For details, visit the LCO hub of information on our website.

The Growing Brain
2022-08-16 12:30 - 13:30, 2022-08-09 12:30 - 13:30 | Online
This innovative three-day, one-hour training focuses on giving ECE professionals and families evidence-informed strategies to support their vital role in building healthy brains. The Growing Brain training provides a comprehensive hands-on understanding of how the brain develops, along with ways the participant can encourage healthy brain development in children from birth to five years old. Join us for this “Eat Your Lunch While You Learn” training!
REGISTER HERE.

Learning + Development Committee Meeting
2022-08-02 18:30 - 20:00, 2022-06-07 18:30 - 20:00 | Online
The Learning + Development Committee is a subcommittee of the Alliance for Kids Council and meets every other month. 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 Tanise Dixon, Foundations Manager, at tdixon@jointinitiatives.org.

Pre-Licensing for Exempt Providers
2022-07-27 11:30 - 15:00, 2022-07-26 11:30 - 15:00, 2022-07-25 11:30 - 15:00 | Online
All persons with a State of Colorado Director Certification, two-year or four-year degree IN Early Childhood Education are exempt from the 15 hours of Pre-Licensing training but must have the following:

Providers must have Standard Precautions and Medication Administration, and current CPR/First Aid certification.
Providers are required to attend the licensing rules and regulations overview as well as the family child care business requirements training (see below).

Rules, Regulations & Business Rules for Family Child Care Homes
This course for exempt providers is offered on the first three days of each quarterly Pre-Licensing session from 11:30 am – 3:00 pm. Register HERE for July 25-27, 2022.

VROOM Brain Science of Young Children Workshop
2022-05-20 10:00 - 11:00 | Online
This workshop will make it fun and easy for attendees to learn about the brain science of young children, and what they can do to help children prepare for school, friends, and life. Participants will be introduced to free tools and resources to use directly with their children or families they work with.
VROOM: Advances in neuroscience confirm what many of us have long known: The first five years of life are critically important to children’s future learning and success. Every time we connect with young children, it’s not just their eyes that light up – it’s their brains, too. By turning routine, shared moments into brain-building moments, parents and caregivers can have a positive impact on children’s brain development.
VROOM: Avances en neurociencia confirman lo que muchos de nosotros hemos sabido por mucho tiempo: Los primeros cinco años de vida son críticamente importante para el aprendizaje futuro y el éxito de los niños. Cada vez que conectamos con niños pequeños, no solo se enciende su mirada – pero su cerebro también. Al convertir la rutina y los momentos compartidos con los niños en momentos de desarrollo para sus cerebros, los padres y cuidadores pueden tener un impacto positivo en el desarrollo del cerebro de los niños. Este taller hará divertido y fácil para las personas que asistan, aprender sobre la ciencia del cerebro de los niños pequeños, y que pueden hacer para ayudar a los niños a estar preparados para la escuela, los amigos y la vida.
Register HERE. Workshop is offered in English and Spanish.

Can’t afford an observation assessment tool? Create your own aligned with the Colorado ELDGs.
2022-05-12 18:00 - 19:30 | Online
Why assessments? Explore what assessment is and its purpose. Learn where/how to collect data, and how to engage families in the process.
Register HERE.

Pyramid Facilitator Certification Info Session
2022-05-05 11:30 - 12:30 | Online
Pyramid Facilitator Certification Applications Open May 2022!
The Pyramid Facilitator Certification prepares you to deliver Pyramid Model training, utilize observation tools, provide coaching on Pyramid practices, support Program-Wide Leadership Teams, and build relationships with other Pyramid practitioners across the state.
The ten-month program runs from September to June and includes opportunities for you to learn and practice strategies to effectively facilitate Pyramid training and coaching as well as utilize reliable observation tools. Visit our website to learn more about the program, eligibility requirements, and the application process.
Register to join the Information Session on May 5, 2022 from 11:30 am – 12:30 pm.

Active Shooter Training
2022-05-04 12:30 - 13:30 | Online
Our active shooter presentation is an informal virtual presentation where participants will learn about what an active shooter event is, trends during past events, and how to best protect yourself during an event. This presentation will be given using the Department of Homeland Security method of Run, Hide, Fight.
Register HERE.
