Joint Initiatives

Emergency Preparedness Refresher for Early Childhood Professionals
2025-12-10 18:00 - 20:00 (America/Denver) | 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

FREE Playgroup for Parents + Caregivers
2025-11-19 09:30 - 11:00, 2025-11-05 09:30 - 11:00, 2025-10-22 09:30 - 11:00, 2025-10-08 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.

Pre-Licensing Training | Open a Family Child Care Business
2025-11-08 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

Parents Challenge Empowerment Sessions
2025-11-06 18:00 - 20:00, 2025-11-05 18:00 - 20:00, 2025-11-04 18:00 - 20:00, 2025-10-29 18:00 - 20:00, 2025-10-27 18:00 - 20:00, 2025-10-22 18:00 - 20:00, 2025-10-14 18:00 - 20:00, 2025-10-09 18:00 - 20:00 and 3 more dates
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

Child Development Associate+
2025-10-30 08:30 - 16:30, 2025-10-23 08:30 - 16:30, 2025-10-16 08:30 - 16:30, 2025-10-09 08:30 - 16:30, 2025-10-02 08:30 - 16:30, 2025-09-25 08:30 - 16:30, 2025-09-18 08:30 - 16:30, 2025-09-11 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

Beyond the ACEs Score | Parts 1 + 2
2025-10-28 18:00 - 20:00, 2025-10-14 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

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]

REACH Committee
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.
