Joint Initiatives

REACH Committee
2025-01-16 13:00 - 14:30, 2025-02-20 13:00 - 14:30, 2025-03-20 13:00 - 14:30, 2025-04-17 13:00 - 14:30, 2025-05-15 13:00 - 14:30, 2025-06-19 13:00 - 14:30, 2025-07-17 13:00 - 14:30 (America/Denver) | 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.

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

Career Navigator Virtual Office Hours
2025-02-03 11:30 - 14:30, 2025-02-17 11:30 - 14:30, 2025-03-03 11:30 - 14:30, 2025-03-17 11:30 - 14:30, 2025-04-07 11:30 - 14:30, 2025-04-21 11:30 - 14:30, 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

REACH Executive Team Meeting
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.

BrainWise
2025-02-18 18:00 - 20:00 | Joint Initiatives for Youth + Families, 1600 N. Union Blvd., Colorado Springs, CO, 80909, United States
BrainWise provides a comprehensive package of ideas, providing a framework and tools to help teachers teach what children at a young age need to possess the social, emotional, and critical thinking skills necessary to analyze and respond to complex situations and to recognize, understand, and appropriately manage their own emotions. This training will offer strategies for supporting children in controlling impulsive behavior, accurately identifying choices, assessing the consequences of actions, and making responsible decisions.
Instructor: Paula Hergert, M.A. Ed.

Custom Sensory Consultation & Program Building for Parents
2025-02-21 16:00 - 19:00 | The Arc Pikes Peak Region, 10 N. Meade Ave, Colorado Springs, CO, 80909, United States
A FREE Custom Sensory Consultation & Program Building for Parents!

Are you looking for guidance on your child’s sensory needs? Join us for a one-on-one consultation with Kate Lovato, OT, owner of Flourish Infant and Pediatric Therapy Service. This FREE session will help you understand your child’s unique sensory profile and provide strategies to support their development.

Friday, February 21st

Time slots available between 4 PM – 7 PM (choose your preference when signing up!)

10 N. Meade Ave (Virtual option available)

Live Spanish translation available

Open to the community!

Whether your child struggles with sensory overload, craves more sensory input, or faces challenges with focus and self-regulation, this consultation is a valuable starting point to create a customized plan tailored to their needs.

Spots are limited—register now: surveymonkey.com/r/G3WNVY9

Know Your Rights and Responsibilities (Special Education)
2025-02-27 17:30 - 19:30 | The Arc Pikes Peak Region, 10 N. Meade Ave, Colorado Springs, CO, 80909, United States
We are so excited to continue the workshop series, “Know Your Rights and Responsibilities,” in partnership with Colorado Legal Services, PEAK Parent Center, and The Arc Pikes Peak Region. This workshop series is geared towards parents on the Special Education process and will be delivered by an attorney in Special Education law.

Join us for the second workshop of the series on Thursday, February 27th for the topic IEP (Individualized Education Program) to help parents understand their legal rights and responsibilities when their child has an IEP.

A light meal will be provided and Spanish/ASL interpretation are available when indicated in registration. I’ve listed out the details below:
Topic: IEP (Individualized Education Program) Process
Date: Thursday, February 27th, 2025
Time: 5:30 pm – 7:30 pm
Location: The Arc Pikes Peak Region
10 N Meade Ave
Colorado Springs, CO 80909

PDF Flyer in English: bit.ly/4gp887y

PDF Flyer in Spanish: bit.ly/4hDKXHx

Emergency Preparedness for Early Childhood Professionals
2025-03-12 18:00 - 20:00 | Online
The ChildCare Aware of America 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
2025-04-23 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 Childhood Staff Recruitment + Retention
2025-05-03 09:00 - 12:00 | 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)

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.

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.
