Joint Initiatives

The Growing Brain
2026-02-11 18:00 - 20:00 (America/Denver) | JI Ascend Center, 1600 N. Union Blvd., Colorado Springs, CO, 80909, United States
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 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.
Trainer:
Erica Evans
Foundations Infant + Toddler Specialist

REACH Committee
2026-02-19 13:00 - 14:30 | UCCS Downtown, 102 S Tejon St., Colorado Springs, CO, 80903, United States
The REACH Committee will meet in a new location for February 19, 2026.

Community Baby Shower!
2026-02-28 10:00 - 13:00 | Hillside Community Center, 925 S. Institute St., Colorado Springs, CO, 80903, United States
Immunize Colorado is hosting a Community Baby Shower on February 28, 2026, for pregnant people and young families. Each event will feature approximately 30 exhibitors that will provide
resources, information, and services related to health, insurance support, safety, child care support, early learning and literacy, parental support and self-care, and other wraparound services.
The events will also offer free food, kid-centered activities and entertainment, and door prizes.
February 28, 2026 | Hillside Community Center | Colorado Springs, CO
CO Springs Community Baby Shower Flyer

Business Practices in Early Childhood Programs
2026-03-10 18:00 - 20:00 | JI Ascend Center, 1600 N. Union Blvd., Colorado Springs, CO, 80909, United States
This training provides early childhood program leaders with practical strategies to strengthen business operations, fiscal management, and administrative systems. Participants will learn how to develop sustainable budgeting practices, streamline daily operations, and ensure compliance with key funding programs. The session includes guidance on taking advantage of CCCAP, Universal Preschool (UPK), and Childcare Aware funding—along with effective stacking approaches—to maximize program revenue and support high-quality early learning environments.
Trainer:
Noreen Landis-Tyson, MBA

Derechos De Inquilinos 101
2026-03-24 17:00 - 19:00 | Penrose Library, 20 N. Cascade Ave., 80903
Volante- Renters Rights 3.26-accesible
Penrose Library, Columbine B
Regístrese
Asista en Línea
Llame (solo audio): +1 720-617-3426
ID de conferencia telefónica: 756 339 901#
En este taller, el abogado Clinton Albert de Colorado Legal Services discutirá una amplia variedad de temas sobre el arrendamiento, como conceptos básicos del alquiler, acomodaciones y modificaciones razonables, depósitos, reparaciones, y desalojos.
Para más información sobre este y otros eventos vaya a: coloradosprings.gov/renters101
Si necesita ayuda auxiliar o servicios de interpretación, puede solicitarlo hasta el 9 de marzo de manera gratuita:
Llamando al (719) 385-5912
Escribiendo a CityHousingAndHomelessnessResponse.SMB@coloradosprings.gov

Expanding Quality for Infants + Toddlers | Session 3
2026-04-02 18:00 - 19:30
EQIT SESSION 3
The 48-hour EQIT Curriculum provides a solid introduction to infant and toddler development, with a focus on providing quality group care for our youngest children. It builds on the knowledge and experience of infant and toddler caregivers through interesting, interactive, and fun activities.
Cost: $50
Orientation: Thursday, April 2nd from 6–7:30 pm (Ascend Center, 1600 N. Union Blvd. – details on registration page)
Sessions: Mondays and Thursdays from 6–9 pm (Virtual)
April 6, 9, 13, 16, 20, 23, 27 and 30
May 4, 7, 11, 14, 18, 21, 28
June 1
Instructor: Erica Evans
The EQIT Curriculum has been approved by the Division of Child Care as one of the classes that can be used for Early Childhood Teacher Qualifications AND will count toward the Infant Toddler class that will be required for Director Qualifications.

Southeast COS Housing Legal Night
2026-04-14 16:00 - 19:00 | The Family Success Center, 1520 Verde Dr., Colorado Springs, CO, 80909, United States
This event is brought to you by the Community Economic Defense Project.
Event: A third space for tenants to unite to learn more about tenant legal protections and resources.
Housing Legal Night Flyer HERE

ONE Step | American Lung Association Training
2026-04-14 18:00 - 20:00 | Online
The ONE Step training prepares Early Childhood Educators (ECE) to have health-focused conversations with parents and caregivers about:

The impact of exposure to secondhand and thirdhand smoke and e-cigarette aerosol
Taking proactive steps to protect children from exposure
Tobacco cessation resources and support
Basic asthma information and asthma management

Visit the website link to register.

Pre-Licensing Training | Open a Family Child Care Business
2026-04-18 08:00 - 16:00, 2026-04-25 08:00 - 16:00 | Online + In-Person
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.
This training will be in person on April 18th and virtual on April 25th.
Details are provided on the event registration page.
Instructor:
Shaina Bretag
Foundations Coach

Director's Professional Learning Community (PLC)
2026-04-28 12:30 - 14:00 | JI Ascend Center, 1600 N. Union Blvd., Colorado Springs, CO, 80909, United States
Join a focused PLC designed specifically for Early Childhood Directors committed to strengthening workforce development within their programs.
Participants will:

Gain tools and knowledge to support career ladder planning with staff
Explore and utilize a specialized Early Childhood Career Ladder Toolkit
Build a peer mentoring network to share strategies and support implementation
Collaborate on sustainable recruitment and retention strategies

This PLC provides a supportive, collaborative environment to help directors overcome internal capacity challenges and advance structured career pathways and equitable pay scale practices.
Trainer:
Geanina Brown
Foundations Early Childhood Workforce Manager

Air Quality Around Early Childhood Centers
2026-05-13 18:00 - 20:00 | JI Ascend Center, 1600 N. Union Blvd., Colorado Springs, CO, 80909, United States
Join us for a two-hour workshop designed for early childhood educators and providers, focused on understanding air quality in Colorado. Participants will learn what air quality is, how it is measured, and why it matters, especially for the health and development of young children. The session will also provide discussion and practical strategies to help protect both children and staff. Interactive activities will provide additional insight for participants into air quality and how to create healthier environments.
Trainer:
Erin Kendall
CO Department of Public Health & Environment

Ascend Garden @ Galileo Volunteer Sign-Up
2026-05-18, 2026-06-15 | Ascend Garden @ Galileo, 1600 N. Union Blvd., Colorado Springs, CO, 80909, United States
SUMMER VOLUNTEERS NEEDED!
Joint Initiatives launched the Ascend Garden @ Galileo last year and we now have 66 functional raised beds that will be feeding the Galileo community and beyond! If you’re interested in volunteering this summer, please join us! Volunteers will be watering, planting seeds, planting transplants, amending beds with compost as needed, repairing raised beds, harvesting and weighing vegetables, and weeding.
All food from the garden is donated to the school and local food banks.
SIGN UP HERE:
bit.ly/GalileoGardenVolunteer

Pregnancy & New Parents | 6-Week Virtual Series
2026-06-03 12:00 - 13:30, 2026-06-10 12:00 - 13:30, 2026-06-17 12:00 - 13:30, 2026-06-24 12:00 - 13:30, 2026-07-01 12:00 - 13:30, 2026-07-08 12:00 - 13:30 | Online
Pregnancy & New Parent Virtual Series
Pikes Peak Library District is partnering with Nurse-Family Partnership to offer a free, six-week virtual series for expectant and new parents.
Wednesdays, June 3 – July 8 | Noon – 1:30 p.m. | Via Zoom
(Spanish translation available via Zoom)
Topics include birth plans, labor & delivery, postpartum health, safe sleep, breastfeeding, nutrition, and more.
Register: ppld.org/whats-new/prenatal-series
Flyer available here
Flyer en español

Embracing Change as an Early Childhood Leader
2026-06-06 08:30 - 12:00 | JI Ascend Center, 1600 N. Union Blvd., Colorado Springs, CO, 80909, United States
NEW! Dr. Rodney Blunk will introduce key principles of transformational leadership in early childhood settings. Participants will discover how to embrace transformational strategies that cultivate a positive, growth-oriented mindset toward change while empowering leaders to proactively guide and inspire meaningful progress within their early childhood organizations.

Housing Legal Night
2026-06-08 18:00 - 20:00 | The Family Success Center, 1520 Verde Dr., Colorado Springs, CO, 80909, United States
The purpose of this event is to create a space for tenants to receive brief free legal consultations. Currently, resources for tenants seeking housing legal advice are limited, and we want to make this more accessible to the community. If you or any community members you work alongside have housing issues—from cockroach or bed bug infestations and negligent landlords to illegal late fees and unjust landlord practices—you can attend this event for free to learn more about tenant protections and how to hold your landlord accountable.
What will we provide?

Dinner is provided

Benefit enrollment with Benefits in Action

Colorado Emergency Rental Assistance Pre-Application Support

Know Your Rights Workshop – Lease Terms

Free legal counsel

See flyer HERE (English + Spanish).

Family Law Day
2026-06-12 09:00 - 14:00 | El Paso County Judicial Building, 270 S. Tejon St., Colorado Springs, CO, United States
The 4th Judicial District Access to Justice Committee is hosting a free Family Law Day!

Event attendees can speak one-on-one with attorneys for 15-minute sessions.

The event will also include presentations, including: The Best Interests of the Child; Enforcement of Court Orders; and How to Present Your Case with a panel of judicial officers.

Local agencies and nonprofits will be present to provide information about their services. The first 50 people to arrive will receive a family law packet.

See flyer HERE.

Stepping into an ECE Leadership Role
2026-06-18 18:00 - 20:00 | JI Ascend Center, 1600 N. Union Blvd., Colorado Springs, CO, 80909, United States
Stepping into an Early Childhood Leadership Role will elevate your work environment, empower your team, and improve outcomes. Join Jennifer Barrett for an insightful and engaging training where you’ll discover your unique leadership style and gain practical tips and strategies to enhance your work environment, strengthen staff productivity and improve overall outcomes. Let’s make leadership not just manageable—but meaningful and rewarding.

LENA Start | 8-Week Virtual Series
2026-06-24 10:00 - 11:00, 2026-07-01 10:00 - 11:00, 2026-07-08 10:00 - 11:00, 2026-07-15 10:00 - 11:00 | Online
LENA Start Registration Open Now (Deadline: June 15!)
LENA Start is a no-cost, eight-week virtual program for parents of children ages 0–32 months. Through weekly sessions, parents learn how to harness the power of back-and-forth conversation to build their child’s early language and cognitive skills.
Wednesdays, June 24 – August 12 | 10–11 a.m. | Via Zoom
Register: ppld.org/kids/LENAStart
Download flyer here

Dine + Learn for Early Childhood Professionals
2026-06-25 18:00 - 19:00 | Online via Zoom
Joint Initiatives for Youth + Families is excited to bring more Early Childhood Mental Health (ECMH) services to the community!
JI’s ECMH team is offering a Dine + Learn sessions on the 4th Thursday of each month for directors and/or teachers. Tap link below to join us via Zoom. Each month we will discuss a topic seen widely across centers, then open it up for you all to ask questions, talk through what behaviors you are seeing at your program, discuss resources in the community, collaborate, and partner!
JOIN HERE!
Thank you and we look forward to seeing you!

Disability Connections 7th Annual Concert and Resource Fair
2026-07-18 15:00 - 17:30 | 2020 N. Academy Blvd.
Join us for the 2026 Summer Concert & Resource Fair 🎶🤝 — a welcoming space for people with disabilities, families, and allies to connect, relax, and discover practical support.
By completing this community registration form, you help Disability Connections plan accessible seating, accommodations, and resource booths that reflect real needs.
Your details guide how we shape an inclusive event with music, information, and services that support everyday life.
RSVP HERE
