Coordinator Corner
Greetings! There is an incredible amount of action at the state level trickling down to us locally in the realm of early childhood. I would like to take this opportunity to share what some of that is. First of all, when you talk to someone in early childhood it may seem they are speaking in “alphabet soup” at times because there are so many acronyms. If an early childhood professional starts speaking in “jargon-ese”, please ask them to explain what they are referring to – sometimes we forget.
You probably know that Colorado received Race to the Top Early Learning Challenge Grant Funding. As a part of this, our statewide quality rating improvement system (QRIS) is receiving an overhaul. Our current QRIS is the Qualistar rating system. The new QRIS is called “Colorado Shines” and we are nearing its rollout. This new system goes from a four star rating system to a five star rating system. Level one is where all licensed childcare providers will enter the system and then be able to move up from there.
Another system being put in place as a part of this funding is a Professional Development Information System (PDIS). This system will be a place where all early childhood professionals can enter information such as work history and classes taken. The PDIS will track this information and as providers change jobs, their information will go with them. Additionally it will develop Professional Development Plans for individual teachers so they have goals set and know what courses are needed next.
The Early Learning Developmental Guidelines (ELDG) have been a long time in the making and give comprehensive information on children’s development birth through grade. The ELDG rollout is being funded through Race to the Top. The areas (domains) of development include physical health, social (interactions), emotional (expression of feelings), language and literacy (how children communicate and read), cognitive (how they learn), and approaches to learning. Within each age range, there is a description of what skills and abilities a child can typically do at a certain age and what adults can do to support the child’s growth and development. The guidelines are designed for any adult who interacts with young children to easily incorporate into everyday activities. Councils have been given funds to share the message about the ELDG website with their community, as well as offer informational sessions on them. To check out the website, visit earlylearningco.org . Be on the lookout later this year for an app utilizing the guidelines as well as the message: Play a role in getting children off to a great start. Learn more at earlylearningco.org appearing in various places around the community.
MECC will host a summit on November 4th from 5:30 to 7:30 at First National Bank Cortez to share the latest information on the QRIS, PDIS and ELDG that we are calling “Putting the Pieces Together” for anyone interested in knowing more. A representative from CDE (Colorado Department of Education) and CDHS (Colorado Department of Human Services) with be in attendance to answer questions. To attend, please RSVP to me at vangim@monteloresecc.org.
I hope that everyone has settled into their autumn routines and you are enjoying the change in seasons. With so many things going on, we try to keep you all informed about the various happenings in the realm of early childhood via this newsletter, Facebook, email blasts and flyers. If you feel you are missing information or want to become more involved, let us know and we will help make that happen ☺
-Vangi
Meet a MECC Member
Trish Peters grew up in Fort Lauderdale, Florida but discovered a love for Colorado as a child through family ski trips and horseback riding adventures “out west”. She chose to attend college at University of Denver where she graduated with a degree in Elementary Education in 1982. Trish landed a job as a kindergarten teacher and worked at a Kindercare in the metro area. It was in Denver that Trish met her husband, Mark and they married in 1984 Life was fun and busy as Trish enjoys skiing, camping, and time on the water. Trish’s first daughter was born in 1985 and she recalls “I felt really fortunate to be able to start our family and stay at home with the baby.”
Our family grew , adding a son in 1987 and another daughter in 1989. We enjoyed our days playing with friends and taking advantage of all that life in a big city has to offer..
“My youngest child, Erica, was born with Down syndrome. In 1989, there was a push in legislation to pass a bill that would provide for early intervention supports and services to start at birth. We were welcomed at the NICU by volunteers from the Mile High Down Syndrome Association, (MHDSA), They linked us to resources and “school” for Erica started shortly after she got out of the hospital at 38 days old. “In retrospect it all seems as if it went smooth and easy, but with all of the joy and smiles and triumphs that our children bring to our lives, there were also many tears, frustrations, doubts. Trish found comfort in getting involved, serving as Parent Advisor for the board of the Sewall Early Intervention Program and serving on the Denver Interagency Collaboration Team. She and Mark became parent volunteers for MHDSA and also helped facilitate the state Parents Encouraging Parents conferences. Joining forces with other parents of children with disabilities, Trish helped to create a strong structure for Early Intervention that still exists today. She worked with Part H under the Colorado Department of Education in the Denver Area, and when her family relocated to Cortez in 1998, she connected with local players and strengthened the services offered to families in Montezuma and Dolores Counties.
When a family has a concern about their baby, they need someone to talk to – right away, that will help to steer them to resources for supports and services. It can be a lot to take in all at once, so its more about building a relationship, being empathetic, yet informed and persistent. My “baby” daughter is now 25 years old, and I still work in Early Intervention. The driving force is that I know that Early Intervention works to help each and every child be the best he can be. My role as an Early Intervention Coordinator is short – I get to work with families and children just until age three. But in those three years I can help a family know their rights and how to advocate for their child. I can coordinate services to match the family’s concerns, priorities and activities to best support their child in those every day routines. I can make a difference!
Trish and her family have a small farm in McElmo Canyon where she enjoys time outdoors and tending to the animals and garden. Hobbies include hunting, fishing and hot air ballooning, but a more recently discovered passion is being a grandma! Trish works at Community Connections as the Early Intervention Referral and Services Coordinator. Anyone with concerns about a young child’s development is encouraged to give her a call at (970) 565-8389. For more information about Colorado’s Early Intervention program check out
http://eicolorado.org/
MECC note: Trish also serves as the Site Coordinator for the Montelores Family Leadership Training Institute providing inspiration, support and skills to community members who want to create change and advocate for better outcomes for families, children, and community.
Meet a Provider
Kassy Gnas is the new Early Childhood Director at the Ute Mountain Ute Child Development Center in Towaoc, CO. Kassy is excited to bring her experience, knowledge and love for learning to our youngest group of learners. Building a strong foundation in early education is essential to future success in all realms of life.
Kassy previously taught in both the Dolores and Cortez school districts for a combined amount of 12 years. Prior to this, she taught and was a director in Durango and Pueblo while attending college. She has a bachelor’s degree in psychology and a master’s degree in literacy, language and culture. Currently she is working on obtaining her doctoral degree in psychology with an emphasis in cognition and instruction. Kassy's Colorado teaching license includes: Early Childhood Education, Elementary Education and Linguistically Diverse Education.
Kassy's family includes her husband of 16 years, two children, three dogs and one grumpy cat. They love to go camping, hiking, fishing, and four-wheeling in our beautiful mountains. Kassy enjoys reading when she has a spare moment to herself.
She is a life-long learner and it is her hope to instill a love of learning for every child who she has the opportunity to influence. "I am truly thrilled to begin my new role as the Early Childhood Director for the Ute Mountain Ute Tribe!"
Send Kassy a well-wish in her new position!
For Parents and Providers