http://www.tecec.org Recent news from the Texas Early Childhood Education Coalition. en-us Thu, 24 Jul 2008 10:17:14 GMT http://www.tecec.org/pages.php/news/124.html TECEC is excited to announce that IBM continued its support of TECEC for the 6th year in a row with the donation of two laptop computers and a generous financial contribution. Over the past year, TECEC has substantially grown its internship and volunteer program. As a result, IBM provided the equipment to ensure interns and volunteers have the tools they need to contribute to TECEC efforts such as the mobilization of our members and partners, as well as outreach expansion. The two ThinkPad laptop computers enable TECEC interns and volunteers to travel the state and mobilize support for early childhood education and development.

The financial contribution will assist TECEC in the development of web content focused on best practices for early care and education facilities to share with teachers, parents, and the public at large. This year, a key focus area for TECEC is “The Year of the Parent.” TECEC will travel to a number of Texas communities educating and engaging parents in early care and education issues. Enhanced web-based outreach capabilities will increase the impact of outreach efforts by expanding TECEC’s audience and will increase support for active communities and parents. In addition, the technology will enable TECEC to have a broader reach across the state of Texas, especially to remote communities that TECEC cannot reach as a result of our small staff.

TECEC would like to thank IBM for its continued support as well as Sandy Dochen, former TECEC Co-Chair and the current Corporate Community Relations and Public Affairs Manager for IBM for his dedication to both TECEC and the children and families in Texas.

In addition to its constant technological innovation, IBM also works to help parents and teachers introduce technology to young kids in a fun and easy way through its Kid Smart Guide to Early Learning and Technology. Just a few of the things you can learn include how to select software that is culturally appropriate; how to help children problem solve via the computer; and how teachers can best utilize technology in the classroom. To view the Kid Smart Guide to Early Learning and Technology please visit www.kidsmartearlylearning.org to check out this free resource that is fun for all to use! ]]> Wed, 31 Dec 1969 17:59:59 GMT http://www.tecec.org/pages.php/news/124.html http://www.tecec.org/pages.php/news/122.html
On May 8, National Child Mental Health Awareness Day, the Raising Texas Initiative and the Center for Health and Social Policy at the LBJ School of Public Affairs hosted an event that highlighted the increasing incidence of challenging behaviors in early care and education settings, as well as promising practices to support the ability of early childhood teachers and caregivers to prepare young children for success in school.

More on preschool expulsion can be accessed through the work of researcher, Dr. Walter Gilliam. Read his important study on preschool expulsion rates.
]]> Wed, 31 Dec 1969 17:59:59 GMT http://www.tecec.org/pages.php/news/122.html http://www.tecec.org/pages.php/news/121.html The U.S. House Committee on Education and Labor has approved (31-11) H.R. 3289, the PRE-K Act, sponsored by Rep. Mazie Hirono of Hawaii. The PRE-K ACT has 115 co-sponsors.

If passed into law, the bill would offer first-ever federal incentive grants to states to improve their pre-k programs.

Visit Pre-K Now to read more about the H.R. 3289, the PRE-K Act. ]]> Wed, 31 Dec 1969 17:59:59 GMT http://www.tecec.org/pages.php/news/121.html http://www.tecec.org/pages.php/news/120.html here. ]]> Wed, 31 Dec 1969 17:59:59 GMT http://www.tecec.org/pages.php/news/120.html http://www.tecec.org/pages.php/news/116.html
Terri Lynne Lokoff/Children's Tylenol National Child Care Teacher Awards. The Terri Lynne Lokoff Child Care Foundation acknowledges the critical role of child care teachers in providing quality early care and education. Child care teachers from all fifty states and the District of Columbia will be selected for their commitment and dedication to the children they serve. Each applicant is asked to design an enhancement project for the children in their classroom illustrating the educational, social, and emotional benefits of the project. The deadline for applications is December 31, 2008. Approximately 50 awardees will receive $500 - $1000 as a stipend acknowledging each child care teacher's special dedication and $500 to fund the classroom enhancement project they designed. One recipient will receive the Helene Marks Award and an additional $1,000. Winners will be honored at an awards ceremony in Pennsylvania on April 1, 2009. For further information, go to: http://www.tllccf.org/pr_nccta.php. ]]> Wed, 31 Dec 1969 17:59:59 GMT http://www.tecec.org/pages.php/news/116.html http://www.tecec.org/pages.php/news/115.html $15,700

National Association of Child Care Resource and Referral Agencies (2008). Child Care in the State of Texas . Found here ]]> Wed, 31 Dec 1969 17:59:59 GMT http://www.tecec.org/pages.php/news/115.html http://www.tecec.org/pages.php/news/114.html
The four groups are, the Texas Association of Mexican-American Chambers of Commerce (TAMACC), the Austin Chapter of the National Association of Hispanic Real Estate Professionals (NAHREP), the Corpus Christi Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, and the McAllen Hispanic Chamber of Commerce.

To read the TAMACC resolution click here.
To read the NAHREP-Austin resolution click here.
To read the Corpus Christi resolution click here.
To read the McAllen resolution click here.
]]> Wed, 31 Dec 1969 17:59:59 GMT http://www.tecec.org/pages.php/news/114.html http://www.tecec.org/pages.php/news/113.html National Smart Start Conference in North Carolina throughout the week of May 5-9. I joined more than 3,000 professionals from 46 states to learn about the latest early childhood education research, strategies, and partnerships taking place across the country. I attended the following workshops:

15 Years of Lessons Learned in Building a Statewide Early Education System
I listened to North Carolina’s top early childhood education leaders talk about 15 years of success and failures as they worked to build one of the top early childhood education systems in the country.

Raising Young Children to the Top of the Policy Agenda: Lessons from Illinois
I learned strategies from Illinois in how they became the first state to invest in voluntary high quality pre-k for all 3-and 4-year olds, while investing in a high quality system for infants and toddlers.

Ready Communities: Building the Community’s Capacity to Support Early Education
I was able to learn new community building strategies from a panel of parents, teachers, program coordinators, and school board members from the state of North Carolina.

Mix and Match Funding Streams to Serve Children and Families
I joined leaders from across the country to learn about additional ways to successfully mix and match funding streams to create a high quality early childhood education system.

Claiming Personal and Organizational Leadership: Exploring the Things Effective Leaders Do
As the new Executive Director of TECEC, I took this opportunity to polish my leadership skills and learn from other leaders across the country.

Logic Models for Program Design, Evaluation, and Management
As more and funders request logic models in order to measure the success of our work, I took time to learn how to create a user-friendly logic model to share with TECEC funders, as well as our members and partners.

T.E.A.C.H. Early Childhood and Pre-k-A Partnership for the Early Childhood Workforce
Many early childhood education advocates in Texas have explored the possibility of implementing the T.E.A.C.H model in the state of Texas. As a result, I spent a morning with the leaders of the model in order to hear more about the program and the feasibility of implementation in Texas.

In addition to the above workshops, I also had the opportunity to hear from Rudy Crew, Superintendent of Miami-Dade County Schools, as well as network with key leaders from across the country. If you haven’t had the opportunity to attend the National Smart Start Conference, I encourage you to make it a priority in 2009. If you have any questions about my trip to North Carolina for the National Smart Start Conference, feel free to contact me at kjohnson@tecec.org.

Kara Johnson
Executive Director

]]> Wed, 31 Dec 1969 17:59:59 GMT http://www.tecec.org/pages.php/news/113.html http://www.tecec.org/pages.php/news/111.html $3,612 to $2,836, a 20% decrease.

National Institute for Early Education Research (2008). The state of preschool 2007. NJ: Rutgers graduate school of education. ]]> Wed, 31 Dec 1969 17:59:59 GMT http://www.tecec.org/pages.php/news/111.html http://www.tecec.org/pages.php/news/110.html Rep. Diane Patrick, will meet Monday, April 21, 2008 at 1:00 PM in Room E2.036 at the Texas Capitol. The subcommittee will meet to consider Interim Charge # 3 that will “evaluate early childhood education programs and funding models on students’ school readiness and schools’ operational efficiency.”

For more information about the meeting, please contact Kara Johnson at 512.476.7939. ]]> Wed, 31 Dec 1969 17:59:59 GMT http://www.tecec.org/pages.php/news/110.html http://www.tecec.org/pages.php/news/109.html Dr. Walter Gilliam and his presentation “Pre-kindergarteners left behind; Expulsion rates in state pre-kindergarten systems”. Dr. Gilliam is an Assistant Professor of Child Psychiatry and Psychology and Director of The Edward Zigler Center in Child Development and Social Policy at Yale University. The event will take place May 8th at the University of Texas in the Thompson Conference Center Auditorium from 9:00 AM- 12:00 PM.

There is no fee for this event, but please register soon as space is limited. For more information or to email your intent to attend, please contact Alicia Williams at Alicia.Williams@hhsc.state.tx.us ]]> Wed, 31 Dec 1969 17:59:59 GMT http://www.tecec.org/pages.php/news/109.html http://www.tecec.org/pages.php/news/107.html
Source: Internal Revenue Service (2008). Claiming the Child and Dependant Care Credit. Found HERE ]]> Wed, 31 Dec 1969 17:59:59 GMT http://www.tecec.org/pages.php/news/107.html http://www.tecec.org/pages.php/news/106.html Lindsay Kastner, reporter for the San Antonio Express News, wrote an article highlighting the revision of the Texas pre-k guidelines in her story "ABCs of pre-K could soon include XYZ." To view the article, please visit http://www.mysanantonio.com/news/education/stories/MYSA032108.05B.PREK.3823c58.html

To review the pre-k guidelines and provide your own feedback, please visit http://www.tea.state.tx.us/ed_init/pkguidelines/
]]> Wed, 31 Dec 1969 17:59:59 GMT http://www.tecec.org/pages.php/news/106.html http://www.tecec.org/pages.php/news/105.html
The first portion of each meeting is open to the public, and the second part of the meeting is dedicated to TEEM Leadership such as Head Start Site Managers, Child Development Site Directors, and Independent School District Principals.

The meeting will include a question and answer session. Do not miss this great opportunity to have your voices heard on the important work that taking place in your community.


Weslaco
Thursday, April 3, 2008
10:00 am – 12:00 pm (Open to the Public and TEEM Leadership)
12:30 pm – 4:00 pm (Open only to TEEM Leadership)
Location: Weslaco ISD Administration Building
Address: 319 W. 4th Street, Weslaco, Texas 78596
RSVP: Please RSVP to Yolanda Prado at 956.802.3646 or Yolanda.prado@tmccentral.org by April 1st


San Antonio
Tuesday, April 8, 2008
10:00 am – 12:00 pm (Open to the Public and TEEM Leadership)
12:30 pm – 3:30 pm (Open only to TEEM Leadership)
Location: ESC Region 20 Conference Center
Address: 1314 Hines Avenue, San Antonio, Texas
RSVP: Please RSVP to Jennifer Martinez at 210.370.5495 or jennifer.martinez@esc20.net by April 1st


Midland
Friday, April 11, 2008
10:00 am – 12:00 pm (Open to the Public and TEEM Leadership)
12:30 pm – 4:00 pm (Open only to TEEM Leadership)
Location: Region 18 ESC Theatre
Address: 2811 LaForce Blvd., Midland, Texas 79711
RSVP: To register, please to to www.esc18.net. For questions, please contact Lori Smith at lsmith@esc18.net or 432.567.3265


Waco
Tuesday, April 15, 2008
10:00 am – 12:00 pm (Open to the Public and TEEM Leadership)
12:00 pm – 3:30 pm (Open only to TEEM Leadership)
Location: ESC Region 12
Address: 2101 W. Loop 340, Waco, Texas
RSVP: Please register online at www.esc12.net and include session ID 28832


Houston
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
10:00 am – 12:00 pm (Open to the Public and TEEM Leadership)
12:30 pm – 3:30 pm (Open only to TEEM Leadership)
Location: Region 4 Education Service Center
Address: 7145 West Tidwell, Houston, Texas 77092
RSVP: Please register online at www.theansweris4.net with the session ID 313862


Richardson
Tuesday, April 29, 2008
10:00 am – 12:00 pm (Open to the Public and TEEM Leadership)
12:30 pm – 3:30 pm (Open only to TEEM Leadership)
Location: Region 10 ESC/Abrams Building/Pecan Room
Address: 904 Abrams, Richardson, Texas 75081
RSVP: Register for this event at www.Region10.org. Search the events calendar by the title “Annual TEEM Leadership Meeting” or by the date. Please register by April 24th. For questions concerning the event, please contact Angelia Holcomb at 972.348.1704.


El Paso
Wednesday, April 30, 2008
10:00 am – 12:00 pm (Open to the Public and TEEM Leadership)
12:00 pm – 4:00 pm (Open only to TEEM Leadership)
Location: ESC Region 19 Head Start Multipurpose Center
Address: 11670 Chito Samaniego, El Paso, Texas 79936
RSVP: Please RSVP to Lucy Johnson at 915.790.4700 or ljohnson@esc19hs.net by March 14th


]]> Wed, 31 Dec 1969 17:59:59 GMT http://www.tecec.org/pages.php/news/105.html http://www.tecec.org/pages.php/news/104.html The Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) announces the issuance of Request for Proposal (RFP) # 529-08-0110 for the Nurse-Family Partnership (NFP) Competitive Grant Program. The State of Texas, by and through the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC), seeks grant proposals from public or private entities, including counties, municipalities, or other political subdivision of the state, to support the establishment and operation of local Nurse-Family Partnership programs. The NFP programs provide education and guidance to low-income, first-time mothers through visits by highly trained registered nurses in accordance with the specifications contained in this Request for Proposals (RFP).

The RFP posting can be found HERE

The sole point of contact for inquiries concerning this RFP is:
Thomas Spears, Contract Administrator
Texas Health and Human Services Commission
Enterprise Contracts and Procurement Services (ECPS) Department
4405 North Lamar Boulevard
Mail Code: 2020
Austin, Texas 78756
(512) 206-5769
Fax (512) 206-5006
thomas.spears@hhsc.state.tx.us

All communications, relating to this RFP, must be directed to the HHSC sole point of contact named above. All communication between Respondents and other HHSC staff members concerning this RFP is strictly prohibited. Failure to comply with these requirements may result in proposal disqualification.

Please check the HHSC website at "http://www.hhsc.state.tx.us/about_hhsc/BusOpp/BO_opportunities.html" regularly for further information and updates. ]]> Wed, 31 Dec 1969 17:59:59 GMT http://www.tecec.org/pages.php/news/104.html http://www.tecec.org/pages.php/news/103.html HERE ]]> Wed, 31 Dec 1969 17:59:59 GMT http://www.tecec.org/pages.php/news/103.html http://www.tecec.org/pages.php/news/102.html $5,564.00.

Source: National Association of Child Care Resource & Referral Agencies (2007). 2006 Price of child care. Arlington, VA. ]]> Wed, 31 Dec 1969 17:59:59 GMT http://www.tecec.org/pages.php/news/102.html http://www.tecec.org/pages.php/news/92.html
Source: Calderón, M. (2007). Buenos principios: Latino children in the earliest years of life. National Council of La Raza, Washington, DC. ]]> Wed, 31 Dec 1969 17:59:59 GMT http://www.tecec.org/pages.php/news/92.html http://www.tecec.org/pages.php/news/89.html On January 6-8, TECEC leadership joined more than 100 child care advocates from across the country in drafting new federal child care legislation that will benefit children and families in Texas and across the nation. The meeting, which was hosted by the National Women’s Law Center, convened advocates in order to develop child care policies; identify major developments in child care over the past year; and share successes at the state level. Once the draft legislation can be shared with state advocates, TECEC will post the bill language on our website for feedback. We will then take that feedback and share it with our national partners in Washington, DC.

If you have any questions, please contact Kara Johnson at 512.476.7939.
]]> Wed, 31 Dec 1969 17:59:59 GMT http://www.tecec.org/pages.php/news/89.html http://www.tecec.org/pages.php/news/90.html Join ChildreNiños Bilingual Education (CNBE) in College Station for their 6th annual Early Childhood Seminar on February 1st – 2nd, 2008 in College Station, Texas. This year’s theme is Children’s Rights—Community Responsibilities.

TECEC Executive Director, Kara Johnson will be presenting on how local communities can get involved in early education policy. Kara will discuss the impact of federal legislation on early education policy in Texas.

The seminar also features Jim Kern, PhD., noted educator and author of Build a Fort…Today. For more information about Jim visit: http://workandwellness.com/speakers/jimkern.htm.

For more information on the seminar visit www.childreninos.org or contact CNBE at info@childreninos.org. ]]> Wed, 31 Dec 1969 17:59:59 GMT http://www.tecec.org/pages.php/news/90.html http://www.tecec.org/pages.php/news/85.html Mark Your Calendar: January 11-12 Infant Mental Health Advocacy Conference

Join fellow stakeholders for the Texas Association for Infant Mental Health (TAIMH) Infant Mental Health Advocacy Conference on January 11-12, 2008 in Irving, Texas. The conference will feature T. Berry Brazelton, M.D., developer of the Brazelton Neonatal Behavioral Assessment Scale, as well as many other noted professionals.

For more information about the conference or to register, visit http://www.taimh.org/events.html or contact Laura Redman at 972.906.2629 or lauraredman@hotmail.com.
]]> Wed, 31 Dec 1969 17:59:59 GMT http://www.tecec.org/pages.php/news/85.html http://www.tecec.org/pages.php/news/84.html Save the Date for Two Satellite Broadcasts

Be sure to mark your calendars now for the TECEC Parent Engagement Satellite Broadcast on August 23, 2007 and the Annual Pre-K Now Satellite Broadcast on October 17, 2007.

Parent Engagement Satellite Broadcast-August 23, 2007
TECEC will host a Parent Engagement Satellite Broadcast on Thursday, August 23 from 6:30 pm to 8:00 pm in order to educate parents about high-quality early childhood education and about how they too can become advocates for their children.

Annual Pre-K Now Satellite Broadcast-October 17, 2007
This year’s broadcast will be on Wednesday, October 17 from 12:00 pm to 2:00 pm CST and is titled “Raising the Profile of Pre-k: National Strategy Session.”

If you are interested in hosting either of these events, please contact Kara Johnson at kjohnson@tecec.org or 512-476-7939.
]]> Wed, 31 Dec 1969 17:59:59 GMT http://www.tecec.org/pages.php/news/84.html http://www.tecec.org/pages.php/news/83.html Pre-K Now Seeks New Teacher Blogger

Teach others about life inside a high quality classroom through the eyes of a pre-k teacher.

Pre-K Now is currently seeking pre-k educators to contribute to the next Inside Pre-K teacher blog. Inside Pre-k invites a pre-k teacher to share his or her experiences within the classroom through a twice-weekly blog to help others across the nation understand more about high-quality pre-k education.

If you are interested in becoming the next Inside Pre-K teacher blogger, please visit http://www.preknow.org/documents/Pre-K_Now_job-teacher_blogger.pdf to read more about the job description and qualifications. If you have any questions, please contact Matt Mulkey at mmulkey@preknow.org.
]]> Wed, 31 Dec 1969 17:59:59 GMT http://www.tecec.org/pages.php/news/83.html http://www.tecec.org/pages.php/news/82.html Apply for Competitive TEEM Grants

Requests for applications now accepted for competitive Texas Early Education Model (TEEM) grants to improve school readiness in your early childhood program.

The 80th Texas Legislature recently appropriated $15 million over the biennium to expand the Texas Early Education Model (TEEM) through the State Center for Early Childhood Development. The funds will be distributed on a competitive grant basis to provide scientific, research-based, pre-reading instruction to preschool programs.

For more information regarding grant eligibility or download an application, please visit http://www.childrenslearninginstitute.org/our-programs/program-overview/TX-state-center/pdf/Request-for-Applications-TEEMS.pdf.
]]> Wed, 31 Dec 1969 17:59:59 GMT http://www.tecec.org/pages.php/news/82.html http://www.tecec.org/pages.php/news/81.html Save the Date: Collaborative for Children Annual Luncheon-October 16, 2007

Learn more about the economic benefits of investing in children at the 2007 Collaborative for Children Luncheon.

Join keynote speaker Dr. James J. Heckman, a 2006 Nobel Laureate in Economic Sciences, for the “Investing in a Brighter Future” Annual Collaborative for Children Luncheon on Tuesday, October 16, 2007 at 11:30 pm. The luncheon will take place at the InterContinental Hotel in Houston, TX.

For more information about the event, please call 713.600.1172 or e-mail kmccormick@collabforchildren.org.
]]> Wed, 31 Dec 1969 17:59:59 GMT http://www.tecec.org/pages.php/news/81.html