October 20, 2023

Dear Sara,

Over the past week, we've all been deeply affected by the horrifying acts of violence happening to Israeli and Palestinian civilians, including children and families. The situation in Gaza has become critical, with Palestinians living under siege. The extent of this horror is almost too much to comprehend. However, it is our collective responsibility, as a society and within our sector, to unequivocally denounce terror and cruelty. 

While the background of this conflict is complex and can be divisive, it's important to consider its potential impact on our colleagues. Following Michelle MiJung Kim's advice for teams during traumatic events – checking in with coworkers and offering support is crucial. Small acts of kindness can have a significant positive impact in such difficult times. While it may be tempting to avoid talking about the war with children, here’s some advice on where to begin.

As we reflect on Indigenous Peoples' Day (Oct 9) and National Latine & Hispanic Heritage Month (Sep 15-Oct 15), ECESF is proud of our work to empower and elevate Black and Brown educators from all across San Francisco and we’re proud to honor all of our Latine and Indigenous educators, partners, and supporters! You also have a wonderful opportunity to honor and recognize the importance of indigenous lives by leading authentic cultural engagement in your early childhood programs. To help you get started, we offer a wonderful article called “Healing from History: Perspectives from Indigenous Child Care.”

In addition, World Teacher Day (Oct 5) calls us to focus on solidarity and teamwork with our colleagues in the field of early care and education. It's a great opportunity to appreciate the teachers who make a difference in the lives of the children and families in our community.

With love and gratitude,

Sara & Anna

info@ecesf.org

Have a social media account and want to help make a difference?

Help reach more ECE educator-advocates by following, liking, and sharing our ECESF posts.

ECESF Announcements

We are updating our contact listserv! If you haven't already, please take 5 minutes to complete the ECESF Interest Form so we can keep you informed with events and resources most relevant to your current interests, language preferences, and work responsibilities.

Keep up-to-date with local advocacy & policy meetings and events on our ECESF calendar!

Check out the latest ECE in the News on ECESF's website page including our Baby Prop C budget advocacy!

Local, State, and National Policy

Department of Early Childhood governance meetings include meetings of the Children and Families Commission (CFC) and Early Childhood Community Oversight and Advisory Committee (EC COAC).

The meeting agenda, packet, and presentation from last week’s Commission meeting have been uploaded to the Department of Early Childhood website.

Protect Federal Funding for Child Care!

To address the fiscal cliff, federal lawmakers have now introduced the Child Care Stabilization Act, proposing $16 billion per year for the next five years, to offset operating costs, maintain or improve wages, and minimize drastic increases in tuition. It includes provisions to expand access to care for infants and children with disabilities. The plan would function similarly to ARPA funds. Many in the field are contacting their representatives to express opinions on the need for continued funds.

Lawmakers have just a few weeks left to pass a funding bill before the November 17 deadline. Speak up for child care by using these simple forms to send a quick email or call your lawmakers urging them to take action before time runs out.    

CARES 3.0 Fall 2023 Application Period is closes soon!

Check the Department of Early Childhood (DEC)'s program list to see if you are eligible (Orange & Blue Tier ONLY).

Questions about your eligibility? Contact the CARES 3.0 team: 415.355.3668 or ECEstipend@sfgov.org.

______________________________

American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA)

Certain federal American Rescue Plan Act funds expired on September 30, 2023. The State must spend the funds by that date, or the funds may revert to the federal government. To make sure that the funds instead go towards the needs of California’s child care and development workforce, eligible child care providers will receive an additional stipend in the fall. Providers who cared for a child enrolled in a subsidy program in April 2022 will receive a $275 per child enrolled stipend payment. 

The same eligibility rules apply for this next stipend round that applied for both the AB 179 $1442 per child stipends and the AB 110 reimbursement rate supplements.  

______________________________

2024–25 Continued Funding Application for California State Preschool Program (CSPP)

The fiscal year (FY) 2024–25 Continued Funding Application (CFA) for California State Preschool Program (CSPP) and Prekindergarten and Family Literacy Support (CPKS) contractors is anticipated to be released in mid-October 2023. Completed CFAs will be due December 1, 2023. Check for detailed instructions that will be posted on the CFA web page.

The California Department of Social Services (CDSS) Child Care and Development Division (CCDD) has recently published the following documents:  

• Child Care Bulletin (CCB) 23-25: Fiscal Year 2023-24 Child Care and Development Budget Overview
• Child Care Bulletin (CCB) 23-24: Expulsion and Suspension Procedures in Child Care and Development Programs

______________________________

Provider Webinar: Tips and Tools To Support Regulatory Compliance

Tuesday October 24, 2023, 6pm

Register Here!

______________________________

California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CTC) – ECE Community Circle

Monday October 30, 2023, 11am-12:30pm

The CTC ECE team invites you to register for Community Circle for the rest of the year using the links below. They have an exciting line up of topics and speakers.

October 30, 2023 , November 13, 2023 , December 4, 2023

______________________________

CA Department of Education’s (CDE) Early Education and Nutrition Fiscal Services (EENFS) Unit – three-day fiscal training webinar open to all California State Preschool Program (CSPP) contractors. Click the link for November 7, November 8, and November 9.

______________________________ 

Join the UC Berkeley Labor Social!

Thursday, November 16, 2023, 4:00 PM

Join labor leaders, educators, researchers, and students in a meet-and-greet gathering at the UC Berkeley Labor Center, 2521 Channing Way, Berkeley, CA.

Register Here!

______________________________ 

Provider Webinar: Tips and Tools To Support Regulatory Compliance

Tuesday October 24, 2023, 6pm

Register Here!

______________________________ 

Update on the Dual Language Learner (DLL) Support Web Page

The Early Education Division, CA Department of Education (CDE) web page provides technical support, guidance, and resources for the identification, reporting, and support of dual language learners in California State Preschool Programs. 

Visit the DLL Support web page.

______________________________ 

Opportunities for All Branch Preschool through Third Grade (P-3) Webinar Series “Centering and Cultivating the Black Workforce to Strengthen P-3 Alignment”  

Thursday, November 16, 2023, 3:30-5pm

This webinar is the second in a series. It is intended to support local educational agencies, community-based organizations and their partners to understand the importance of historical and current interactions between the Black workforce and the public education systems and learn more about how to increase and retain the Black workforce through centering and cultivating Black educators to strengthen the preschool through third grade alignment and best meet the needs of Black children and their families.

Register Here!

The new UPK Website is designed to make it easier for parents and families to find information on UPK, as well as make the communications materials created to support UPK providers more easily searchable. The website is available in English, Español, and 中文.

______________________________ 

Webinar, "Improving Access to High-Quality Preschool: Lessons from Five State Mixed Delivery Systems." See the recording, slides and related resources.

______________________________ 

The California Department of Education (CDE) would like to remind everyone of the survey link for public feedback on the recommendations solicited from the statewide Universal Prekindergarten (UPK) Mixed Delivery Quality and Access Workgroup (Workgroup) that was previously released on October 17, 2023.

The Workgroup is convened by the CDE, in consultation with the State Board of Education (SBE) and the California Department of Social Services (CDSS), as well as the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing. 

Click here to complete the Recommendations Feedback survey.

The deadline is Monday, October 23, 2023. More information on the UPK Mixed Delivery Quality and Access Workgroup CDE web page.

______________________________ 



The national study of more than 4400 stakeholders in early childhood education (ECE) indicates a strong demand for addressing compensation and equity issues in the field as first steps toward a national lead teacher certification (NLTC).

ECE Professional Development Opportunities

Teach for the Bay

Thursday, October 26 - Saturday October 28

Join the free, virtual conference for all students and those interested in careers with children and youth in the SF Bay region. Participants can register for one workshop or all 40 workshops to gain information on entering ECE/EDU careers, working with children and youth, enrolling in academic programs, and the new CTC P-3 Credential.

Check out the program! Register at www.teachforthebay.com

_____________________________________________

Erikson’s Annual Luncheon

Chicago, IL - Friday, October 27, 11am

Featuring voting rights activist and best-selling author Stacey Abrams. Tickets and sponsorships are now available. Learn more.

_____________________________________________

Gardening with Kids

Saturday, November 4, 9:30am - 12:30pm

Learn how to work with young children in a garden including appropriate tools, safety and curriculum. For more information: communitygardens@sfgov.org

Register Here!

_____________________________________________

NAEYC Annual Conference 2023

Nashville, TN - November 15-18

Register Here!

Job Opportunities

DEC - Deputy Director of Early Division

Salary Range: $145,028 - $185,146

Accepting applications until: October 29, 2023

DEC - Mental Health Program Officer

Salary Range: $106,730 - $129,688

Accepting applications until: November 13, 2023

*We recognize there are many available ECE positions during any given month and we do our best to share the vacancies sent to us. Have an ECE job posting you would like included? Send a link, PDF, or Word document to info@ecesf.org.

Are you an Early Care Educator in San Francisco?

¿Es usted un educador de cuidado infantil en San Francisco?

您是舊金山的早期護理教育工作者嗎？

ECESF receives funding from the Department of Early Childhood (DEC) to provide field building and peer supports to early care educators, as well as generous donations and in-kind contributions to build our advocacy and community work from individual early care educators, and allies, community organizations and agencies. Support our work. Donate!