Greetings!
The first month of the year passes by so quickly. Already month two and so much is happening.
February is Black History Month!
Did you know there is a new theme for Black History Month each year? This year's Black Health and Wellness theme is particularly appropriate as the U.S. continues to fight the coronavirus pandemic which has been disproportionately affecting Black/African American communities.
Following the 2022 theme, we’d like to share opportunities for our Black/African American educators and ECE community members to promote better health, connect with each other, support Black-owned businesses, learn something new, and celebrate this month and beyond!
Tuesday, February 1st marks the start of Lunar New Year!
Normally, the lead-up to Lunar New Year is supposed to be a time of joy and celebration for Asian Americans. However, considering the two-yearlong rise in anti-Asian hate, we felt that it was imperative to speak up and raise awareness for these serious injustices. We highly encourage you to take the time to learn more and raise awareness about what’s been happening. To start, here is a list of resources for further reading.
We look forward to your continued collaboration and engagement this year!
In community,
Sara & Anna
ECESF
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Get Involved with ECESF
ECESF holds Focus Groups for Teachers and for Administrative & Pedagogical leaders. We are currently recruiting for Cantonese-speaking and Black/African American Teacher Focus Groups to identify priority needs in these communities during a very timely month.
Check out the flyers for more information—and share with teachers you know:
Focus Group dates will be scheduled based on availability of our participants. The sessions will be facilitated by ECESF core leaders who provide discussion prompts and a space for learning through relationship, self examination, and community sharing.
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ELS: Applications & Funding |
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The Department of Early Childhood (DEC, formerly Office of Early Care and Education + First 5) has reopened the Early Learning SF (ELS) program for eligible Early Care and Education Center and Family Child Care programs. The funds for the ELS expansion come from your effort to pass the June 2018 Prop C Ballot measure—with the California Supreme Court upholding the Appeals Court decision that our victory was valid in April 2021.
Programs participating in the ELS program will receive San Francisco city funds. Eligibility requirements and the application process for ECE programs are outlined on the OECE website: Apply in English.
Los programas que participan en el programa ELS recibirán fondos de la ciudad de San Francisco. Los requisitos de elegibilidad y el proceso de solicitud para los programas de ECE se describen en el sitio web de la OECE: Aplicar en Español.
參與 ELS 計劃的計劃將獲得舊金山市資金。 OECE 網站上概述了 ECE 計劃的資格要求和申請流程：中文申请
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The Department of Early Childhood (DEC, formerly Office of Early Care and Education + First 5) has announced a COVID-19 Funding Policy & Support Grant for Early Learning Scholarship (ELS) qualified Family Child Care (FCC) programs.
DEC is using local funding to support programs who close for any reasons related to a Covid-19 outbreak at their program. ELS-FCC programs will now continue to receive a full payment for their state and locally funded enrollments during their entire Covid-19 closure period.
Previously, the Covid-19 Closure Grant was available only to ELS-FCC programs closed due to the owner or another living in the home contracting Covid-19; and those that received a grant did not receive payment for their state and local enrollments during their closure period.
The current Covid-19 Grant was designed to assist programs in making up the gap in payments during their closure period. Now, under the new policy there are no gaps in payments. The Covid-19 Support Grant, up to $1,500, will be paid to all ELS qualified FCC’s who did not receive the previous Covid-19 Grant during the month of January 2022.
There is no need to apply. You will automatically receive the one-time $1,500 Grant on our behalf from Children’s Council. If Children’s Council does not have your payment information, you may be contacted to provide bank routing and W9 information.
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ECE Funding Opportunities! |
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Submit a letter of intent for the Early Education Teacher Development Grant Program, the CDE has decided to extend the deadline for the Letter of Intent (LOI). This LOI is a required submission for any LEA that wishes to apply for funds through the Early Education Teacher Development Grant Program.
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On February 3, 2022, the California Department of Education (CDE), the Office of Public School Construction (OPSC), and the Division of the State Architect (DSA) are conducting a free workshop to provide information on school planning, design, and the availability of state funding to help local education agencies address their facility needs.
The focus will be on applying for the California State Preschool, Transitional Kindergarten and Full-Day Kindergarten Facilities Grant Program. The workshop will include a presentation by the agencies, as well as a question and answer session.
Thursday, February 3, 2022
10:00 AM – 12:00 PM PST
For questions about this workshop, please contact CDE’s School Facilities and Transportation Services Division at SFTSD@cde.ca.gov.
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COVID Resource Center
Call: (628) 652-2700 or Email: sfvaxnow@sfdph.org
Hours: Monday-Friday 8:30am-5:00pm, can leave voicemail 24/7
Eligibility: Covid-19+ cases and close contacts in quarantine
Services:
- Isolation and quarantine guidance
- Food delivery
- Cleaning supplies
- Hotel placement (if eligible)
- Financial assistance (Right to Recover)
- Vaccine and testing appointments
- Clinical consultation
- Mental health support
- Connection to CBOs for support
- Language support
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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？
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Follow us on social media! |
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ECESF receives funding from the Office of Early Care and Education 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! |
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