SD ECCS April 2024 Update
April 2024 SD Early Childhood Comprehensive System Update
Early Childhood Comprehensive Systems: ECCS
Ensuring a strong start for all children can reduce vulnerabilities and prevent ACEs, but it requires collaboration and co-ownership of strategies and solutions. This newsletter provides updates on SD ECCS activities and also provide external learning opportunities, resources and news to increase our shared understanding and ability to ensure a strong start for all South Dakota children.
Let’s Connect!
If you would like to learn more about the SD ECCS efforts, provide feedback, or share more about your efforts to ensure a strong start for South Dakota’s youngest children, please email [email protected]. We’re especially interested in learning where you see your work falling within the broader goals and strategies developed through the SD ECCS Strategic Planning Process. Are you already working on some of these goals and strategies–or could they be included in your current plans? We’re here to listen, learn, and build a stronger start for SD children together.
Bright Lights
Innovative collaborations are happening across the comprehensive early childhood landscape to ensure a strong start for children. The Bright Light series will showcase successes and outcomes achieved through collaborative, cross-sector or agency efforts, designed to ensure a strong start for children. In this feature, we highlight Delta Dental’s Partners for Prevention.
PARTNER UPDATES
Department of Health Requests Participation in Maternal and Child Health Needs Assessment Survey
The Department of Health (DOH) Office of Child and Family Services requests that South Dakota residents participate in the Maternal and Child Health Needs Assessment Survey, an essential tool for understanding and addressing the health needs of mothers, infants, children, and families across the state. To learn more about the needs assessment, take the survey, or download resources to share the survey, check out the DOH maternal child health website: https://doh.sd.gov/topics/maternal-child-health/mch-needs-assessment/
Department of Social Services Integrated Studies on Child Care
The Department of Social Services (DSS) strengthens families to foster health, wellbeing and independence. DSS is taking an integrated approach and conducing three studies related to childcare in South Dakota: a Workforce Study, Market Rate Survey, and Cost of Care Analysis.
Upcoming Training Opportunities
These training were offered in response to the ECCS goal of providing cross-training opportunities for professionals and pre-professionals working with families who have young children.
Poverty Simulation Experience held at USD-Sioux Falls Campus
This activity is designed to allow participants to experience and gain insights into the complex issues associated with poverty. We all know that you cannot truly “escape” poverty in 90 minutes, but can you survive a day in the life of someone in the crisis of poverty?
Cultural Competency Available by Request
Service providers working with families with young children in the Sioux Falls-area are invited by CPCM and LSS to request a free training series or session. One hour sessions, ideal for staff meeting/training, multiple topics to choose from, mix and match sessions.
EXTERNAL LEARNING RESOURCES AND OPPORTUNITIES
National Center on Substance Abuse and Child Welfare (NCSACW)
The National Center of Substance Abuse and Child Welfare has put together resources for working with and supporting pregnant and parenting people affected by Substance Use Disorder and briefs regarding how to develop a comprehensive data approach for infants and families affected by parental substance use disorder: Supporting Pregnant and Parenting People with Substance Use Disorders Series | National Center on Substance Abuse and Child Welfare (hhs.gov)
NCSACW is also hosting a two-part webinar series intended for state child welfare and partner agencies (e.g., public health, maternal and child health, substance use services, mental health services) seeking to understand the scope of prenatal substance exposure in a state or other jurisdiction. Learn more and register hear: Collaborating Across Service Systems: How to Develop a Comprehensive Data Approach for Families Affected by Prenatal Substance Exposure: A Two-Part Series | National Center on Substance Abuse and Child Welfare (hhs.gov)
Zero to Three: New Webinar Series on Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health
Webinar series: “Building Foundations: Implementing IECMH Guiding Principles”
Get your feet wet (or refresh yourself) with the basics of Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health (IECMH). Then, dive in deeper with Zero to Three as they unpack their new IECMH Guiding Principles. Each virtual training provides 90 minutes of exploration and reflection, equipping you with concrete considerations for application in your practice.
Begins April 10! Learn more: https://www.zerotothree.org/our-work/learn-professional-development/upcoming-trainings/#buildingfoundations
Note: There is a cost of $99 for non-members or $79 for members of Zero to Three.
Infant and Toddler Homelessness Across 50 States: 2021-2022 Report
This report offers the first-ever state-by-state collection of data on infant and toddler homelessness and provides detailed recommendations for policymakers and communities alike. Drawing on an extensive analysis of federal and other available data, the report estimates that nearly 365,000 infants and toddlers experienced homelessness during the 2021-2022 program year across the United States. Alarmingly, the report found that only 11% of these children were enrolled in early childhood development programs, with enrollment rates varying significantly by state.
Perinatal Mental Health Resource
A new resource from Safe Babies, a program of ZERO TO THREE™, emphasizes the importance of promoting parental and caregiver mental health during the perinatal period and explores policy levers and programs to support positive mental health for parents and caregivers.
FUNDING OPPORTUNITY
CDC Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO): Enhancing Reviews and Surveillance to Eliminate Maternal Mortality (CDC-RFA-DP24-0053)
Share your news!
If you are working collaboratively across sectors to ensure a strong start for South Dakota’s children, especially prenatally up to age 3yo, please send your updates to [email protected]. We’d love to learn more and help raise awareness of your efforts and successes.
