St. Joseph County Quality Improvement Grants  — Information Session 

You’re Invited!

Join us for a virtual Information Session to learn about the St. Joseph County Quality Improvement Grant and how funding can support your early care and learning program's quality improvement goals and enhance learning environments for young children. 

South Bend Quality Improvement Grant is now available throughout the County ... it is the St. Joseph County Improvement Grant!!

We’ll cover:

• Opportunities to enhance learning environments

• Eligibility: St. Joseph County Programs l PTQ enrollment by October 1, with advancement goals for PTQ Levels 1 and 2 or quality maintenance goals for PTQ Levels 3 and 4 l In operation for 1 year by October 1, 2026

• Grant priorities and focus areas

• Approved vendors and purchasing process 

• Eligible and ineligible items 

• Timeline and important dates

• Application and grant review process by reviewers

• Expectations for grant recipients 

• Support available from Ready to Grow

• Questions & discussion

RSVP here for the info session to receive the zoom for the session.
We will record the meeting and share it afterwards with all. :)

We look forward to seeing you!

Subvenciones para el Mejoramiento de la Calidad del Condado de St. Joseph — Sesión Informativa

¡Está invitado!

Acompáñenos en una Sesión Informativa virtual para conocer las Subvenciones para el Mejoramiento de la Calidad del Condado de St. Joseph y cómo estos fondos pueden apoyar las metas de mejoramiento de la calidad de su programa de cuidado y educación temprana y enriquecer los ambientes de aprendizaje para los niños pequeños.

Durante la sesión, hablaremos sobre:

• Oportunidades para mejorar los ambientes de aprendizaje

• Requisitos: participación en Paths to QUALITY (PTQ) y metas de avance para programas en los Niveles 1 y 2, o mantenimiento de la calidad para programas en los Niveles 3 y 4

• Prioridades y áreas de enfoque de la subvención

• Proveedores aprobados y proceso de compra

• Artículos elegibles y no elegibles

• Cronograma y fechas importantes

• Proceso de solicitud y revisión

• Expectativas para los beneficiarios de la subvención

• Apoyo disponible a través de Ready to Grow

• Preguntas y conversación 

Regístrese aqui para la sesión informativa y reciba la invitación del calendario con el enlace de Zoom.

Grabaremos la reunión y compartiremos la grabación posteriormente con todos. 

¡Esperamos contar con su participación!

 
 
 
St. Joseph County Quality Improvement Grants  — Information Session (Spanish)

You’re Invited!

Join us for a virtual Information Session to learn about the St. Joseph County Quality Improvement Grant and how funding can support your early care and learning program's quality improvement goals and enhance learning environments for young children.

We’ll cover:

• Opportunities to enhance learning environments

• Requirements: PTQ enrollment and advancement goals for PTQ 1 and 2 or maintenance of PTQ Level 3 and 4

• Grant priorities and focus areas

• Approved vendors and purchasing process 

• Eligible and ineligible items 

• Timeline and important dates

• Application and review process

• Expectations for grant recipients 

• Support available from Ready to Grow

• Questions & discussion

Register here for the Info Session to receive the Calendar Invite with the zoom link.

We will record the meeting and share it afterwards with all. 

We look forward to seeing you!

Upcoming Quality Improvement Grants for Catholic Early Childhood Programs — Information Session 

You’re Invited!

Join us for a virtual Information Session to learn about the Quality Improvement Grant opportunity for Catholic School Early Childhood Programs and how funding can support your early childhood classroom’s quality improvement goals and enhance learning environments for young children.

We’ll cover:

• Opportunities to enhance early childhood learning environments

• Grant priorities and focus areas

• Funding available 

• Approved vendors and purchasing process 

• Eligible and ineligible items 

• Improved Process   

• Timeline and important dates

• Application and review process

• Expectations for grant recipients 

• Support available from Ready to Grow

• Questions & discussion

The session will be recorded and shared after the session with all.  

We look forward to seeing you!

IPS RTG Year 3 Information Session – English |  Open Office Hours for Case Consultation

Date/Time: September 2, 2026 | 1:00 PM
Location: Virtual – Zoom

Is TIPS Year 3 Right for You, Your Team, and Most of All—Your Children?

Join us to learn about the newly redesigned TIPS RTG Year 3, focused on Case Consultation and Open Office Hours with trauma-informed early childhood specialists—our TIPS Hub Team friends.

From October 2026 through March 2027, eligible early educators and program/school leaders can participate in a consistent monthly learning community where they can bring real situations involving individual children and/or families who struggle with big emotions, behavior, relationships and connections, regulation, and stress and receive expert guidance, support, and practical strategies.

During this Information Session, we’ll share:

• What’s new for TIPS Year 3

• How Case Consultation & Open Office Hours will work

• Who is eligible to participate

• The three TIPS Year 3 cohorts

• How to bring or submit a case

• How to register for the six-month series

• Time for questions

Those eligible received a calendar invitation for this info session.

@ TIPS Year 3 Open Office Hours: Bring a case—or come to listen and learn. Attendance at every monthly session is not required.  

Learn more on September 2 at 1pm at the Info Session! Hope to see you there! 

TIPS Year 3 is FREE for eligible early educators and program/school leaders in St. Joseph County, with limited out-of-county participation available. 

Questions?
Terri Kosik
tkosik@saintmarys.edu

El registro con la ubicación completa y los detalles de las sesiones se abrirá pronto.

Desayuno y almuerzo incluidos.

Corregulación y Tiempo de Círculo con Muñecos Bebé / Los Cinco Pasos de la Autorregulación

Ms. Lety Valero (Español)

Esta capacitación de Fomentando la Resiliencia y Construyendo Cerebros con Disciplina Consciente es gratuita y está abierta a educadores de la primera infancia, líderes de programas y miembros de la comunidad del condado de St. Joseph y las comunidades vecinas. ¡Hay mucho espacio disponible y todos son bienvenidos!

Se otorgará un certificado de 6 horas de desarrollo profesional.

Regístrese aquí

¿Preguntas? Comuníquese con Terri Kosik en tkosik@saintmarys.edu.

Free Virtual Training Opportunity! 6:30pm - 7:30pm

Focus: Create Habits That Serve You Well — Secrets Revealed!

Zoom | Free | 1-Hour Training Certificate

Presented by Elisabeth Winet, FNP-C, MSN, MBA (Nurse Practitioner)

Register here: https://forms.gle/cYBmyutm2wSJufsm6

Ask the Expert: Early Childhood Policy & Indiana

Join Early Learning Indiana for an upcoming Ask the Expert conversation featuring Cynthia Osborne, Professor of Early Childhood Education and Policy at Vanderbilt University’s Peabody College.

Professor Osborne is the founder and executive director of the Prenatal-to-3 Policy Impact Center and a nationally recognized expert in early childhood policy and research. Her work focuses on translating what we know about early childhood development into evidence-based state policies that strengthen outcomes for young children and families.

This interactive conversation is a wonderful opportunity to hear from a leading national expert, explore what research and policy mean for early childhood in Indiana, and bring your own questions to the discussion.

📅 Wednesday, August 26, 2026
⏰ 1:00–2:00 PM ET

✨ RSVP and join the conversation here

💙 First Weeks of School with Conscious Discipline: Building Safety, Connection & Belonging from Day One

📅 Wednesday, August 19

🕒 3:00 PM ET

🎥 Attend live or watch the recording later

💲 Complimentary (Registration Required)

Register here

During this session, you'll explore:

✨ Why connection and self-regulation deserve as much attention as rules and logistics.

✨ How to introduce foundational Conscious Discipline routines and rituals from the very first day.

✨ Practical strategies that foster safety, belonging, and readiness to learn.

This webinar is designed for all early childhood educators, teachers, administrators, and school and district leaders who want to begin the school year with intention and confidence.

🌟 Start the year with practices that strengthen relationships, support regulation, and help every child—and every educator—thrive.

👉 Register today and save your free seat!

Registration with location and session details will open soon.

Conscious Discipline - Co-Regulation & The Five Steps of Self-Regulation (Preschool and Kindergarten, English), Presenter: Angela Fraley

This PD events is part of the Nurturing Resilience and Building Brains with Conscious Discipline initative and is free and open to early educators, program leaders, and community members from St. Joseph County and beyond. Plenty of space is available, so everyone is welcome!

Same Content as Saturday August 15th Session.

Complimentary Breakfast & Lunch

6 Hours Training Certificate Provided

Register here for August 17

Questions - contact Terri Kosik, tkosik@saintmarys.edu

Registration with location and session details will open soon.

Conscious Discipline - Co-Regulation & The Five Steps of Self-Regulation (Preschool and Kindergarten, English), Presenter: Angela Fraley

This PD event is part of the Nurturing Resilience and Building Brains with Conscious Discipline initiative and is free and open to early educators, program leaders, and community members from St. Joseph County and beyond. Plenty of space is available, so everyone is welcome!

This session is repeated on Monday, August 17th with the same content

Complimentary Breakfast & Lunch

6 Hours Training Certificate Provided

Register here for August 15

Questions - contact Terri Kosik, tkosik@saintmarys.edu

Upcoming Virtual Nature-Based Workshops: FREE

Tuesday, August 11: Teaching about Bird Life

More coming soon!

Registration is FREE and there will be draw prizes for attendees!

All Virtual Workshops are 60 minutes and will take place at 4pm Pacific / 7pm Eastern

For those who can’t attend live these will each be recorded and all registrants will be emailed with the link to the recording the day following the workshop

In the workshop follow-up email, participants will receive a link to access a Certificate of Attendance

Register here

Conscious Discipline 101 : Part 3 of 3 Part Series - each session 2 hours

Register Here

For those new to CD or wanting a refresh - virtual & open to all

English, Virtual with Angela Fraley, CD Certified Instructor

OPEN TO EVERYONE IN ST. JOSEPH COUNTY AND OTHER COUNTIES TOO! Early Educators, School/Program Leaders + Parents too!

📅 July 7, 13, & 30, 2026 

📍 Location: Zoom

 🕘 1-3 PM

🎓 6-Hour Training Certificate Provided 

Cost: Free, thanks to our generous sponsors

Ideal for individuals new to CD or those who want a refresher. 

Register Here

🌞 2026 Summer Celebration!
Nurturing Resilience & Building Brains with Conscious Discipline

Celebrating the completion of Year 1 with 2 Cohorts

Launching Year 2 with 2 Additional Cohorts as we expand and embed evidence-based, adult-first and relationship-centered Social Emotional Learning in our Community!

🎉 CD Friends, Food, Swag, Fun—and You!

(Adult Event Only, thanks for understanding)

5:45 – 6:00 PM
Arrival & Check-In

6:00 – 6:45 PM
Food, Fun, Swag & Time with Friends

6:45 PM - 7:15 PM
Celebration & Highlights ✨

🌟 Who:

• Educators, program leaders, and staff participating in the 2025–2026 Conscious Discipline Cohorts

• Participants in the upcoming 2026–2027 Cohort 2 programs

• Members of the CDF Cohort

• Others engaged in Conscious Discipline trainings and experiences (virtual and in-person)

💙 Please RSVP early to reserve your spot: HERE

Upcoming Virtual Nature-Based Workshops: FREE

Tuesday, July 14: Activities & Resources for Nature-based Learning

Tuesday, August 11: Teaching about Bird Life

More coming soon!

Registration is FREE and there will be draw prizes for attendees!

All Virtual Workshops are 60 minutes and will take place at 4pm Pacific / 7pm Eastern

For those who can’t attend live these will each be recorded and all registrants will be emailed with the link to the recording the day following the workshop

In the workshop follow-up email, participants will receive a link to access a Certificate of Attendance

➡️ Register here ⬇

https://outdoorlearning.com/event/nature-based-learning-2026/?mc_cid=b99e3792b3&mc_eid=5ddfa7e9a7

Conscious Discipline 101 : Part 2 of 3 Part Series - each session 2 hours

Register Here

For those new to CD or wanting a refresh - virtual & open to all

English, Virtual with Angela Fraley, CD Certified Instructor

OPEN TO EVERYONE IN ST. JOSEPH COUNTY AND OTHER COUNTIES TOO! Early Educators, School/Program Leaders + Parents too!

📅 July 7, 13, & 30, 2026 

📍 Location: Zoom

 🕘 1-3 PM

🎓 6-Hour Training Certificate Provided 

Cost: Free, thanks to our generous sponsors

Ideal for individuals new to CD or those who want a refresher. 

Register Here

Conscious Discipline 101 : 3 Part Series Across 3 days - each day 2 hours (Virtual & Open to All)

Register Here

For those new to CD or wanting a refresh.

English, Virtual with Angela Fraley, CD Certified Instructor

OPEN TO EVERYONE IN ST. JOSEPH COUNTY AND OTHER COUNTIES TOO! Early Educators, School/Program Leaders + Parents too!

📅 July 7, 13, & 30, 2026 

📍 Location: Zoom

 🕘 1-3 PM

🎓 6-Hour Training Certificate Provided 

Cost: Free thanks to our generous sponsors

Ideal for individuals new to CD or want a refresher. 

Register Here

Optimizing Your PC l Thursday, June 25th l Virtual

2:30pm – 3:45pm Eastern Time

Presented by the McCormick Institute for Early Childhood at National Louis University

Join the McCormick Institute to learn more about Optimizing Your Personal Computer (PC). This is a beginner training for individuals who are curious to learn about tips that will make their computers run more smoothly and efficiently.

Register here - https://web.cvent.com/.../8b1aa78d-d514-4266-8583.../summary

You are welcome to register even if you are not able to attend during the scheduled time. All registrants will receive a recording to their email.

Group time can be one of the most challenging parts of the day - for both children and adults. Why does it sometimes feel dysregulating, and how can we transform it into a space of safety, agency, and belonging?

Join Amy Chiu, MSEd, Early Childhood Education Instructor & Consultant at The Work of Play, for Rethinking Group Time: Supporting Regulation, Belonging, and Participation - a FREE webinar designed to help educators move away from compliance-based expectations and toward shared regulation, flexibility, and connection.

You’ll explore:

Why group times can feel overwhelming for children and adults, considering developmental needs and nervous system regulation

How adult presence, pacing, and expectations shape children’s participation and sense of safety

Relational, developmentally responsive strategies that support meaningful participation while honoring individual differences

Practical approaches to reduce power struggles and foster connection during whole-group experiences

Register free: https://ecewebinars.com/49uFelD

Leave with concrete strategies to make group time a place where every child feels seen, safe, and engaged.

Register and if you can’t attend live you will receive the recording to watch when convenient.

Storytelling: A Powerful Learning Tool to Engage Children in Sharing, Connecting, and Forging Communities

Integrating Creativity and Education Through Stories, Songs, and Sounds

Register Here

IDOE is excited to share a great professional development opportunity for child care centers participating in CACFP!

This summer, IDOE will host a hands-on culinary training for child care centers participating in the CACFP. This one-day training will be offered in-person from 2 to 4:30 p.m. ET on the following dates and locations:

Tuesday, June 2, at Miami County YMCA, Peru

Wednesday, June 3, at New Hope for Families, Bloomington

Thursday, June 4, at Floyd County Head Start, New Albany

More info here⬇

https://view.subscription.in.gov/?vawpToken=HW2CPIJAGW6EHCZFNDJ7UUH6QE.130017

The training will be geared toward food service directors, kitchen leads, cooks, or anyone who wants to learn how to incorporate scratch cooking in their facility. During this training, a chef will provide a cooking demo and hands-on lessons working with locally grown ingredients. There will also be a short presentation on how to incorporate Farm to Early Care and Education (ECE) at your site.

Registration is available on a first-come, first-served basis and will close on Friday, May 29. Attendance at each site will be capped at 15 participants, and any submissions entered after the capacity is reached will be put on a waitlist.

If you have any questions, please reach out to ⬇

Molly Hayes mohayes@doe.in.gov or

Sophie Lindley slindley@doe.in.gov

Register here - https://idoe.jotformgov.com/261255116930048

DISCOVER HOW TO FIND THE SONG IN EVERY STORY

As educators, we are the composers of our students' earliest learning experiences. Learn how to incorporate language-rich activities with hands-on techniques with acclaimed singer/songwriter and educator Joanie Calem. Watch, and you can easily learn how to turn everyday storytime into immersive, joyful learning. Register Here

June 16, 1:00- 2:00pm: Storytelling: A Powerful Learning Tool to Engage Children in Sharing, Connecting, and Forging Communities

Integrating Creativity and Education Through Stories, Songs, and Sounds

Register Here

Leadership and Play: It’s Serious Business
Kimberlee Burt Hendricks — The Play and Learn Leader, A Child’s Space 2

Leadership isn’t positional — it’s relational. In this session, Kimberlee Burt Hendricks explores how play isn’t just for children: it’s a vital practice that nurtures creativity, connection, and emotional well-being for adults too. Drawing on neuroscience and leadership research, she makes the case that curiosity, imagination, and laughter aren’t distractions from leadership — they’re the catalyst for it.

What attendees will gain:

• Explain how neuroscience supports the role of play in fostering creativity and well-being

• Identify leadership models that align with playful, human-centered practice

• Reflect on strategies for integrating play into everyday professional interactions

Register Free → HERE

Free Virtual Training Opportunity! 6:30pm - 7:30pm

Focus - Understanding Health-Producing Food Choices Tailored to Your Body

Zoom | Free | 1-Hour Training Certificate

Presented by Elisabeth Winet, FNP-C, MSN, MBA (Nurse Practitioner)

Register here: https://forms.gle/cYBmyutm2wSJufsm6

Upcoming Sessions:

August 6, 2026 | 6:30–7:30 PM (Virtual)

Focus: Create Habits That Serve You Well — Secrets Revealed!

Self-Regulation In Early Childhood Classrooms: Improving Teacher Practice While Supporting Engagement and Achievement by Carrie Comer-Yates

About this webinar

What if strengthening self-regulation could transform not only children’s behavior—but your entire classroom experience?

In this research-informed session led by Dr. Carrie Comer-Yates, you’ll explore how young children’s self-regulation skills directly influence teacher practice, classroom expectations, and student success. Dr. Comer-Yates is deeply committed to helping educators build foundational skills in social-emotional development, differentiate classroom supports, and care for their own social-emotional well-being alongside their students’.

Drawing from a comprehensive study of early childhood classrooms, this webinar examines the shared responsibilities between children and educators, the role of the learning environment, and the levels of support needed for children to thrive. You’ll gain practical, actionable strategies grounded in real classroom data—highlighting the critical roles of professional development, family engagement, and intentional instructional practices.

The session also explores how factors such as culture shape self-regulation and influence classroom expectations. By strengthening your understanding of self-regulation, you’ll be better equipped to foster positive social, emotional, and academic growth—creating more responsive, supportive, and successful learning environments, even within complex early childhood systems.

Learning Objectives

By the end of this webinar, participants will be able to:

• Identify how children’s self-regulation skills impact teacher practice and classroom dynamics

• Examine the shared responsibilities between educators, students, and the learning environment in supporting self-regulation

• Describe effective instructional strategies that strengthen self-regulation in early childhood settings

• Recognize the influence of culture and other contextual factors on self-regulation and classroom expectations

• Apply research-based approaches that support positive social, emotional, and academic outcomes for young children

REGISTER HERE

SMALL -SCALE CHANGES TO YOUR OUTDOOR LEARNING SPACE! 🌱💚

Join the upcoming edWebinar, sponsored by Kaplan’s Practical Strategies for Early Learning Community, to learn how small-scale changes to your layout, outdoor materials, and outdoor activities can enhance movement, social connections, creativity, and a sense of belonging.

This FREE webinar is happening on May 14th: 2 PM - 3 PM (EDT)

Registrants who attend the live session (or watch the replay) will receive a CE credit.

Register here

The Joyous Equation: Purpose + People + Prosperity = Vibrant Early Childhood Organizations
Karen Foster-Jorgensen — Innovation Champion & Business Strategist, ChildCareDirector.com

What if joy wasn’t a byproduct of good leadership — but the very foundation of it? Global consultant Karen Foster-Jorgensen introduces the Joyous Organization Framework, a model for blending purpose, people, and prosperity into lasting organizational health. Leaders will leave with a clear vision for building programs where joy and sustainability reinforce each other

What attendees will gain:

• Discover how joy fuels engagement, innovation, and long-term success

• Explore the Joyous Equation as a model for balancing purpose, people, and prosperity

• Design actionable next steps to strengthen your organization’s joy and sustainability

Register Free → HERE

Big impact starts in small moments.

Join us on May 7 for Reflect for Insight, Reset for Action, featuring Judy Jablon.

Let’s explore how our everyday interactions can shape the future we want—for children, for our teams, and for ourselves.

Presented by The CAYL Institute

Register today: https://tinyurl.com/fvw36x33

Policies for Working Families

Thursday, May 7 at 11 a.m. EST

Presented by Brighter Futures Indiana! Register here

You and your network are invited to join the second webinar in our For a Stronger Workforce series, offered through the Brighter Futures Indiana initiative. The series is designed to help Indiana employers recruit and retain quality employees by supporting working families — because child care remains one of the biggest barriers to workforce participation statewide.

Register here

April 28 @ 7pm l Online Learning l FREE l Register Here

Join this FREE virtual workshop to celebrate the brand new Learning with the Land: A Nature Playbook!  Tuesday, April 28 7pm Eastern Time We will look at the Spiral of Inquiry and four foundational nature routines – Circle, Nature Walk, Nature Journal, and Sit Spot.

Register Here

All registrants will receive:

1. A link to the recording

2. Access to a certificate

3. Entry for some great prizes!