Gerri's Gazette February 2024

State Performance Plans (SPP) / Annual Performance Report (APR) Now Available

Thank you to the family members, Interagency Coordinating Council for Infants and Toddlers, providers, early childhood partners, as well as all our stakeholders for helping set targets and providing feedback for this year’s SPP/APR submission. The SPP/APR evaluates the State’s efforts to implement the requirements and purposes of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), Part C, and describes how AzEIP will improve its implementation.

AzEIP submitted the report on February 1st to the Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) under the US Department of Education. OSEP is currently reviewing the SPP/APR submissions for all states. You can view the report on AzEIP’s website or check out our other reports at: https://des.az.gov/services/developmental-disabilities/early-intervention/reports.

________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Positive Parenting Tips

Learning Through Play

Children learn about the world around them when they are actively engaged in play. Watch this video to give you some ideas to encourage play around your home.

CDC Videos

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) also offers "Communicating with Your Child" videos. Take advantage of this great resource by clicking this link for the CDC

________________________________________________________________________________________________________

ICC Facebook Page

Did you know that the Interagency Coordinating Council (ICC) for Infants and Toddlers has a Facebook Page?

We would love to share this resource with you. Join our Facebook Early Childhood Community to find out about community events and help us reach 500 followers. https://www.facebook.com/azearlychildhoodICC

________________________________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Resources

Parent Training Opportunities

________________________________________________________________________________________________________

DES TRIBAL INFORMATIONAL FORUM

Wednesday, February 28, 2024

11:00 AM - 12:30 PM MST

REGISTER HERE

Join the DES Office of Tribal Relations on February 28th to learn about DES updates on programs, policies, and/or services. Each Division will attend, and you can ask questions in individual break-out sessions with a specific Division. This is not a Tribal Consultation, it is a forum for tribes, tribal program staff, and tribal stakeholders to engage and be made aware of the programs and services DES provides. If tribes are interested in a Tribal Consultation, please contact the Tribal Relations Manager; contact information is at the bottom of this notice.

Important Note: To self-select a specific Breakout Room during the Forum, YOU MUST HAVE either:

• -Zoom Desktop client or the mobile app: version 5.3.0 or higher, or
• -Zoom Chrome OS: version 5.0.0 (4241.1207) or higher.

If not, we will have to manually move you into the break-out room, which can take time away from your session. Please consult your technology department or manager to ensure you have the correct version of Zoom.

Questions or comments can be sent to Jocelyn Beard, DES Tribal Relations Manager, at jbeard@azmailto:jbeard@azdes.govdes.gov or 480-431-5473.

Next Tribal Informational Forum: April 24, 2024 (Virtual)

Go to SWHD.org/Playfest to reserve your free tickets. Tickets are limited.