The veterans of our military services have put their lives on the line to protect the freedoms that we enjoy. They have dedicated their lives to their country and deserve to be recognized for their commitment. The willingness of America's veterans to sacrifice for our country has earned them our lasting gratitude.

HHSC has recently purchased access to free online courses related to Home Visiting/working with children and families. These courses are free and optional. They are available through The Ounce – Achieve OnDemand and their new Home Visiting Training Institute.

The four, online, self-paced courses that are currently available are:
1. Basics of Home Visiting
2. Domestic Violence in Home Visiting
3. Foundations of Infant Mental Health Practice in Home Visiting
4. The Impact of Trauma in Home Visiting

In order to create cohorts of participants and peer learning opportunities, we will be rolling out one course at a time.  The course "Basics of Home Visiting" has been offered since November 2. This course is great for those who may be new to their position or to this field. We will also be holding an optional webinar on Monday, December 14th so that home visitors can share what they learned, review the core concepts covered in the course, and discuss how the information in the course applies to direct practice.

The other courses will be rolled out in 2016.

For information on how to register for the course – please contact Kassi Longoria, Training Specialist – kassi.longoria@hhsc.state.tx.us

This year, we've promoted The Raising of America documentary as a riveting story about the future of our nation's children. If you missed the documentary screening at this year’s PIP Conference – have no fear. The Raising of America is available to watch (for free!) online from now through November 30th.

The Raising of America Series is a five-part documentary series that explores the question: Why are so many children in America faring so poorly? What are the consequences for the nation’s future? How might we, as a nation, do better? The series investigates these questions through different lenses: What does science tell us about the enduring importance of early life experiences on the brain and body? What it is like to be a parent today? And what policies and structures help or hinder the raising of healthy, happy and compassionate children? The Signature Hour covers all three of these issues. The four subsequent episodes each dive in for a closer look. Click here to watch. 

Add the ECI (Early Childhood Intervnetion) Connection Newsletter to your reading list. The newsletter was created by ECI to share information to ECI providers. The first edition features articles on social-emotional outcomes, training opportunities, data, and much more. Click here to read. 

The Family Engagement work group was identified by the Texas Education Agency and began work in early October. They are inviting community leads and program sites to provide feedback via online survey. The group proposed definitions of family and family engagement and identified components and strategies for the family engagement plan. Your input and comments on the proposed definitions, components, and strategies will help to inform the work group’s final recommendations regarding family engagement strategies. Please see the Survey Monkey link and attachment below to provide your comments. If you do not wish to submit via Survey Monkey, you may submit your comments to the Curriculum Inbox at curriculum@tea.texas.gov. If you submit to the Curriculum Inbox, please include Family Engagement in the subject line.

Family Engagement Survey (Closes November 25, 2015)

Proposed Family Engagement Draft (PDF, 164KB)

The National Farm to School Network (NFSN) invites you to participate in a research survey that focuses on farm to preschool/early care and education initiatives. NFSN is seeking input from staff in all early care and education settings. Even if you feel you are not currently involved in farm to preschool activities, they would value your input as they seek to learn more about barriers, challenges and interests related to farm to preschool initiatives.

Please complete the survey by Friday, November 20. By completing this 10-15 minutes survey, you will qualify for a drawing to win one of five framed prints of artwork created collaboratively by attendees of the 2012 National Farm to Cafeteria conference and designed by Vermont artist Bonnie Acker.

Complete the survey by clicking here. 

About NFSN: NFSN serves as a hub for information, networking and advocacy for communities working to bring local food sourcing and food and farm education to schools and preschools. Click here to learn more.

In the last edition of THV Tidbits please note the following correction: Permian Basin Regional Council on Drug and Alcohol Abuse decorated the Little Free Library for the Medical Center Health Systems Primary Care Clinic located in West Odessa.