2.4 Lead Agency Outreach to Families Experiencing Homelessness, Families with Limited English Proficiency, and Persons with Disabilities

The Lead Agency must conduct outreach and provide services to families with limited English proficiency, families experiencing homelessness, and persons with disabilities. 2.4.1 Families with limited English proficiency and persons with disabilities: outreach and services a. Check the strategies the Lead Agency or partners utilize to conduct outreach and provide services to eligible families with limited English proficiency. Check all that apply. i. [x] Application in languages other than English (application and related documents, brochures, provider notices). ii. [x] Informational materials in languages other than English. iii. [x] Website in languages other than English. iv. [x] Lead Agency accepts applications at local community-based locations. v. [x] Bilingual caseworkers or translators available. vi. [x] Bilingual outreach workers. vii. [x] Partnerships with community-based organizations. viii. [ ] Collaboration with Head Start, Early Head Start, or Migrant and Seasonal Head Start. ix. [ ] Home visiting programs. x. [x] Other. Describe: The Connecticut OEC Parent Cabinet is a diverse, parent-led 15 member advisory group to OEC that meets regularly to help make improvements in the lives of children and families across the state. Offer guidance to state agencies on how to improve programs, policies, and laws related to young children and their families. Advocate for the needs of families from all backgrounds. Help OEC form lasting and effective partnerships with families. Increase awareness around OEC services and supports. b. Check the strategies the Lead Agency or partners utilize to conduct outreach and provide services to eligible families with a person(s) with a disability. Check all that apply. i. [ ] Applications and public informational materials available in braille and other communication formats for access by individuals with disabilities. ii. [x] Websites that are accessible (e.g., Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act). iii. [ ] Caseworkers with specialized training/experience in working with individuals with disabilities. iv. [x] Ensuring accessibility of environments and activities for all children. v. [x] Partnerships with State and local programs and associations focused on disability- related topics and issues. vi. [x] Partnerships with parent associations, support groups, and parent-to-parent support groups, including the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) federally funded Parent Training and Information Centers. vii. [x] Partnerships with State and local IDEA Part B, Section 619 and Part C providers and agencies. viii. [x] Availability and/or access to specialized services (e.g., mental health, behavioral specialists, therapists) to address the needs of all children. ix. [ ] Other. Describe: 2.4.2 Families experiencing homelessness: Outreach and technical assistance efforts a. Check, where applicable, the procedures used to conduct outreach for children experiencing homelessness and their families. i. [x] Lead Agency accepts applications at local community-based locations. ii. [x] Partnerships with community-based organizations. iii. [x] Partnering with homeless service providers, McKinney-Vento liaisons, and others who work with families experiencing homelessness to provide referrals to child care. iv. [ ] Other. Describe: b. The Lead Agency must provide training and technical assistance (TA) to providers and appropriate Lead Agency (or designated entity) staff on identifying and serving children and families experiencing homelessness. i. Describe the Lead Agency’s training and TA efforts for providers in identifying and serving children and their families experiencing homelessness. The OEC has contracted with the regional Education Service Center (EASTCONN) to provide a series of train- the- trainer events to inform providers about the trauma of homelessness. The target audience for this activity is providers who receive the Care 4 Kids subsidy, and other key partners that work with this population including the Coordinated Access Networks and the state's McKinney Vento Liaisons. The purpose of the training is twofold: 1) increase the knowledge base of trainers around the trauma of homelessness and2) prepare them to be facilitators and trainers on this and related topics. The contractor's activities include provision of training and technical assistance on identifying and serving children and families experiencing homelessness based on the McKinney-Vento definition; designing and implementing statewide technical assistance to providers in screening homeless families utilizing OEC approved technical assistance. ii. Describe the Lead Agency’s training and TA efforts for Lead Agency (or designated entity) staff in identifying and serving children and their families experiencing homelessness. The OEC has designated lead staff who is responsible for training other lead agency staff on identifying and serving children and their families experiencing homelessness. The OEC uses the Pyramid Model which is a framework of evidence-based practices for promoting young children’s healthy social and emotional development. The model supports social emotional competence in infants and young children is a positive behavioral intervention and support framework. Early childhood providers, caregivers, and families can use the model to promote young children’s social and emotional development and prevent and address challenging behavior. The OEC has designated lead staff who is responsible for integrating Pyramid practices to assist with supporting identify and serving children and families experiencing homelessness.