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. [ ] Application in languages other than English (application and related documents, brochures, provider notices). ii. [ ] Informational materials in languages other than English. iii. [ ] 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. [ ] Bilingual outreach workers. vii. [x] Partnerships with community-based organizations. viii. [x] Collaboration with Head Start, Early Head Start, or Migrant and Seasonal Head Start. ix. [ ] Home visiting programs. x. [ ] Other. Describe: 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. Professional development related to identifying and serving children and families experiencing homelessness is offered and access is publicized on the Child Care Training Requirements website of Vermont’s primary professional development and career resource partner, Northern Lights at Community College of Vermont ("NL at CCV"). Specific trainings include: "Supporting Children and Families Experiencing Homelessness"; "The Role of the Early Childhood Educator Strengthening Families"; and "Basic Specialized Care", which in required for all child care providers wishing to care for a child in state protective custody or otherwise considered at risk and addresses homelessness broadly. Training on trauma- informed practice, including for families experiencing homelessness, has been identified as a required topic for NL @ CCV to include in their annual trainings to regulated child care providers. Basic Specialized Care training is required for all child care providers wishing to care for a child in state protective custody or otherwise considered at risk and addresses homelessness broadly. One of the CCFAP enrollment categories is Family Support Child Care, which means that the family is experiencing significant stress in areas such as shelter, safety, emotional stability, substance use disorder, children’s behaviors, and parenting issues. When homelessness is identified as a service need, Specialized Child Care services through CDD CIS may begin, which can provide additional supports to the child care provider. For the child care program, this includes the connection with a regional Child Care Coordinator who is able to assist with the technical assistance and connecting providers to additional training resources. 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. Staff are provided a variety of professional development opportunities that meet the needs of their job, which include opportunities focused on supporting families experiencing a variety of challenges, including homelessness. CDD embeds the Strengthening Families approach across the agency, and agency staff are encouraged to participate in these trainings, as well as trainings on trauma informed care. AHS employs a Director of Trauma Prevention and Resilience Development who works across the agency to provide resources that support all agency staff, including CDD staff. CIS staff, in particular, prioritize attending trainings on trauma and continually seek opportunities to further their own knowledge and remain current in this important area. CIS staff then use this knowledge when training the Specialized Child Care Coordinators who work directly with homeless children and their families. Knowledge and expertise in Trauma Informed Practice, Motivational Interviewing, resiliency, and the Strengthening Families framework is incorporated in the recruitment process at CDD. The State of Vermont’s ("SOV") statewide professional development system, the Center for Achievement in Public Service ("CAPS"), offers several professional development opportunities on trauma, including Implementing Trauma-Informed Care, Child Trauma Academy, and An Introduction to Trauma and Resilience.