May’s Weekly Memos
“Alone we can do so little;
together we can do so much.”
Week of May 5
Last Call to RSVP
GO Staff Appreciation Lunch is Friday May 9, 2025. Please note we have adjusted the time to be from 12:30 pm-2:00 pm to accommodate RSVPs and the LOCATION has Changed to TCEC. We welcome GO Staff and the CFS team members who support them! To support staff participation, Ceres/Modesto Full Day classes will end at 12:30 PM and Oakdale/Patterson classes will end at 12:00 PM. Last Call!! Even if you already accepted the calendar invite, RSVP at this link by Tuesday May 6, 2025 (Reminder to sign into your SCOE Google Account when signing up)
Act Now to Save Head Start (Sharing Information)
The National Head Start Association shared out a flyer with actions that can be taken to save Head Start.
Parents, Grandparents, Caregivers, and Former Students of Head Start sign a letter to the President. To families, they emphasized that parent voices have tremendous impact on the decisions made by congress and the President. They are asking that the information be shared with families.
Head Start Cheerleaders (Staff, Families, & Community Members) email your members of congress. https://www.votervoice.net/mobile/HeadStart/Campaigns/125064/Respond. This can be done every 24 hours. NSHA recommended using your home email and address instead of your work information. Additionally, they shared the importance of engaging the whole community in expressing support for the program.
Not sure who your members of Congress are? Look them up here using your home address. https://www.congress.gov/members/find-your-member NHSA shared that emails are powerful and phone calls and visits are even more impactful.
Head Start Success Videos
We are collecting short videos from Head Start parents speaking about how the program contributed to their success or had a positive impact on their families. We intend to share clips out on social media. Some families may prefer to write a letter, we’ll take those too!! Please upload videos & letters here: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1omJ4A2e-QcEomsLaVrb7MPeNBuku8NhX?usp=sharing or email them to jlemus@stancoe.org
Head Start on the Today Show
Check out this video from the Today show featuring Jennifer Garner and a host who was a Head Start child: https://www.today.com/video/jennifer-garner-lobbies-congress-to-save-head-start-program-238904389964
CFS Inclusion Video
SCOE Communications worked with our team at ML Annear to create a video about our full inclusion classroom. Please watch and let us know what you think! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WcwZ4p351Gs
Monthly Status Reports
Here are the April 2025 Status Reports
Mental Health & Wellness Referrals
Here is a Canva resource regarding the Mental Health & Wellness Referral Process
Computer Issues
Some staff are reporting issues with the new Lenovo laptops. Many issues have been connected to updates that have not taken place. To ensure the best performance of your device, it is recommended you shut devices down nightly and accept any updates that pop up. If shutting down nightly is not practical, be sure to restart your device weekly and accept the updates.
Active Supervision
Ensure you are following the Active Supervision Plan and update if there have been any staffing changes. Supervisors, utilize the risk assessment form to identify any classrooms that may need additional support and reach out to Jewelee/Chris
DRDP 2025
SCOE GO is working with the School Readiness team to implement DRDP 2025 in the new year! We are excited to implement due to the reduction of DRDP Measures (12 for preschool and about 5 for Infant Toddler). We have been advised that children with IFSP/IEP will need a completed DRDP 2015. We are working out the details for this with Learning Genie and the SR Team. We have been contacted to pilot the tool again this year. More information to come on that! DRDP 2025 training will be provided to staff at the 2025 SCOE GO Program Launch.
Here is a great resource for families to help them understand what is the purpose of the DRDP and what is their role throughout the assessment process. DRDP Information for Families Información para familias sobre el DRDP
Creative Curriculum Studies
Exploring Wheels is a great way to tap into kids’ natural curiosity and spark meaningful investigation—and it fits perfectly within the Approaches to Learning domain. As children ask questions, test ideas, and make connections (especially when you expand into vehicles), they are building essential skills such as initiative, problem-solving, and creativity. This article, engineering signs and visuals provide easy ways to support these learning behaviors through playful, hands-on experiences.
CLASS
SCOE GO CLASS scores have been finalized, and we met the Quality Threshold for Emotional Support (6.21) and Instructional Support (3.46) and did not meet the Quality Threshold for Classroom Organization (5.99). We made progress from the previous year Classroom Organization and are very close to achieving the benchmark! We will keep working to reach the Quality Threshold next year in all three domains! Meeting the Overall (all three) Quality Threshold is linked to greater child outcomes: social-emotional, language and cognitive skills and stronger readiness for kindergarten.
The national Quality Threshold is: Emotional Support (6) and Instructional Support (3) and Classroom Organization (6).
Learning Genie
Three Learning Genie procedures are attached below:
You can also find these procedures under the Learning Genie folder in the incident IQ.
Policy Council
Our last in-person meeting was held on April 23rd. A heartfelt thank you to our 24-25 policy council members for their dedication and commitment to our monthly meetings.
Family Development Credential
Our Family Development Credential Cohort is in full swing, with 10 participants from across our programs including El Concilio, FRRC, PVUSD, Salida, SCOE GO, and Turlock. We are now midway through the cohort and making great progress.
Mental Health
May is Mental Health Awareness Month to highlight the importance of mental well-being, reduce stigma, and promote open conversations. Just like physical health, mental health affects how we think, feel, and act. Conditions such as anxiety, depression, and PTSD are common and can impact anyone, including the families and staff we serve. This month is an opportunity to strengthen our understanding and support for those facing mental health challenges.
Here are 5 tips to support the mental health of those we care about.
And Remember- You are not alone, and it’s okay to ask for help. Your support can make all the difference.
Help is available when you need it:
SCOE’s Employee Assistance Program—In the moment counseling support is available by phone 24/7 at 800-295-8323.
Please Live Hotlines: https://www.pleaselive.org/hotlines/
Stanislaus County Warm Line—available by phone 24/7. Call 209-558-4600 Stanislaus Co residents can call when they are having a hard time making it through the day but not in crisis, need a caring listener to provide effective feedback to help explore options, or want support, assistance and resources toward recovery.
Stanislaus Behavioral Health and Recovery Services (STAN BHRS) Access Line: 1-888-376-6246
CA state hotline 833-544-2374 that people — particularly older, isolated Californians — can call for local non-medical services, such as food delivery and mental health care.
988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline—available by phone 24/7. No holds and no busy signals Dial 988
Your health insurance. Call the phone number on your card to access a provider who accepts your insurance. You can access a professional at just the cost of a co-pay
Anthem Total Health, Total You-created to help you take care of your health, work on lifestyle changes and connect with specialized health professionals. Services include 24/7 Nurseline, Behavioral Health Resource, Case Management, Emotional Well-Being Resources & Inclusive Care
Carelon Well being provides support with counseling, work-live support, legal services and financial services
Kaiser-Mental Health and Addiction Care Services
Week of May 12
Act Now to Save Head Start (Sharing Information)
The National Head Start Association shared out a flyer with actions that can be taken to save Head Start.
Parents, Grandparents, Caregivers, and Former Students of Head Start sign a letter to the President. To families, they emphasized that parent voices have tremendous impact on the decisions made by congress and the President. They are asking that the information be shared with families. DUE BY MONDAY MAY 19
Head Start Cheerleaders (Staff, Families, & Community Members) email your members of congress. This can be done every 24 hours. NSHA recommended using your home email and address instead of your work information. Additionally, they shared the importance of engaging the whole community in expressing support for the program.
Not sure who your members of Congress are? Look them up here using your home address. https://www.congress.gov/members/find-your-member NHSA shared that emails are powerful and phone calls and visits are even more impactful.
Head Start Success Videos
We are collecting short videos from Head Start parents speaking about how the program contributed to their success or had a positive impact on their families. We intend to share clips out on social media. Some families may prefer to write a letter, we’ll take those too!! Please upload videos & letters here: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1omJ4A2e-QcEomsLaVrb7MPeNBuku8NhX?usp=sharing or email them to jlemus@stancoe.org
Is it too hot to go outside?
To answer this question, we will be following the guidance of the National Weather Service https://www.wrh.noaa.gov/wrh/heatrisk/. We will be reviewing this website weekly to plan for safe outdoor time. For the week of May 12, we are expected to be in Green on Monday-Tuesday, then in Yellow on Wednesday-Friday. Here is the Heat Risk Guidance for Sites (print and reference weekly). It has been updated to include safe surface temperature information. Also, for more detailed information, here is the full Heat Risk Grid from the National Weather Service (English/Spanish)
The Quality Assurance team has provided Playground Temp Readers for each classroom. Center Supervisors, please send someone by to pick up one per class from my office or take them tomorrow during our Leads meeting. Please take an information card with safe temps. As the temperatures rise, please ensure that all equipment that children have access to is safe to the touch.
Parent Advisory Committee (PAC) Meeting
SCOE GO Parent Advisory Committee (PAC) Meeting this Wednesday, May 21, 2025. Please encourage families to attend the virtual meeting! Remind families as you greet them and point out flyer posted in the classroom. I appreciate your support.
Mileage Reminder
If you submit mileage reimbursements, be sure to cash them ASAP. We recently had a few uncashed reimbursements that had to be reissued, causing staff to re-do work they had already completed and extra expense to SCOE.
SCOE GO Training/Dates
There has been a minor modification to the SCOE GO 25-26 training dates. The RHS Teaching Pyramid Cohort for new staff will meet in August instead of September. If you or your team are not new, but would like to complete the Teaching Pyramid Cohort again, please let Jewelee/Chris know. There will not be an EHS Teaching Pyramid Cohort for new staff in 25-26. Teaching Pyramid TLC dates are unchanged.
Modesto Children’s Museum Event
The Modesto Children’s Museum (MOCHIMU) is hosing a Bike N Trike Event Saturday, May 31st. There is a fee for participation. Please share with families, staff and the community!
Help is available when you need it:
SCOE’s Employee Assistance Program—In the moment counseling support is available by phone 24/7 at 800-295-8323.
Please Live Hotlines: https://www.pleaselive.org/hotlines/
Stanislaus County Warm Line—available by phone 24/7. Call 209-558-4600 Stanislaus Co residents can call when they are having a hard time making it through the day but not in crisis, need a caring listener to provide effective feedback to help explore options, or want support, assistance and resources toward recovery.
Stanislaus Behavioral Health and Recovery Services (STAN BHRS) Access Line: 1-888-376-6246
CA state hotline 833-544-2374 that people — particularly older, isolated Californians — can call for local non-medical services, such as food delivery and mental health care.
988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline—available by phone 24/7. No holds and no busy signals Dial 988
Your health insurance. Call the phone number on your card to access a provider who accepts your insurance. You can access a professional at just the cost of a co-pay
Anthem Total Health, Total You-created to help you take care of your health, work on lifestyle changes and connect with specialized health professionals. Services include 24/7 Nurseline, Behavioral Health Resource, Case Management, Emotional Well-Being Resources & Inclusive Care
Carelon Well being provides support with counseling, work-live support, legal services and financial services
Kaiser-Mental Health and Addiction Care Services
PDF Copy of 5-12-25 Memo
Week of May 19
Parent Advisory Committee (PAC) Meeting
REMINDER: SCOE GO Parent Advisory Committee (PAC) Meeting this Wednesday, May 21, 2025. Please encourage families to attend the virtual meeting! Remind families as you greet them and point out flyer posted in the classroom. I appreciate your support.
Classroom DRDP Summary of Findings
Your 2nd collection DRDP data reports are saved in the SCOE GO Desired Results Google Drive. At this time, please go into the drive and complete your second collection follow up. To do this, review your DRDP data report, saved as (Classroom) Coll #2 School Readiness…and add in your follow up. To support you, here is a sample with the follow up areas highlighted. On your Classroom School Readiness Plan (also called DRDP Summary of Findings):
Write in your follow up-date:
Write in your Lead Planner Name(s):
Scroll down to Follow up and Reflection Section.
Note your children’s second collection data: Ex: 100% of Toddlers scored ““Exploring Later” or higher on the second DRDP Collection
Note the strategies that you implemented including activities and enhancements to the environment that were made (date this)
Happy Birthday Head Start
Head Start turns 60 years old this week! President Lyndon B. Johnson signed the Head Start Act into Lay May 18, 1965. You can visit National Head Start Association’s website at https://birthday.nhsa.org/ to sign Head Start’s Birthday Card and watch a short video “The Voices of Head Start: A Living Archive.” Please email any photos of your Happy Birthday Head Start activities that can be posted on CFS social media to Itzel at iamezcua@stancoe.org
Sharing Information from the National Head Start Association
The National Head Start Association shared a flyer with actions that can be taken to save Head Start. NHSA is asking Head Start parents, former parents and former children to sign a letter to President Trump by Monday May 19th. Additionally, they are encouraging all supporters of Head Start to reach out to their members of congress. Not sure who your members of Congress are? Look them up here using your home address https://www.congress.gov/members/find-your-member NHSA shared that emails are powerful and phone calls and visits are even more impactful.
Head Start Success Videos
We are collecting short videos from Head Start parents speaking about how the program contributed to their success or had a positive impact on their families. We intend to share clips out on social media. Some families may prefer to write a letter, we’ll take those too!! Please email them to jlemus@stancoe.org
Heads Start News
In case you missed it, according to a May 14, 2025 Politico article, Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F Kennedy says he will preserve Head Start funding. Read it here.
Legislative Visits
We will be hosting several legislators or their teams at our sites soon to educate them on our important work. We hope visiting our sites, meeting our children and speaking to staff and parents will solidify their support for our life changing program. More to come!
Adam Gray (US House of Representatives)— Patterson on 5/22/25
Tom McClintock (US House of Representatives)—Modesto 6/12/25
Juan Alanis (California Assemblyman)—Ceres & Turlock 7/22/25
CFS Apprenticeship Program
Let us help you complete your associate’s degree! Take the first step in joining our Apprenticeship Program (flyer) by applying at this link: This supportive program offers the classes you need to complete your associate’s degree including the Practicum Class at your work site! Books, tuition, tutoring & other support are included, and you can even earn a stipend from Workforce Pathways!
Article
Congratulations to Family Advocate, Allyson Zuleta Alonzo who was one of the authors of an article that was recently published in the Journal of Ethnic and Cultural Studies. It is titled Multiracial Exhaustion and Racial Agency Under the Monoracial Imperative: Fighting, Flipping and Capitulation. Congratulations Allyson on your huge accomplishment!
Is it too hot to go outside?
To answer this question, we will be following the guidance of the National Weather Service https://www.wrh.noaa.gov/wrh/heatrisk/. We will be reviewing this website weekly to plan for safe outdoor time. For the week of May 19, we are expected to be in Yellow on all week with the exception of Wednesday, which will be Orange. Here is the Heat Risk Guidance for Sites (print and reference weekly). Also, for more detailed information, here is the full Heat Risk Grid from the National Weather Service (English/Spanish)
Associate Teacher Permit Changes
Effective April, 9, 2025, Associate Teacher permits can be renewed annually by meeting the 105 professional growth hour requirements as the other permits. There is no longer a limit to the number of times an Associate Teacher permit can be renewed and it is no longer required to complete college units and upgrade to the Teacher permit in 10 years. Attached is correspondence from the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing.
Onboarding Coach Opportunity
To support staff recruitment and retention efforts within the Child & Family Services Division, an enhanced onboarding process for new education staff is being implemented. This process will give new employees a solid foundation by providing coaching support during their initial week of employment by a veteran staff member. Approved Onboarding Coaches will receive up to three $1,500 stipends for completing side-by-side coaching of a new educator at the coach's work site.
Available CFS Positions: Preschool Teacher/Full Year Preschool Teacher, Preschool Associate Teacher/Full Year Preschool Associate Teacher, Full Year Itinerant Associate Teacher, Infant Toddler Educator and Home-Based Educator. If you are interested in applying, respond to the form below by May 30, 2025 https://forms.gle/eivVfFBsbdyrMNLa9
Recent MOUs with CSEA
In addition to the Onboarding MOU above, CSEA membership also ratified the Security Camera MOU, Lead Teacher MOU (increasing compensation) and a signing bonus for new staff at Del Puerto.
SCOE GO Check In 5-16-25
Here is the recording of our GO Check in meeting for those who were unable to attend Friday. Passcode: WS%kB^4u
Here is the link to the additional video that was referenced by the CFS Mental Health & Wellness team: How to Deal With Burn Out
Mental Health & Wellness Updates
Here is information about services that are available from the CFS Mental Health & Wellness team in 2025-2026. Please contact them at cfs-mentalhealth@stancoe.org to submit a request.
May is Mental Health Awareness Month—Here is information about our MH/Wellness Team
Mandatory Trainings 2025
The annual mandatory trainings will be available between August 1st and mid September. We are hopeful full day staff can utilize the available time during early closure days 8/8/25, 8/22/25 and 9/5/25 and non-child-days 8/29/25 & 9/12/25.
DRDP 2025 Update
SCOE GO will be implementing the DRDP 2025 in the 25-26 school year. Last year, several educators were able to pilot the tool, so we were able to use the draft tool and provide feedback. There are 12 fewer measures for preschool and 5 fewer for infant/toddler. We will receive training at program launch. Please note that for children with IEP/IFSP the DRDP 2015 will be used this year but Learning Genie will be set up to accommodate this. Also, exciting news: Learning Genie Parent Action plan will let us choose 5 goals in the new year so the process will be simplified!!
DRDP 2025 Pilot
We have been invited to apply to participate in the DRDP 2025 Pilot Study. Please note that all classes will use the new DRDP 2025, regardless of their participation in the study. Participation in this study will allow you to provide feedback on the tool and earn stipends offered by West Ed. To learn more, here is the Study Overview, Stipend Amounts and Study Timeline. Please note that completing the registration form does not guarantee selection into the study. Educators' demographic and site characteristics will be considered when selecting educators to participate in the study in order to achieve a sample that broadly represents the variety of educators and children in CA.
If you would like to participate:
Center Supervisor completes Educator Nomination Webform nominating all interested educators. The webform allows up to 7 educators to be entered; To enter more than 7, please complete the form again. Note: Center Supervisor is the Study Coordinator
Educators will receive a link to enter demographic information
Help is available when you need it:
Access support from CFS Mental Health & Wellness team at cfs-mentalhealth@stancoe.org
SCOE’s Employee Assistance Program—In the moment counseling support is available by phone 24/7 at 800-295-8323.
Please Live Hotlines: https://www.pleaselive.org/hotlines/
Stanislaus County Warm Line—available by phone 24/7. Call 209-558-4600 Stanislaus Co residents can call when they are having a hard time making it through the day but not in crisis, need a caring listener to provide effective feedback to help explore options, or want support, assistance and resources toward recovery.
Stanislaus Behavioral Health and Recovery Services (STAN BHRS) Access Line: 1-888-376-6246
CA state hotline 833-544-2374 that people — particularly older, isolated Californians — can call for local non-medical services, such as food delivery and mental health care.
988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline—available by phone 24/7. No holds and no busy signals Dial 988
Your health insurance. Call the phone number on your card to access a provider who accepts your insurance. You can access a professional at just the cost of a co-pay
Anthem Total Health, Total You-created to help you take care of your health, work on lifestyle changes and connect with specialized health professionals. Services include 24/7 Nurseline, Behavioral Health Resource, Case Management, Emotional Well-Being Resources & Inclusive Care
Carelon Well being provides support with counseling, work-live support, legal services and financial services
Kaiser-Mental Health and Addiction Care Services
PDF Copy of 5-19-25 Memo
Week of May 27
Sharing Information from the National Head Start Association
The National Head Start Association shared a flyer (English/Spanish) with a link to send messages to members of Congress telling them to invest in Head Start. NHSA shared that emails are powerful and phone calls and visits are even more impactful. Not sure who your members of Congress are? Look them up here using your home address https://www.congress.gov/members/find-your-member
Head Start Success Videos
We are looking into scheduling the SCOE Communications Department to create short videos from Head Start parents speaking about how the program contributed to their success or had a positive impact on their families. If you would like to nominate a parent for this video, please send their name and site to jlemus@stancoe.org You can also send any parent-created videos or letters to jlemus@stancoe.org
Is it too hot to go outside?
To answer this question, we will be following the guidance of the National Weather Service https://www.wrh.noaa.gov/wrh/heatrisk/. We will be reviewing this website weekly to plan for safe outdoor time. For the week of May 27, we are expected to be in Yellow Monday-Wednesday, Orange on Thursday and Red on Friday. Next Monday, June 2nd, we will be back to Yellow. Here is the Heat Risk Guidance for Sites (print and reference weekly). Also, for more detailed information, here is the full Heat Risk Grid from the National Weather Service (English/Spanish)
Updates/Clarifications for CDE and CSPP funded programs
Process Updates:
Verification of Employment
Effective May 27, 2025, the check stub will suffice as verification of employment and need. You will no longer required to contact the employer if the family has a set schedule. However, if the family’s employment verification form indicates they have a set schedule and their paystubs do not reflect the set schedule, verification with employer will be required to approve set hours not reflected on paystubs.
Needs Determination
Effective May 27, 2025, need will be determined solely utilizing the families need determination documents and will be valid for the entire family’s eligibility period. For example, if a family is certified for full-time care and then has winter or summer break, we will continue to serve their full-time need and not reduce them to part time care due to their time off.
Information Updates:
For families who have children enrolled in both CDE and CDSS programs, SCOE staff is researching CARE’s capability to produce two certificates for the same family. SCOE is committed to streamlining this process to increase efficiency.
Due to the significant changes in CDE and CDSS staffing and misalignments with the funding sources requirements, we will no longer accept verbal guidance from either CDE or CDSS staff and will only change our policies, procedures, and practices when it is issued to us in writing.
With that said, we are aware of misalignments that are causing confusion with CDE, CDSS and Head Start Programs (for blended programs), therefore, I have scheduled a meeting with Ristyn Wooley, Director CA Head Start Collaboration Office, California Department of Social Services, Child Care and Development Division to share our concerns and elevate the importance of communication within the various funding sources. I will provide you more information as it is received. Below are two major misalignment topics that are going to be discussed:
Abandonment of Care
24-Month Eligibility
SCOE will submit a waiver to CDE which would allow military housing allowance to be non-countable income. This would apply for CSPP programs only, more to come.
As we transition to an earnings year, we will be reviewing “excused absence reasons” to ensure that we are addressing the current realities, and that “excused absences” are not restrictive.
Hybrid CPR/First Aid Course
Sign up today for the Hybrid CPR/First Aid Class with testing on June 13th. As a reminder, CRSIG, our insurance provider sponsors these trainings, however we have to pay when staff sign up for the training and do not attend. For this reason, if you register, you are expected to complete your scheduled testing.
Help is available when you need it:
Access support from CFS Mental Health & Wellness team at cfs-mentalhealth@stancoe.org
SCOE’s Employee Assistance Program—In the moment counseling support is available by phone 24/7 at 800-295-8323.
Please Live Hotlines: https://www.pleaselive.org/hotlines/
Stanislaus County Warm Line—available by phone 24/7. Call 209-558-4600 Stanislaus Co residents can call when they are having a hard time making it through the day but not in crisis, need a caring listener to provide effective feedback to help explore options, or want support, assistance and resources toward recovery.
Stanislaus Behavioral Health and Recovery Services (STAN BHRS) Access Line: 1-888-376-6246
CA state hotline 833-544-2374 that people — particularly older, isolated Californians — can call for local non-medical services, such as food delivery and mental health care.
988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline—available by phone 24/7. No holds and no busy signals Dial 988
Your health insurance. Call the phone number on your card to access a provider who accepts your insurance. You can access a professional at just the cost of a co-pay
Anthem Total Health, Total You-created to help you take care of your health, work on lifestyle changes and connect with specialized health professionals. Services include 24/7 Nurseline, Behavioral Health Resource, Case Management, Emotional Well-Being Resources & Inclusive Care
Carelon Well being provides support with counseling, work-live support, legal services and financial services
Kaiser-Mental Health and Addiction Care Services
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