March’s Weekly Memos
“Alone we can do so little;
together we can do so much.”
Week of March 2
Art of Sculpture Reminder
All sculptures need to be completed and wrapped up, ready for pick up Wednesday March 4th at end of day. Freddie from Maintenance will be collecting classroom sculptures between Thursday, March 5, 2026, and Monday, March 9, 2026, between 8am & 3pm each day (excluding Saturday and Sunday). He is planning to start at the Merced sites first. Please understand this is tentative plan based on other jobs he has scheduled so this can change.
If there are loose parts on the sculpture, please ensure these pieces are secured down so that they do not fall loose. Please use the bubble wrap that was sent to wrap the sculpture. Please also tape an 8x11 piece of paper to the outside of the bubble wrap with the agency name, site, and classroom number so it is easy identifiable once at the museum.
Some classrooms have not submitted a classroom picture, Vignette/Description, and title of Sculpture. A list was sent to supervisors this afternoon. Please be sure to provide what is needed by the noon deadline on March 3rd.
Please contact Leah Welch-Jackson with any questions.
SCOE GO 2026-2027 Calendars
Attached, please find the final draft of our SCOE GO Calendars for 2026-2027. Thank you to the Program Quality Team for your thoughtful consideration as we developed these calendars. Non Child Days have been scheduled to align with DRDP Collections and planned Professional Development Days. If you have any feedback on the draft calendars, please give it to your PQT representative to bring to our March 20th meeting. If your site does not have a current PQT representative, please email your feedback to Jewelee
Notes About Slow Start:
The calendars reflect a limit of 2 weeks for slow start during start up. This is a change, as Extended Day previously had three weeks of slow start for all children.
Full Day has 7 days planned for slow start (all early closure days)
Extended Day has 2 weeks planned for slow start.
During the first week, children attend in two groups for 2 hours a time. Based on the composition of the classroom, teachers can elect for all children to attend together on an early closure schedule.
During the second week, children attend on an early closure schedule.
If a specific child would benefit from attending a third week of slow start, the teachers must consult with their Center Supervisor and family for approval.
For children who start school later in the year, their first week will be slow start (early closure schedule). In the event a family cannot accommodate a slow start schedule, children will not participate.
If you have any feedback on the proposed changes to the slow start schedule, please give it to your PQT representative to bring to our March 20th meeting. If your site does not have a current PQT representative, please email your feedback to Jewelee
SCOE GO Center Based Educator iPads
Eddie will begin deploying the newly purchased iPads to educators next week. He will submit an IIQ ticket to each Center Supervisor confirming the scheduled deployment date for their sites. Center Supervisors should plan to be onsite during the deployment to receive the iPads. Center Supervisors will distribute the iPads to staff.
Center Supervisors are responsible for collecting all existing iPads from teaching staff at least two (2) days prior to the scheduled deployment date to ensure a smooth and timely transition. He can take any old chargers as well.
Early Literacy Parent Cafe
Please share this flyer (English/Spanish) with families for the March 30th Parent Cafe at South Modesto Wellness Center
School Readiness System Changes for 2026-2027
We are pleased to share important updates regarding next year’s DRDP guidance for centers.
Beginning next year, all children—including those with IEPs and IFSPs—will be assessed using the DRDP 2025.
For Preschool classrooms (CSPP/Head Start), the first DRDP 2025 assessment will be completed within 90 days of enrollment, consistent with flexibility permitted by the California Department of Education (CDE) for CSPP. The second assessment will occur five months later.
The California Department of Social Services (CDSS), which oversees the California General Child Care Program (CCTR), currently requires that the first DRDP assessment be completed within 60 days. We are submitting a formal request to allow Infant/Toddler programs (CCTR/Early Head Start) to align with the 90-day timeline used in CSPP/Head Start. We will provide an update as soon as a determination is made.
Additionally, a midpoint parent-teacher conference will no longer be required. Educators are still required to complete a minimum of two home visits per program year.
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.
CalHOPE: Call or text the CalHOPE Warm Line: (833) 317-HOPE (4673) The CalHOPE warm line connects callers to people who have persevered through struggles with stress, anxiety, depression—emotions triggered by circumstances and events in everyday life. The peer counselors listen with compassion, provide non-judgmental support, and guide you to additional resources that can give hope and help you cope.
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 Wellbeing provides support with counseling, work-live support, legal services and financial services
Kaiser-Mental Health and Addiction Care Services
Week of March 9
Art of Sculpture Reminder
It’s here! The Art of Sculpture Gala is this week! Tickets were provided for all children enrolled in HS/CSPP and their grown-up, plus the three classroom teachers. All other staff should have signed up to attend using link that was provided. If you have any last-minute questions, please email Leah at lwelch-jackson@stancoe.org We’ll see you there!
Active Supervision
Ensure your team is following the Active Supervision Plan and update if there have been any staffing changes. Please utilize the risk assessment form to identify any classrooms/FCCH’s that may need additional support. Please notify Chris or Jewelee
March IEEEP Newsletter
Here is the March Family/Educator Newsletter. Please share with staff and families. It has some great information about helping children calm down/
ERSEA Updates
ERSEA Updates have been uploaded into the Google Drive. In the folder you will find the presentation and link to the webinar shared with you during the training, the flyer to register for the March 18th training and the flyer to register for the Enrollment and eligibility event in April. Remember to check the resource folder frequently as it is updated regularly.
The ERSEA Policy has been updated to reflect changes to guidance regarding families experiencing homelessness. Once approved, the updated version will be posted to Incident IQ (Knowledge Base).
The following forms have been updated/developed and posted to Incident IQ (Knowledge Base):
Child Information Sheet – (This matches SCOE GO’s version)
Housing Questionnaire - New form (replacing Self-Certification of Current Residency)
The ERSEA Monitoring Tool Guidance (Agency and File) have been updated to include clarification regarding Enrollment Dates as well as new guidance on families experiencing homelessness.
For pregnant women having multiple births, an added step to the application process will be to contact QAT through Incident IQ in order to adjust the family size on the Child Snapshot.
COPA Procedure will be updated and posted within the next two weeks.
Early Childhood STEM Week
March 23–27, 2026 is a weeklong celebration by Region 9 Head Start Association and Head Start WEST that highlights how STEM naturally grows from children’s curiosity, play, and everyday experiences. Building on years of early childhood STEM leadership, the week features daily themes—from STEM Is All Around You to STEM in the Future—engaging children, families, and educators in joyful, meaningful learning. How you can participate:
Visit https://www.headstartwest.org/early-childhood-stem-week/overview/
Nominate STEM Heroes! Nomination
STEM Pledge forms-Pledge to do STEM ACTIVITIES for the week!
Fatherhood Connect
Please encourage father figures in our programs to participate in the Fatherhood Connect Events. These events are designed to be fun for fathers and father figures! The next event is March 19th
Classroom Risk Assessment
The Classroom Risk Assessment Form and Procedure has been updated and will be posted to Incident IQ once approved. This form will replace the Monitoring Tool in COPA and will become a Staff Assessment. Guidance and training will be provided.
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.
CalHOPE: Call or text the CalHOPE Warm Line: (833) 317-HOPE (4673) The CalHOPE warm line connects callers to people who have persevered through struggles with stress, anxiety, depression—emotions triggered by circumstances and events in everyday life. The peer counselors listen with compassion, provide non-judgmental support, and guide you to additional resources that can give hope and help you cope.
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 Wellbeing provides support with counseling, work-live support, legal services and financial services
Kaiser-Mental Health and Addiction Care Services
Week of March 16
Status Reports
Here are the SCOE GO Status Reports for February 28, 2026
Supply Orders Reminders
As a reminder, the deadline to submit purchase requisitions in Incident IQ is April 30, 2026. To ensure that this deadline is met, carts should be sent to Jennifer Sandoval, our buyer, by April 10, 2026. Be sure to maximize your site supply budgets by this deadline. Please note that items purchased with state funds must be received by June 30, 2026 and items purchased with Head Start funds must be received by July 30, 2026.
Sites may need items beyond what can be purchased using their supply budgets. Some examples of needs include replacing furniture that is old and/or in poor condition, replacing books and sensory items. If your sites have such needs, please have our buyer, Jennifer create a quote and submit the request by placing the quote in this folder no later than April 15, 2026. Requested items must be reasonable and allowable expenses.
Program Complaints
Our agency has recently been asked to respond to complaints that were elevated directly to the Office of Head Start. Due to the limited information we receive, it is challenging to respond fully to these complaints. When complaints follow our complaint process, we are better equipped to help.
We ask that when complaints are necessary, that the Program Complaint Process printed in our Parent Handbooks is followed.
Unannounced Federal Review
Many California programs have received unannounced federal reviews in recent months. While an unannounced review presents quite a challenge, rest assured that we are always review-ready. We are expecting a scheduled review this year and have contingency plans in place should unexpected reviewers arrive.
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.
CalHOPE: Call or text the CalHOPE Warm Line: (833) 317-HOPE (4673) The CalHOPE warm line connects callers to people who have persevered through struggles with stress, anxiety, depression—emotions triggered by circumstances and events in everyday life. The peer counselors listen with compassion, provide non-judgmental support, and guide you to additional resources that can give hope and help you cope.
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 Wellbeing provides support with counseling, work-live support, legal services and financial services
Kaiser-Mental Health and Addiction Care Services
Week of March 23
Week of the Young Child
April 13-18 we are celebrating the Week of the Young Child. There are fun activities planned for every day of the week. Please share the flyer with families (English/Spanish). Encourage your families to sign up for some of the fun and free activities:
Musical Monday—make and take musical instruments
Tasty Tuesday—sample healthy snacks, games and food resources
Work Together Wednesday—imagination builders
Artsy Thursday—art in the park
Family Fun Friday—event for the whole family
Children’s Festival at MJC on Saturday
Spring Professional Growth Event
Sign up for the Spring ProGro Event taking place between April 20, 2026 and May 1, 2026. Schedule your virtual appointment today!
Universal Designs for Learning Resource
Save this document. The California UDP & Early Childhood Educator Crosswalk is a collection of resources designed to help early childhood educators explore how the Universal Design for Learning (UDL) guidelines connect to early childhood practices. Centered on the UDL principles of engagement, representation, and action & expression, it brings together examples, strategies, and supporting materials to help you design more inclusive learning environments and foster learner agency in early childhood settings. The information is presented in three formats to match your learning style: reading an article, watching a video or listening to a podcast.
Introducing Subs to Parents
Please be sure to introduce any new substitute staff to families during drop off. This will help families to feel more comfortable knowing who is caring for their young children.
Employee Comp Time Sheet
Please use the IK12 Link when submitting Comp Time Sheets for staff
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.
CalHOPE: Call or text the CalHOPE Warm Line: (833) 317-HOPE (4673) The CalHOPE warm line connects callers to people who have persevered through struggles with stress, anxiety, depression—emotions triggered by circumstances and events in everyday life. The peer counselors listen with compassion, provide non-judgmental support, and guide you to additional resources that can give hope and help you cope.
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 Wellbeing provides support with counseling, work-live support, legal services and financial services
Kaiser-Mental Health and Addiction Care Services
WEEK OF MARCH 30
IEEEP End of Year Celebration
Please join us the evening of May 13 for the IEEEP End of Year Celebration. Registration information is on the flyer.
Mid-Day Sign In and Out
Beginning April 1st, please use the attached Mid-Day Sign In and Out sheet to document children who are guesting/mainstreaming and transitioning.
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.
CalHOPE: Call or text the CalHOPE Warm Line: (833) 317-HOPE (4673) The CalHOPE warm line connects callers to people who have persevered through struggles with stress, anxiety, depression—emotions triggered by circumstances and events in everyday life. The peer counselors listen with compassion, provide non-judgmental support, and guide you to additional resources that can give hope and help you cope.
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 Wellbeing provides support with counseling, work-live support, legal services and financial services
Kaiser-Mental Health and Addiction Care Services