Visit the PORTAL at www.sparknh.org/portal to view upcoming events, workshops and webinars, and job postings available throughout the state!  

The Migration Policy Institute released research regarding the effects of discrimination in young children. The report shares the types of personal and structural discrimination that young children of immigrants may face in the school setting. Several recommendations are made including focused training for teachers and building relationships between schools and immigrant communities. 

A report from the Organisation for Economic Co-Operation and Development found that the United States ranks 32 out of 39 countries in early childhood enrollment rates at age 3. The U.S. is also at the back of the pack on early childhood spending. The consequences of the lack of enrollment and funding are discussed.  

A new report from James Heckman analyzes the benefits of early childhood education. The report centers on using standardized tests to evaluate programs. In the essay, Heckman argues against this rising trend. Heckman explains that when you focus on just scores, dozens of other achievements and future outcomes are being overlooked. 

Recent data released from the American Community Survey shows that child poverty rates have decreased across all racial-ethnic groups. Despite this drop, race based gaps are still present in child poverty rates. The fact sheets include national data with additional fact sheets that paint a clearer picture of child poverty in New Hampshire. Policy recommendations are given. 

In her blog post, Jennifer Keys Adair shares her argument against labeling, especially in the early childhood setting. Adair shares her experiences as an early childhood professor. She explains that she has seen an increase of labeling children and that those labels are having a negative effect on those children and families. Adair introduces an argument against the "word gap" language label; explaining why the label is dangerous.

The Center for American Progress examines zero-tolerance discipline policies in the school setting and discusses the effects these policies have on children. The piece argues that suspensions and expulsions are used too often and contribute to the preschool-to-prison pipeline. Recommendations are made, including providing more resources to help teachers address behaviors in the classroom.  

John Kania and Mark Kramer published a follow up to their 2011 piece, "Collective Impact". Their new article focuses on implementing equity into collective impact work. Kania and Kramer lasting change cannot be made if equity is not infused within the five conditions of collective impact. Recommendations on how to do this such work are made. 

The American Academy of Pediatrics recognize that the role of the clinician has changed. In this article, the AAP provide recommendations, policies, and practices to put into place to ensure that they are addressing health disparities. These recommendations were developed to help clinicians ensure equity in their medical practices. 

The U.S. Departments of Education and Health and Human Services released a joint policy statement regarding inclusion of children with disabilities in high quality early childhood programs. The report highlights the need for each child to have equal access high quality early childhood programs. 

The Parent Portal from ZERO TO THREE provides resources to parents and caregivers. Resources are provided in the following areas: Ages and Stages, Social-Emotional Development, School Readiness and Early Learning, Play, Challenging Behavior, Sleep, and Positive Parenting Approaches. 

While participating in a learning collaborative to delve into the topic of return on investment (ROI), Michigan discovered that their Maternal Infant Health Program provides a significant return on investment. The fact sheet provides their analysis, numbers, and description of services provided. 

The newest chapter from the BUILD Initiative e-book centers on data. States that have coordinated data systems are highlighted. The chapter specifically outlines how states have coordinated data systems to increase access to high quality learning and advance data collecting. 

The Center on the Developing Child at Harvard University designed a game that explains resiliency. The game shows players that by making certain choices, we can help children and communities become more resilient when facing serious challenges. 

The Early Learning Language and Literacy Series is a 14-part module launched by the Preschool Development Grant Technical Assistance Program. The module is designed for professionals who support the language and literacy development of young children birth - five. The two learning objectives for the modules are "to provide teachers with background information/research on early language and literacy" and "to provide evidence-based strategies to support the language and literacy development of young children". 

The National Center of Excellence for Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health Consultation, launched by HHS in October 2015, pairs mental health professionals with people who work with children and their families. This model builds capacity for early childhood teachers and parents. This intervention has been proven to increase children's social skills, reduce challenging behaviors, increase family-classroom collaboration, and much more. 

HomeVEE, Home Visiting Evidence of Effectiveness, released the results of their 2015 review. Four models have been added and and one model has been updated to the list of home visiting models that meet the evidence based early childhood home visiting service delivery model as defined by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Healthy Beginnings and Health Access Nurturing Development Services (HANDS) are two new models that meet the criteria. The executive summary provides more information about the 2015 Review.  

Models and ideas that have been evaluated in communities and programs across the United States have been posted on the "Learn the Signs. Act Early" webpage. These models and ideas were created and carried out to extend the reach of the Learn the Signs. Act Early program. Learn the Signs. Act Early is a program to help caregivers learn about early childhood development and the early warning signs of autism and other developmental disabilities. 

In early October, Assistant Secretary for Special Education Michael Yudin brought together national experts for an online discussion about the use of suspension and expulsion in the early childhood setting. The panel discussed efforts that are underway to end the use of those disciplinary actions in the early childhood setting.

As part of their Best Practices in Homeless Education Brief Series, The National Center for Homeless Education released a brief outlining how the McKinney-Vento Act and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act can coordinate to best serve homeless children wtih disabilities. The brief provides homeless education liaisons and special education program administrators with strategies on how to best work together to design a coordinated system to serve homeless children and youth with disabilities. Short case study scenarios are included to demonstrate how to but these strategies to use. 

A brief out of the National Center for Homeless Education provides information for parents of families facing homelessness. The piece defines homelessness, explains laws that help homeless children and youth with disabilities, and provides numerous frequently asked questions regarding education of homeless children and youth with disabilities. 

The National Center for Homeless Education published a brief that shares the requirements of both the McKinney-Vento Act and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. The brief is intended to help educators and administrators understand both laws in order to create a system that allows for improved educational access and success for homeless students with disabilities.  

It is known that child poverty rates increased during the Great Depression, but new data out of the U.S. Census Bureau shows that those rates have only slightly decreased in the five years since the recession. The Child Trends research found that more than 1 in 5 children live in poverty. Their research methods, statistical graphs, and the effects of poverty are provided. 

Child Trends' What Works/LINKS (Lifecourse Interventions to Nurture Kids Successfully) Database has a library of over 700 program interventions that have at least one randomized, intent-to-treat evaluation. The database can be searched by keyword or by selecting specific criteria options. The database has interventions for children, youth, and adolescents, birth through college. 

The National Research Center on Hispanic Children & Families released a brief stating that early childhood education has a positive impact on Latino children with low-incomes. The research found that Latino children with low-incomes who attended publicly funded pre-kindergarten programs entered kindergarten ready to learn and that success carried through third grade. It is important to note that this research did not include the population of children who participated in Head Start or family childcare.  

Nurturing healthy social and emotional development in children is crucial for their school, work, and relationship success. Child Trends has several research projects and publications that highlight the importance of social and emotional development. The featured publications provide research and resources for practitioners. 

In an August 2015 report, Child Trends examines "mean" behavior in the early childhood setting. Seven hypotheses regarding the roots of bullying behavior are shared and research backing the theories are provided. Evidence-based early childhood interventions that can prevent and address bullying behavior are outlined. 

A new report re-imagines TANF and explores the benefits it could have if the program was reformed. CLASP outlines concrete steps to make this reform a reality. Positive reform and changes could be made to TANF to make the program a strong two-generational approach for families with a low-income.  

The FrameWorks Institute has compiled a series of reports and videos that seek to understand the challenges of building public sector support for the creation of programs that prevent child maltreatment. Research topics include early childhood education, the roots of addiction, and early childhood mental health, among others. Videos include metaphor visualizations for resilience, "Redirecting the River", and "Calibrating the Reward Dial". The multi-media report pulls testimony from experts and the public regarding their views of child maltreatment. 

The Economic Policy Institute found that high quality childcare is out of reach for most working families. Their research shows that in some areas, child care costs rival the cost of in-state tuition of public universities. The report highlights key findings, breaks down the cost of living in each state, and compares the cost of childcare among states. 

Child Care Aware of America's yearly report analyzing child care in all fifty states has been released. An introduction, the full report for each state, and a social media toolkit are available. The reports use CCR&R state data and federal data in order to asses the following characteristics in each state: "family characteristics related to the need for childcare, use of childcare, supply of childcare, cost of childcare, childcare workforce, and the services provided by CCR&R".