Early Learning Alliance Network

😍😍😍

I don’t know what parent/guardian needs to hear this, but in 4th grade I took ~The Test~ to see if I could join the accelerated classes (aka “the smart kid classes”).

I failed.

One of the questions I missed -> I didn’t know the difference between a microscope and a telescope.

I remember crying in that test room because I felt so nervous and embarrassed.

I never did test into the smart kid classes. I had a teacher even suggest I wouldn’t be a good fit for Honors Science in high school.

Anyway, I ended up earning a Masters of Science in Aeronautics and Astronautics from MIT.

No single test defines your child. I kept trying and I kept pushing because I had parents who believed in me. They weren’t scientists or engineers themselves but they believed I could do whatever I set my mind to.

Love your child - make them know that YOU believe they are smart and capable (even when a silly test suggests otherwise). Everything else will fall into place. ❤️

This is such a great way to support our schools! Huge shout out to the Lt. Governor for taking the time to write a letter of congratulations to the local school district receiving funding to support their efforts! 😍

In 2021 there was one mental health provider per 620 people registered in Hamilton County, Indiana. When we talk with the increasing number of parents who are seeking mental health supports for their child the number one thing they say: Wait times for an appointment are so far out they feel helpless to support their child.

As we share their stories with policy makers we are reminded of the progress that still needs to be made.

Huge congratulations to one of our local school districts for securing a 5 million dollar investment in mental health. While we have a four year window for the state to increase funding these funds will keep progress and access available.

https://www.wthr.com/amp/article/news/education/hse-schools-gets-57-million-grant-to-increase-mental-health-services-counselors-psychologists-social-workers/531-04334067-2306-4c3c-a34d-99697ed539d4

School psychologists work mainly with students, but also collaborate with teachers, parents and school counselors. School psychologists often work closely with special education teachers to develop individualized education plans and monitor student progress. They may also facilitate discussions between parents and educators to ensure the child’s needs are understood and met. ✌🏼

The new grant being awarded to one of our local school districts may help to support the addition of school psychologists to better position our community in the recommended ratio of supports.

Did you know that the new grant being received by one of our local school districts will provide funds to support school psychologists?

We have seen a continual increase in special education services and with that comes more evaluations. Evaluations that are completed by trained school psychologists.

We cannot serve our most vulnerable without the human capacity to do so.

Be the leader. Be the example. Be the reason that your community does better.

Did you know that Indiana ranks 32nd in the country in terms of access to care for mental health?

The new 2022 report by the State Behavioral Health Commission has some recommendations… read the full report at

https://www.in.gov/fssa/dmha/files/INBHC-Report.pdf

Did you know that our home state of Indiana ranks 42nd in the country for prevalence of mental illness?

One in five residents in Indiana live day-to-day with an untreated mental illness. We are excited to see commitments from nonprofits like The Shift Initiative, our schools, and our local systems of care to create opportunities for education, access to intervention, and supports.

a huge thank you to everyone in our network who spoke up and called or wrote their senators and representatives - something good happened for kids because you used your voices!

https://www.startearly.org/post/start-early-celebrates-early-childhood-in-the-117th-congresss-omnibus-bill/