USF Bay Area Early Steps Program

📣 HOT DOCS Trainings – For Professionals & Caregivers 📣
HOT DOCS is offering two separate training opportunities to support families in Hillsborough County:

👩‍💼 For Professionals:
✅ Virtual DOCS Professional Training (3 hours)
Learn practical strategies to support caregivers of children birth–5 and K–5.

👨‍👩‍👧 For Caregivers:
✅ DOCS Parent Training (6‑week series)
Hands‑on support for caregivers of children birth–5 and K–5, with virtual, in‑person, and Spanish options available.

📅 Multiple dates and times available
🔗 Visit hotdocs.health.usf.edu or see flyers for details and registration.

The day you teach it is not the day they master it.

The day you stay calm is not the day the meltdowns disappear.

But every single one of those moments is a seed. 🌱
And seeds grow.

This applies to Teaching a new skill AND Staying consistent with a routine AND Responding differently than you did before.

Plant the seed. 🌱
Water it daily.

Trust the process.

We see your work. Keep going.

#̭parentingtips

This month, Bay Area Early Steps had the honor of participating in an early intervention roundtable discussion in Polk County on early screening and intervention, alongside other key stakeholders and facilitated by The Children’s Movement of Florida. Thank you for having us!

📣Bay Area Early Steps families who have been receiving services for at least three months on or before November 1, 2025, as well as families who are transitioning or exiting the program—please be on the lookout for our family survey in your email 📨 over the next few weeks.

Each year, we ask families to complete a short survey to help us understand how well we are supporting you and how we can continue improving our services.

✨Thank you for taking the time to complete the survey and for being part of Early Steps! ✨

It was sunny and 75 at the Healthy Family Fair at Water Works Park, and we had such a great time! Thank you, , for inviting us to this wonderful event. And thank you to everyone who stopped by our table to learn more about our services—and to those who shared their personal Early Steps success stories. We are truly grateful for our community!

We are looking for an Intake/Insurance Specialist to join Bay Area Early Steps at USF Health Pediatric Department!

The University of South Florida Bay Area Early Steps Program holds the Children's Medical Services Early Steps contract for the Bay Area, which covers Hillsborough and Polk Counties.

🌐Apply today at: jobs.usf.edu
🔍 Search Job #42554, Intake Specialist/Insurance Specialist- Early Steps
⭐️Join our team!

Please share with your network!

✨ Bay Area Early Steps Retreat 2026 ✨

This past Friday, our team stepped away from the day‑to‑day to pause, recharge, and reconnect — and what an incredible day it was!
Our first retreat was designed to spark creativity, strengthen teamwork, and reinforce the strong foundation we continue to build together at Bay Area Early Steps. Throughout the day we explored Trauma Informed Care, Mindfulness, and the importance of self‑care.

And yes… we even made some new friends — cows! 🐮💛

A huge thank you to:
💡 Our amazing trainers, Jamie and Tejal from Effinity Training for guiding us with so much insight and compassion.
🏫 Early Learning Coalition of Hillsborough County for opening their space to us for the day.
💙 Our champions who organized, coordinated, and set everything up seamlessly.
🔥 Campfired Cafe for a delicious lunch.

It was a meaningful, refreshing, connection‑filled day — and we can’t wait to carry this inspiration forward into the work we do every day! 💫

Cold weather shelters for today and tomorrow in Hillsborough County!

❗Cold weather shelters will be open Monday night, Jan. 26 and Tuesday night, Jan. 27❗
We are expecting temperatures to dip below 40 degrees and the cold weather shelters program will be activated to help the homeless and those who live in homes without adequate heat who are unable to find other accommodations.
⌚ All shelters will take in guests from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m. on Monday and Tuesday, Jan. 26 and 27, unless they reach capacity prior to that time.
For more details on shelters and motel vouchers for families, please visit ↪️ https://bit.ly/4qJRcP5

❗ Los refugios para clima frío estarán abiertos la noche del lunes 26 de enero y la noche del martes 27 de enero ❗
Se espera que las temperaturas bajen por debajo de los 40 grados y se activará el programa de refugios para clima frío para ayudar a las personas sin hogar y a quienes viven en viviendas sin calefacción adecuada y no pueden encontrar otro tipo de alojamiento.

⌚ Todos los refugios recibirán a los huéspedes de 6:00 p.m. a 8:00 p.m. el lunes y martes, 26 y 27 de enero, a menos que alcancen su capacidad antes de ese horario.

Para más detalles sobre los refugios y los vales de motel para familias, por favor visite ↪️ https://bit.ly/4qJRcP5

📢 Free Training for Providers!

Learn about Developmental Screening Using the ASQ-3 and effective communication strategies with parents and caregivers.

📅 Date: Tuesday, January 27, 2026
🕘 Time: 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
📍 Location: Children’s Board of Hillsborough County
✅ No charge for providers in Hillsborough County!
👉 Register here: https://forms.gle/M5BqnggKA1HCoFek9

Hillsborough County! FREE developmental screening happening at Layla's House this Friday! More information is below-

Join us on Friday, January 16, 2026, for no-cost developmental screenings with a trained child development specialist! Families who participate will enjoy free pizza 🍕and a book 📚 to spark early literacy magic.

This event is brought to you in partnership with Help Me Grow Hillsborough, as we work together to help children thrive.

Don’t miss out - call our office or click the link in our bio to book your spot today! 😊

🌟 Happening This Month in Lakeland!
Looking for family-friendly activities, community support, and creative opportunities? Check out these events happening right here in our community:

📚 Books, Balls & Blocks – Free Developmental Screening Event
✨ By appointment only
🗓 Wednesday, January 21 | 10 AM–1 PM
📍 Carol Jenkins Barnett United Way Children’s Resource Center
A perfect opportunity for parents of children ages 1 month to 8 years to connect with coordinators, receive personalized support, and learn more about developmental milestones.

❤️ Day of Caring at Florida Children’s Museum
🗓 January 10 | 10 AM–3 PM
📍 600 Bonnet Springs Blvd
Celebrate Dr. King’s legacy with a free, kid-focused day including:
✔ Free museum admission
✔ Live performances
✔ Community resource vendors & giveaways
✔ Hands-on activities and more!

🎨 Able Arts – Free Visual Arts Workshop
Designed for school-age children with disabilities
🗓 First 2026 Session: January 16 | 3:30–5 PM
📍 Florida Children’s Museum
Registration required (and opens 3 weeks before each workshop).

More holiday fun with our Service Coordinators! 🎄🎁