Early Childhood Help and Outreach- ECHO

08/16/2026

08/12/2026

Visual routines are essential for going back to school after summer break. Here at ECHO, we could spend hours discussing the importance of visual routines, brain research, and child development. 🤪

But, to save you the soapbox, here is what you need to know:

1. Visuals build predictability, patterns and safety within the brain.

2. Visuals help build executive function skills such as time management, working memory, task initiation and self-regulation.

3. Breaking down tasks into steps with visual reminders builds confidence, empowerment and independence.

Visuals are your parenting super power, and we are here to make it easier! Click on the attachment for a FREE Before-School, After-School and Bedtime Routine for your home.

Here's to an amazing school year! 🏨🖍️🎉

Link to Download:

08/05/2026

View Conscious Discipline 101 virtual Professional Development! Earn 6 hours Training Certificate

CD 101 – Session 1 Recording ⬇
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zeja-QzjmGM

CD 101 - Session 2 Recording ⬇
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ivtIt7FvAwU

CD 101- Session 3 Recording ⬇
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2w3BzaWgf6Q

Submit 5 takeaways from each 2 hour session to receive a Training Certificate for the 6 hours using this form. ⬇
https://forms.gle/ng6TM4JW2joQAENC6

Subscribe to RTG's YouTube Channel where all 3 CD 101 Recordings will live until November 1st. ⬇
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCxY06hX_C82nvPNsee3oDQ

07/07/2026

Your experience doesn't expire.

Today marks the start of our CDA Renewal Amnesty program. If your CDA® expired anytime after January 1, 2016, you now have until April 26, 2027, to renew it.

Renewing is much simpler than starting from scratch. The work you already put in still counts. This is just the Council making it easier to renew your credential.

https://bit.ly/3SLzw9E

06/18/2026

What if the most powerful behavior change starts with us?

Many discipline approaches focus on teaching children new skills, but lasting change begins when adults learn and practice those same skills themselves.

Join our FREE virtual summer webinar series, Handling Upset: The Adult-First Mindset Shift, and discover how your own self-regulation can positively impact the children in your life.

✨ Learn why traditional discipline strategies often fall short
✨ Explore how adult self-regulation influences child behavior
✨ Gain practical tools you can use at home, in the classroom, and beyond

📅 Mondays & Wednesdays | July 6-29
🕗 8:00 PM - 9:30 PM (90 minutes)
💻 Hosted virtually via Microsoft Teams
📚 8 total sessions
🎟️ Registration closes July 1

Whether you're a parent, caregiver, educator, or professional who supports children, this series offers valuable insights that can transform the way you approach challenging behaviors. Learn more 🔗https://bit.ly/4evPI6c

06/02/2026

The Child Care Licensing Bureau has updated the sample emergency plans! These plans can be used as a guide for child care providers as they create emergency plans specific to their facility. https://www.michigan.gov/mileap/-/media/Project/Websites/mileap/Documents/Early-Childhood-Education/CCLB/ADA/Forms/Sample-Emergency-Plans-and-Procedures.pdf?rev=9624568e326c4696ae224922bc00ded6&hash=235BCAD409B3C0D297A310322416905A

06/01/2026

⚠️The Technical Assistance and Consultation Manual for the new child care family and group home licensing rules is now available!
https://www.michigan.gov/mileap/-/media/Project/Websites/mileap/Documents/Early-Childhood-Education/CCLB/Licensing-Rules-and-Statutes/Home-Rules/Child-Care-Licensing-Family-and-Group-Home-TA-Manual-05-21-26.pdf?rev=423f2d40f4784efda28795b84a3ed83e&hash=1CA0F62F1BF6FFDDCE26ED944399E0CB

05/25/2026

Michigan Provider Action Webinar: Capitol Insights

Michigan childcare providers deserve clear information about the proposed shift from enrollment-based CDC reimbursements to attendance-based reimbursements, what conversations are happening in Lansing, and what may be ahead for our industry.

Join CPAOM and MainStreet Legislative Consulting for an important provider advocacy webinar featuring on-the-ground legislative insight from Jared Rodriguez of MainStreet Legislative Consulting Services.

We’ll discuss:
• What is currently being proposed
• What we are hearing from lawmakers and leadership
• Potential impacts for providers
• What advocacy efforts are underway
• How providers can help make their voices heard

📅 June 2
🕡 6:30 PM
💻 Virtual Webinar

Understanding the proposal.
Elevating provider voices.
Preparing for what comes next.

Registration: https://www.cpaom.org/event-details/provider-action-webinar-capitol-insights

05/08/2026

To all the childcare providers, early childhood educators, center directors and everyone else in between,

We see you. We see all the work that goes on behind the scenes. The late nights, and early mornings. The lesson planning, the meal prepping, the documentation. We appreciate your effort and your impact that stretches far beyond the walls of your childcare space.

Happy Provider Appreciation Day! 💙💜