April 24, 2024 How to Get to Ultimate Play Day on May 18 Playful Pittsburgh will host its annual Ultimate Play Day on Saturday, May 18 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. at the Activities Shelter in Riverview Park. There are three bus routes that can drop participants off close to the event. Learn More Ultimate Play Day is a celebration of playfulness for people of all ages. The event – co-hosted by Playful Pittsburgh, Trying Together, and Citiparks as part of Remake Learning Days – celebrates the importance of play. A number of city organizations will take part in the event – including the Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy, Carnegie Science Center, Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh, Fred Rogers Institute, Pittsburgh Cultural Trust, and many more. A complete list can be found on Ultimate Play Day’s event page. Directions Participants driving to the event and taking 279 N should avoid Milroy Street. Instead of making the first left, continue on to East Street and take Baytree Street to the park. Three bus routes will drop participants close to the event. Riders can take Bus 8 from the Northside to Riverview Park. They can pick up this bus at Cedar, East North Avenue, or Federal Street. The closest stops to the park are Perrysville and Watson or Perrysville and Cherryfield. Riders can take Bus 12 from the Northside. The closest stop to the park is East Street and Venture Street, which is about a mile walk to the event. Riders can also take Bus 15 from Downtown. More Information If you have questions, contact Adam James Zahren, Program Director for Playful Pittsburgh, at adam@tryingtogether.org. To plan a route to Ultimate Play Day, visit Pittsburgh Regional Transit’s True Time System’s website.
Study with Questionnaire Explores Field of Play A new study is exploring the current state of the field of play, specifically in games and related areas. Areas covered by the exploratory, qualitative study include mixed reality, themed entertainment, and tech. The study, led by Carnegie Mellon University’s Drew Davidson, also includes a questionnaire in which anyone can participate. Learn More The study’s aim is to define and reflect on the field of play. ETC Press will publish the results. The concept of play is broad and diverse, so the study is less a focus on a specific discipline and more an exploration of the extensive ideas around play. The questionnaire asks participants where they are located, what type of work they do, and what they believe is going on in the field of play. All responses are anonymous, and only a few of the questionnaire’s 16 questions are required. It should take between 20 to 25 minutes. More Details The study incorporates assistance from such groups as the Pittsburgh Remake Learning Initiative, Pittsburgh Technology Council, and the Connected Learning Alliance. Participating organizations will form a committee to provide local focus on regions to help ensure an inclusive process that offers perspectives from the diverse groups engaged in the field. The study includes questionnaires, in-depth interviews, and community participation. It aims to find patterns, commonalities, and differences across various regions amongst the education, industry, professional, foundation, and government groups involved in the field of play. The goal will be to collaboratively produce a white paper with the help of the committee. The final report’s aim is to document the global state of play. It will also serve as a reference for current practices and problems. Those who are interested in participating can take the questionnaire or contact the study team for more information.
April 23, 2024 Pittsburgh CLO Offering Suburbs Trolley, Family Pass This Summer The Pittsburgh Civic Light Opera (CLO) is offering new services – including trolley service in the suburbs, a family pass, and child care during shows – for families this summer. To entice families to attend the shows, the CLO is offering several new services and discounts this summer. Transportation Guests can now board the PCLO Show Shuttle at specific locations in the city’s suburbs. To ride the trolley, PCLO show tickets must be purchased in advance. Guests can then add a trolley ticket for $10 directly through Molly’s Trolleys Pittsburgh. The shuttle will only be offered on select show dates and times during the summer. View the schedule. Family Pass For every adult ticket purchased, up to four child tickets can be added for $10 each with a family pass. The passes can be purchased in all price zones for any show date and time of show offered. The family pass will be available for “West Side Story,” “The Music Man” and “Seussical” for children, ages three to 18. For “The Color Purple,” children should be at least 13 years old due to the show’s content. Child Care Available for Families PCLO Show Care will enable parents to entrust their children – ages three (fully potty trained) to 12 – to the care of CLO Academy of Musical Theatre Faculty while they take in a show. Limited spaces are available, so show care registration should be completed in advance when purchasing tickets. Show Care will be offered at the Saturday matinee performances of “West Side Story,” “The Color Purple,” and “The Music Man.” More Information Summer shows include “Lady Day” (May 17-June 30), “West Side Story” (June 11-16), “The Color Purple” (June 25-30), “The Music Man” (July 9-14), “Young Frankenstein” (July 19-Sept. 1), and “Seussical” (July 30-Aug. 4). Learn more on the Pittsburgh CLO website.
Greater Pittsburgh Festival of Books Offers Author Talks, Activities for Youths This year’s Greater Pittsburgh Festival of Books will include a schedule full of author talks, panel discussions, poetry readings, book signings, and workshops as well as food trucks and exhibitors. Learn More The third annual festival will be held May 11 at the Pittsburgh Theological Seminary in East Liberty. More than 70 writers spanning such genres as romance and thrillers to horror, cozy mysteries, and nonfiction will attend. Among this year’s featured writers are Ross Gay, author of four books of poetry, including “Be Holding,” winner of the PEN American Literary Jean Stein Award, and Sebastian Junger, bestselling author of “Tribe” and “The Perfect Storm” and co-director of Oscar-nominated documentary “Restrepo.” Other featured authors include Eloisa James, bestselling author of more than 30 historical romance novels, and Benjamin Herold, author of “Disillusioned,” which explores American public schools. Pittsburgh Stories Part of this year’s programming will focus on stories revolving around Pittsburgh. Herold’s book focuses on a Black family’s experience in his childhood neighborhood, which was once predominantly white. Additionally, a lineup of Pittsburgh-themed panels will uncover little-known parts of the city’s history, discuss social justice in Pittsburgh, and dig into the city’s true crime stories. Screenwriter and University of Pittsburgh lecturer Carl Kulander will moderate a panel of Pittsburgh memoirists. Activities for Youths For young children and their caregivers, the festival will feature interactive storytime with popular children’s authors. Erin Danielle Russell will discuss “Seoul Food,” which takes readers on the journey of a young biracial girl who celebrates her Korean and Black cultures through cuisine. Attendees will be able to visit a tent dedicated to Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh’s 2024 Best Books for Babies, a nationally recognized section updated annually by local librarians and child development experts. Older youths can attend panels on a variety of topics. Pittsburgh young adult authors and married writing team Rachael Lippincott and Alyson Derrick will discuss “From Pittsburgh With Love.” Young readers can pre-register for the annual summer reading program, Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh’s 2024 Read-a-Palooza Book Bowl, which runs from June 16 to Aug. 11. The program challenges young readers to log at least five books during that time period. The festival will also feature workshops and activities for children and teens. Attendees can make their own zine with author-illustrator Sharee Miller (“Don’t Touch My Hair!”) and create digital comics with Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh’s Makerspace. Guests can also create friendship bracelets. The city’s website has a complete listing of all activities, workshops, and participating authors. More Details The festival runs from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, May 11 at 616 North Highland Avenue. Free parking will be available on the campus of the Pittsburgh Theological Seminary and across the street at the Obama Academy. Those interested in volunteering can sign up on the festival’s website. Although not required, registration is encouraged for select author sessions and panels as space might be limited.
April 22, 2024 Rapid Survey Project Fact Sheet Examines Postpartum Parents’ Well-Being The RAPID Survey Project, based at the Stanford Center on Early Childhood, has released a new fact sheet examining how postpartum parents’ emotional well-being and physical health affect their caregiving abilities. Learn More The experience of having a new baby in the home is an exciting time for most families, but caring for a newborn can also be stressful, the fact sheet says. As parents navigate having to care for themselves and new family members, stress can affect their overall health and well-being. This can lead to anxiety and stress and, in turn, drive increases in children’s levels of distress. According to the fact sheet, data showed that many parents are having positive experiences bonding with and caring for their new babies. A vast majority of them said they were interested in and enjoyed interacting with their child. However, data also indicated that there’s more that can be done to ensure postpartum parents are connected to resources and support. Three common feelings among new parents were being tired, disorganized, and isolated, according to the fact sheet. While most of those interviewed believed they were managing stress and maintaining a healthy diet, many were not getting exercise and a majority said they were not getting enough sleep. As a result, half of postpartum parents interviewed said their emotional well-being and physical health affected their caregiving abilities. To compile the fact sheet, researchers sought to get a better sense of the experiences of those parenting new babies by surveying them within the first two months after their child was born. For more information on the RAPID Survey Project’s findings and how it conducted the study, view the fact sheet.
Affordable Child Care Access Tops List in County Exec’s Survey Increasing access to affordable child care and care for older adults to make it easier for workers and people participating in workforce training programs topped a survey from the Allegheny County Executive’s office. All in Allegheny recently invited county residents to share their ideas, priorities, and needs with County Executive Sara Innamorato’s office through a survey. Survey Results According to the survey results, affordable child or family care options was the top priority for 50.8% of all respondents. Supporting reduced-fare public transit (34.9%) edged out incentivizing the creation of good-paying jobs (34.8%) for second place. Protecting worker’s rights came in fourth place (28.3%). Expanding guaranteed income programs ranked fifth (23.3%) among respondents. The survey was conducted between November and April and received a total of 16,973 responses. It was translated into nine languages. Categories in the survey included Economic and Community Development and Education, Workforce, and Youth Development as well as Health and Human Services; Housing for All; Infrastructure; Open and Accessible Government; Safety and Justice; Sustainability; and Vibrant Democracy. About All in Allegheny All in Allegheny is a large and inclusive community engagement process that aims to understand what people from every part of Allegheny want from county government and build an action plan for county government to deliver on community needs. Innamorato named nearly 200 leaders to nine policy committees that will inform her administration’s governing agenda. Trying Together Executive Director Cara Ciminillo is co-chair of the Robust Education, Workforce Development, and Youth Investments Committee.
April 17, 2024 OCDEL Announces 2024 Equity in Early Childhood Education Champion Award Recipients The Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL) has announced the recipients of the 2024 Equity in Early Childhood Education (ECE) Champion Award. Several local child care providers were among this year’s recipients. About the Equity in ECE Champion Award The Equity in Early Childhood Education Champion Award recognizes the equity work of Pennsylvania early childhood education (ECE) programs and professionals, and highlights the impact of that work on staff, children, and families within early childhood education settings. The award recipients’ work aligns with the state Department of Education’s Equity and Inclusion Toolkit and the position statement of the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC). Local Award Recipients Award recipients for 2024 in the region included: Gold Level Carnegie Science Center, Pittsburgh Pre-K Kids Learning Center, New Castle Silver Level AIU/Steel Valley Family Center, Homestead Brightside Academy, Allegheny Avenue, Pittsburgh Jack Safer, President & CEO, Brightside Academy, Pittsburgh Bronze Level Dr. Shawna Starling, Vice President of Intervention and Development Services, Brightside Academy, Pittsburgh Shady Lane School, Pittsburgh Learn More The Equity in Early Childhood Education Award brings awareness to and highlights the equity work taking place within the state’s early childhood education and afterschool settings by child care, evidence-based home visiting, and early intervention professionals and organizations that support the National Association for the Education of Young Children. An appreciation event will be held at the State Capitol Rotunda, located at 501 N. 3rd St. in Harrisburg, at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, April 24. The event is open to the public.
April 16, 2024 Early Learning PA Coalition Advocates for 2024-25 State Budget Priorities The principal partners of Early Learning Pennsylvania (ELPA) are calling on state policymakers to support investments in evidence-based, high-quality early care, education, and health services. ELPA is focused on supporting young Pennsylvanians from birth to age five. Trying Together is a partner of the statewide coalition of advocates. The coalition is urging state policymakers to make investments in child care, pre-k, and early intervention. Learn More From birth to age five, children’s brains make millions of neural connections every second, forming brain architecture for life. At no other time in a human’s life will the brain develop at this speed or with such intricacy. This period is the foundation upon which all later learning, behavior, and health depend. Pittsburgh-based early childhood nonprofit Trying Together and their ELPA partners are calling for state policymakers to maximize the potential of these first five years through investments in early care and education programs in the 2024-2025 budget. Budget Requests The budget priorities from ELPA for the 2024-25 final state budget include: Supporting the Shapiro administration’s proposal to increase subsidy rates to the 75th percentile of the current price families pay for child care services. This will help alleviate rising facility, food, utility, and supply costs for providers participating in Child Care Works. Investing $284 million in new and recurring state funding to implement a child care teacher recruitment and retention initiative. This will help alleviate an ongoing staffing crisis that is causing classrooms and entire programs to close and leave working families without access to child care. The funding would provide monthly payments to providers maintaining a subsidy agreement with the state. It would be restricted for initiatives that would help retain and recruit staff such as monthly wage increases, hiring bonuses, benefit packages, or retention bonuses for staff staying for a certain length of time or achieving credentials or degrees. Supporting a proposed investment of $30 million in Pre-K Counts to increase the per-child rate to help address workforce challenges and inflationary pressures. For the Head Start Supplemental Assistance Program, a proposed $2.7 million investment to the per-child rate should be examined so that it has parity to the Pre-K Counts rate increase. To achieve this, the needed investment should be $8.8 million in the Head Start Supplemental Assistance line. Supporting, at minimum, the administration’s proposed $16.6 million increase that will serve an additional 3,000 children and their families. This is a first step in a broader solution that includes a long-needed rate adjustment for early intervention providers and that would serve additional children. Additional support would help to address such issues as workforce shortages and achieving equitable enrollment as well as moving to the coaching model and addressing the growing needs of families across the state. Trying Together and other partners of ELPA will continue to advocate for these investments as the budget process continues through June 20. Stay up-to-date on how to advocate for these issues by signing-up to get public policy updates from Trying Together.
ELRC Region 5 Offering Free Developmental Screenings in April ELRC Region 5 is offering a series of developmental screenings at no cost to families in April. Ages & Stages Developmental Screenings ELRC Region 5 will conduct screenings using the Ages & Stages Questionnaire (ASQ). Families with children ages two months to five years are invited to participate. Screenings will be offered on these dates: Thursday, April 25 | 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. Hosanna House 807 Wallace Avenue Pittsburgh, PA 15221 Tuesday, April 30 | 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. 304 Wood Street, Suite 400 Pittsburgh, PA 15222 More Details The screening can take 40 minutes to an hour, and results are immediately provided. If necessary, staff can offer referrals for full evaluations and developmental resources. Families can call 412-350-3577 or email elrc5@alleghenycounty.us to request an appointment or more information.
Make a Month of the Young Child Donation April is the Month of the Young Child, which emphasizes the importance of early child care and celebrates organizations that provide vital services. Trying Together supports the work of early childhood by facilitating inclusive learning opportunities for early educators. By providing numerous pathways for early learning professionals to grow in their careers, Trying Together helps to ensure that every child has access to high-quality early care and education that prepares them for their future. Empower Early Childhood Development You can help empower early child care professionals by making a donation for the Month of the Young Child. Gifts of any amount will help and are appreciated. However, these suggested amounts would directly impact quality improvements for regional early learning programs: $50 helps to cover the average cost for one early educator to attend a Trying Together professional learning course. $500 covers the cost for an early educator to complete necessary job requirements as well as receive support from Trying Together through the Child Care 101: New Hire Orientation Professional Development Series. $2,500 provides an early educator the opportunity to grow in their career by obtaining a Child Development Associate (CDA) Certificate or School-Age Professional Credential offered by Trying Together. If you’re interested in supporting the Month of the Young Child campaign or learning more about how to work with Trying Together, contact Kerry May at 412-206-1053 or email kerry@tryingtogether.org.
