May 7, 2018 Tell Legislators: Child Care Matters Child care matters because child care works! High-quality child care programs positively impact the cognitive, social, and physical development of infants, toddlers, and young children throughout their first five years of life. Access to child care programs also allows families to achieve better employment opportunities, participate in training or education, earn higher incomes, and grow more financially independent. It’s time to ask legislators to support the Governor’s proposed $27 million funding increase for child care. This investment can improve the quality of life for families across the state of Pennsylvania and secure brighter futures for our children across the state. Contact your legislators today!
Kindergarten Transition White Paper Highlights Regional Efforts The move from pre-kindergarten to Kindergarten marks a critical point in the lives of young children and their families. In the 2017 – 2018 school year, Allegheny County reported early registration at 84% and on-time registration at 97% for Kindergarten students. This success is due largely in part to the local Hi5! Campaign funded by the United Way of Southwestern Pennsylvania and chaired by Trying Together and the Allegheny Intermediate Unit #3. To highlight the successful regional and national efforts of child care centers, Head Start and pre-k teachers, and school districts to support young children and families in this momentous occasion, Trying Together has released a white paper entitled, Kindergarten Transition. The paper provides researched recommendations and activities including: requiring local transition teams; providing guidance on how to leverage funds; encouraging data sharing; including parents and guardians in the transition process; ensuring high-quality, developmentally appropriate Kindergarten; strengthening relationships and collaboration between early childhood programs and elementary schools; and rethinking the responsibility of school readiness. “Research and evaluation nationally shows that children who experienced effective transition practices retain the developmental gains made in early childhood through the early elementary grades,” said Cara Ciminillo, Trying Together Executive Director. “Through the reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESSA), Pennsylvania school districts will now have more flexibility to use federal dollars to support their Kindergarten transition efforts.”
May 4, 2018 Pennsylvania Opioid Use and The Impact on Children Addiction to opioids has a great affect on the health and wellbeing of children and families. The American Academy of Pediatrics has prioritized the needs of children impacted by the opioid crisis as a key part of its advocacy efforts. As child welfare programs become involved, the Academy supports family-centered approaches like The Family Check-Up facilitated by the Homewood-Brushton Family Support Center. To learn more about the local impact the opioid epidemic is having on Pennsylvania residents, read this fact sheet.
May 1, 2018 National Children’s Mental Health Awareness Day PA’s Promise for Children has released a one-page tip sheet and infographic as a part of National Children’s Mental Health Awareness Day on May 10th. Learn more about how infant mental health is impacted by brain architecture, body & health, and behavior and relationships. Pennsylvania CHIP offers care for children by providing benefits to cover behavioral health care. Visit www.chipcoverspakids.com for more information on the mental health services covered by PA CHIP, and how to apply.
Early Learning Tip Sheets for Families, Caregivers, and Early Learning Professionals Download a variety of tip sheets centered around early learning, milestones, and SEL. As a resource from the U.S. Department of Education and Too Small Too Fail, the goal of these sheets is to promote and foster healthy development in young children. Families, caregivers, and early learning professionals now have access to a variety of tools to provide children with a multitude of rich experiences, and encourage success in the earliest of learners. Available now in English and Spanish.
Celebrate the 2018 Remake Learning Days Join Remake Learning for their 2018 Remake Learning Days, from May 17 – 25. Experience the future of learning through relevant and engaging experiences in neighborhoods across southwest Pennsylvania and West Virginia. Start with the Remake Learning Days Kick-Off Breakfast, and spend the week exploring a variety of family-friendly events and more, to cultivate and curate imagination and creativity in young learners. Learn more about Remake Learning Days, and how you can attend or host an event.
