May 7, 2019 Email Congress in Support of the FAMILY Act This week, the House Ways and Means Committee will hold a hearing on paid family and medical leave, with testimony from expert witnesses, including advocates, a business owner, a state official, and researchers. But without your expertise, they will miss the voice of crucial stakeholders – babies! What You Can Do In advance of the hearing, babies need you to contact your Members of Congress and urge them to support comprehensive paid leave for working families – the Family and Medical Insurance Leave (FAMILY) Act. The Family Act is: Inclusive: Provided to all working people, no matter where they live or the nature of their job; Comprehensive: Offers extensive coverage of personal family caregiving and medical needs; Meaningful: Gives a meaningful duration of leave to allow people sufficient time to meet their care and health needs – at least 12 weeks – and a wage replacement rate and benefit level that makes taking leave financially possible for everyone; Sustainable: Funded in a way that is affordable for workers, employers, and the government without harming other essential programs; and Secure: Protects workers from retaliation or adverse employment consequences for requesting or taking leave. With public demand for comprehensive national paid leave stronger than ever before, now is the time to urge your Members of Congress to cosponsor the FAMILY Act. Take Action Email your Members of Congress now in support of our nation’s babies and families! *Information provided by Zero to Three
May 3, 2019 Call for Nominations: 2019 PACCA Awards PACCA is accepting nominations for the 2019 Educator of the Year and the Award of Excellence. The awards recognize contributions made by PACCA members to the early care and education profession. Members and non-members may make nominations. About the Awards The Educator of the Year Award The Educator of the Year Award honors outstanding service and accomplishments in the delivery of services to children. It is given to an individual at a PACCA member agency who has contributed significantly to the direct care and education of young children. We are seeking nominations for both center-based and family child care educators. It is suggested that the person has been a teacher for at least three years. The Award of Excellence The Award of Excellence honors outstanding service and accomplishments in the field of administration. The award is presented to a member of PACCA who has demonstrated qualities of vision (ability to see possibilities for making things happen and communicating this vision to others), teamwork (ability to work with and support others) and leadership (willingness to reach out to benefit the child care community). It is suggested that the person has been a director, executive director, administrator, or owner for three years. Eligibility In order to receive an award, nominees must meet specific eligibility guidelines that vary by award. To see these guidelines, visit PACCA’s website. Benefits In addition to receiving the award, awardees will receive the following benefits: Complimentary registration and hotel accommodations for the Early Childhood Education Summit, October 21-23, 2019 in State College Honored during the official awards presentation at the 2019 Early Childhood Education Summit Recognition in PACCA’s newsletter, website, and Facebook page How to Nominate To nominate a colleague, complete the nomination form and include a written description of why this person deserves the award. PACCA encourages testimonials from children, fellow staff, colleagues, and parents to illustrate your nominee’s exceptional work. Nomination Deadline: June 30, 2019 More Information For more information on the awards, nominating, and eligibility, visit PACCA’s website. *Information provided by PACCA
May 1, 2019 Carnegie Library’s 2019 List of Best Books for Babies For the twentieth time since 2000, a group of local librarians and child development experts has sorted through the previous year’s publications to select and promote the 10 Best Books for Babies. About Best Books for Babies The Best Books for Babies project is intended to encourage reading beginning at birth and recognize publishers who create excellent books for the very youngest listeners. The books selected, from sturdy board books to fun lift-the-flap titles to charming picture book portraits of young families, will delight and engage babies age birth through 18 months and the adults who care for them. See the List Families and caregivers can view the full list by visiting the Library’s PDF. Where to Find Them Pick up one or more of these books at a Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh branch near you. In addition to spending some cozy time together, you’ll be preparing baby’s brain to learn and grow. *Information provided by the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh
