July 8, 2020 Remake Learning Days Across America to Return in Spring 2021 Remake Learning Days Across America (RLDAA) will return to 15+ regions across the country from April 22 – May 23, 2021. In Southwestern Pennsylvania and West Virginia, the local Remake Learning Days festival will return from May 6 – 16, 2021. What is Remake Learning Days Across America? Remake Learning Days Across America is an innovative learning festival for families and youth. Hosted in 15+ regions across the United States, RLDAA features hands-on and engaging events designed for kids of all ages at libraries, schools, tech centers, museums, play spaces, and more. RLDAA is presented by Remake Learning with national partnerships with PBS Kids for Parents, Digital Promise, and Common Sense Media, along with many nationwide partners and host organizations. More Information For more information, visit the RLDAA website to view recent updates or read the recap of the inaugural 2019 festival.
July 2, 2020 Online Fire Safety Training Now Available for Child Care Centers Attention child care providers! Does your program need to complete fire safety training? The Pennsylvania Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL) is temporarily accepting an online fire safety training that meets required fire safety regulations! About In their recent announcement, OCDEL stated that child care center providers and staff will be able to temporarily complete their annual fire safety training online during the COVID-19 pandemic. As programs reopen, providers should start arranging for all staff to complete annual fire safety training if their current training certification is about to expire or has expired. While OCDEL maintains that face-to-face training for fire safety is most appropriate, they state that if in-person training is unavailable, they will temporarily accept the following approved fire safety online training offered on the PD Registry: Department of Human Services (DHS) Fire Safety Training Event ID: 315542 | Cost: Free | PQAS Approved | Register via PA PD Registry This training course will be deemed acceptable up until 30 days after the Disaster Proclamation is lifted or such other time as the Department directs. Registration Reach out to your local fire chief for other fire safety specialist first to see if they are offering any face-to-face fire safety trainings that are conducive to social distancing practices. If face-to-face training is unavailable, have staff register for and complete the online Department of Human Services Fire Safety Training. To register, search for “DHS Fire Safety Training” or the Event ID included above on the Pennsylvania PD Registry. More Information For more information, see the Announcement C-20-07, Fire Safety Training for Child Care Centers may be obtained online during the COVID-19 Pandemic.
July 1, 2020 Grants Available for Small Businesses in Pennsylvania The COVID-19 Relief Pennsylvania Statewide Small Business Assistance program will provide grants ranging from $5,000 to $50,000 to small businesses that have been economically impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Eligibility To be eligible for this program, a business must: be physically located, certified to do business, and generate at least 51 percent of their revenues in Pennsylvania; have annual revenue of $1 million or less prior to the impact of COVID-19; have 25 or fewer full-time equivalent employees prior to February 15, 2020; and have been in operation as of February 15, 2020. Eligible businesses may be structured as C-corporations, S-corporations, limited liability corporations, sole proprietors, independent contractors, or self-employed individuals. Visit the Bridgeway Capital website to view what makes an entity ineligible to apply. Application Period The first application window for the COVID-19 Relief Pennsylvania Statewide Small Business Assistance program is now open until 11:59 p.m. on July 14, 2020. This is not a first-come, first-served program. There will be multiple rounds of application windows. The application window will remain open for 10 business days. Additional application windows will be announced soon. Eligible small businesses can begin applying online. Bridgeway Capital is a participating CDFI and will support small businesses in western Pennsylvania to access the grant funds. An application toolkit, including information about eligibility, priorities, and required documents, can be found on their website. More Information For more information, visit the Bridgeway Capital website. For questions and technical support, contact pacdfinetwork@lendistry.com or 866-897-9336.
Keystone STARS 2020 Program Survey The Pennsylvania Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL) invites all certified child care facilities to complete the Keystone STARS 2020 Program Survey. About the Survey This anonymous survey will help OCDEL to better understand how program leadership in Keystone STARS programs have been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Your participation in the survey can inform how OCDEL provides support to the field moving forward. July 10, 2020 is the deadline for submitting surveys. More Information The Pennsylvania Office of Child Development and Early Learning supports families and their children, from prenatal through school age, by using data, research and stakeholder guidance to assure high quality services. You can learn more about OCDEL by visiting their website.
The Homewood Early Learning Hub & Family Center On July 6, 2020, The Homewood Early Learning Hub & Family Center will reopen to the public at 7219 Kelly Street by appointment Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. Merging the Hub with the former operations at the Homewood-Brushton Family Center (579 Rosedale Street) under one roof, this change brings with it exciting new opportunities for serving the community in Homewood. The Homewood Early Learning Hub & Family Center staff will continue to support the needs of families and early learning professionals who care for and educate young children. Hub & Family Center staff may be contacted individually at their phone number or email address, found on the Trying Together website. Reopening Starting July 6, 2020, The Homewood Early Learning Hub & Family Center will reopen its physical office spaces to the public by appointment: M-F | 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. 7219 Kelly St, Pittsburgh, PA 15208 All staff will be required to follow guidance provided by the CDC. Locations and departments may have limited in-office staff as some employees continue to telework. After July 6, appointments are required for individuals interested in accessing services and support at The Homewood Early Learning Hub & Family Center. In-person operations will continue to be dependent on recommendations provided by Governor Wolf and the Pennsylvania Department of Health. About the Homewood Early Learning Hub & Family Center The Homewood Early Learning Hub & Family Center supports the early learning needs of young children, families, and early educators in the Homewood communities. The Hub & Family Center offers: developmentally appropriate activities for children from birth to age nine; individual and group support for parents to set and meet goals for their family; and professional growth opportunities for center-, family-, and home-based early learning programs, and relative-providers. More Information To learn more about the Homewood Early Learning Hub & Family Center, please visit Trying Together’s website.
