December 16, 2020 Safe and Healthy Homes Program in Allegheny County Would you like to receive a free visual inspection of your home to check for potential health or safety hazards? Apply for the Allegheny County Health Department’s Safe and Healthy Homes Program! About The Allegheny County Health Department’s Safe and Healthy Homes (SHHP) Program provides free in-home health and safety assessments to qualified participants in Allegheny County, as well as Beaver, Washington, and Westmoreland counties. The purpose of this program is to reduce hospitalizations, injuries, illnesses, or deaths from preventable home health or safety hazards. The program will include a free visual inspection for potential dangers in the home such as asthma triggers, allergens, mold, moisture, inadequate ventilation, lead-based paint, pest infestations, fall hazards, and child safety hazards. The program will also offer educational materials, information on follow-up medical care if threats to health are identified, and referrals to community organizations that can offer further assistance. Eligibility To qualify, households must: include at least one pregnant woman or a child/dependent under the age of 22, meet applicable income limits, and live in Allegheny, Beaver, Washington, or Westmoreland counties. Application To apply, complete the online application. Individuals may also apply by calling 412.350.4048. More Information For more information, visit the Allegheny County Health Department website. A Healthy Homes Maintenance Checklist is also available. Share this brochure with your network. Information provided by the Allegheny County Health Department.
December 15, 2020 Hotspots Available in Allegheny County Do you know a student or teacher who needs internet access? The Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh is offering a hotspot lending program for remote learners in Allegheny County! About After providing general information to determine eligibility, adult learners, teachers, and the parents, guardians, or caregivers of PreK-12 students will be able to pick up a hotspot at a Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh branch location. Participants will be able to borrow the hotspot through June 2021. More Information For more information, call the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh at 412.622.3114 or use the chat function offered on their website. Share this flyer with your network.
Virtual Conference: Early Literacy, Libraries, and You Are you interested in learning how to raise lifelong readers? Join the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh from February 15 – 25, 2021 for their virtual conference, “Early Literacy, Libraries, and You.” About Educators and caregivers play a critical role in developing children’s reading readiness. In order to be ready to read when they enter school, young children need rich early literacy activities and interactions. Through this virtual conference, the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh will discuss activities, resources, and research that will enable participants to raise lifelong readers through expanded early literacy practices. Formal and informal educators and caregivers are invited to attend. Attendees are welcome to register for one or more sessions. For individuals seeking continuing education hours, the number of hours received will correspond with the number of sessions attended. All sessions will be hosted on Zoom. Event links being sent out via email. Featured Sessions Every Child Ready to Read Monday, February 15 | 9:30 – 11:30 a.m. Transformation Big & Small: The Pittsburgh Ready Story Monday, February 15 | 1 p.m. – 3 p.m. Using Digital Media Resources with Early Learners Wednesday, February 17 | 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. Library 101 Wednesday, February 24 | 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. Race, Reading, and Young Children Thursday, February 25 | 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. More Information This Virtual Conference is presented in partnership between Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh and Trying Together as part of the Pittsburgh Ready project, with support from PNC Grow Up Great. To learn more, visit the Carnegie Libary of Pittsburgh website.
December 11, 2020 New Mitigation Efforts To Take Effect 12/12 On December 10, Governor Tom Wolf and Secretary of Health Dr. Rachel Levine introduced temporary protective mitigation measures that will take effect in Pennsylvania on December 12 at 12:01 a.m. About Temporary mitigation measures will take effect on December 12, 2020, at 12:01 a.m., and remain in effect until 8 a.m. on January 4, 2021. These mitigation efforts were put into place to: stop the devastating spread of COVID-19 in the Commonwealth, keep Pennsylvania hospitals and health care workers from being overwhelmed, and help Pennsylvanians get through the holiday season – and closer to a widely available vaccine – as safely as possible. These efforts do not apply to educational instruction but do apply to school activities within and outside of the classroom that are not related to educational instruction, including, but not limited to, assemblies, school board meetings, staff meetings, and extracurricular activities. View the Frequently Asked Questions page for more information on school operations. Limited-Time Mitigation Measures Capacity Limits for Businesses All in-person businesses serving the public may only operate at up to 50 percent of the maximum capacity stated on the applicable certificate of occupancy, except as limited by existing orders to a smaller capacity limit. Indoor Gatherings and Events Indoor gatherings and events of more than 10 persons are prohibited. Groups of people who share space within a building in the ordinary course of operations, such as in an office building, classroom, licensed child care, and non-licensed school-age programs, production floor, or similar regularly occurring operation of a business or organization, are NOT classified as events or gatherings. Churches, synagogues, temples, mosques, and other places of congregate worship are specifically excluded from the limitations set forth on indoor gatherings during religious services. However, these institutions are strongly encouraged to find alternative methods for worship, as in-person gatherings pose a significant risk to participants at this time. Outdoor Gatherings and Events Outdoor gatherings and events of more than 50 persons are prohibited. In-Person Extracurricular School Activities Voluntary activities sponsored or approved by a school entity’s governing body or administration are suspended, but these extracurricular activities may be held virtually. This includes, but is not limited to, attendance at or participation in activities such as musical ensembles, school plays, student council, clubs, and school dances. K-12 School Sports and Youth Sports All sports at K-12 public schools, nonpublic schools, private schools and clubs, travel, recreational, intermural, and intramural sports are paused. In-Person Dining and Alcohol Sales All in-person indoor dining at businesses in the retail food services industry, including, but not limited to, bars, restaurants, breweries, wineries, distilleries, social clubs, and private catered events are prohibited. Outdoor dining, take-out food service, and take-out alcohol sales are permitted and may continue, subject to any limitations or restrictions imposed by Pennsylvania law, or this or any other Order issued by the Secretary of Health or by the Governor. More Information To view the full list of mitigation efforts, read the full press release. Answers to frequently asked questions are also available.
December 10, 2020 ECE Job Openings: 12/10 – 12/16 Are you looking to start or transition your career in the early childhood field? You’re in luck! Early learning programs in Pennsylvania are currently looking to fill positions. To view this week’s featured job descriptions, see the list below. Featured Jobs Early Childhood Educator Kinder Academy is seeking experienced, motivated early childhood teachers for their growing centers in Robinson Township. Their centers are newly remodeled and participate in Keystone Stars and CACFP programs. Teachers must have a love for nurturing and educating young children. As a leader, you are a role model for all to follow and create a collaborative and caring learning environment. Kinder Academy is currently seeking applicants for Infant, Toddler, and Preschool classrooms. To apply, complete the online application or email careers@kinderacademypgh.com. Assistant Teacher Carlow University’s Early Learning Center is looking to fill an Assistant Teacher position. The Assistant Teacher will plan and implement daily programming for infants and toddlers using DAP theory, maintain daily communication with parents, and complete child observations and assessments. To apply, complete the online application. Pre-K Counts Certified Teacher Hosanna House Inc. is a NAEYC Accredited, PDE Private School Licensed, STAR 4 school looking for a passionate and enthusiastic teacher to join their team! Hosanna House Inc. school programs empower children to discover their interest through play, along with a curriculum that will ensure children are school ready and excited about learning. Teachers will be responsible for daily in-person educational instruction following the creative curriculum. To apply, email your resume to Denise Bell at deniseb@hosannahouse.org. Submit a Job Description Each week, Trying Together publishes a news post that features employer-submitted job positions from early learning programs across Pennsylvania. Trying Together shares these posts online through our website, social media channels, and newsletter. To make it into next week’s post, please submit the Child Care Provider Job Post Submission Form no later than Tuesday, December 15. This form is intended for positions in the early childhood field. Job descriptions not related to the early childhood field will not be included. All job descriptions submitted after December 15 will be published in the next week’s news post. Please note that news post publication dates may vary due to state and federal holidays. For questions, contact Lainey Yockey at lainey@tryingtogether.org. Search Additional Jobs Are you interested in starting or shifting your career in early childhood care and education? Visit the ECE Hire website or sign up for their weekly newsletter for current job listings and helpful tips on interviewing, resumes, and more. To stay up to date on our featured positions and more, follow us on Facebook and subscribe to our newsletter.
December 9, 2020 Updated Quarantine Recommendations in Pennsylvania On December 4, the Pennsylvania Department of Health updated their quarantine recommendations for individuals who have been exposed to COVID-19. These recommendations have been updated in accordance with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s updated guidelines that include options to reduce the quarantine period. These recommendations are subject to change. Important Note This guidance does not apply to healthcare or congregate settings. Patients and residents in healthcare settings who have been exposed to COVID-19 should be treated as per healthcare guidance outlined in PA-HAN-526 or its successor. Staff working in a healthcare setting who are exposed to COVID-19 should follow guidance outlined in PA-HAN-510 or its successor. See page three of this document for more information. About Quarantine is used to separate someone who might have been exposed to COVID-19 away from others. While individuals in quarantine may or may not develop illness, quarantine helps prevent the spread of disease that can occur before a person knows they have the virus. Any quarantine shorter than 14 days balances reduced burden to the individual under quarantine against a small possibility of increasing the spread of the virus. While a shortened quarantine period may increase the public’s willingness to adhere to public health recommendations, the overall reduction in transmission and increased compliance will require evaluation; not only in terms of compliance with quarantine and contact tracing activities, but also for any potential negative impacts such as post-quarantine transmission. The most protective recommended quarantine period remains at 14 days post exposure. How Does Quarantine Work? Quarantine begins one day after a person has been last exposed to someone with COVID-19 who is infectious. For individuals with COVID-19 who are unable to isolate themselves from their household members, the household members’ quarantine period begins when the case is no longer infectious. For information on infectious periods, please refer to PA-HAN-518. Quarantine Length In accordance with recommendations and research from the CDC, the Pennsylvania Department of Health recommends the following quarantine periods: Option 1: Complete a full 14-day quarantine period which would begin the day after you last came into contact with someone diagnosed with COVID-19 who is infectious. This option is the most protective and poses the lowest risk for post-quarantine transmission of the virus. Other options should only be considered if this option causes an undue burden. Option 2: Individuals can end their quarantine period after Day 10 without testing if no symptoms have been reported during daily monitoring. However, individuals should continue to monitor their symptoms until Day 14. Option 3: Individuals can end their quarantine period after Day 7 if they complete a COVID-19 test on Day 5 (or later), receive a negative test result within 48 hours before the time of planned quarantine discontinuation, and exhibit no symptoms during the quarantine period. Quarantine cannot be ended earlier than Day 8. COVID-19 tests completed before Day 5 of quarantine will not be sufficient to allow quarantine to end early. Testing for the purpose of earlier discontinuation of quarantine should only be considered if it will have no impact on community diagnostic testing. Testing of symptomatic individuals seeking evaluation for infection must be prioritized. Additional Criteria Individuals can discontinue their quarantine periods in accordance with any of the options above only if the following criteria are also met: no clinical evidence of COVID-19 has been elicited by daily symptom monitoring during the entirety of quarantine up tot he time at which quarantine is discontinued; daily symptom monitoring continues through quarantine Day 14; and, individuals are counseled regarding the need to adhere strictly through Day 14 after exposure to all recommended non-pharmaceutical interventions (masking, physical distancing, etc.). If any symptoms develop, individuals should immediately self-isolate and contact the Department of Health at 1.877.724.3258, their local health department, or their healthcare provider to report this change in clinical status. More Information For more information, read the full Health Alert document. For questions, call your local health department or 1.877.724.3258. This information has been provided by the Pennsylvania Department of Health.
COVID-19: Resources for Parents and Caregivers If you are a parent, caregiver, or family member living in Pennsylvania, it’s important to remain calm, prepare, and take precautionary measures to maintain the health and wellbeing of yourself, your family, and the community. Continue reading below for a brief overview of COVID-19 and a list of family and caregiver resources. PA 2.1.1 Southwest If you require assistance and would like to access an extensive list of family and caregiver resources, please call 2.1.1 or text your zip code to 898.211 to receive text alerts. For more information or to receive support, visit the 2.1.1 website. PA 2.1.1 Southwest seeks to provide an easy-to-remember phone number and web resource for finding health and human services for everyday needs and in crisis situations, serving the following counties: Allegheny, Armstrong, Beaver, Butler, Cambria, Fayette, Greene, Indiana, Lawrence, Mercer, Somerset, Washington, and Westmoreland. An Overview of COVID-19 COVID-19 is a highly contagious respiratory disease caused by a new coronavirus not previously seen in humans. Because the virus impacts the respiratory system, common symptoms of infection include fever, dry cough, tiredness, shortness of breath, and difficulty breathing. However, WHO states that some patients may have aches and pains, nasal congestion, runny nose, sore throat, and diarrhea. After being infected with COVID-19, individuals generally display mild symptoms that begin gradually, but some people who become infected may not develop any symptoms at all and may feel healthy. To learn more about COVID-19 and the steps you can take to reduce your family’s risk of infection, read our recent news post. This post also includes information about what to do after infection, information on how it spreads, and links to several other organizations and entities that can provide more information. Guidance for Pennsylvanians As of May 31, COVID mitigation orders are lifted in Pennsylvania. The order requiring universal face coverings was lifted statewide on June 28, 2021. The Pennsylvania Department of Health still urges Pennsylvanians to follow CDC guidance on wearing masks where required by law, rules, and regulations, including healthcare, local businesses, and workplace guidance. Search for Child Care If your family is in need of child care, visit the Allegheny Child Care website to search for programs in Allegheny County or visit the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services website to search for programs throughout Pennsylvania. Meals for Children The Summer Food Service Program distributes free Grab ‘n Go Meals to children at 13 CitiPark and 34 partner locations in Pittsburgh. Meals are available to children up to the age of 18, and to individuals with disabilities up to 21 years old. This program runs from June 11 through August 13, 2021 (dates vary by location). To learn more, visit the program webpage or call 412.571.3291. Resources Information about COVID-19 Daily Updates from the Pennsylvania Department of Health, PAcast How COVID-19 Spreads, CDC Coronavirus, Social Distancing, and Self-Quarantine, Johns Hopkins Medicine Information for Pregnant Women and Children, CDC Coronavirus (COVID-19), Pregnancy, and Breastfeeding: A Message for Patients, ACOG Informational Videos about COVID-19, CDC Why are people wearing masks? Why are people covering their faces?, ZERO TO THREE CDC Report: Coronavirus Strikes All Ages, AARP How to Spot Fake News (and Teach Kids to Be Media-Savvy), Common Sense Media People who are at a higher risk of severe illness, CDC American Sign Language (ASL) COVID-19 Resources, CDC 2019 Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19), AAP COVID-19 and Children: FAQ, CDC Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19): What Parents Should Know, Unicef Information on COVID-19 and Pregnant Woman and Children, CDC A Message on COVID-19 From the Children’s Bureau, Children’s Bureau For Parents: Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children (MIS-C) associated with COVID-19, CDC Guide to Coronavirus for Cancer Patients, Asbestos.com Breastfeeding & COVID-19: FAQs, infantCPR Community Resources, PA Unites Against Covid COVID-19 Parent Information, CDC Talking with Children Early Learning Resources During COVID-19, ELRC Region 5 Talking with Children About Coronavirus, Fred Rogers Center Caring for Each Other, Sesame Street Responding to Children’s Emotional Needs During Times of Crisis, Healthy Children, AAP Tips for Families: Coronavirus, Zero to Three Parent/Caregiver Guide to Helping Families Cope with COVID-19, NCTSN Are your kids anxious about Coronavirus? Dr. G is here to help, Kidsburgh How to Talk to Your Kids About Coronavirus, PBS KIDS for Parents Talking with Your Children about COVID-19, CDC Online Interactive Game that Teaches Children about Germs and Handwashing, Luma One A guide to keeping your child safe and reassured as coronavirus spreads, CNN Health Washing Your Hands, CDC Hand Washing for Kids: 5 Easy Steps to Teach Hand Hygiene, Moms Against Cooties Kick Germs to The Curb While Singing This Daniel Tiger Song!, Fred Rogers Productions How to Wash Hands, Sesame Street A Guide to COVID-19 and Early Childhood Development, Center on the Developing Child at Harvard University Coronavirus (COVID-19): How to Talk to Your Child, KidsHealth “REMEMBER”: Surviving the Pandemic with your Children!, IACAPAP Talking to Kids About the Coronavirus, Child Mind Institute How to Talk to Your Kids About Coronavirus, PBS Are Your Kids Anxious About Coronavirus? Dr. G is Here to Help, Kidsburgh Helping Kids Who Are Worried About Coronavirus, Counselor Keri Supporting Individuals with Autism through Uncertain Times, UNC Frank Porter Graham Child Development Institute Autism Team Children and Youth with Special Healthcare Needs in Emergencies, CDC How to Talk to Younger Kids About Changes at School During COVID-19, Connecticut Childen’s Vaccines for Children and Adolescents: Lessons and Activities, Baylor University Prevention COVID-19 Self-Checker, CDC Plan Ahead Checklist: Get Your Home Ready, CDC Preparing Your Home: FAQs for Individuals and Families, CDC Pennsylvania Emergency Preparedness Guide, Ready PA Parents: Get Your Children Ready for COVID-19, CDC Recommendations for Cleaning and Disinfecting Your Environment, CDC Tips for Keeping Children Healthy While School’s Out, CDC Three ways to protect yourself and others from COVID-19, MIT Medical Hand Washings for Kids: 5 Easy Steps to Teach Hand Hygiene, Moms Against Cooties When Vaccine is Limited, Who Gets Vaccinated First?, CDC 8 Things to Know about the U.S. COVID-19 Vaccination Program, CDC Frequently Asked Questions about COVID-19 Vaccination, CDC Answers to Your Questions About Covid Vaccines and Kids, The New York Times After Infection What to do if you are sick or suspect that you’re sick with COVID-19, CDC Recommended precautions for household members, intimate partners, and caregivers, CDC What You Should Do If Caring for Someone with Coronavirus, American Red Cross Employee Rights, United States Department of Labor How to Protect Your Family After Being Discharged From the Hospital With COVID, Safety.com Impacts on Child Care, School, and Work How to Find, Choose, and Pay for High-Quality Child Care: A Guide for Families Family Checklist: Questions to Ask Your Early Learning Provider During COVID-19 Information for Pennsylvania Employees Impacted by COVID-19, Office of Unemployment Compensation Coronavirus & Paid Family Leave, Single Mom Defined Create a Backup Child Care Plan, Child Care Aware of North Dakota Coronavirus and School Closures, Education Week Coronavirus Information for Education: Pre-K, K-12 Schools, and Higher Education, PA Department of Health Ensuring Students with Disabilities Continue to Receive Services, U.S. Department of Education To Close or Not? How Superintendents Decide to Shut Down Schools, Education Week Updates from the Port Authority Unemployed and quarantined Pittsburghers can receive unemployment money faster, with fewer requirements, Public Source The Parents’ Guide to Google Classroom Map: Coronavirus and School Closures, Education Week Governor Wolf Extends School Closure for Remainder of Academic Year, Governor Wolf Considerations for Schools, CDC Checklist: Planning for Virtual or At-Home Learning, CDC Checklist: Planning for In-Person Classes, CDC How Is the Pandemic Changing Perinatal Health Care?, Georgetown University Impact of COVID-19 on Women in the Labor Force, Annuity.org At-Home Activities The Play at Home Playbook, Playworks Senator John Heinz History Center Online Exhibits, Senator John Heinz History Center 30 Days of Good Things for Young Children (English) (Spanish) Play With Me!, Zero to Three Reading is Fundamental (RIF) Pittsburgh Youtube Channel How to Keep Kids Learning When They’re Stuck at Home, Common Sense Media The Big List of Children’s Authors Doing Online Read-Alouds & Activities, We Are Teachers Free Online Events and Activities for Kids at Home, Common Sense Media The Ultimate Guide for Working from Home with Kids, School Closures Scholastic Learn at Home: Free Resources for School Closures, Scholastic Simple and fun non-screen activities that children can do at home, Medium Over 30 Virtual Field Trips with Links Storyline Online Free, Easy Science for Remote Learning, Mystery Science Audible Is Offering Free Audiobooks for Kids During School Closures, We Are Teachers Our Favorite Virtual P.E. Resources to Keep Kids Moving at Home, We Are Teachers Resources for Kids During Social Distancing Virtual Classes, Allysa Axelband Hassid 161 Science Documentaries You Can Watch Right Now (No Membership Required), PBS SOCAL 121 Tools for Distance Learning & Strategies for Student Engagement, Albert Bringing the Zoo to You, Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium Simple and fun non-screen activities that children can do at home, Medium Free Distance Learning Plans for K–2 Students and Their Families, Common Sense Media Lunch Doodles with Mo Willems!, The Kennedy Center Keeping Children Active during the Coronavirus Pandemic (English) (Spanish), American College of Sports Medicine Newest Play Ideas, Learning 4 Kids History at Home, Senator John Heinz History Center Healthy at Home (Toolkit), Ready Rosie, The Creative Curriculum, and Teaching Strategies Time to talk, play, and create: Supporting children’s learning at home, Brookings At Home Activity Guide, Zero to Three The Best Kids Yoga Videos, Preschool Inspirations How You and Your Kids Can De-stress During Coronavirus, PBS Learning 4 Kids – Play Ideas, Camille Catllet Tech Balance, Common Sense Media RIF Pittsburgh Youtube, Reading Is FundamentalnPittsburgh Coronavirus: A Book for Children, Nosy Crow Engaging Kids During Stay at Home, Tickets for Kids PNC Grow Up Great, PNC Creative Connections, Trust Arts Education Online Learning: Education During Isolation, Digital Trends Wonderschool Learn-at-Home Ideas, Wonderschool Discover The Fun Of Backyard Geology, Porch Home Learning Support, Twinkl How Coding Provides Skills That Can Help Children Cope With Distress, Columbia Engineering Fact Sheets and Guides What You Need to Know about COVID-19 (English) (Spanish) (Simplified Chinese), CDC Fact Sheet from the Allegheny County Health Department Fact Sheet from the Pennsylvania Department of Health Internet Safety Guide For Seniors, VPN Smash A Parent’s Guide to Discussing Financial Hardship With Your Children, Fiscal Tiger The Complete Guide to Financial Help for Single Moms, Coupon Chief Blog Informational Flyers Stop the Spread of Germs, Allegheny County Department of Health Keeping Your Home, School, and Workplace Safe, CDC Helping Children and Families Cope, NCPMI Recorded Webinars Caring for Each Other, Sesame Street in Communities and Brazelton Touchpoints Center Updates for Families – Learning at Home, PEAL Center Specially Designed Instruction (SDI) while Learning from Home, PEAL Center Helping Parents Manage Stress During COVID-19, National Center on Early Childhood Health and Wellness (NCECHW) Mental Health Toll-Free 24-Hour Emotional Support Help Line (866.342.6892), Optum National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (1.800.273.8255) NAMI National HelpLine Warmline Directory, NAMI Mental Health and Coping During COVID-19, CDC Seven Ways to Cope With Anxiety During the Coronavirus Outbreak, AARP SEL and Mental Health Resources for COVID-19, SEL4US How to Support Children (and Yourself) During the COVID-19 Outbreak, Center on the Developing Child at Harvard University Are We There Yet?, Center for Parent Information & Resources Boxed In: COVID-19 and Your Mental Health, Everyday Health How Seniors Can Stay Virtually Connected with Loved Ones, Senior Lifestyle Holidays During the Pandemic, Child Mind Institute Stress and Coping, CDC Tips on Celebrating the Holidays While Social Distancing, My Move Receiving Support Food Assistance Programs Available in Pennsylvania, Trying Together CHIP Will Maintain Enrollment During COVID-19 Crisis, Trying Together How to get help during the coronavirus pandemic in Pittsburgh, The Incline Find a Food Pantry, Partner Agency, or Program Near You, Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank Apply for Unemployment, Office of Unemployment Compensation Apply for Medicaid, SNAP, LIHEAP, and More, COMPASS Request a Library Card to Access E-Books & More, Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh Comcast’s Internet Essentials (offering two free months to new customers) PWSA Extends, Expands Shut Off Moratorium in Response to COVID-19, Pittsburgh Water & Sewer Authority Neighbors Support – COVID-19 Resources, Representative Sara Innamorato Pittsburgh Mutual Aid: Resource Library Many Homeowners Eligible for Temporary Relief From Mortgage Payments, AARP Coronavirus: Response & Resources, The Autism Society of America COVID-19 & Family Resources, Family Centers Network Tech Balance, Common Sense Media Coronavirus & Paid Family Leave, Single Mom Defined Child Care Centers, DHS Allegheny County Family Centers – News, University of Pittsburgh The Social Care Network, Auntbertha Community Delivery Hotline for Allegheny County, Allegheny Delivery Crisis Planning and Counseling for Parents with Shared Custody, Online Counseling Programs Free Microsoft Courseware to Upskill During COVID-19, GreyCampus Guide to Financial Help for Single Parents Raising Kids in 2021, Possible Finance Multilingual Resources Guía de ayuda para padres y cuidadores para ayudar a las familias a enfrentar la enfermedad Coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19), Child Traumatic Stress Network Translated Materials and Resources (English, Spanish, French, Chinese, Arabic, Dari, Farsi, Russian, Swahili, Ukrainian, Vietnamese, Amharic, Nepali, Haitian Creole, Pashto, Somali, Tigryna), Pennsylvania Department of Health Helping Children Cope With Changes Resulting From COVID-19 (English, Spanish, Amharic, Chinese, Korean, French, Vietnamese, Bhasa, Urdu), National Association of School Psychologists (NASP) Parent/Caregiver Guide to Helping Families Cope with COVID-19 (English, Spanish, Chinese), NCTSN A Round-Up of Multilingual Resources on COVID-19, Switchboard AA and NHP In-Language Resources for COVID-19 (Google Sheet) COVID-19: Frequently Asked Questions, UPMC CDC Prevention Flyer, RCUSA Additional Resources in Spanish Curated Lists COVID-19 Resource List, Homewood Children’s Village COVID-19 Resource Page, PEAL Center COVID-19 (Coronavirus) Information and Resources, NAMI Coping with COVID-19, NAEYC Supporting Families During COVID-19, Child Mind Institute Resources for Families in Pennsylvania on COVID-19, Pennsylvania’s Promise for Children Coronavirus Resources, Center for Parent Information and Resources A support guide for parents raising babies and toddlers through the coronavirus crisis, Quartz COVID-19 Resources, Center on the Developing Child at Harvard University Resources for Early Childhood Policymakers on Preventing and Preparing for COVID-19, NIEER Rapid Response Resources: COVID-19, PIE Network Home Together Resources, PA Parent and Family Alliance COVID-19 Resources From Every Hour Counts, Every Hour Counts Online COVID-19 Resources for Kids, Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh Contacts and Information Commonwealth of Pennsylvania www.pa.gov Pennsylvania Department of Health www.health.pa.gov 1.877.72.432584 | 1.877.PA.HEALTH Allegheny County Health Department www.alleghenycouty.us/ 412.687.2243 Allegheny County Alerts (COVID-19 Alerts) www.alleghenycounty.us/alerts United Way www.pa211sw.org Dial 2.1.1 | Text Your Zip Code to 898-211 (Text Alerts) United States Department of Education www.ed.gov/coronavirus Email: covid-19@ed.gov Optum (Free Emotional Support Helpline) 866.342.6892 National Suicide Prevention Lifeline suicidepreventionlifeline.org 1.800.273.8255 (English) | 1.888.628.9454 (Spanish) | 1.800.799.4889 (Deaf or Hard of Hearing) Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) Disaster Distress Helpline www.samhsa.gov/find-help/disaster-distress-helpline 1.800.985.5990 | Text (English): TalkWithUs to 66746 | Text (Spanish): Hablanos to 66746 More Information For more information about COVID-19, visit the Pennsylvania Department of Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), or World Health Organization (WHO) websites.
December 4, 2020 OCDEL Professional Development Survey The Pennsylvania Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL) is requesting the input of directors and owners of certified child care programs in the Professional Development Survey. About Responses to the online survey will assist OCDEL in understanding the number of staff who will need Pediatric First Aid and CPR training in the upcoming year, and to understand providers’ knowledge of the role of Professional Development Organizations (PDOs). The survey can be completed in less than ten minutes and collected information about: the number of teaching staff at a child care program, the number of staff certified in Pediatric First Aid and CPR, and awareness of and connections to Early Childhood Education PDOs. Complete the Survey Directors and owners of programs holding a DHS Certificate of Compliance are encouraged to complete the online survey. Survey responses must be submitted by Thursday, December 17, 2020.
December 3, 2020 Thank You For #GivingTogether! With GivingTuesday officially over, Trying Together would like to thank everyone who joined us in celebrating. Whether you submitted a donation, thanked an important educator in your life, or helped us spread the word, your contributions matter. The Impact of Your Support Thanks to your generous support, Trying Together was able to raise over $4,600 in a span of 24 hours and secure a $2,000 match provided by our Board of Directors. This brings the total raised to $6,645! As Fred Rogers said, “When grownups and children are trying together, just about anything can be possible,” and yesterday, you proved that you were trying too. Thank you for your generosity and for everything you do to support our region’s families and early learning professionals. Still Looking To Give? Are you still looking to complete your end of year giving? Visit our online form to make a donation!
