March 18, 2021 Allegheny County Emergency Rental Assistance Program The application period for the Allegheny County Emergency Rental Assistance Program is now open. Emergency assistance is available for people who have lost their job or experienced financial hardship due to COVID-19. About The Allegheny County Emergency Rental Assistance Program was created through the collaborative efforts of many organizations in Allegheny County, including the Allegheny County Department of Human Services, City of Pittsburgh, ACTION-Housing, YWCA of Greater Pittsburgh, Urban League of Greater Pittsburgh, and more. Eligibility Money is available for rent and utility costs for renting households that: have at least one person who qualifies for unemployment, has lost income, or suffered financially due to COVID-19; are at risk of experiencing homelessness if they do not receive assistance; or have a total income below 80 percent of the Area Median Income for Allegheny County. How to Apply With Internet To apply for the program, visit the Allegheny County Emergency Rental Assistance website. You will need to complete an application and upload the required documents. Required documents may include unemployment determination letters, lease agreements, utility bills, W2 Forms, pay stubs, award letters, and social security numbers for everyone in your household. Without Internet If you do not have access to a computer or the internet, or just need assistance completing the online application, please contact ACTION-Housing at 412.248.0021 to make a phone appointment. A Case Manager will help you complete the application over the phone. Public Town Hall Allegheny County is hosting a public town hall to discuss the program and application process. If you are interested in attending, please see the webinar details below: Date: Friday, March 19, 2021 Time: 3 – 4:30 p.m. Virtual Town Hall Zoom Link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86582327933?pwd=VkxaVnFKcEFWbThDTmk2V001UW1KUT09 Webinar ID: 865 8232 7933 Passcode: 272092 More Information For questions, contact ACTION-Housing at 412.248.0021 or rentalassistance@actionhousing.org.
New Brief Analyzes Pre-K Counts Success A new research brief published by Pennsylvania Partnership for Children summarizes results from two studies on Pennsylvania’s Pre-K Counts program, recent research on the benefits of pre-kindergarten programs, and calls to action for routine reviews. About The brief summarizes results from an analysis conducted by the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill that includes two studies looking exclusively at Pennsylvania’s Pre-K Counts program, and also highlights recent research from across the country showing the benefits of pre-k, and calls for frequent and independent reviews of the efficacy of the Pre-K Counts program. Key Takeaways The brief highlights several key takeaways, including: pre-k student learning gains; positive outcomes from the program that are consistent statewide; the potential for pre-k to help diminish summer learning loss; the opportunity to improve the system to see more positive outcomes for pre-k students that participate in two years of pre-k as three- and four-year-olds; and positive feedback from families engaged in Pre-K Counts. Read the Brief To read the full brief, visit the Pennsylvania Partnership for Children website.
Health Department Opening New Vaccine Dispensing Locations On March 16, 2021, the Allegheny County Health Department announced that it will be opening three additional COVID-19 vaccine points of dispensing (POD) before the end of March. About The PODs will be staffed through a variety of community partnerships and will include a temporary site in Oakland, a site for targeted outreach in the Central Hill District, and a community POD in Ross Township. All sites will be by appointment only. Any person who arrives without an appointment, or who does not meet priority criteria, will be turned away. There are no walk-up registrations available. New locations include: The Peterson Events Center | 3719 Terrace Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15261 Appointment required. Beginning March 17, 2021. Free parking will be available at the garage at Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Hall and Museum. Free shuttles will run between the garage and the Peterson Event Center during the hours of operation. A parking lot with limited spots will also be available near the Peterson Event Center for those who drop off others for vaccination and wish to wait in their vehicle. Central Baptist Church | 2200 Wylie Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15219 Appointment required. Beginning March 22, 2021. Will be used to address gaps in vaccine distribution. Limited vaccines will be available which will be used to target specific communities and populations who have not yet been reached through traditional means. The Ross Township Community Center | 1000 Ross Municipal Drive, Pittsburgh, PA 15237 Appointment required. Beginning March 24, 2021. Stay Up to Date Appointments will be announced through Allegheny Alerts and posted on the county’s COVID-19 Vaccine page. Residents without internet access, or who have difficulties navigating the online registration system, can contact 2.1.1 for assistance in scheduling when appointments are available. The county Health Department continues to receive both the Moderna and Pfizer vaccines. As appointments are announced, the notifications will note which vaccine will be used at the clinic. More Information For full information about each site and more, view the full press release.
NAEYC Launches Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Survey To ensure a welcoming and inclusive environment for all of its members, the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) is requesting responses to its Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Survey from current and former members. About Current and former NAEYC members who identify as American Indian or Alaska Native, Asian, Black or African American, Hispanic, Latinx or of Spanish Origin, Middle Eastern or North African, or Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander are invited to submit their responses to NAEYC’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Survey. All responses will remain confidential and will only be reported in the aggregate. The survey will take approximately 10 minutes to complete. The findings of this survey, along with focus groups, with help NAEYC continue to strive to: close the racial imbalance within their membership; better align their operations to be relevant and indispensable; eliminate barriers and business practices that exclude early childhood educators of color from serving in leadership positions; and address the explicit and implicit bias in their decision making. Complete the Survey This survey is only intended for current and former NAEYC members who identify as American Indian or Alaska Native, Asian, Black or African American, Hispanic, Latinx or of Spanish Origin, Middle Eastern or North African, or Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander. To complete the survey, visit the DEI Survey webpage.
ECE Jobs: March 18 – March 24, 2021 Are you looking to transition your career in the early childhood field? You’re in luck! Early learning programs in the Greater Pittsburgh Area are looking to fill positions. To view this week’s featured job descriptions, see the list below. Featured Jobs Pre-Kindergarten Teacher Kinder Academy is growing and looking for fun and loving full-time Infant, Preschool, and Toddler Teachers. Applicants must love children of all ages, be energetic, reliable, patient, and responsible. Kinder Academy’s bright, clean facility gives teachers a classroom to make their own while giving opportunities for advancement. Teachers create and implement lesson plans with all age groups! For more information or to apply, email careeers@kinderacademypgh.com. Cook Heritage Community Initiatives is looking to hire a Cook to perform a wide variety of duties within Heritage Nutrition Services. This is a permanent, full-time position with a $500 signing bonus available (eligibility requirements apply), daylight hours, no weekends, and full benefits. Under the direct supervision of the Executive Chef, the Cook will assist with prepping meals for nearly 700 children on a daily basis. The duties performed in this role are broad, flexible, and entry level. To apply, email your resume and cover letter to nhill@heritageserves.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, March 23. 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 March 23 will be published in the next week’s news post. Please note that 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.
March 12, 2021 COVID-19 Vaccine for Relative-Neighbor Child Care Providers Relative-neighbor child care providers are eligible to sign up to receive the COVID-19 vaccine under the Pennsylvania Johnson & Johnson (J&J) COVID-19 Vaccine special initiative, in which child care program workers will be among the first individuals in the state eligible to receive the one-dose vaccine. About The Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL) is asking all relative-neighbor child care providers who would like to receive the J&J vaccine to register to receive the vaccine by submitting a registration request form no later than March 26, 2021. NOTE: Completion of the form does not guarantee a vaccine. This form will collect contact information for scheduling purposes. By providing this information, providers acknowledge it may be shared with the Department of Health, Department of Human Services and their partners including retail pharmacy staff for the purpose of scheduling vaccine appointments. The J&J vaccine must not be administered to individuals who have received full or partial Moderna or Pfizer vaccines. It is recommended individuals consult their physician prior to receiving any vaccination. Vaccines for Pregnant Women In the coming weeks, UPMC Magee-Womens Hospital will be holding special vaccination clinics for pregnant women only. Appointments are required. You must be 18 years old or older to receive a vaccine. You do not need to be a UMPC patient to qualify. To schedule an appointment at one of UPMC Magee’s clinics for pregnant women, call 833.653.0519. COVID-19 vaccination is provided at no cost to the patient. More Information Pennsylvania COVID-19 Vaccine Providers More information regarding the J&J Vaccine Special Initiative and ECE workforce can be found at www.pakeys.org or the COVID-19 Vaccine for Pre-K to 12 School Staff on the PDE website. J&J Initiative FAQ COVID-19 Vaccine Information from the CDC Information about COVID-19 Vaccines for People who Are Pregnant or Breastfeeding
Child Care Drinking Water Testing Program With federal funding from the Water Infrastructure Improvements for the Nation (WIIN) Act, the Office of Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf and the Pennsylvania Infrastructure Investment Authority launched the Pennsylvania Voluntary Lead in Child Care and School Drinking Water Testing Program. About To reduce lead exposure in drinking water at child care facilities and schools, the Office of Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf and the Pennsylvania Infrastructure Investment Authority (PENNVEST) launched the Pennsylvania Voluntary Lead in Child Care and School Drinking Water Testing Program. The program provides free water lead testing, related training, and technical support to eligible schools and child care facilities in Pennsylvania. To be eligible, facilities must serve younger children (age six and younger), including state-licensed child care providers and public elementary schools. Underserved and low-income communities will be prioritized, as well as older buildings that are more likely to have lead plumbing. Health Risks of Lead Exposure Because children’s bodies absorb more lead than adult bodies, they are at a higher risk for negative health effects including (but not limited to): slowed growth and development; damage to the brain and nervous system; learning and behavioral challenges; and hearing and speech problems. For more information about the health risks of lead exposure, visit the CDC website. More Information For more information and to enroll, visit the PENNVEST website. If you have any questions, visit PENNVEST’s Contact Us page to connect with their team and request answers prior to enrolling.
March 11, 2021 Registration Open for Trying Together’s Annual Celebration During the Month of The Young Child (April), Trying Together will host a free three-day Virtual Annual Celebration to celebrate the important work of early childhood. Early educators, families, and other individuals who support young children are invited to enjoy LIVE Happy Together Half-Hour sessions; presentations from Trying Together Executive Director Cara Ciminillo and Trying Together Board President Dr. Todd Wolynn; and more! Celebration Agenda Trying Together’s Virtual Annual Celebration will take place from April 27 – 29, 2021 on Zoom, with sessions available from 6:30 – 8:00 p.m. Each event will feature the following sessions: 6:30 p.m. | LIVE Happy Together Half-Hour Attendees may select a breakout room, each with an interactive activity to choose from including: yoga, trivia, PowerPoint Karaoke, and a brief screening of the early education documentary, No Small Matter followed by a group discussion. 7:00 – 8:00 p.m. | Encore Program Guests will hear from Cara Ciminillo, Trying Together Executive Director and Dr. Todd Wolynn, Trying Together Board President about the past year’s accomplishments as well as highlights of things to look forward to in 2021 and beyond. This year’s honoree will be Marc Cherna, the newly retired Director of the Allegheny County Department of Human Services. The keynote will be announced soon. Registration To participate in these events, individuals must register online. One gift box will be mailed by Friday, April 9 for each person who completes their registration by 11:59 p.m. on Sunday, April 4, 2021. Registration will remain open until 6:00 p.m. on Monday, April 26, 2021. Individuals who register after April 4 will not receive a gift box. About Month of the Young Child First established by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) in 1971, the Week of The Young Child is an opportunity to focus public attention on the needs of young children and their families and to recognize the early childhood programs and services that meet those needs. Over the years, with growing interest and focus, Trying Together designated the entire month of April as the Month of The Young Child (MOYC). MOYC is a time to plan how we will better meet the needs of all young children, families, caregivers, and early care and education professionals.
ECE Jobs: March 11 – March 17, 2021 Are you looking to transition your career in the early childhood field? You’re in luck! Early learning programs in the Greater Pittsburgh Area are looking to fill positions. To view this week’s featured job descriptions, see the list below. Featured Jobs Infant, Preschool, and Toddler Teachers Kinder Academy is growing and looking for fun and loving full-time Infant, Preschool, and Toddler Teachers. Applicants must love children of all ages, be energetic, reliable, patient, and responsible. Kinder Academy’s bright, clean facility gives teachers a classroom to make their own while giving opportunities for advancement. Teachers create and implement lesson plans with all age groups! For more information or to apply, email careeers@kinderacademypgh.com. Toddler Teacher McKeesport Child Development Center is looking to hire a Toddler Teacher. Applicants should have strong leadership skills, be excellent communicators, and be able to motivate and inspire children in a positive manner. To apply, email info@mcdcchildcare.com with the job posting you are responding to and your resume. 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, March 16. 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 March 16 will be published in the next week’s news post. Please note that 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.
March 9, 2021 Apply for the Farm to School Grant Program The Farm to School Grant Program is accepting applications from child care centers, pre-kindergarten programs, school districts, charter schools, and private schools in Pennsylvania. Grants of up to $15,000 are available. About The Pennsylvania Farm to School Grant Program provides funding for schools to improve access to healthy, local foods and increase agriculture education opportunities for children in pre-kindergarten through fifth grade. Eligible schools and programs can apply for up to $15,000. All projects must be completed by June 30, 2021. Eligibility School districts, charter schools, and private schools with pre-kindergarten classes, kindergarten, or elementary through fifth grade in Pennsylvania are eligible to apply. Preschool programs operated by a school or child care center are also encouraged to apply. Family and group child care homes are not eligible at this time. Submit an Application Interested schools and programs can submit an application through March 30, 2021. To receive assistance or full instructions on completing an application, contact Patrick Andrews at patriandrew@pa.gov or 717.772.1429. More Information For more information, view this flyer or visit the Department of Agriculture’s website.
