April 29, 2021 Mortgage and Housing Assistance in Pittsburgh The Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) of Pittsburgh offers several housing programs that offer financial assistance, including rental, utility, and mortgage assistance; down payment and closing cost assistance; and accessibility modification assistance. For City of Pittsburgh residents only. Assistance Programs Housing Stabilization Program This program offers one-time or short-term (up to three months) rental, mortgage, or utility assistance to households that are facing a temporary, non-recurring housing crisis. Program Information (English) (Arabic) (Chinese) (Nepali) (Spanish) (Swahili) Apply To determine your eligibility and apply, contact the Allegheny Housing Stabilization Center. By phone: Contact the center at 412-255-6600. Email: inforequest@ura.org Down Payment and Closing Cost Assistance Program This program provides financial assistance to eligible first-time homebuyers in the City of Pittsburgh. To be eligible, individuals must: have an annual gross household income that does not exceed 115% of the Area Median Income, be purchasing the home as their primary residence and have their name on the deed, and must not have any outstanding City, School, and County real estate taxes (or must be on a payment plan for at least six months). Program Information (English) (Arabic) (Chinese) (Nepali) (Spanish) (Swahili) Apply Submit this application to Victoria Jackson, Senior Program Assistant, at vjackson@ura.org. Homeowner Assistance for Independence Program This program assists homeowners with permanent disabilities to make accessibility modifications for their homes. Homeowners can receive up to $10,000 in modifications. Landlords can receive up to $5,000 in modifications. Accessibility modifications can include, but are not limited to: exterior ramps, chair gliders or lifts, door widening, bathroom modifications, visual doorbells, and lowering kitchen counters. View the full program information. Apply Submit this application to Victoria Jackson, Senior Program Assistant, at vjackson@ura.org. Learn More To learn more and view additional programs, visit the URA website.
Child Care Jobs: April 29 – May 5, 2021 Are you looking to enter the early learning field? View this week’s featured job descriptions. Featured Jobs Assistant Educators Beth Shalom Early Learning Center is looking for full-time assistant educators for their program for the 2020-21 school year. These educators must: be comfortable working with children from infancy through pre-kindergarten age, be comfortable using an iPad for a daily communication tool, changing diapers, feeding the children, etc., and be able to work with three to four other educators and take direction from the lead educator. Guaranteed 40 hours a week, Monday through Friday, at the Keystone STARS 4A and NAEYC accredited center. The hours will be a set schedule. Apply: To apply, send your resume via email to Hilary Yeckel at hyeckel@bethshalompgh.org. Applicants can also call 412.421.8857. Preschool Teachers Carriage House Children’s Center is an exemplary, accredited child care center located in the Squirrel Hill neighborhood in Pittsburgh. They are seeking highly motivated Preschool Teachers who: value the importance of building strong relationships with children, understand how young children learn and develop, and are dedicated to creating a nurturing learning environment for every child. If you have previous experience working with young children and are interested in joining their inclusive learning community where all families, children, and staff feel welcome and respected, they encourage you to apply today. Apply: To apply, email your resume and a cover letter to chcc@carriagehouse.org. Infant/Toddler Room Assistant Teachers Carriage House Children’s Center is seeking Infant/Toddler Room Assistant Teachers who will be responsible for assisting with the children’s daily activities under the guidance of a teacher. If you have previous experience working with young children and are interested in joining their inclusive learning community where all families, children, and staff feel welcome and respected, they encourage you to apply today. Apply: To apply, email your resume and a cover letter to chcc@carriagehouse.org. Teaching Assistant/Aide Carriage House Children’s Center is seeking part-time casual Teaching Assistants/Aides who will be responsible for assisting with the children’s daily activities under the guidance of a teacher. If you have previous experience working with young children and are interested in joining their inclusive learning community where all families, children, and staff feel welcome and respected, they encourage you to apply today. Apply: To apply, email your resume and a cover letter to chcc@carriagehouse.org. Assistant Educator The Jewish Community Center of Greater Pittsburgh Early Childhood Development Center, South Hills location, is seeking motivated and enthusiastic professionals for full-time, part-time, and seasonal openings as Assistant Educators in Toddler and Preschool classrooms at their South Hills location. These professionals: will be responsible for assisting the Lead Educator in the classroom oversight and implementation of the approved curriculum in the Early Childhood Department, should have knowledge of the Pennsylvania STARS program, should have knowledge of the Reggio Emilia approach and constructivist social learning theory (or a willingness to learn), and must possess or obtain FBI, Act 33/34, NSOR clearances, and mandated reporter training. Apply: To apply, send your resume and a letter of interest to hr@jccpgh.org. Assistant Educator The Jewish Community Center of Greater Pittsburgh Early Childhood Development Center, South Hills location, is seeking motivated and enthusiastic professionals for immediate openings as Lead Educators in Infant, Toddler, Preschool, and Pre-kindergarten classrooms. These professionals: will be responsible for classroom oversight and implementation of the approved curriculum in the Early Childhood team, should have knowledge of the Pennsylvania STARS program, should have knowledge of the Reggio Emilia approach and constructivist social learning theory (or a willingness to learn), and must possess or obtain FBI, Act 33/34, NSOR clearances, and mandated reporter training. Apply: To apply, send your resume and a letter of interest to hr@jccpgh.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, May 4. 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 May 4 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, follow us on Facebook and subscribe to our newsletter.
April 28, 2021 Format Change for FBI Clearance Result Letter As of April 17, 2021, ChildLine has changed the format of the FBI Clearance Result letter. The major change observed in the new format is the consolidation of result boxes. Instead of the four checkboxes previously used on the letter, all result letters now display only two boxes and either “ELIGIBLE” or “INELIGIBLE” will be checked. Any agency that receives these result letters and wishes to verify the validity may contact ChildLine at 717-783-6211 or 1-877-371-5422. Childline cannot discuss the specific outcome for the applicant(s) with third parties, but can verify receipt of the new letter template. Information regarding clearances and fingerprinting can be found on the Department of Human Services website.
New Resources from Trying Together As Month of the Young Child comes to a close, Trying Together is featuring several resources that were released throughout April. These resources further Trying Together’s mission to supports high-quality care and education for young children by providing advocacy, community resources, and professional growth opportunities for the needs and rights of children, their families, and the individuals who interact with them. New Resources DAP Series Parts IV, V, and VI As an early childhood nonprofit, Trying Together recognizes that a child’s parent is their first and most important caregiver. That’s why we created the Developmentally Appropriate Parenting (DAP) Series to assist parents and caregivers in creating high-quality learning experiences at the earliest stages of their child’s life. The series features digital and print content that provides information on critical early childhood topics. As of April 2021, six Parts have been published, including: Part I: Developmentally Appropriate Practice; Part II: Childhood Physical Health; Part III: Child Care; Part IV: Early Intervention and Inclusion; Part V: Safety and Emergencies; and Part VI: Social-Emotional Development. Resources will continue to be added through 2022 as additional Parts are finalized. Parenting Together Pathway The Parenting Together Pathway is a video-based learning series to provide high-quality information on early childhood development to parents and caregivers in Allegheny County and surrounding areas. Launched in April 2021, the Parenting Together Pathway provides families the opportunity to learn more about: brain development; play; interactions and relationships; technology; child care; and advocacy to better support their children’s healthy growth. Additional videos will be released through 2021. Recess Advocacy Toolkit In partnership with the Playful Pittsburgh Collaborative and thanks to support from The Grable Foundation and Remake Learning Tomorrow Grants, the Recess Advocacy Team created a Recess Advocacy Toolkit. As schools shift from remote learning back to in-person education, the importance of play and recess must be at the forefront of the conversation around reopening schools and helping children adjust to a changed educational environment. This toolkit highlights research, strategies, and advocacy opportunities for play and physical activity at home and at school.
April 27, 2021 New Recess Advocacy Toolkit Amid concern for the welfare of children during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the Recess Advocacy Team, co-led by Trying Together and the Playful Pittsburgh Collaborative, have created a toolkit highlighting research, strategies, and advocacy opportunities for play and physical activity at home and at school. Families and educators may use the toolkit to discover new ways to play this summer and to advocate for playful learning next school year. About the Toolkit The Recess Advocacy Toolkit is designed to be a resource for educators and families on the importance of recess and play for the healthy social-emotional growth of children and includes: information on different types of play; research to inform educators and administrators on the benefits of recess; testimonials and tips from Physical Education teachers; and template emails and social media posts for digital advocacy. Learn More Families and educators may access The Recess Advocacy Toolkit on the Trying Together website. The creation of this toolkit was made possible by The Grable Foundation and Remake Learning Tomorrow Grants. For questions or suggestions, please contact recess@tryingtogether.org.
April 26, 2021 Many Books, One Pennsylvania Community The 2021 Pennsylvania One Book program will emphasize the importance of emotional resilience, social-emotional wellness, and healing through literacy and literature in “2021: Many Books, One Pennsylvania Community.” About Young readers will enjoy a number of titles through two booklists (for ages birth to two and ages three to six years old) focused on understanding emotions and feelings. The program includes professional development opportunities for caregivers to educate about the importance of social-emotional wellness and care for young children. This opportunity is available in late Spring 2021. Learn More For more information, visit the Pennsylvania One Book website.
Three New Parts Launched in DAP Series Parts IV, V, and VI of the Developmentally Appropriate Parenting (DAP) Series are now available, featuring resources on Early Intervention (EI), Safety, and Social-Emotional Development. Featured Resources The Series includes many resources, including the following: Part IV: Early Intervention (EI) Family Guide for Early Intervention and Inclusion in Allegheny County Family Guide for Navigating Early Intervention Services When Should a Parent Consider Early Intervention for Their Child? Tracking Your Child’s Developmental Milestones When Should a Parent Consider Early Intervention for their Child? What Parents and Caregivers Should Look for in an Inclusive School Talking with Young Children about Disabilities What Policies Govern Early Intervention and Inclusion in Pennsylvania? Early Intervention FAQ Part V: Safety A Guide for Families: Creating An Emergency Kit Teaching Young Children About Interacting with Strangers Creating a Safe Sleep Environment for Children Car Seat Safety for Children Safe Interactions Between Pets, Animals, and Young Children Creating Safe Environments for Infants, Toddlers, and Young Children Discussing Emergencies with Young Children in a Non-Threatening Way Safety and Emergencies: Family Resources Directory for Emergency and Safety Services Part VI: Social-Emotional Development Supporting Social-Emotional Development Through Play: A Guide for Families Strategies to Support Social-Emotional Development: A Guide for Families Navigating Difficult Emotions as Caregivers: A Guide for Families Social-Emotional Development: Family Resources Art Activities that Encourage Social-Emotional Development Respecting Your Child’s Boundaries Mindfulness for Children Self-Care: Resources for Families Fatherhood Support Programs in Allegheny County Access All Resources To access the full list of resources and learn more, visit the DAP Series webpage.
April 22, 2021 Child Care Jobs: April 22 – April 28, 2021 Are you looking to enter the early learning field? View this week’s featured job descriptions. Featured Jobs Teacher Heritage Community Initiatives, located in Braddock, is seeking an experienced, compassionate, flexible, creative, and reliable Teacher for the Heritage Out of School Time (HOST) program. HOST provides before and after school support to children in grades K-8. The program is rated STAR 4 by Pennsylvania Keystone STARS, and is affiliated with NAEYC, PACCA, and NAA. Their summer session runs from June 7, 2021 – the end of August 2021. Apply: To apply, email Nicole Hill at nhill@heritageserves.org. Clinical Director of Early Childhood Mental Health YMCA San Diego Child Care Resource Service is looking to hire a YMCA San Diego Child Care Resource Service to oversee the ECMH consultation team supporting childcare providers across San Diego and early childhood advocacy across disciplines to ensure children get a healthy start. This professional should be a subject matter expert in ECMH to support the expansion of services through the YMCA. Apply: To apply, complete the online application. Toddler Teacher Hosanna House Inc., a NAEYC accredited, STAR 4 early childhood program, is looking for a nurturing Toddler 2 classroom teacher to assist in developing weekly lesson plans and implementing an age-appropriate curriculum for their two-year-old classroom. This is a yearly full-time teaching position. Candidates must: have a high school diploma or equivalent; an associates degree in early childhood education, child development, special education, elementary education, or the human services field and two years experience with children; OR a bachelor’s degree in early childhood education, child development, special education, elementary education, or the human services field. Apply: To apply, send 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, April 27. 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 April 27 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, follow us on Facebook and subscribe to our newsletter.
April 21, 2021 CDA Renewal Program Deadline Extended The CDA Renewal Amnesty Program deadline is now December 31, 2021. Who Can Apply? Early learning professionals in Pennsylvania with a lapsed or expired Child Development Associate (CDA) Credential can apply for the program. Applicants must meet all requirements. Requirements Before applying, professionals should check if they meet the professional development, safety, and continued work with children’s requirements. Renewal requirements are available online. Professional Development – complete after the issue date of the credential being renewed. Complete four and a half CEUs, a three-credit-hour college course, or 45 clock hours of training (specific to credential type). Become a member of an ECE professional organization. Select an early childhood professional to review and verify your training and membership documentation. Safety – certification must be current at the time of application. Complete in-person or blended courses in First Aid and Infant and Child (Pediatric) CPR. Continued Work with Children – complete within one year of submitting your application. Complete 80 hours of work with children (specific to credential type). Select an early childhood professional to verify your work hours and complete a recommendation based on your work with children. Please review the full requirement details before applying. Submitting an Application All materials can be submitted via the “YourCouncil CDA” portal. The cost to submit is $125. All applications and payments must be submitted by December 31, 2021. This program is eligible for Rising Stars Tuition Assistance.
The Brown Mama Blueprint Podcast Tune in for new episodes of The Brown Mama Blueprint Podcast. About Brown Mama Blueprint is a podcast for Black moms that amplifies Black female voices through storytelling and advice. It explores a variety of topics such as domestic violence, Black birthing, healing emotional wounds, education, and more. New episodes are added regularly. Start Listening This podcast is available on the following platforms: Google Podcasts Spotify Apple Podcasts