News

May 20, 2021

#SummerofPlay Social Media Toolkit

Social media is a powerful tool for advocacy, even if you don’t consider yourself to be an ‘expert.’

If you spend time on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, or LinkedIn, you can use those platforms to advocate for issues that are important to you. For the Summer of Play in 2021, use social media to promote learning through play and engaging in playful activities.

 

Social Media Toolkit

Download Summer of Play graphics to share on social media and find sample posts and helpful tips in the toolkit.

Follow Us on Social Media

If you have not already, follow Trying Together and the Playful Pittsburgh Collaborative on social media! We will be retweeting/sharing our favorite posts, sharing resources, and more.

Trying Together

Playful Pittsburgh Collaborative

News

May 19, 2021

Caregiver Mental Health Series Coming Soon

Join PennAEYC for their four-part “Mental Health: Who’s Caring for the Caregiver?” professional development series focused on discussing mental health and creating a space for healing.

 

Mental Health Series Courses

 

Mysteries of Mental Illness

Wednesday, May 26  |  1 – 2:30 p.m.

Enjoy a screening of the PBS documentary series “Mysteries of Mental Illness” followed by a panel discussion on addressing the stigma surrounding mental illness. Presenters will explore attempts across generations to unravel the mysteries of mental illness and give voice to contemporary Americans across a spectrum of experiences.

Register: Register for this event.

Mental Health, Exactly What Is It?

Wednesday, June 2  |  1 – 3 p.m.

Penn State Extension Food, Families, and Health Extension Educator Cynthia Pollich will share information about supporting those in need of mental health support. Presenters will:

    • examine how to identify when to be concerned and what mental health is,
    • identify key elements of stress and what to look for, and
    • examine steps to take when you are seeking support and solutions.

Register: Register for this event. 

Building Your Bounce, Simple Strategies for a Resilient You!

Wednesday, June 9  |  1 – 2:30 p.m.

Nefertiti Poyner will share simple strategies to build a more resilient you. Learn how to build your resiliency and live your life as the best you.

Register: Register for this event.

Tips and Tricks for Taking Care of YOU!

Wednesday, June 16  |  1 – 3 p.m.

Penn State Extension Food, Families, and Health Extension Educator Cynthia Pollich will share tips and tricks for taking care of caregiver’s mental health. Presenters will:

    • examine self-care tips and tricks,
    • examine the “wellness wheel” (a self-health guide), and
    • share resources to aid in supporting caregiver mental health.

Register: Register for this event.

View More Events

To view other courses and events, view our events calendar.

News

Child Care Jobs: May 20 – 26, 2021

Are you looking to enter the early learning field? View this week’s featured job descriptions from programs in the Greater Pittsburgh Area.

 


 

Featured Jobs

 

Child Care Provider

The Red Balloon Early Learning Center is hiring full- and part-time child care providers for all ages. These professionals must love children and want to provide a safe learning environment.

Infant/Toddler, Preschool, and Summer Camp Teachers

Wee Care Children’s Center is seeking energetic, positive, and caring professionals to teach full-time (with benefits) or part-time in their program. Wee Care Children’s Center has been caring for children in their communities for over 35 years and is looking forward to adding staff to their quality team.

Lead Teacher/Assistant

Oakland Sunshine Daycare is looking for qualified professionals to join their team. From Lead Teachers to Teacher Aids, they are hiring for all positions.

Assistant Teacher

Kaleidoscope Childcare Center is looking to hire an Assistant Teacher to help with classroom management, implement activities, and provide general daily care for children. This professional will provide a safe and nurturing environment for children.

Group Supervisor

Play Academy is looking to hire a Group Supervisor for their three- and four-year-old classroom. Applicants should have an Associate’s Degree in Early Childhood Education or higher.

Teacher/Assistant Teacher

Rainbow’s End Child Academy is looking to hire a Teacher/Assistant Teacher to create and implement lessons and maintain a safe, nurturing environment where children can play and learn. This professional will partner and communicate with parents to provide the best care.

Infant Room Assistant

Mount Washington Children’s Center is looking to hire a loving, Infant Caregiver to assist the Infant Room Teacher in changing, feeding, and building a trusting relationship with infants six weeks to 13 months old.

Toddler Teacher

Eastminster Child Care Center is looking to hire a full-time Toddler Teacher immediately. This professional will be responsible for nurturing children, lesson planning, age-appropriate activities, having knowledge of child development, and implementing state and NAEYC regulations.

BA/BS degree in child development or early childhood preferred. This position offers an extensive benefits package, including paid vacation, sick, and personal days.

Child Care Aide

Teddy Bear Village Inc. is looking to hire a dependable Child Care Aid to work with three-year-old children from 1 to 6 p.m.

LifeGuard

St. Paul’s Kidz Korner is looking to hire a LifeGuard for a school-aged summer camp program. Conduct swim tests to ensure the ability to swim safely, supervising children and staff. There will be additional opportunities to be a Camp Counselor and spend more time with the children.

 


 

Submit a Job Description

Each week, Trying Together publishes a news post that features employer-submitted job positions from early learning programs across Pennsylvania. We share these posts on our website, social media channels, and newsletter. To make it into next week’s post, submit the Child Care Provider Job Post Submission Form no later than Tuesday, May 25.

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 25 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.

News

May 18, 2021

Receive Free Baby Care Items in SWPA

Beverly’s Birthdays’ First Year Cheer initiative provides free baby care items (diapers, wipes, formula, clothes, and more) from pregnancy through the child’s first birthday. Services vary by county.

 

Allegheny County

Community Baby Showers

    • Parents and caregivers of newborns (birth to three months) can attend a free virtual or in-person community baby shower to receive baby care supplies and get connected to resources that offer support.

Family Center Participants

    • If you are affiliated with any of the Allegheny County Family Centers, they can provide you with an Itty Bitty Birthday Cheer Bin (newborn care package) during your pregnancy.
    • If you are affiliated with the following Family Centers: McKeesport, Duquesne, Clairton, Hazelwood, Hilltop, South Hills, Steel Valley, you can receive baby care items up to four times in the first year.

Healthy Start – Hello Baby Priority Participants

 


 

Armstrong County

Early Head Start or Head Start Families

    • If you are enrolled in an Early Head Start or Head Start program, they can provide you with an Itty Bitty Birthday Cheer Bin (newborn care package) during your pregnancy.
    • If you are enrolled in an Early Head Start program and have a child aged birth to 36 months, you can receive baby care items up until your child’s third birthday. Connect with your Early Head Start teacher/supervisor.

Early Intervention Families

    • If you are receiving Early Intervention services and have a child aged birth to 36 months, you can receive baby care items until your child’s third birthday. Connect with your Early Intervention Service Coordinator.

 


 

Beaver County

Early Head Start Families

    • If you are enrolled in a Lifesteps Early Head Start program and have a child aged birth to 36 months, you can receive baby care items until your child’s third birthday. Connect with your Early Head Start teacher/supervisor.

Lifesteps CHOIC Families

 


 

Fayette County

Early Intervention Families

    • If you receive Early Intervention services and have a child aged birth to 36 months, you can receive baby care items until your child’s third birthday. Connect with your Early Intervention Service Coordinator.

 


 

Washington County

Community Baby Showers

    • Parents and caregivers of newborns (birth to three months) can attend a free virtual or in-person community baby shower to receive baby care supplies and get connected to resources that offer support.

 


 

Westmoreland County

Community Baby Showers

    • Parents and caregivers of newborns (birth to three months) can attend a free virtual or in-person community baby shower to receive baby care supplies and get connected to resources that offer support.

Early Head Start or Head Start Families

    • If you are enrolled in an Early Head Start or Head Start program, they can provide you with an Itty Bitty Birthday Cheer Bin (newborn care package) during your pregnancy.
    • If you are enrolled in a Westmoreland Community Action Early Head Start program and have a child aged birth to 36 months, you can receive baby care items until your child’s third birthday. Connect with your Early Head Start teacher/supervisor.

Early Intervention Families

    • If you receive Early Intervention services and have a child aged birth to 36 months, you can receive baby care items until your child’s third birthday. Connect with your Early Intervention Service Coordinator.

 


 

Request More Information

To request more information, call 724.590.5106 to speak with a Beverly’s Birthdays staff member. Requested items will be delivered to your Family Center and you can coordinate pickup with your Family Support Specialist.

Learn More: To learn more, visit the Beverly’s Birthdays website.

Share this flyer with your network.

 

Information provided by Beverly’s Birthdays. 

News

Pfizer Vaccine Approved for 12- to 15-Year-Olds

The Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine has been approved for use in children ages 12 to 15 years old. Once all approvals are in place, vaccine providers will begin vaccinating eligible children.

 

About

The CDC recommends that everyone ages 12 years old and older should receive a COVID-19 vaccine to protect against the virus. Currently, children ages 12 to 15 are only eligible to receive the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine.

    • Two Doses: The Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine requires two doses. Individuals will have to return to their vaccination provider after three weeks to receive the second dose before their vaccination has been complete.
    • Common Side Effects: Your child may experience side effects such as arm pain, redness, or swelling; tiredness; headache; muscle pain; nausea; chills; or fever. These are normal signs that their body is building protection and should go away in a few days. Some experience no side effects.
    • Vaccine Card: You will receive a vaccination card that tells you which vaccine you received, the date you received it, and where you received it. It will also include a reminder that a second dose is needed.
    • Cost: COVID-19 vaccines are provided at no cost. Providers cannot charge you for the vaccine, fees, copays, or coinsurance. Providers cannot deny vaccination to anyone who does not have health insurance coverage.
    • Avoid Scams: If a provider asks you to pay, it is a scam. Do not share personal or financial information if someone contacts you promising access to the vaccine for an extra fee.

After your family is fully vaccinated against COVID-19, your family can begin to resume activities you did prior to the pandemic.

Schedule a Vaccine Appointment

People interested in scheduling an appointment can find Pfizer vaccination locations near them using Vaccines.gov, by texting their zip code to GETVAX (438829) for English, or VACUNA (822862) for Spanish, or by calling 1.800.232.0233. The text option will send three possible vaccinations in the area straight to your phone.

Language Support: If you speak a language other than English or Spanish and need help finding a vaccine provider (or have questions about the vaccine), call 1.800.232.0233.

More Information

For more information about COVID-19 vaccines for children and teens, visit the CDC website.

News

Ask a Nurse About Your Baby’s Health

Interested in asking a nurse about your baby’s health, connecting with local moms, or sharing experiences with local dads? Check out these free virtual parenting groups from Hello Baby!

 

Ask-a-Nurse Virtual Parenting Group

Do you have questions about your baby’s growth, sleeping, or other health and safety topics? Join Hello Baby for their Ask-a-Nurse virtual parenting group! A registered nurse will share tips and answer questions.

    • First Thursday of Every Month  |  6 – 7 p.m.
      Join the Meeting  |  Join by Phone (Audio Only): 267.368.7515, Conference ID: 412515653#
    • Third Tuesday of Every Month  |  1 – 2 p.m.
      Join the Meeting  |  Join by Phone (Audio Only): 267.368.7515, Conference ID: 412515653#

 


 

Hello Mommy! Virtual Parenting Group

It is helpful to know you are not alone. Hello Baby‘s Hello Mommy virtual parent group connects mothers in Allegheny County with other local moms with infants to talk about everything from car seats to child care.

    • Second Wednesday of Every Month  |  6 – 7 p.m.
      Join the Meeting  |  Join by Phone (Audio Only): 267.368.7515, Conference ID: 176 325 708#
    • Fourth Thursday of Every Month  |  11 a.m. – 12 p.m.
      Join the Meeting  |  Join by Phone (Audio Only): 267.368.7515, Conference ID: 176 325 708#

 


 

Hello Daddy! Virtual Parenting Group

Dads need support too. Hello Baby‘s Hello Daddy virtual parent group connects Allegheny County fathers with other local dads to share their experiences and get all their newborn questions answered.

 


 

More Information

To ask a question, call the Department of Human Services at 412.350.6611 or email celeste.boston@alleghenycounty.us.

News

Free Frick and Highland Park Activities

Pittsburgh Park Rangers are hosting free activities for all ages this summer in Frick and Highland Park. All events are available from 4:30 to 6 p.m. and will be subject to weather cancelation and modification.

Safety: All children will be required to wash or sanitize their hands before and after the program.

 

May: Grow Your Own Tree

    • May 18, 4:30 – 6 p.m.
      Frick Park, Forbes & Braddock Playground  |  Get Directions
    • May 25, 4:30 – 6 p.m.
      Highland Park, Super Playground  |  Get Directions

June: Wildflower Plantings

    • June 8, 4:30 – 6 p.m.
      Highland Park, Super Playground  |  Get Directions
    • June 15, 4:30 – 6 p.m.
      Frick Park, Forbes & Braddock Playground  |  Get Directions
    • June 22, 4:30 – 6 p.m.
      Highland Park, Super Playground  |  Get Directions

July: Art Break

    • July 13, 4:30 – 6 p.m.
      Highland Park, Super Playground  |  Get Directions
    • July 20, 4:30 – 6 p.m.
      Frick Park, Forbes & Braddock Playground  |  Get Directions
    • July 27, 4:30 – 6 p.m.
      Highland Park, Super Playground  |  Get Directions

August: Coffee-Filter Butterflies

    • August 3, 4:30 – 6 p.m.
      Frick Park, Blue Slide  |  Get Directions
    • August 10, 4:30 – 6 p.m.
      Highland Park, Super Playground  |  Get Directions
    • August 17, 4:30 – 6 p.m.
      Frick Park, Forbes & Braddock Playground  |  Get Directions
    • August 24, 4:30 – 6 p.m.
      Highland Park, Super Playground  |  Get Directions

September: Pinecone Birdfeeders

    • September 7, 4:30 – 6 p.m.
      Frick Park, Blue Slide  |  Get Directions
    • September 14, 4:30 – 6 p.m.
      Highland Park, Super Playground  |  Get Directions
    • September 21, 4:30 – 6 p.m.
      Frick Park, Forbes & Braddock Playground  |  Get Directions
    • September 28, 4:30 – 6 p.m.
      Highland Park, Super Playground  |  Get Directions

View More Events

To view more events, visit our event calendar. Share this flyer with your network.

News

WIC Requests Feedback from Recipients

Are you or have you ever been a WIC recipient? If yes, the Pennsylvania Department of Health wants your feedback!

 

About

As a part of its annual review process, the Pennsylvania Department of Health is collecting comments from former and current WIC recipients on the program. To support, Just Harvest and the Coalition Against Hunger created an online form to collect comments from the public.

Submit Your WIC Feedback

To provide feedback or suggestions, complete the online form by May 31. All comments will be compiled and sent to the Pennsylvania Department of Health.

Information Sessions

If you have questions, information sessions are available:

    • May 19, 2021  |  3 – 4 p.m.  |  Register
    • May 20, 2021  |  6:30 – 7:30  |  Register

News

Nominations Open for the 2021 Voice for Children Award

Do you know an outstanding early childhood professional who is using their voice to advocate for young children and families? Nominate them for the 2021 Voice for Children Award!

 

About

The VOICE for Children Award is the only statewide award in Pennsylvania that recognizes early care and education professionals, who are not paid advocates, that go above and beyond their daily work in the field by being grassroots leaders through advocacy and public policy efforts.

Nomination Criteria

Nominees must:

    • Display dispositions of a model early childhood advocate, including (but not exclusive to) serving as an expert witness, providing public testimony, appearing in media, serving on a board in a public policy capacity, receiving distinctive honors or awards for previous advocacy work, leading advocacy campaigns or actions, working with leaders and elected officials, and/or recognized as an early childhood leader in their community.
    • Be a current member of PennAEYC to be considered.

Nominate an Educator

Nominations must be submitted no later than Friday, June 4, 2021. To submit a nomination, complete this nomination form and email it to Director of Public Policy and Advocacy Kimberly Early at kearly@pennaeyc.org. Please add “2021 VOICE Nomination” in your email subject line.

Nomination Guidelines

    • Nomination forms will be used to determine the winners of the VOICE for Children Award. Specific documentation (such as links to newspaper articles, titles, awards/honors) should be provided if known to substantiate a nominee’s advocacy efforts. PennAEYC staff will review each nomination based on the information provided. It is important that the nomination form is fully completed and all necessary information is included.
    • There is a 500-word maximum to your response to why you believe your nominee should be selected as a recipient of the 2021 PennAEYC VOICE for Children Award.
    • Including a biography of the nominee is encouraged, but not required.
    • Additional letters of support and endorsements for your nominee may be submitted. Encourage your colleagues to complete the form and indicate their endorsement.
    • Membership with PennAEYC is not required for the person nominating or endorsing a nominee.

More Information

To learn more, visit the PennAEYC website.

News

May 14, 2021

Submit a Comment: Child Care Development Fund

Members of the public are invited to review Pennsylvania’s Child Care Development Fund plan and submit comments online or in writing via postal mail.

 

Child Care Development Fund Plan

Every three years, the Administration for Children and Families Office of Child Care requires states to submit a Child Care Development Fund Plan (CCDF) State Plan that describes how they will administer CCDF dollars in their state’s child care system. This includes all activities related to:

    • child care licensing,
    • professional development,
    • quality improvement, and
    • subsidized child care.

View the Plan: View the full FFY 2022-24 OCDEL CCDF State Plan or Executive Summary.

Public Comment Period

Members of the public can review the drafted plan and submit comments online or in writing via postal mail to:

The Office of Child Development and Early Learning
333 Market Street, 6th Floor
Harrisburg, PA 17101

Comment deadline: Monday, May 24, 2021

Virtual Public Hearing

The public is invited to attend a virtual public hearing on Tuesday, May 18 from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. and provide testimony. Only individuals who request a spot in advance will be allowed to testify.

Public Hearing Registration: To register, complete the online registration form. Space is limited.