May 14, 2021 Get a $50/Month Discount on Internet The FCC Emergency Broadband Benefit (EBB) Program is offering a temporary discount on monthly broadband bills for qualifying low-income households. Eligible households receive a discount of up to $50 per month ($75 per month on qualifying Tribal lands). Emergency Broadband Benefit Program Eligible Households Receive Up to a $50 per month discount on your broadband service and associated equipment rentals. Up to a $75 per month discount if your household is on qualifying Tribal lands. A one-time discount of up to $100 for a laptop, tablet, or desktop computer if the household contributes more than $10 but less than $50 toward the purchase price. Limited to one monthly service discount and one device discount per household. Eligibility Guidelines Your household qualifies if it has an income at or below 135% of the federal poverty guidelines or if any member of the household: participates in certain assistance programs, such as SNAP, Medicaid, or Lifeline; was approved to receive benefits under the free and reduced-price school lunch program or the school breakfast program in the 2019-20 or 2020-21 school year; received a federal Pell Grant in the current award year; experienced a substantial loss of income since February 29, 2020 with a total household income in 2020 at or below $99,000 for single filers and $198,000 for joint filers; or meets the eligibility criteria for a participating provider’s existing low-income or COVID-19 program. Apply for a Discount To apply for the program, complete the online application, contact your internet company to request assistance, or call 833.511.0311 to request a mail-in application. After receiving an eligibility determination, households can contact their preferred service provider to select an Emergency Broadband Benefit eligible service plan. Use this search tool to find a company that offers Emergency Broadband Benefit discounts. Request Assistance To request assistance in applying, contact the Emergency Broadband Support Center at EBBHelp@usac.org or 833.511.0311. For more information, visit the program FAQ page. Information provided by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC).
May 13, 2021 Neighborhood Health and Safety Academy Focus Group The City of Pittsburgh Office of Community Health and Safety (OCHS) is launching the Neighborhood Health and Safety Academy to empower residents to understand and utilize resources in the City. Neighborhood Health and Safety Academy The Academy seeks to educate and empower neighborhoods by: Helping residents understand the landscape of social services, community resources, and public safety in Pittsburgh. Providing residents with practical skills that can be applied to improve the health and safety of their neighbors. Topic Examples: Housing, Substance Use, Mental Health Join the Focus Group OCHS wants to build an education series that is relevant to community needs and interests. That is why they are convening a Neighborhood Health and Safety Focus Group to identify topics of interest. Eligibility: Any Pittsburgh resident age 18 or older is eligible to join. Time Commitment: One to two hours. To join the Focus Group, visit the City of Pittsburgh website. Share Your Input Individuals who are not interested in participating in the Focus Group can still provide input on topics of interest. To share your input, complete the online form. More Information For more information, visit the City of Pittsburgh website.
Four-Part Grandparent Video Series Available In May, Trying Together published a free, four-part Grandparent Video Education Series that explores Developmentally Appropriate Practice (DAP), play, advocacy, using digital tools, and more! Grandparent Video Education Series To recognize and support the important relationships grandparents have with their grandchildren, Trying Together created a four-part Grandparent Video Education Series. Courses include: Zoom 101 Presenter: Peter Sloan Navigating technology in our new virtual reality can sometimes be very challenging. This course provides provide a brief overview of how to properly use the Zoom platform, along with tips and tricks to help everyone become more technologically savvy. Grandparent Council Introduction and Advocacy 101 Presenters: Emily Neff and Lindsey Ramsey This course provides an overview of the origin and need for grandparent advocacy in our region. Participants will receive an overview of: the Early Learning Pennsylvania campaigns, how ECE programs are impacted by the budget process, and ways professionals and families can use their experience and knowledge to advocate. Developmentally Appropriate Practice (DAP) and the Importance of Play Presenters: Cristina Codario and Lainey Yockey This course provides an overview of child brain development and developmentally appropriate interactions and best practices that are needed to support it. Presenters will also: discuss the importance of play, offer activity suggestions, and share additional resources. The Early Learning Landscape and Relative Providers Presenter: Bliss Letang The Early Learning Landscape in Pennsylvania is full of care options for our little learners. Caregivers even have the opportunity to become “Relative Providers” for children who are receiving subsidized child care. This training will outline the care options available for children and families in our region and describe the steps it takes to become a Relative Provider. Watch the Videos To access the courses, visit our Grandparent Council page and scroll to the Course Videos section. Each video includes closed captioning which can be toggled on by clicking the CC button in the video player. Video transcripts are available as well. Ask A Question For questions contact Lindsey Ramsey, Public Policy Regional Coordinator at 412.567.4173 or lindsey@tryingtogether.org.
Child Care Jobs: May 13 – 19, 2021 Are you looking to enter the early learning field? View this week’s featured job descriptions. Featured Jobs Early Learning Specialist Latino Community Center is hiring an Early Learning Specialist to implement the early childhood home-visiting program ParentChild+ with families who have children ages two to four years old. The ELS will maintain a caseload of 10 to 15 families in the first year and participate in continual education provided by ParentChild+ to best support children and families in developing early literacy and school readiness. This individual must be bilingual in both English and Spanish. Apply: To apply, email your current resume and cover letter to careers@latinocommunitycenter.org. Please include your name and the job title in the subject line. Early Childhood Teacher Tender Care Learning Centers is seeking dedicated, energetic, and experienced professionals to work with the young children in their child care early education programs. Apply: To apply, complete the online application. 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 18. 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 18 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.
May 12, 2021 Guidance for People Fully Vaccinated for COVID-19 In April, the CDC released interim public health recommendations for individuals who are fully vaccinated for COVID-19. The CDC continues to monitor the status of COVID-19, including community spread and the number of individuals vaccinated, and will modify this guidance as needed. Who is considered fully vaccinated? Individuals are considered fully vaccinated for COVID-19 if more than two weeks have passed since they received a second dose in a two-dose COVID-19 vaccination series (Pfizer, Moderna), or more than two weeks have passed after receiving a single-dose vaccine (Johnson and Johnson). Interim Recommendations The following recommendations are intended for the general public, not workplaces. Fully Vaccinated People Can Visit with other fully vaccinated people indoors without wearing a mask or socially distancing. Visit with unvaccinated people (including children) from a single household who are at low risk for severe COVID-19 disease indoors without wearing masks or social distancing. Participate in outdoor activities and recreation without a mask, except in crowded settings and venues. Resume domestic travel and refrain from testing before or after travel or self-quarantine after travel. Refrain from testing before leaving the United States for international travel (unless required by the destination) and refrain from self-quarantine after arriving back in the United States. Refrain from testing following a known exposure, if asymptomatic, with some exceptions for specific settings. Refrain from quarantine following a known exposure if asymptomatic. Refrain from routine screening testing if asymptomatic and feasible. Fully Vaccinated People Should Continue To Take precautions in indoor public settings like wearing a well-fitted mask. Wear well-fitted masks when visiting indoors with unvaccinated people who are at an increased risk for severe COVID-19 disease or who have an unvaccinated household member who is at an increased risk for serious disease. Wear well-fitted masks when visiting indoors with unvaccinated people from multiple households. Avoid large indoor in-person gatherings. Get tested if experiencing COVID-19 symptoms. Follow guidance issued by individual employers. Follow CDC and health department travel requirements and recommendations. View the Full Guidance For more information and to view the full list of recommendations, visit the CDC website. The webpage offers additional information on: Recommendations for Visiting with Others in Indoor Private Settings Recommendations for Large Gatherings Recommendations for Other Personal or Social Activities Outside the Home Recommendations for Travel Recommendations for Isolation, Quarantine, and Testing Information provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Pittsburgh Ballet Youth Scholarship Auditions Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre School is hosting auditions for children ages five to nine years old for an opportunity to receive one of five full scholarships for the 2021-22 school year. About the Community Youth Scholarship The Pittsburgh Theatre School Community Youth Scholarship is intended for children ages five to nine years old from families that demonstrate financial need. Five scholarships are available. Requirements: No previous dance experience is required. However, students should have: talent for training in ballet and other dance styles, the desire, commitment, and discipline to study dance in a training academy, and the ability to get to and from classes on a regular basis. Eligibility Guidelines Income eligibility for this scholarship follows the Child Nutrition Programs: Income Eligibility Guidelines of the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Required Documentation: See the list of acceptable documentation to identify what documents you need to collect before the audition. Audition Details Date: Saturday, June 12, 2021 Time: Check-in begins at 9:30 a.m. Auditions begin at 10 a.m. Where: Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre Studios | 2900 Liberty Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15201 Register for the Audition Audition Attire: Children should wear fitted clothing (such as a leotard and tights, or shorts, opaque leggings, and a t-shirt). Socks or dance slippers are recommended (no shoes or bare feet). Hair should be pulled up and away from the face. Children must be dressed and ready upon arrival. Caregiver Information: Free parking is available in the lots adjacent to and across the street from the building. To create as safe of an environment as possible, caregivers will remain outside of the building during the audition. Additional Items: The only item children can bring is a bottle of water. Water fountains will not be available. More Information To learn more or register for the audition, visit the Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre website.
May 11, 2021 PPP Loan Application Deadline Soon The Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) First and Second Draw Loan application deadline is May 31, 2021. Eligible businesses may receive funds to pay up to eight weeks of payroll (including benefits). What is the Paycheck Protection Program? The Paycheck Protection Program provides businesses with funds to: pay up to eight weeks of payroll costs (including benefits), pay mortgage interest, rent, utilities, worker protection costs related to COVID-19, and pay for other qualifying expenses. Eligibility: View First Draw and Second Draw PPP Loan eligibility criteria. Application Period PPP Loan applications must be submitted by May 31, 2021. Find an eligible lender. First Draw Borrower Application Form Second Draw Borrower Application Form Calculate Maximum Loan Amount (First Draw) (Second Draw) Additional Documents and Resources PPP Loan Forgiveness Terms Businesses may be eligible for PPP Loan forgiveness if they meet the following terms during the eight- to 24-week covered period after loan disbursement: employee and compensation levels are maintained, the loan proceeds are spent on payroll costs and other eligible expenses, and at least 60% of the proceeds are spent on payroll costs. Forgiveness Timeline: Businesses can apply for forgiveness once all loan proceeds for which the borrower is requesting forgiveness have been used. If applications are not submitted within 10 months after the last day of coverage, PPP Loan payments will no longer be deferred. Learn More: Visit the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) website to learn more. More Information For more information, visit the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) website or view this FAQ for Lenders and Borrowers.
May 5, 2021 Teaching Policy Fellowship Opportunity Are you a teacher in Pennsylvania who is interested in learning more about education policy? Sign up for the Teach Plus Teaching Policy Fellowship. About In summer 2021, Teach Plus will launch a Teaching Policy Fellowship in Pennsylvania. This highly selective leadership opportunity is for 30 outstanding teachers looking to deepen their knowledge of education policy and amplify the voices of teacher leaders in Pennsylvania. Policy fellows, who will receive a $1,500 stipend for their commitment, will expand their influence without leaving the classroom and elevate teacher voice on important student equity issues. Early childhood educators are particularly encouraged to apply! Fellows will attend two in-person training sessions (dependent on COVID-19 restrictions), monthly virtual meetings, and smaller, issues-focused working groups. Qualifications Teach Plus seeks a cohort of teachers who reflect the cultural, linguistic, and geographic diversity of our state. Applicants must: Be a current teacher of record (PK-12) in a PA public or charter school or early childhood education setting with at least two full years of teaching experience by June 2021. Have a track record of success teaching students in Pennsylvania. Be ready to dedicate time and energy to learning about policy and advocating on behalf of changes that impact your students — while continuing to teach full time. Have a passion for sharing the diverse perspectives and experiences of students and teachers with policy makers. Apply To learn more about the fellowship or to apply, visit the Teach Plus website. Educators can also be nominated for the opportunity. Teach Plus will host an information session about the fellowship on May 10, 2021 at 5 p.m. Register. Fellowship applications are due May 17, 2021. Interested? Email Laura Boyce at lboyce@teachplus.org.
PPS Take A Father to School Day On May 21, Pittsburgh Public Schools (PPS) will be virtually celebrating Take a Father to School Day. Join them in celebrating this year’s focus: Resilience Through Reading. About This year’s virtual Take a Father to School Day event will focus on “Resilience Through Reading,” with partners including Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh, the Steelers, the Pirates, the Penguins, and Literacy Pittsburgh. The celebration will speak to the importance of fatherhood, being a positive role model, and fathers reading to their children. View this year’s activity list. Purpose The goals of Take a Father to School Day are: inclusion; increasing active participation of fathers, father figures, and positive male role models; and welcoming father figures into a school atmosphere that encourages them to be actively involved in their child’s educational journey. More Information To learn more, visit the Pittsburgh Public Schools website.
Child Care Jobs: May 5 – 12, 2021 Are you looking to enter the early learning field? View this week’s featured job descriptions. Featured Jobs Teacher (Temporary, Full-Time) Heritage Community Initiatives, located in Braddock, is seeking experienced, compassionate, flexible, creative, and reliable Teachers 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 the NAA. The Summer Session runs from June 7 to the end of August 2021. Apply: To apply, send your resume to nhill@heritagesserves.org. Lead Teacher SmartKids Childcare and Early Learning Center is hiring a Pre-K Counts Lead Teacher. This position includes competitive benefits and salary. Apply: To apply, contact Center Management at 724.229.9110 or smartkidscclc@yahoo.com. Infant or Young Toddler Teacher SmartKids Childcare and Early Learning Center is hiring Infant or Young Toddler Teachers to work with infants and young toddler age groups. Multiple positions are open and available for increasing enrollment. Apply: To apply, contact Center Management at 724.229.9110 or smartkidscclc@yahoo.com. Group Supervisor Future Focus Childcare is hiring a Group Supervisor who will be responsible for classroom management, lesson planning, and observations for children ages one to three years old. Apply: To apply, send your resume to futurefocus5936@gmail.com. Daycare Teachers TOLATR Highland Park Preparatory Academy is hiring Daycare Teachers. These professionals will provide a nurturing environment and support the beginning foundation of learning. Three positions are available: one full-time and two part-time. Apply: To apply, send your resume and contact information to tolatr@aol.com. Infant/Toddler Room Assistant Group Supervisor All Star Learning Program is looking for a part-time staff member for their infant and toddler rooms. This person will be responsible for assisting the teacher in daily activities. Must obtain all clearances and adhere to state regulations. Hours will flex between 6:15 a.m. and 6 p.m. Monday through Friday. Apply: To apply, send your resume to allstarlearningprogram@gmail.com. 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 11. 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 11 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.
