September 30, 2021 Child Care Jobs in Pittsburgh Are you looking for open child care positions? Early learning programs in the Greater Pittsburgh Area are hiring Preschool Head Teachers, Child Care Teachers, and more! See this week’s featured jobs. Child Care Positions in Pittsburgh Infant/Toddler Room Assistant Teachers Carriage House Children’s Center is seeking Infant/Toddler Room Assistant Teachers who will be responsible in assisting with the children’s daily activities under the guidance of a teacher. Apply: To apply, email your resume to chcc@carriagehouse.org Lead Two’s-Three’s Teacher Carriage House Children’s Center is seeking a full-time Lead Teacher for its Two’s-Three’s Program to provide a safe and nurturing learning environment for all children and to demonstrate leadership for team members in the classroom. Candidates with Early Childhood Education, Elementary Education, Child Development or related degrees are preferred. Candidates without designated degrees should have a CDA credential or equivalent (12 credits in Early Childhood Education or a related field) and two years’ experience. Apply: To apply, email your resume to chcc@carriagehouse.org Kindergarten Assistant Teacher Carriage House Children’s Center is seeking a full-time assistant teacher for its Kindergarten Program to provide a safe and nurturing learning environment for all children. Candidates require a Pre-K-4 teaching certificate or a Private Academic School License. Apply: To apply, email your resume to chcc@carriagehouse.org Preschool Teacher Carriage House Children’s Center is seeking a full-time teacher for its Preschool Program to provide a safe and nurturing learning environment for all children. Candidates with Early Childhood Education, Elementary Education, Child Development or related degrees are preferred. Candidates without designated degrees should have a CDA credential or equivalent (12 credits in Early Childhood Education or a related field) and two years’ experience. Apply: To apply, email your resume to chcc@carriagehouse.org Assistant Teachers Carriage House Children’s Center is seeking full-time Assistant Teachers for its Infant/Toddler and Preschool Programs to provide a safe and nurturing learning environment for all children. Candidates should have a minimum of a high school diploma and least two years’ documented experience working with children. Candidates with credits from an accredited college or university in Early Childhood Education, Elementary Education, Child Development or the human services field are preferred. Apply: To apply, email your resume to chcc@carriagehouse.org Pre-K Counts Lead Teacher Heritage Community Initiatives is seeking a Pre-K Counts Lead Teacher to provide high quality programming within their assigned classroom of three-to-five year old children. The Pre-K Counts Lead Teacher should be committed to best practices according regulations and guidelines from Heritage Community Initiatives, DHS, Keystone STARS, NAEYC, and Pre-K Counts. Apply: Apply online via the Heritage Community Initiatives website. Pre-K Counts Assistant Teacher Heritage Community Initiatives is seeking a Pre-K Counts Assistant Teacher to provide high quality programming within their assigned classroom of three-to-five year old children. The Pre-K Counts Assistant Teacher must be able to develop and facilitate developmentally, individually, and culturally appropriate practices and intentional teaching. All lesson plans must be based on each individual child’s goals that come from the GOLD assessments and daily observations. Apply: Apply online via the Heritage Community Initiatives website. Head Start Assistant Teacher Heritage Community Initiatives is seeking a Head Start Assistant Teacher to design weekly lesson plans, complete student assessments, communicate with caregivers, and other related duties. Apply: Apply online via the Heritage Community Initiatives website. Head Start Teacher Heritage Community Initiatives is seeking a Head Start Teacher to design weekly lesson plans, complete student assessments, communicate with caregivers, and other related duties. Candidates should have a strong knowledge of DHS, STARS, and NAEYC Standards and policies, as well as meet all guidelines and regulations set forth by the Department of Human Services (DHS), Keystone STARS, NAEYC, Allegheny Intermediate Unit, and Heritage Community Initiatives. Apply: Apply online via the Heritage Community Initiatives website. Assistant Teacher Heritage Community Initiatives is seeking an Assistant Teacher to supervise children, coordinate enrichment activities, and maintain student goals based on assessment data, as well as related assigned duties. Apply: Apply online via the Heritage Community Initiatives website. Assistant Teacher Malaika Learning Center is hiring an Assistant Teacher with availability from Monday through Friday, 2 – 6:30 p.m. Apply: To apply, email malaikalc@gmail.com Submit a Job Each week, Trying Together highlights employer-submitted jobs on our website, social media, and in our newsletter. Submit a Job: To make it into next week’s post, submit the Child Care Provider Job Post Submission Form. All jobs submitted after Tuesday each week will be published in the following week’s news post. Publication dates may vary due to state and federal holidays. Unrelated jobs will not be included. For questions, contact Kara Bayer at kara@tryingtogether.org. Other Jobs in Early Childhood ECE Hire Visit the ECE Hire website to view early childhood education job listings and helpful tips on interviewing, resumes, and more. Submit a Job to PACCA Pennsylvania Child Care Association (PACCA) offers a Job Board for its members to post jobs for free and sends out submitted jobs via their Facebook page and e-newsletter. PACCA members can submit jobs online after signing into their membership account. For questions, contact Maureen Murphy at maureen.murphy@pacca.org. Receive Jobs in Your Inbox To receive the latest job opportunities, subscribe to our newsletter and follow us on Facebook.
September 29, 2021 Who Is Eligible for a COVID-19 Vaccine Booster Shot? According to the CDC, data from a small clinical trial show that a Pfizer-BioNTech booster shot increased the immune response in trial participants who finished their primary series 6 months earlier. With an increased immune response, people should have improved protection against COVID-19, including the Delta variant. Eligibility COVID-19 Vaccine booster shots are available for the following Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine recipients who completed their initial series at least 6 months ago: 65 years and older 18+ who have underlying medical conditions 18+ who work in high-risk settings 18+ who live in high-risk settings Schedule an Appointment Search vaccines.gov, text your ZIP code to 438829, or call 1-800-232-0233 to find locations near you. Additionally, you may: Check your local pharmacy’s website to see if vaccination walk-ins or appointments are available. Contact your state or local health department for more information. Additional Information For additional information related to COVID-19, visit the Center for Disease Control (CDC) website.
September 28, 2021 Request for Proposals: Shared Services Alliance Trying Together is seeking service-providers to offer human resources and financial services to a diverse mix of 12 child care programs during the pilot year of a Shared Services Alliance. About the Shared Services Alliance Shared Service Alliances are groups of child care programs that come together to network and pay dues in order to achieve economies of scale in purchasing goods and services. Trying Together will help to create a City of Pittsburgh Shared Service Alliance in 2021-2022 that offers services in the areas of marketing, human resources, and financial services. Trying Together is seeking service-providers to offer these services to a diverse mix of 12 childcare programs during the pilot year, roughly November 2021 through November 2022. The objective of a Shared Service Alliance in Child Care is for child care organizations to reduce costs and improve the strength of management and the quality of their services by sharing administrative functions with other organizations that provide the same types of services. Request for Proposals Service providers who participate in the Shared Service Alliance should: understand the business model and context of child care programs be willing to meet child care professionals where they are at in their current business practices offer flexibility and individualized support in their services in order to conveniently support child care programs in completing human resources tasks Human Resources RFP Trying Together is seeking a human resources service-provider who will be responsible for assessing the needs of each child care program and will offer the following services to each child care program: Review and update job descriptions for current employees and any current job openings Advertise job openings, screen staff for qualifications and interest, schedule and attend interviews, produce offer letters Assist with new-hire orientation and onboarding, as needed Develop or review and update employee handbook and employer policies Maintain personnel files to meet state DHS licensing requirements and Keystone STARS requirements – this includes (but is not limited to) clearances and background checks, required professional development, employee health records, and acknowledgement of receipt of employee handbook Assist with benefits administration, as needed Assist with employee relations issues Assist with employee evaluations, employee improvement plans, and separation or exit interviews (as needed) Interested applicants should review the entire Human Resources RFP. Proposals should be submitted electronically via email to sharedservices@tryingtogether.org by Tuesday, October 12, 2021 at 5:00 p.m. Financial Services RFP Trying Together is seeking a financial services service-provider to assess the needs of each child care program and offer up to the following services to each child care program: Develop bookkeeping and records management system for each child care program Input revenues and expenditures into financial software or spreadsheet format Prepare financial reports – monthly and annual Interpret financial reports and flag trends and discrepancies Assist and advise on cash management Advise on adherence to internal controls and methods to enhance operating performance Offer advice regarding opportunities to minimize expenditures and maximize revenues Complete payroll services for providers Complete local tax documents Complete local, state, and federal business and/or individual (for family child care programs) tax returns Produce year-end financials including preparation of W2s and 1099s Provide audit support, as needed Provide supporting financial documents to assist with grant applications, as needed Interested applicants should review the entire Financial Services RFP. Proposals should be submitted electronically via email to sharedservices@tryingtogether.org by Tuesday, October 12, 2021 at 5:00 p.m.
September 27, 2021 Child Care Staffing Survey Results A new survey conducted by partners of the Start Strong PA Campaign quantifies Pennsylvania’s current child care crisis, which threatens parents’ ability to work and the overall economy. Staffing Crisis The survey— conducted between August 30, 2021 and September 8, 2021— details the current child care staffing crisis in 1,163 Pennsylvania child care programs across 63 counties and its effects on working families’ ability to access care. According to the survey: Nearly 26,000 children currently sit on waiting lists. More than 34,000 additional children could be served at respondents’ sites if they were fully staffed. 92% of respondents reported staffing shortages. 51% of respondents have closed at least one classroom. According to responses from the 160 Allegheny County programs that took the survey: 97% indicated they have a staffing shortage. 5,034 children sit on waiting lists. 315 classrooms have closed. An additional 4,357 children could be served if all programs were fully staffed. These survey results depict a deepening crisis in the child care sector. Child care providers continue to incur additional pandemic-related costs while operating significantly under capacity. Between March 2020 and August 2021, over 850 Pennsylvania providers have closed permanently and another 350 have temporarily closed. More Information To learn more about the survey, visit the Start Strong PA website. To ask Congress to consider a budget reconciliation process that would include $450 billion outlined in the American Families and Jobs Plans for child care and pre-k, visit the Trying Together advocacy page and take action.
Supporting Early Childhood Educators through Deductions (SEED) Act Representatives Conor Lamb (PA-17), Tom Reed (NY-23), Jimmy Panetta (CA-20) and Jackie Walorski (IN-02) have introduced the bipartisan The Supporting Early-Childhood Educators through Deductions (SEED) Act to allow early childhood educators to claim the existing above-the-line $250 tax deduction for K-12 teachers. About the SEED Act The deduction would help pre-K teachers defray the cost of providing supplies for their classrooms, whether they itemize or take the standard deduction. “The work that pre-K teachers do is critical to starting kids off on the right foot and Congress needs to ensure that all teachers have the tools they need to support their students,” said Lamb in a press release. “Pre-K teachers should be focused on their work in the classroom, they shouldn’t have to worry about out-of-pocket costs for materials and supplies.” This legislation would make early educators who purchase supplies with their own money eligible for the $250 teacher tax deduction, reducing their tax liability when they provide school supplies for their students. According to the release, studies have shown that teachers spent an average of $530 of their own money in the classroom. In 2002, Congress created an above-the-line educator expense deduction to allow qualifying K-12 teachers and other eligible educators such as counselors and principals to deduct up to $250 of expenses incurred for books, supplies, and other supplementary materials. Pre-K teachers are not covered by the educator expense deduction currently, although they earn significantly less than their peers who teach in the K-12 system. Additionally, teachers in high-poverty schools spent nearly 40 percent more than their peers elsewhere, with one in 10 spending $1,000 or more. In some cases, educators in low-income districts buy clothing and personal hygiene products, in addition to school supplies, for kids who are especially in need. The SEED Act is endorsed by Trying Together, Pennsylvania Association for the Education of Young Children (PennAEYC), Pennsylvania Head Start Association (PHSA), Teach For America, First Five Years Fund, Allegheny County Department of Children Initiatives, A Plus Schools, Boys & Girls Club of Western PA, Asset Inc., the Latino Community Center Pittsburgh , United Somali Bantu of Greater Pittsburgh, and Allies for Children. More Information Read the press release or visit Lamb’s website for more information on the SEED Act.
COVID-19 Best Practices for Child Care: Indoor Air Quality The Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL) has developed best practices for early learning professionals navigating COVID-19 protocols in their child care programs. The second topic is indoor air quality and ventilation. Best Practices for Indoor Air Quality To keep child care providers informed on the latest best practices for keeping children, staff, and families safe during the COVID-19 pandemic, the Pennsylvania Key created a webpage that highlights recommended best practices. The latest information is about indoor air quality and ventilation in child care programs. The page includes: tips on bringing outdoor air into the facility; tips for working with a ventilation consultant; a guide on how to choose a high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) cleaner; a list of questions to ask about HVAC systems and ventilation; ideas on how to include daily outdoor learning and play in classrooms; and more. Learn More For more information, visit the PA Key website. For more news, visit our news page.
September 23, 2021 Apply for ARPA Stabilization Grant OCDEL is making American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Funds available to eligible child care providers through stabilization grants issued through the Professional Development (PD) Registry. Grant Funding for Child Care Providers Stabilization grant funding can be used for a wide range of COVID-19 related expenses incurred in the past, present, or future. This includes expenses incurred on or after January 31, 2020, which have not been paid for with other grant funds. Funds can also be used towards expenses you anticipate as a result of the ongoing impacts of COVID-19. Apply The ARPA Stabilization Grant application is now available to eligible child care providers in the Professional Development (PD) Registry. Eligibility Guidelines To qualify for funding, certified child care providers must: have a regular or provisional Certificate of Compliance on or before March 11, 2021; at the time of application, be either open and available to provide child care or be in a temporarily closed status due to a reason related to the COVID-19 pandemic; providers in a temporarily closed status must plan to reopen by September 30, 2021; and at the time of application, have a Certificate of Compliance that is not in the Revocation or Refuse to Renew status with the OCDEL Bureau of Certification Services. Are relative providers eligible? Some relative Child Care Works (CCW) providers may also be eligible. Information on relative provider eligibility and the application process will be shared directly with those providers. How much funding will be distributed to providers? Read this document to learn how stabilization grants will be calculated for eligible providers. Providers can also use the ARPA Stabilization Grant – Certified Provider Estimator to receive an estimate of how much they could receive. What can these funds be used for? Allowable expense categories include: personnel costs, rent/mortgage and utilities, facilities maintenance and insurance (excluding major renovations), personal protective equipment (PPE), cleaning, and other health/safety practices, equipment and supplies, goods and services, and mental health supports for employees and children. Watch the Recorded Webinar A recording on the live September 8 webinar on ARPA Stabilization Grants is now available. It provides information on preparing for the application, eligibility, the application process, required attestation, expenses, payments, record keeping, reporting, and monitoring. Here are other resources: ARPA Stabilization Grants Webinar Slide Deck List of Application Questions for Eligible Providers Copy of the Attestation Eligible Certified Providers Must Submit Request Support To request support in thinking through how to best use these funds for your program, contact your local Early Learning Resource Center (ELRC). How to Prepare To prepare for the application process, complete the following steps: 1. Create or Review Your PD Registry Profile Child care directors, owners, administrators, or fiscal staff should create or review their accounts in the PD Registry. The person completing the application for your facility must have an account to apply. Learn how to create an account. 2. Claim Your Organization in the PD Registry Make sure you have claimed your organization in the PD Registry. The person who plans to complete the application must claim your organization as an administrator within the facility. Each facility can have multiple administrators, but only one person may apply for grant funding. Receive Grant Updates To receive updates on the ARPA Stabilization Grants, subscribe to the PA Early Education News & Special Announcements newsletter from the Pennsylvania Key. Continue to check your email or view announcements on the Pennsylvania Key website. Ask A Question For questions about creating an account and claiming your organization, email registry@pakeys.org. To read more news, visit Trying Together’s News page or subscribe to our newsletters.
September 22, 2021 Subsidy Eligibility for Child Care Facility Owners and Operators Effective Sept. 21, 2021, an owner and/or operator of a child care facility (child care center, group child care home or family child care center) who meets all other eligibility criteria for Child Care Works (CCW), including income limits, may be eligible for CCW. Subsidy Eligibility for Child Care Owners and Operators The Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL) announced a change in policy regarding CCW eligibility for parents/caretakers who are owners/operators of a child care facility. An eligible owner of a child care facility must enroll their child(ren) at a different facility, as the child(ren) can’t be cared for at the same facility in which the parent/caretaker is the owner. However, an eligible operator of a child care facility, such as a director of a child care center, can enroll their child(ren) at the same facility in which they are employed, but they can’t directly care for their own child(ren). More Information For more information, read OCDEL’s full announcement or contact the ELRC Region 5. For more news, visit our news page.
Free or Reduced-Cost Lead Testing Individuals who have concerns about lead levels in their water supply may be eligible to receive free or reduced-cost assessments of paint, dust, soil, and water. Obtaining an Assessment As part of the local “Get the Lead Out, Pittsburgh” initiative, coordinated by the nonprofit Women for a Healthy Environment, individuals may be eligible for a free or reduced-cost lead risk assessment. Fill out this form to register. The Allegheny County Health Department also provides some free resources to qualifying households. These resources include blood lead level testing for children who are uninsured or underinsured and free full home lead assessments for households with children whose blood lead levels are elevated by the Center for Disease Control’s standards (above 5 ppb). The ACHD’s “Get Ahead of Lead” resource list contains more information and instructions for who to contact. Additional Information Individuals who are not able to qualify for free or reduced-cost can access a list of water authorities that said they offer or help to facilitate residential drinking water tests. Public Source Pittsburgh has information on how to read these findings and private companies who perform lead tests.
New Ages & Stages Program Sends Age-Based Texts to Families The American Academy of Pediatrics’ new Ages & Stages program sends families age-based text messages that include information on nutrition, health, developmental milestones, and more! Ages & Stages Text Program If you are expecting a baby, or have children up to the age of five, sign up to receive important, age-based text messages for your family from the American Academy of Pediatrics! You will receive weekly messages on: safety and injury prevention information, nutrition and feeding advice, timely health reminders like COVID updates, what to expect at well-child check-ups, upcoming vaccine reminders, developmental milestones to watch for, seasonal health and wellness tips, and much more! Learn More To learn more and sign up, visit the HealthyChildren website. For more news, visit our news page.