September 21, 2021 Child Care Quality Fund Grants Awarded The City of Pittsburgh Mayor William Peduto’s Office of Equity has announced that the Child Care Quality Fund (CCQF) has awarded $387,250 in grants to 11 local licensed child care facilities to implement strategic investments to ensure that young children have access to safe and high quality early learning and care, as well as to help improve their state Keystone STARS quality rating. CCQF Grant Awards The CCQF grants aim to increase the number of high-quality early learning programs in Pittsburgh. This is the first round of grant awards under the program chosen by the CCQF selection committee, who will review applications and disburse grants from the $2 million fund each quarter. Facilities can qualify for maximum funding amounts based on their size. One family and group child care home was awarded the maximum $12,500; $124,750 total will be invested in improvements to five centers licensed to serve under 100 children; and $250,000 total was awarded to five centers licensed to serve over 100 children. The child care facilities that were granted the funding are located in Bloomfield, Brookline, Carrick, Crawford-Roberts, Downtown, East Liberty, Greenfield, Larimer, Mount Washington and Perry Hilltop. Each awardee will work with a Quality Coach from the Early Learning Resource Center Region 5 in Allegheny County to make improvements to their facility and curriculum to advance their state quality rating. Eligible expenses include facility or program improvements. Additional information can be found on the CCQF website. About the CCQF The CCQF was developed in partnership between the Mayor’s Office of Equity, Pittsburgh City Council Women’s Caucus, Early Learning Resource Center Region 5, Allegheny County and Trying Together. Applications for this inaugural round of funding launched in July. Additional information can be found on the CCQF website. Apply for a CCQF grant Interested applicants may share their interest in applying for the CCQF grants via this online form. Once the interest form is received, a representative from Trying Together will follow-up to assist with the application process. Grantees will be required to provide a final expense report with receipts. For questions about CCQF grants or assistance with the application, email grants@tryingtogether.org.
Is Your Family Ready for an Emergency? September is National Emergency Preparedness Month. Does your family have an emergency plan or kit? If not, now is a great time to learn how to make one! How to Prepare for an Emergency In recognition of National Emergency Preparedness Month, consider reviewing the following documents to make sure your family is prepared for any type of emergency: Pennsylvania Emergency Preparedness Guide Provides information on different types of emergencies; how to create emergency plans and kits for your home, vehicle, and workplace; and how to plan ahead for needs relevant to your family.Available in English, Spanish, German, Russian, Simplified Chinese, and Traditional Chinese. Discussing Emergencies with Young Children in a Non-Threatening Way See strategies on how to talk with young children about emergencies in developmentally appropriate ways. A Guide for Families: Creating An Emergency Kit Learn how to create an emergency kit for your family. Available in English and Spanish. Emergency Kit Checklist for Kids and Families Access this emergency kit checklist to make sure you have everything you need for your baby, toddler, children, pets, other family members, and yourself. Helping Children Cope with Emergencies Disasters can leave children and teenagers feeling frightened, confused, and insecure. Check out this resource to view strategies for helping children to cope. Safety and Emergencies: Family Resources Access a list of information, activities, and tools you can use to prepare for and limit emergencies. Directory for Emergency and Safety Services Access a list of phone numbers, websites, and more for common emergency services in Pennsylvania. Available in English and Spanish. Learn More To learn more about emergencies and emergency preparedness, check out this list of family resources. For more news, visit our news page or subscribe to our online newsletters.
September 20, 2021 Pittsburgh Parks & Trails: New Maps and Info Available New information is available on the CitiParks website on Pittsburgh parks, trails, swimming pools, sports fields, special events, recreation centers, and more! New Information on Pittsburgh Parks In August, the City of Pittsburgh Office of Mayor William Peduto, Departments of Innovation and Performance, Parks and Recreations, and Public Works launched CitiParks, the city’s first official comprehensive and interactive public parks, recreation, and trails website. What does the CitiParks website offer? The website provides information on attractions, event shelters, public art, and amenities, in addition to interactive maps of the city’s five parks (Schenley, Frick, Riverview, Emerald View, and Highland Parks). The website also features information and resources on: the city’s 10 community parks, riverfronts, and 150 neighborhood parks, swimming pools and spray parks, trails, park rangers, and shelters, recreation centers and special events, sports fields, and park maintenance. Learn More To learn more, visit the CitiParks website. For more news, visit our news page.
September 18, 2021 Mental Health First Aid Classes Available This fall, the Pennsylvania Head Start Association is offering virtual Youth and Adult Mental Health First Aid classes. Individuals who complete the course receive a certification. Mental Health First Aid Classes In partnership with Community Services Group (CSG), the Pennsylvania Head Start Association is offering two virtual sessions of Youth Mental Health First Aid and one virtual session of Adult Mental Health First Aid. Participants will receive a three-year Mental Health First Aid certification. All sessions cost $155 per participant and courses are capped at 25 participants. Topics covered include anxiety, depression, substance use, disorders in which psychosis may occur, disruptive behavior disorders, and reading disorders. Youth Mental Health First Aid Youth Mental Health First Aid is designed to teach parents, family members, caregivers, teachers, school staff, peers, neighbors, and other caring citizens how to help an adolescent (age 12 – 18) who is experiencing a mental health or substance use challenge or is in crisis. Sessions are hosted on September 29 and December 17 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Adult Mental Health First Aid Adult Mental Health First Aid helps an individual who does not have clinical training assist someone experiencing a mental health crisis. The goal is to support an individual until appropriate professional help arrives. This session will be hosted on November 18 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sign Up and Learn More To sign up for a class, visit the Pennsylvania Head Start Association website. For more news, visit our news page or subscribe to our newsletter.
September 17, 2021 Resources for Families of Deaf or Hard of Hearing Children A new tool is available to help families of children who are deaf or hard of hearing (DHH) connect with family supports, organizations, and resources. New Tool Supports Families of DHH Children Brought to you by the National Center for Hearing Assessment and Management (NCHAM), the Just in Time tool connects families with organizations, programs, and resources that support deaf or hard of hearing (DHH) children. Family Resources Just in Time features a long list of organizations and resources for families of children who are deaf or hard of hearing. Here’s a shortlist of them: Early Hearing Detection & Intervention – ensures that every baby receives a hearing screening and follow-up testing, coordinates early intervention, and more. Baby Hearing – answers questions about infant hearing screening, follow-up testing, hearing devices, language, speech, and parenting issues. Available in English and Spanish. CDC: A Parent’s Guide to Hearing Loss – features programs and services on understanding hearing loss and how hearing is tested; finding professionals with expertise in serving babies with hearing loss; fitting a baby with a hearing device; and family support groups. Hands and Voices – a parent-driven organization that supports all families of children who are DHH. Available in English, Spanish, Russian, and other languages. Center for Parent Information & Resources – works with families of infants, toddlers, children, and youth with disabilities, including those who are DHH, ages birth to 26. The tool also answers frequently asked questions about financial assistance, early intervention services, connecting with other families of DHH children, disability, communication, and more. More Information For more information, check out the Just in Time tool. For more news, visit our news page.
September 16, 2021 Addressing the Impact of Lost Instructional Time Using ARP Funds The U.S. Department of Education published a list of evidence-based strategies and resources school districts can use to address the impact of lost instructional time through ARP funds. Addressing Lost Instructional Time In March, the U.S. Department of Education announced allocations to each state educational agency under the American Rescue Plan (ARP) Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief fund, totaling $122 billion in relief for K-12 schools. Under this funding, districts are directed to use at least 20% of their funds to address the impact of lost instructional using evidence-based interventions. Strategies to Address Lost Instructional Time To support districts in this work, the Department released “Strategies for Using American Rescue Plan Funding to Address the Impact of Lost Instructional Time,” a resource to support educators as they implement, refine, and work to continuously improve their strategies for supporting students. This release is part of a series of steps the Biden Administration has taken to help schools recover from the pandemic and build back better. The Return to School Roadmap The Department also released a Return to School Roadmap. Each section of the Roadmap provides strategies, resources, and tools for meeting the needs of underserved students by: building trust with families and supporting safe in-person learning, supporting students’ social, emotional, and mental health needs, utilizing approaches for accelerated learning, including high-quality tutoring, supporting students during key transitions and their reengagement in learning, and using high-quality assessments to support student learning. Learn More For more information and resources, including a checklist for families, read the full press release. For more news, visit our news page or subscribe to our newsletter.
September 15, 2021 DHS Enforces Mask Mandates in Child Care The Pennsylvania Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL) has issued clarification about the minimum necessary documentation that must be maintained by a child care provider to demonstrate a masking exemption and the enforcement actions that the Department of Human Services will take for noncompliant licensed child care providers. Comply with Masking Mandate Since September 7, 2021, all staff and children in K-12 schools and licensed child care facilities have been required to wear face coverings under an order issued by the Pennsylvania Department of Health. Child care providers striving for compliance can work closely with certification representatives for strategies and resources to maintain full compliance. Failure to implement measures for staff and children to follow the order subjects a child care provider to the following child care licensing enforcement actions: Initial citations for non-compliance. Failure to return a license inspection summary with an acceptable Plan of Correction (POC) within ten (10) calendar days after notification of noncompliance may result in the DHS denying, refusing to renew or revoking your certificate of compliance. A downgrade to a Provisional Certificate of Compliance as a result of noncompliance to the order will result in the inability to apply for, or receive, a Child Care Stabilization Grant. Continued non-compliance may result in continued enforcement action up to and including issuance of an Emergency Removal Order. Citations will not be issued to providers where there are temporary instances when staff and children are not wearing their face mask but there is intent to comply with the order. Process for Exemptions to the Face Covering Order Any child care facility simply permitting a parent’s/caretaker’s sign-off without medical documentation that the child has a medical or mental health condition or disability that precludes the wearing of a face covering is not in compliance with the order. Under the order, child care facilities must require all individuals, two years of age and older, to wear face coverings unless the individual has an exemption. While there are exceptions, a parent’s/caretaker’s opposition to the order is not one of them. Before an individual is exempt from the face covering requirements, all alternatives to a face covering, including a face shield, are to be exhausted. Parents/caretakers indicating their child is exempted from wearing a face covering due to a medical condition must have individualized documentation from the child’s physician. Form letters and parental/caretaker notes are not sufficient for documentation of compliance. Parents/caretakers and staff must submit appropriate documentation that is signed by a medical professional to the child care provider by September 21, 2021. More Information For more information, read the full masking order and OCDEL’s Announcement C-21-08: Compliance with Acting Secretary of Health’s Face Covering Order. For more news, visit our news page.
Open Child Care Positions 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 Preschool Head Teacher The University of Pittsburgh’s Child Development Center is looking for a talented early childhood professional to work with three-year-old children. The center is a play-based, accredited program located close to Pitt’s campus. Apply: To apply, visit the University of Pittsburgh website, search for Head Teacher, and complete an online application. Location: 635 Clyde St, Pittsburgh, PA 15213 Early Childhood Educator Cyert Center of Carnegie Mellon University is seeking Early Childhood Educators to work with children ages 12 months through five years of age. Apply: To apply, submit an online application on the Carnegie Mellon website. Location: Morewood Gardens, 1060 Morewood Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15213 Child Care Teacher All About Kidz is looking to hire full-time and part-time Child Care Teachers to work with infant through school-age classrooms. Apply: To apply, email allaboutkidzlc@yahoo.com. Location: 928 PA-910, Cheswick, PA 15024 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 no later than Tuesday, September 21. All jobs submitted after September 21 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 See More Child Care Positions To see which other child care programs are hiring, visit our older news posts: August 26 – August 31 August 18 – August 25 August 12 – August 17 August 5 – August 11 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.
Supporting Children through Responsive Interactions Did you know that your simple, everyday interactions with young children build their brains? That is right! Responsive interactions, also known as “Serve and Return,” are essential to supporting the healthy development of young children. What are Responsive Interactions? According to the Center on the Developing Child at Harvard University, Serve and Return is about “responsive interactions between children and the people who care for them.” 90 percent of the brain develops before age five, which means early childhood is a critical period of learning and growth. By ensuring that your child has access to caring, responsive relationships with adults, you build your child’s brain and help them reach their full potential. What is a Serve? The term “serve” refers to moments where a child is reaching out to you for attention. This could be through eye contact, pointing, facial expressions, crying, babbling, touch, speech, gestures, and more. While these serves may seem like small, everyday interactions, they actually play a big role in your child’s learning and development. What is a Return? The term “return” refers to moments where an adult recognizes a child’s serve and responds appropriately through eye contact, gestures, facial expressions, speech, or another relevant response. Caregivers can also name what a child is seeing, doing, or feeling to make important languages connections to the action or interaction. What does Serve and Return look like? Serve and Return can be broken down into five easy steps: Notice your child’s serve and shift your attention to what they are looking at. Return your child’s serve by offering support or encouragement. Name what your child is seeing, touching, hearing, tasting, or doing. Keep the interaction going. Take turns, keep it going back and forth. Practice beginning and ending activities. Learn More The Center on the Developing Child at Harvard University has developed several resources on responsive interactions with young children. To learn more, visit their website or check out these resources: Serve and Return Serve & Return Interaction Shapes Brain Circuitry How-to: 5 Steps for Brain-Building Serve and Return Building Babies’ Brains Through Play: Mini Parenting Master Class For more news, visit our news page or sign up to receive our digital newsletters.
September 14, 2021 STEMIEFest: Support STEM Learning with Young Children Attend STEM Innovation for Inclusion in Early Education Fest (STEMIEFest) this October to learn how to support Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math learning with young children! What is STEMIEFest? Hosted from October 4 – 8, 2021, STEMIEFest is a five-day interactive learning experience that discusses strategies and opportunities to support STEM learning with young children. Attendees will hear from STEMIE staff, STEM and inclusion experts, museums, and other organizations doing amazing work in the field of early STEM education. Registration Registration will be available later in September. For now, save the date (October 4 – 8, 2021)! Continuing Education Units (CEUs) and/or professional learning certificates will be available. Accessibility All sessions will include ASL interpreters and captioning. Sessions will also be available in Spanish. Last Year’s Sessions For examples of what STEMIEFest 2021 could look like, check out last year’s sessions: STEM Starts Now Documentary STEM Mini Chats Storybook Conversations MakerFest by The Little Orchestra Society Learn More To learn more, visit the STEMIEFest web page. For more news, visit our news page or sign up to receive our digital newsletters.
