March 17, 2022 2022-23 Child Nutrition Programs Income Eligibility Guidelines The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has released adjustments to the Income Eligibility Guidelines to be used in determining eligibility for child nutrition programs from July 1, 2022 through June 30, 2023. Child Nutrition Programs The eligibility guidelines are used by schools, institutions, and facilities participating in the National School Lunch Program (and Commodity School Program), School Breakfast Program, Special Milk Program for Children, Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP), and Summer Food Service Program. Eligible children receive free and reduced price meals and free milk. The income eligibility chart is available on the USDA website.
March 16, 2022 2022 Teaching Policy Fellowship Opportunity In summer 2022, Teach Plus will launch its second full cohort of Teaching Policy Fellows 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. About the Teaching Policy Fellowship Policy fellows, who will receive a $1,500 stipend for their commitment, will expand their influence without leaving the classroom and elevate teacher voice through guided work, including: Two in-person training sessions (dependent on COVID-19 restrictions), monthly virtual meetings, and smaller, issues-focused working groups. Training through expert-led modules on topics such as Storytelling for Impact, Policy 101, Advocacy & Organizing, Evidence-Based Policymaking, Testifying and Meeting with Decision Makers, Op-Ed Writing, & Media Relations Direct engagement with key stakeholders and policymakers Pursuit of a policy research or advocacy project that addresses a pressing state-level policy issue Tentative policy focus areas for the upcoming fellowship include early childhood education; equitable funding; reimagining teacher preparation; expanding and diversifying the teacher pipeline; and rigorous, culturally responsive instruction and curricula. 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 (early childhood – grade 12) in a PA public or charter school or early childhood education setting with at least two full years of teaching experience by June 2022. 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 students. Information Sessions Teach Plus Pennsylvania will host virtual information sessions on the following days and times: Tuesday, March 22 at 4 p.m. | Register Monday, April 4 at 6 p.m. | Register Wednesday, April 13 at 7 p.m. | Register Monday, April 25 at 4 p.m. | Register Apply To learn more about the fellowship or to apply, visit the Teach Plus website. Educators can also be nominated for the opportunity. Fellowship applications are due May 2, 2022. Interested? Email Laura Boyce at lboyce@teachplus.org.
March 15, 2022 Pediatric First Aid and Pediatric CPR Survey The Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL) is seeking to identify community-based and educational entities statewide currently delivering Pediatric First Aid and Pediatric CPR training for potential partnership opportunities. Learn More OCDEL has created a brief survey to capture information from interested community-based and educational entities. The intent is to, at a minimum, develop and promulgate county specific entities child care providers can connect with to enroll in the approved training. In January, OCDEL announced that due to updated guidance on the federal requirements for Child Care and Development Block Grant (CCDBG), all staff at child care programs must complete in-person pediatric first aid and pediatric cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) training within 90 days of hire or renew their certification before expiration. Until they do so, they can’t care for children unsupervised. interested community-based and educational entities must complete the survey by March 31, 2022.
March 11, 2022 Child Care Career Openings in the Pittsburgh Area Are you looking for open child care positions? Early learning programs in the Greater Pittsburgh Area are hiring! See featured jobs for this week. Child Care Positions in Pittsburgh Early Childhood Teachers Tender Care Learning Centers is seeking early childhood professionals to teach in their early childhood programs throughout the Pittsburgh area. Their ideal teacher is seeking employment in a program that encourages them to use their creativity in order to provide exciting and fun learning experiences to children. Apply: Interested individuals should apply online. Teachers (Temporary, Full-Time) Heritage Community Initiatives is seeking teachers for the summer session (May 31, 2022 – August 31, 2022). A $500 signing bonus is available. Apply: View the full job description and email a cover letter and resume to HumanResources@heritageserves.org. Summer Youth Development Professional The Boys & Girls Club of Western Pennsylvania is seeking a Youth Development Professional to be hands on with the youth to implement educational curriculum and programming on a day to day basis. This role is responsible for the supervision and safety of all program participants as well as relationship building. Other responsibilities include the promotion of Clubhouse membership through outreach; conducting youth evaluations per DHS requirements; and providing an environment that promotes creativity and exploration through learning, among other things. Apply: View the full job description and apply by sending a resume to hr@bgcwpa.org. Clubhouse Director The Boys & Girls Club of Western Pennsylvania is seeking a Clubhouse Director to oversee a multitude of programs, partnerships, member recruitment/outreach, education, social recreation, arts & culture, vocational, health, physical education and mentoring programs as well as supervise the staff who facilitate these programs and activities. Apply: View the full job description and apply by sending a resume to hr@bgcwpa.org. Director of Career Development Programs The Boys & Girls Club of Western Pennsylvania is seeking a Director of Career Development Programs to manage the overall operation of Career Works, youth workforce development programs including youth development, vocational training, and organizational development. Applicants should understand the demographics of under-served communities and the need for access to high quality and culturally responsive career exposure and preparation. The Director will manage a team of Career Coaches and signature programs such as our summer internship program, Learn & Earn, early college programming and support the management of corporate partnerships. Creation of budgets, reports and oversight of the 21st Century Community Learning Center and recruiting students to the program are the key administrative duties. Apply: View the full job description and apply by sending a resume to hr@bgcwpa.org. Infant/Toddler Teacher The Red Balloon Early Learning Center is seeking an infant and toddler teacher to provide quality care and educational experiences to the children in the program. Apply: Interested individuals should send a resume to Lindsayriddle.redballoon@gmail.com. Infant/Toddler Teacher Carlow University Early Learning Center is seeking a teacher for its infant/toddler program. The center practices a continuity of care philosophy and teachers work on a team of three and rotate through all classrooms. Apply: Interested individuals should apply online. Director The Cyert Center for Early Education is seeking a director who leads and manages the center consistent with its mission and vision, effectively modeling and articulating the Reggio Emilia philosophy, and creating and maintaining a culture of respect, decorum, and enthusiasm. Applicants must have a Bachelor’s degree and eight (8) or more years’ experience in leadership roles. Apply: Interested individuals can review the full job description and apply online. Lead Toddler Teacher Blessed Assurance Christian Child Care, LLC is seeking a lead toddler teacher to complete weekly lesson plans, manage day-to-day classroom activities, adhere to daily routine, and maintain annual training. Apply: Interested individuals should email resumes to Blessedchildren1@verizon.net. Toddler Teacher Assistant Blessed Assurance Christian Child Care, LLC is seeking a toddler teacher assistant to adhere to the daily routine and complete weekly lesson plans, daily attendance, and day-to-day operational classroom activities. Apply: Interested individuals should email resumes to Blessedchildren1@verizon.net. Administrative Assistant Blessed Assurance Christian Child Care, LLC is seeking an administrative assistant to maintain all records; administrative file audits; secure required documents for files; answer calls or inquiries from clients and public; monitor Facebook foster parent recruitment; monitor and update all files and records for state standard compliance. Apply: Interested individuals should email resumes to Blessedchildren1@verizon.net. 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 Heidi Winkler at heidi@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.
March 10, 2022 Spring Forward 2022: Helpful Daylight Saving Time Tasks Daylight saving time 2022 begins at 2 a.m. local time on Sunday, March 13, 2022, meaning we will “Spring forward” and move our clocks ahead one hour. Daylight Saving Time Tasks When the clocks change in the spring and the fall, it is a great time to check a few other items around your home or child care program including: Batteries in smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors. Processes for fire drills and emergency evaluation drills Furnace and water filtration system filters – do they need to be cleaned or replaced? Family and staff handbooks, allergy lists, student and staff files, and emergency phone lists Staff’s trainings and clearances Begin scheduling and enrolling for the summer months. Supply inventory for upcoming months
March 9, 2022 March 2022 PA Child Care Staffing Crisis Survey The Start Strong PA campaign is collecting information from child care program owners and directors via a brief survey to help tell the story of Pennsylvania’s on-going child care staffing crisis. (This article was updated on March 31, 2022 to reflect a deadline extension). Take the Survey The campaign will use survey results to demonstrate the urgent need for increased child care funding in the 2022-2023 state budget and to urge congressional delegation to support long-term, substantial investments in the early care and education sector to strengthen and secure the industry. Directors and owners who complete the survey by Sunday, April 3, 2022 will be entered into a drawing for a $100 gift card. Start Strong PA will award two gift cards. Take the March 2022 PA Child Care Staffing Crisis Survey. Start Strong PA conducted a similar survey between August 30, 2021 and September 8, 2021. View the results of that survey.
March 8, 2022 Child Care Hiring Days for PA With the majority of child care programs experiencing staffing shortages, Trying Together is taking action to connect job seekers to hiring early learning programs throughout Pennsylvania. Early Childhood Education (ECE) programs can participate in Child Care Hiring Days for PA on March 29, 30 and 31, 2022 at no cost. About Child Care Hiring Days for PA During this three-day event, ECE programs will host walk-in hiring events, featuring on-the-spot interviews at their locations. Programs will display yellow balloons, ribbons, or stars in front of their facility to signify that they are participating in Child Care Hiring Days of PA. The event aims to simplify the job search and hiring process for potential applicants and promote the rewards of working in early childhood education. For Employers Interested providers should: Register their program for this event Programs with multiple site locations will need to complete one registration form for each site Create or update their ECEhire.com profile Post all job openings on ECEhire.com using the free promo code: CCHD Registered programs will have access to the Hiring Days Toolkit, which offers resources for planning walk-in interview events and reaching potential job seekers. Helpful tools include an ECEhire.com Tip Sheet and a recording of an Child Care Hiring Days for PA Information Session. For Job Seekers During Child Care Hiring Days for PA job seekers can apply and have on-the-spot interviews at hundreds of participating child care programs. To participate: View a list of job postings and search for open positions and event details. Participating programs will be indicated by noting CCHD in their job posting Explore Job Seeker Resources to help prepare for an interview Visit participating programs March 29-31 for an on-the-spot interview More Information Details of the event can be found on ECEhire.com. For questions about the event, email Communications@FirstUp.org or info@tryingtogether.org. For questions about using ECEhire.com, email ECEhire.com@phmc.org.
March 7, 2022 Summer 2022 T.E.A.C.H. Scholarship Application Are you interested in attending college in Summer 2022? The Teacher Education and Compensation Helps (T.E.A.C.H) Scholarship application period is now open for summer semesters beginning in May or June! About T.E.A.C.H. Scholarship The Pennsylvania Child Care Association (PACCA) offers a variety of T.E.A.C.H. scholarships to meet the needs of the early care and education workforce in center and home-based settings. The scholarship: Pays for a percentage of the cost of tuition and books. Provides a travel stipend each semester. Reimburses child care centers for a percentage of the release time given. Provides counseling and administrative support for the child care program. Eligibility To be eligible, applicants must: work a minimum of 25 – 30 hours per week directly with children in a DHS-certified child care program, make $19 or less an hour ($25 or less per hour for directors), and be interested in pursuing coursework at a participating college toward a degree or credential in early childhood. Apply T.E.A.C.H. applications must be complete and submitted with all required documentation/ information by Friday, April 8, 2022, to be considered for the Summer 2022 semester. The Pennsylvania Child Care Association (PACCA) will continue to accept applications on an ongoing basis, however, incomplete applications and applications received after this date will not receive priority for consideration. To be considered for the Summer 2022 semester, completed applications must be submitted to PACCA through one of the following methods: Email: teachinfo@pacca.org Fax: 717.657.0959 Mail: 20 Erford Road, Suite 302, Lemoyne, PA 17043 For questions about scholarship eligibility or requirements, contact a T.E.A.C.H. Counselor at 717.657.9000. Watch the T.E.A.C.H. Scholarships: Financial & Other Supports to Help ECE Professionals Earn a Degree Debt Free! webinar for more information.
March 4, 2022 Child Care Career Openings in the Pittsburgh Area Are you looking for open child care positions? Early learning programs in the Greater Pittsburgh Area are hiring! See featured jobs for this week. Child Care Positions in Pittsburgh Preschool Director The Yeshiva Schools of Pittsburgh is seeking an experienced, nurturing and creative full time Director of The Early Learning Center (TELC) to provide leadership and vision for this very successful division of our school. The community and school currently consists of almost 350 families. TELC is a Pennsylvania Keystone STARS 4 facility. The Director will oversee a preschool program serving 110+ children from birth through five years of age. The successful candidate will bring great energy and creativity to the position by working with children and TELC families to improve, enhance and grow the success of this 30+ year old program. Read the full job description. Apply: Interested individuals should send a resume to hr@yeshivaschools.com. Infant Teacher Simply Kidz Zone Early Learning Childcare is seeking an infant room teacher to encourage the healthy intellectual and psychological growth of the infants in the facilities. You will teach and supervise infants while also motivating them to use their mental capacities and exercise their imagination Apply: Interested individuals should call 412.441.1706 for more information about the position and application instructions. Early Childhood Educator The Cyert Center for Early Education is seeking an Early Childhood Educator who has a passion for early childhood education, is a lifelong learner, demonstrates commitment to the Center’s philosophy of the Reggio Emilia Approach and Developmentally Appropriate Practice, and upholds the NAEYC code of ethics. Applicants must have a Bachelor’s degree and one (1) or more years’ experience in a full-day early childhood program, as well as a background check including child protective clearances Apply: Interested individuals can review the full job description and apply online. Assistant Early Childhood Educator The Cyert Center for Early Education is seeking an Assistant Early Childhood Educator who would be responsible for supporting classroom educators to provide a nurturing, consistent, developmentally appropriate environment that meets the cognitive, emotional, social, and physical needs of children. Applicants must have two years experience working with children, as well as a background check and child protective clearances. Apply: Interested individuals can review the full job description and apply online. 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.
March 3, 2022 PD Registry Spanish Speaking Virtual Office Hours The Pennsylvania Key will host recurring office hours for Spanish speaking early childhood education providers interested in learning more about the Professional Development (PD) Registry. About The PD registry is a system for the workforce that connects to many of the OCDEL initiatives for early childhood education programs in Pennsylvania. Office hours will be held the same day, at two times of the day to meet the needs of both center and family child care settings. Below is a list of topics to be discussed during office hours. Please note, that a Spanish speaking provider can connect to any of the office hours with questions related to the PD Registry. Spanish Speaking providers can also reach the PD Registry help desk by sending an email (in Spanish) to registry@pakeys.org. Please put “AYUDA” in the subject line. Session Details Career Pathway Applications March 9, 2022 | 1:30 – 2:30 p.m. and 6:30 – 7:30 p.m. Finding PD on the Register April 6, 2022 | 1:30 – 2:30 p.m. and 6:30 – 7:30 p.m. PD Registry and Keystone STARS May 4, 2022 | 1:30 – 2:30 p.m. and 6:30 – 7:30 p.m. All meetings can be accessed on Zoom. Share this flyer with your networks. (English) (Spanish)
