August 31, 2022 August Recalls on Children’s Products Parents and caregivers should be aware of several child-related product recalls. Learn More Here is a list of August recalls collected from the major federal agencies: the Consumer Product Safety Commission, the Food and Drug Administration and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. 4moms recalled more than 2 Million MamaRoo and RockaRoo Infant Swings and Rockers due to entanglement and strangulation hazards; one death has been reported. Kraft Heinz issued a voluntary recall of Capri Sun Wild Cherry Flavored Juice Drink Blend Beverages due to potential for chemical contaminants. Huffy Corporation recalled Ride-On Toys due to fall and injury hazards. Big Game Hunters Children’s Outdoor Kitchens recalled due to violation of the Federal Lead Content Ban; sold exclusively on Amazon.com. Epoch Everlasting Play recalls Kidoozie™ Activity Desk Toys due to entanglement and entrapment hazards. Hard Rock recalled Children’s Hooded Sweatshirts with Drawstrings due to strangulation hazard. Residential Elevators recalled Home Elevators due to child entrapment hazards. More Information For recall details, visit the links above or review the Consumer Product Safety Commission, the Food and Drug Administration and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration websites.
Leadership Development Training for Families of Children Receiving Early Intervention Services The Competence and Confidence Partners in Policy and Policy Making for Families of Children in Early Intervention (C2P2 EI) 22-23 application is now open. About C2P2 EI C2P2 EI is a free leadership development training for families of children receiving Early Intervention Infant/Toddler or Preschool services. The program is focused on recruiting families who have children currently in Early Intervention and are interested in growing their leadership in partnering with their child’s EI team and the EI system at the statewide and potentially national levels. Participants will: Learn about the Infant/Toddler and Preschool Early Intervention (EI) system Connect with other families Build skills to advocate for their family and others Eligibility Interested applicants should: Have a child between the age of birth-five who is currently receiving Pennsylvania Infant/Toddler or Preschool EI services Have a desire to advocate for themselves and others Be able to commit to participation in all eight sessions (see schedule) Apply Applications should be submitted by September 9, 2022. Participation is limited. Applicants will be notified by September 16, 2022, if they are accepted. For more information, contact Sarah Holland at sholland@tiu11.org.
August 30, 2022 Required Training for Child Care Providers Participating in CCW Beginning August 30, 2022, all child care staff of Department of Human Services certified child care providers that participate with Child Care Works (CCW) are required to take a minimum of one professional development training in Child Development annually. About The Pennsylvania Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL), Bureau of Early Learning Policy and Professional Development has released Announcement ELRC 22-06, Required Professional Development Training for DHS Certified Child Care Providers Participating in Child Care Works (CCW),which outlines required professional development training for DHS certified child care providers who participate in CCW and adds an additional appendix to the existing CCW provider agreement. This announcement only applies to certified child care providers who have a CCW Provider Agreement with the Early Learning Resource Center (ELRC). According to the announcement, all child care staff of DHS certified child care providers that participate with CCW are required to take a minimum of one professional development training in Child Development each fiscal year (July 1-June 30) unless they are actively enrolled in an Early Childhood Education/Child Development (ECE/CD) degree program (including a Child Development Associate [CDA]) program. Child care staff not enrolled in a degree program will select approved training from the Professional Development (PD) Registry that aligns with competencies Standard Area 1: Child Development and Learning in Context (the Pennsylvania Professional Standards and Competencies for Early Childhood Educators will be implemented effective July 1, 2022) to meet this professional development training requirement. More Information For full details, see the Announcement ELRC 22-06, Required Professional Development Training for DHS Certified Child Care Providers Participating in Child Care Works (CCW).
Podcast Interview featuring Trying Together Trying Together was recently featured on an episode of the Voices for the Voiceless: The Student Experience podcast. “Play is Learning” Interview In this episode titled “Play is Learning,” Emily Neff, Director of Public Policy for Trying Together, discusses the achievement gap in early childhood education, resources for teachers, and the importance of play for children today. Listen to the podcast episode. About Voice for the Voiceless: The Student Experience Podcast Starting in July of 2022, host Jonathan Frame, an educator from Virginia, began traveling the country speaking with different students, teachers, and nonprofits in order to understand and make known the needs of students on topics such as student equality, instructional practices, student rights, extracurricular activities, and more. Frame also uses the podcast and its various topics to support the educational experience of students everywhere. Visit the podcast’s Facebook page to learn more.
August 26, 2022 Apprenticeship Program for Home-Based Providers Are you a home-based, group, or family child care provider? Trying Together is offering a new early childhood workforce development program available to home-based providers, including group and family programs in Allegheny County. About Apprenticeship As an employer-driven program, Apprenticeship combines on-the-job learning with related technical instruction to build skills and create career pathways to earning a Child Development Associate (CDA) Credential. Utilizing a supportive and collaborative community-based model, the apprentice will attend bi-weekly online courses while working in their centers. Each apprentice will also have an assigned coach to meet with weekly for professional development. Coaches will utilize Trying Together’s coaching framework to enhance and build upon their leadership skills while earning a stipend. Request More Information If you are interested in participating in Trying Together’s Apprenticeship Program, please complete our Apprenticeship Program Interest Form. Please note that this form is utilized for inquiry purposes only. After completing the form, a member of our staff will contact you. Requests for information are answered on a first-come, first-served basis.
August 25, 2022 Wellness Grant Opportunity for Child Care Providers The Pennsylvania Nutrition and Physical Activity Self-Assessment for Child Care (PA NAPSACC) program is seeking licensed child care providers to apply for a grant opportunity focused on children’s wellness. Applications are due by September 16, 2022. About the Grant Through the project, providers should help children form positive nutrition and physical activity habits while in their care. The PA NAPSACC program is a continuous quality improvement process focused on obesity prevention practices and policies within early care and education settings. The program utilizes Go NAPSACC, an online, evidence-based tool, to guide providers through self-assessment, action planning, implementation, policy development, re-self-assessment, and reflection. Programs will also be linked with a Child Care Health Consultant (CCHC) at no cost to the site. The CCHC will review current nutrition and physical activity practices and policies, assist with developing sustainable policies, and offer guidance for continuous quality improvement. Providers who participate and complete project requirements will receive up to $500 in grant funding to support staff time and/or any materials and resources needed. For STAR 3 and 4 programs, participation in all components of the PA NAPSACC Wellness Grant satisfies Keystone STARS performance standard LM.3.4.10 (utilizing a health care consultant to establish and maintain health policies above those required by certification) as well as bonus points area Partnerships with Families and Communities (participating in an organized effort to promote nutritional health for children). Apply Applications are due September 16, 2022, and chosen participants will be notified on September 30, 2022. Details are available on the Keystone Kids Go website. To apply, please complete and submit the electronic application. For more information, contact Lori McMonigal, Coordinator for Special Projects – Tuscarora Intermediate Unit, at 717.248.4942 x 112 or lmcmonigal@tiu11.org.
August 22, 2022 Recording of 2022 Market Rate Survey Available A recording of the Pennsylvania Child Care Association’s (PACCA) 2022 Market Rate Survey and YOU webinar is now available for child care providers. Webinar Recording The webinar, which was held on August 17, 2022, includes information about the importance of the Market Rate Survey, the elements of the survey, and how the information may be used. The team from Penn State Harrisburg, Institute of State and Regional Affairs, coordinators of the survey collection and evaluation, shared the new complementary study in progress to assess the Cost of Care. Watch the recording. About the Market Rate Survey Every two years, the federal government requires that states conduct a Market Rate Survey of child care. Information from the Market Rate Survey provides the Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL) with important data to compare private pay prices with the Child Care Works (CCW) base rate reimbursements. Rather than pulling information from Provider Self-Service as conducted in 2016 and 2019, this year the Market Rate Survey requires child care providers to fill out a survey form. The final deadline to complete the survey is October 11, 2022.
August 17, 2022 Updates to Civil Rights Compliance Process The Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL) has announced that effective August 22, 2022, there will be changes to the Civil Rights Compliance process for licensed child care providers. Learn More The following changes will be in effect: Providers will have to submit a new Civil Rights Compliance form when submitting a new licensing application and a new Civil Rights Compliance attestation form when submitting a licensing renewal application. The process of submitting the form has changed. New License Submissions Entities seeking a new license will utilize a Civil Rights Compliance (CRC) form (HS 2126). This form must be included in the packet submitted as part of any new license request. The new application, supporting documents and CRC form must be emailed to the DHS office that issues your license (OCDEL Western Region for Allegheny County providers – RA-ocdelcertwpittsbu@pa.gov). Entities licensed by OCDEL or the Office of Development Programs (ODP) who use CLS or PELICAN to submit new applications must submit the form by email. The CRC forms are not part of the electronic CLS/PELICAN new application process. The CRC form for new applications can be found on the Department of Human Services website. License Renewals For licensing renewals, a licensee will now submit a CRC Attestation form (HS 2125). The Attestation form must be submitted as part of a renewal licensing application. The renewal notice will still be sent out 130 days prior to expiration. The renewal application and Attestation must be emailed to the DHS office that issues your license (OCDEL Western Region for Allegheny County providers – RA-ocdelcertwpittsbu@pa.gov). Entities licensed by OCDEL or ODP who use CLS or PELICAN to submit renewal applications must submit the attestations by email. The attestations are not part of the electronic CLS/PELICAN renewal application process. The CRC form for can be found on the Department of Human Services website. The DHS Bureau of Equal Opportunity (BEO) currently issues a letter verifying that you are in compliance with applicable civil rights laws. With the new process, a letter from BEO will no longer be sent out to licensed entities. Instead, the issuance of the new license or renewal license will indicate that your CRC form or Attestation form submission was approved. If there are issues/questions on the submitted CRC or Attestation form, a staff member from DHS will contact you. Questions For more details, read OCDEL’s full announcement. Allegheny County child care providers should direct questions to the OCDEL Western Region Office at 800-222-2149.
Child Care Career Openings in Pittsburgh 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 Teaching Assistants/Aides Carriage House Children’s Center is seeking part-time casual Teaching Assistants/Aides who will be responsible in assisting with the children’s daily activities under the guidance of a teacher. Candidates who have previous experience with young children are encouraged to apply. Apply: Interested individuals should email a resume to chcc@carriagehouse.org. More information is available online. Pre-K Teachers Carriage House Children’s Center is seeking full- and part-time Pre-K teachers at a rate of $15-18 per hour. Candidates must have a B.A. in Elementary and Early Childhood Education with a PA certification to teach Pre-K through fourth grade. Apply: Interested individuals should email a resume to chcc@carriagehouse.org. More information is available online. Toddler/Twos Teachers Carriage House Children’s Center is seeking full- and part-time Toddler and Twos teachers at a rate of $14-16 per hour. Candidates with Early Childhood Education, Elementary Education, Child Development or related degrees are preferred. Apply: Interested individuals should email a resume to chcc@carriagehouse.org. More information is available online. Infant Room Teachers Carriage House Children’s Center is seeking full- and part-time Infant Room teachers at a rate of $14-16 per hour. Candidates with Early Childhood Education, Elementary Education, Child Development or related degrees are preferred. Apply: Interested individuals should email a resume to chcc@carriagehouse.org. More information is available online. Assistant Teachers Little Friends Program at the Waldorf School of Pittsburgh is seeking two assistant teachers. The program runs from end of August through June and employees work 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. Apply: Interested individuals should submit application to employment@waldorfpittsburgh.org. More details are available online. Extended Day Staff The Ellis School is seeking an energetic, responsible individual who loves working with children to fill a part-time position in the after-school program. The position runs late August through June. Regular hours are from 2 –6 p.m. daily; however, full days may be required as predetermined throughout the school year. Apply: Interested individuals should email a resume to katsosa@theellisschool.org. Educator Shady Lane is seeking an educator responsible for working in an infant through pre-K classroom to implement a developmentally appropriate curriculum that the classroom has set forth and designed to meet the needs of children and their families based upon the mission and philosophy of Shady Lane School. Interested individuals should contact Dr. Ken Lockette at klockette@shadylane.org. More information is available online. Submit a Job 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.
Free Developmental Screenings for Children The ELRC Region 5 is hosting four Ages & Stages Questionnaires® developmental screening events during the month of September. About Ages & Stages Families with children ages two months to five years are invited to participate on the following dates: Monday, September 12: 304 Wood Street, Suite 400, Pittsburgh, PA 15222 Wednesday, September 14: Highlands Family Center, 415 E 4th Avenue, Tarentum, PA 15084 Wednesday, September 21: Hosanna House, 807 Wallace Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15221 Thursday, September 22: Allegheny Family Network, 1600 Pacific Avenue, Natrona Heights, 15065 Screenings will be done every hour on the hour from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The screening takes 60 minutes, and results are immediately provided. If necessary, staff can offer referrals for full evaluations and developmental resources. Families should call 412.350.3577 or email elrc5@alleghenycounty.us to make an appointment.
