September 8, 2022 Child Tax Credits Available to Be Claimed The Office of Child Development & Early Learning (OCDEL) and the Pennsylvania Key have issued a reminder that certain individuals may still be able to receive their unclaimed Child Tax Credit if they have not filed taxes this year. Learn More Individuals who did not file federal income taxes for the 2021 tax year are still eligible to collect their Child Tax Credit, in addition to any missing amount of your third stimulus payment. Individuals who don’t typically file taxes can use a simplified tax filing tool created by Code for America in collaboration with the White House and U.S. Department of Treasury. This tool is for people who do not have a filing requirement to file a simplified tax return and enables people to claim the Child Tax Credit and third stimulus payment (up to $5,000 per eligible child). This form usually takes about 15 minutes to complete and does not require any tax documents.
September 7, 2022 PD Registry Fall 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. Learn More 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. Sessions September 14, 2022 | 1:30 – 2:30 p.m. and 6:30 – 7:30 p.m. October 12, 2022 | 1:30 – 2:30 p.m. and 6:30 – 7:30 p.m. November 9, 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)
September 6, 2022 Professional and Family-Friendly Resources Available to Support Early Learning Early learning materials are available at no cost to Pennsylvania early learning programs (including Early Intervention and evidence-based home visiting programs), kindergarten classrooms, afterschool programs, and other programs who reach families with young children. Learn More These materials contain activities to do with a young child to help them learn. All of the activities align with the Pennsylvania Early Learning Standards. Supplies are limited and requests will be fulfilled in order as received. Materials are for Pennsylvania programs and partners only. Learn more and submit a request. Visit the PA’s Promise for Children website to view the available resources.
September 5, 2022 Nominate an Afterschool Champion Pennsylvania Statewide Afterschool Youth Development Network (PSAYDN) is accepting nominations for the 2022 Afterschool Champion Awards. Learn More Champions should demonstrate outstanding work in developing, supporting, and promoting meaningful high-quality afterschool/out-of-school time programs to benefit children, youth, and families across Pennsylvania. The winners will be recognized during the PSAYDN EMPOWER 2022 Out-of-School Time Conference on Thursday, December 1, 2022. Submit a Nomination Awards and their criteria are as follows: Outstanding Policy and Advocacy Award: Setting actionable advocacy goals, strong policymaker relationships, and educating families and communities about quality afterschool. Outstanding Quality Award: Structure and management, positive connections, safety and health, obesity, safety, activities, life skills, core activities. Outstanding Sustainability Award: Developing intentional partnerships (i.e. business, higher ed., STEM), fundraising/resource development, professional development, policy and procedures-continuity of services. Youth Award: Leadership within a program, mentorship abilities, consistent participation, champion for youth (e.g., resilience, strong peer relationships). Policymaker Award: Familiarity with afterschool/OST/summer learning programs, support through funding, resource help, and community connections. Organization Award: Demonstrate dedication and inspiration for the out-of-school time community and help children and youth succeed. Other criteria to be considered: policy and advocacy, sustainability, quality (structure and management, positive connections, safety and health [obesity, safety], activities [life skills, core activities]) as well as PSAYDN’s Statement of Quality in Afterschool and Vision Statement’s three goals. Submit a nomination on the PSAYDN website. Nominations are due Monday, September 26, 2022. More Information Contact Alison Shughart ashughart@csc.csiu.org or Steven Williams swilliams@csc.csiu.org with any questions regarding the nominations.
