November 9, 2022 Savings Programs Now Available for Pennsylvania Families with Young Children Pennsylvania has two resources available to families with young children who want to save for future expenses. Keystone Scholars – College and Career Savings Program PA 529 offers Keystone Scholars, an investment fund created to ensure Pennsylvania babies have a bright future, and to help families get a jumpstart on post-secondary education savings for their child. Keystone Scholars provides $100 to families for every baby born to a PA family on or after January 1, 2019. Funds to families can be used for a child’s future post-secondary education expenses. For more information, visit the Keystone Scholars website. PA ABLE Savings Program The Pennsylvania ABLE Savings Program (PA ABLE) is a new, low-cost savings account that gives people with disabilities and their families a tax-free way to save for disability-related expenses while maintaining government benefits. Federal and state law authorized the creation of PA ABLE accounts. For more information, visit the PA ABLE website.
November 8, 2022 Updated Pediatric First Aid and CPR Providers and Curriculums Chart Available The PA Keys has updated the approved Pediatric First Aid and Pediatric CPR Providers and Curriculums chart to include the number of PQAS hours participants will be awarded for each course. Learn More The hours are based on the average length of the events scheduled for the course and may or may not reflect the actual time frame of the scheduled event or “seat time.” Pediatric First Aid and CPR course lengths vary due to factors, such as number of participants and time needed for skill practice. As a reminder, Pediatric First Aid & Pediatric Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) can also count towards the annual minimum 12 clock hours for certification regulatory compliance based on the renewal of the training certificate. View the chart and learn more at pakeys.org/firstaidcpr.
November 7, 2022 Local Organizations Providing Food Resources This Winter Organizations throughout Allegheny County will provide meal distributions and resources to serve those needing food assistance through November. Food Distribution Events CLP Carrick – Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank No Cost Farmers Market 1811 Brownsville Road, Pittsburgh, 15210 | Saturday, 11/12, 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. Read a good book and pick some local produce to take home. Drive or walk up. Bring carts or bags if you have them. No ID or pre-registration required. For more information, visit Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh website. #BurghProud Thanksgiving Meal Distribution Event Mazeroski Way cul-de-sac at PNC Park, 115 Federal St, Pittsburgh, PA 15212 | Tuesday, 11/22, 1:30 – 3:30 p.m. This meal distribution event will provide a turkey, apple pie, necessary dry foods, a $15 Giant Eagle gift card, and special gifts from the Pittsburgh Penguins, Pittsburgh Pirates, and Pittsburgh Steelers. Capacity is limited to the first 300 registrants. Families can register by visiting the #BurghProud website. Bethany Evangelical Lutheran Church – Thanksgiving Meal for Take-Out or Home Delivery 3104 West Liberty Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15216 | Thursday, 11/24, 1 – 4 p.m. or while supplies last. Take-out meals are available to all. Delivery available within a five-mile radius. Call for details. Call 412.531.9363 for home delivery by 11/17. For more information, contact 412.531.9363 or bethany-dormont@verizon.net. Jubilee Soup Kitchen – Thanksgiving Lunch 2005 Wyandotte Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15219 | Thursday, 11/24, Dine In: 11 a.m. – Noon / Takeout: 11:30 a.m. – Noon Provides a traditional Thanksgiving meal at lunchtime for dine in or takeout. For more information, contact 412.261.5417 or info@jubileesoupkitchen.com. November Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank Distribution Schedules Allegheny County Drive-Up Distribution Schedule Allegheny Valley JC Penney at the Galleria, 590 Pittsburgh Mills Blvd., Tarentum, PA 15084 | Tuesday, 11/08, 4:30 – 6 p.m. McKeesport Founders Hall Middle School, 1960 Eden Park Blvd., McKeesport, PA 15132 | Saturday, 11/19, 10 – 11:30 a.m. West End Ascension Church, 114 Berry St., Pittsburgh, PA 15205 | Tuesday, 11/15, 4 – 5:30 p.m. Allegheny County Walk-In Distribution Schedule Homewood Faison K-5, 7430 Tioga St., Pittsburgh, PA 15208 | Saturday, 11/12, 10 a.m. – Noon Northside Pittsburgh King PreK – 8, 50 Montgomery Place, Pittsburgh, PA 15212 | Saturday, 11/12, 10 a.m. – Noon South Side Southside Market House, 12th and Bingham Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15203 | Wednesday, 11/16, 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. Find more information and the full distribution calendar, visit the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank website.
November 2, 2022 Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) Cases on the Rise in PA The PA Department of Health (PA DOH) has announced that Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) activity is increasing in Pennsylvania and nationwide, and levels are higher than usual for this time of year. About RSV RSV is a major cause of severe lower respiratory infections. Anyone can be infected, but RSV most often causes serious illness in infants, young children and older adults. Patients with RSV infection typically present with fever, cough, wheezing and runny nose. The symptoms might be atypical especially in very young children and infants younger than six months where symptoms of irritability, lethargy, and poor feeding may be present. Information for Child Care Providers from OCDEL The Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL) sent an announcement for child care providers about RSV. Factors that put children at risk for severe RSV infections include: Three months of age or younger (due to difficulty clearing mucus from smaller airways) Being around children in a child care setting Exposure to secondhand smoke Children with a history of weakened immune symptoms, preterm birth, or heart or lung problems Children or adults with RSV might not look sick, but could be unknowingly infecting others with the virus, as it is spread by respiratory droplets falling on surfaces and when talking, coughing, or sneezing. RSV may be spread before obvious signs or symptoms appear, much like COVID-19. Recommendations from the DOH The spread of RSV and other seasonal respiratory illnesses like influenza has started earlier than usual this year. Mitigation strategies for COVID-19, like strict hand washing and sanitation practices, along with masking, can limit the spread of viral illnesses, such as RSV and flu, in child care settings. PA DOH recommends: Individuals with respiratory symptoms should stay home while ill, especially those who work in child care, even if they have tested negative for COVID-19 to prevent exposing vulnerable and high-risk groups to RSV. Parents and caregivers should keep young children with respiratory illnesses out of child care, even if they have tested negative for COVID-19. While there are no vaccines yet to prevent RSV infections, individuals should be vaccinated against seasonal influenza and COVID-19 to help protect persons six months and older, especially individuals with high risk for complications of respiratory infections. Resources PA Department of Health, Health Alert Network Updates American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and www.HealthyChildren.org RSV: When It’s More Than Just a Cold (Updated October 24, 2022) RSV in Infants and Young Children (CDC.gov) What You Should Know about Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) (Child Care Providers)
Call for Presenters for 2023 Annual PA Pre-K Counts and Head Start Meeting The Pennsylvania Key in support of Pennsylvania’s Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL) is calling for presenters for its annual Pennsylvania Pre-K Counts and Head Start Supplemental Assistance Grantee Meeting. The meeting will be held March 8 – 9, 2023 at the Kalahari Resorts and Conventions in Poconos, PA. This event is in-person; however, a web-based option will be offered should health/safety restrictions prohibit attendance at the in-person event. Those interested are asked to submit a proposal that aligns with the theme, Building Bridges that Support Growth, Development and Connections. Attendees will be able to earn professional development credits including Act 48 and PA ECE Registry hours. The deadline to submit your proposal is Friday, November 18, 2022. Presentation Topics Presentation topics should align with the following topics/areas of interest. Topics for Teachers: Project Approach MyTeachstone Peer Learning Circles Creative Curriculum LearnERS Authentic Assessment Trauma Informed Care Developmental Appropriateness Transitions and Parent Engagement Inclusive Practices Purposeful Play and Conversations Child Data, Outcomes and Implementation Topics for Administrators: Fiscal Responsibilities Homelessness Unique Collaborations/Community Partnerships Business Practices – What’s the Purple Cow? Inclusive Policies Recruitment, Retention and Teacher Support Developmental Appropriateness – What to look for in Pre-K classrooms Community Needs Assessment & Enrollment Practices Presenters will be notified of acceptance, including additional details about the event, by no later than Friday, December 16, 2022. For questions or more information, contact a team member at conferencehelp@pakeys.org. For more information and to access the online proposal submission form, visit the PA Key website.
2022-23 Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program Application Period Open The application period for the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), which helps low-income households pay some energy costs associated with heating their home, opened November 1, 2022. LIHEAP is administered by the Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare. LIHEAP provides a cash grant during the heating season to help families pay their electric bill. Households in immediate danger of being without heat can also qualify for crisis grants. The cash grant is a one-time payment sent directly to the utility company/fuel provider to be credited on a family’s bill. These grants range from $200 to $1,000 based on household size, income, and fuel type. Eligibility Applicants must meet income guidelines for 2022-2023. One-person household: $20,385 Two-person household: $27,465 Three-person household: $34,545 Four-person household: $41,625 Five-person household: $48,705 Six-person household: $55,785 Seven-person household: $62,865 Eight-person household: $69,945 Nine-person household: $77,025 Ten-person household: $84,105 For every additional person: Add $7,080 Applicants must have proof of income for each adult in the household, a copy of their most recent utility bill, and the social security number of each adult in the household (and child, if possible). Apply Applications can be submitted: online using the COMPASS website. by downloading the LIHEAP application form at the Department of Public Welfare’s website. Filing a LIHEAP application at your local county assistance office. The LIHEAP application period for both cash and crisis grants will remain open until April 28, 2023. For additional information, please visit the PA Department of Human Services website.
New Opportunities Available to Families to Help Impact Early Learning in PA Two new exciting opportunities are available for families to share their experiences and make an impact in Pennsylvania’s early learning. P3D/PDO Family Voices Parents as Partners in Professional Development (P3D), with the Pennsylvania Professional Development Organizations (PDO), are recruiting a cohort of families to participate in P3D/PDO Family Voices. Family members of young children who attend an early childhood program in Pennsylvania are invited to apply. P3D/PDO Family Voices seeks a diverse group of families who have experiences with many aspects of early childhood services in Pennsylvania like child care, PA Pre-K Counts, Head Start, Early Intervention, Home Visiting, etc. Reimbursement for travel and child care costs are provided to participants. Learn More about P3D/PDO. Applications are due Friday, November 18, 2022 and all applicants must agree to attending the full day virtual training on December 6, 2022. Access the P3D/PDO application. Interstate Family Engagement Leadership Collaborative Families are invited to serve on the Collaborative Action for Family Engagement (CAFE)’s Interstate Family Engagement Leadership Collaborative. As a critical partner in the early childhood field, families are invited to serve in a leadership capacity on CAFE’s Advisory Board to share their expertise to implement high-impact school, family, and community engagement strategies. Family Leaders will commit to an estimated two hours a month for meetings, and compensation/reimbursement is provided for a stipend and mileage. Reimbursement for mileage will be offered for any in-person meetings or training. Please direct any questions to Jessica Webster (Pennsylvania Advisory Council). Learn more about CAFE Interstate Family Engagement Leadership Collaborative. Applications are due Friday, November 11, 2022. Access the CAFE application.
November 1, 2022 Fingerprint Results Available via Email for DHS Applicants Effective October 31, 2022, Department of Human Services (DHS) applicants who register under Identogo for fingerprints will now have the opportunity to receive their results electronically via email. This opportunity only applies to results with no record. About During the registration process applicants should provide an email address and will be asked to create a security question and a security answer that must be retained. Three unsuccessful logins will prevent the applicant from retrieving their results electronically, as their security information cannot be reset. Shortly after their fingerprints have been taken and a result can be provided, they will receive an email. They will be advised to click on the link within the email and enter the security question and answer. When the applicant does access the results, it is important that they be able to download it, save it, and print it for future needs. There will be no second access to this electronic result. Additionally, if they lock themselves out of the security question and answer, the result will be transmitted by U.S. Mail. Applicants who registered for fingerprints on August 30, 2022, or after and used the purpose type of employee 14 years of age or older and having contact with children will receive their result via email notification. An email notification will only be received after September 21, 2022, if they provided an email address and created a security question and answer. If any result has a record associated with it, results will not be electronically available and can only be transmitted by U.S. Mail. Current mailing timelines take at least seven to 10 business days to reach the intended destination. All results will still be transmitted by US Mail to all applicants.
