January 18, 2023 Trying Together Offering Child Development Trainings 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. Trying Together is offering a variety of courses for child care providers in order to meet these needs. Virtual Course Offerings Cultural Consciousness and Awareness in the Early Childhood Field This session will give participants an opportunity to engage in a conversation about the role cultural consciousness and awareness plays in the Early Childhood Field. The instructor will provide a forum for respectful dialogue where participants can share their experiences with race and how it relates to their work with young children. The instructor will discuss the importance of family culture is integral to child development and will discuss strategies to include/ maintain responsiveness to family cultural practices. Space will also be provided for self-reflection and group discussions about current teaching practice. Instructors: Allison Hritz and Judy Graca Time: 6 – 8 p.m. Cost: $10 Dates: January 26, 2023 May 16, 2023 Everyday Interactions Matter This session uses examples and discussions to introduce participants to the concept of “Everyday Interactions Matter.” Simple and ordinary interactions between staff and children that take place during play, transition, and daily routines are the foundation of both learning and growing. By observing carefully and listening to each other, we can recognize moments of connecting, sharing, growing and belonging in everyday moments in the early childhood education setting. Instructor: Sarah Grubb Time: 6 – 8 p.m. Cost: $10 Date: February 28, 2023 Supporting Children’s Play as a Way to Positively Respond to Our New Normal What does play look like in the “new normal”? In this course, participants will define the elements of play according to Dr. Peter Gray, discuss play adaptations, and explore the implications of play in adherence to health and safety guidelines in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. By the end of this course, participants will use acquired knowledge of play to create a “play action plan.” Using the “play action plan,” educators will adapt their practice to support children’s play and meet standards for health, safety, and social-emotional growth. Instructors: Allison Hritz and Judy Graca Time: 6 – 8 p.m. Cost: $10 Dates: March 21, 2023 June 13, 2023 Using What You Know about Temperament to Promote Positive Social and Emotional Development A child’s temperament describes the way in which she approaches and reacts to the world. While temperament does not clearly define or predict behavior, understanding a child’s temperament can guide educators in helping children to appropriately express their preferences, desires, and feelings. Information about temperament can guide caregivers to identify children’s strengths and the supports they need to succeed in their relationships and environments. In this course, participants will reflect on the temperaments of themselves and their students and implement supports to promote positive social and emotional development and behavior. Instructor: Alicia Sebastian Time: 6 – 8 p.m. Cost: $10 Date: April 18, 2023 More Information For questions about courses or credit, contact Allison Hritz at allison@tryingtogether.org and Paige Kizior at paige@tryingtogether.org.
January 17, 2023 Free Tax Return Preparation in Allegheny County The Free Tax Preparation Coalition (sponsored by United Way of Southwestern PA), which provides free income tax return preparation throughout the region, is now taking appointments for the 2023 tax season. (This article was updated on January 17, 2023 to reflect scheduling and site information) Learn More Every year, Free Tax Preparation Coalition helps low-income households file their income tax return and maximize their tax refund. Many low-income people are eligible for tax credits and other refunds when they file their yearly tax return. For example, the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) is one of the nation’s largest anti-poverty programs, and can increase a family’s annual income by as much as 45 percent. More details are available on the Just Harvest website. Just Harvest is a leading member of the Free Tax Preparation Coalition. Tax preparation services are available from January 23 through April 18, 2023. Schedule an Appointment To schedule an appointment, you can contact the United Way Resource Navigators in three different ways: Dial 2-1-1 or 888-856-2773 Text your zip code to 898-211 Use United Way’s online scheduler to make an appointment Details, locations, and contact information are available on this flyer. More Resources GetYourRefund.org is a free virtual service supported by the IRS, U.S. Department of Treasury, and the White House that helps low-income households across America receive high quality tax services from the convenience of their home. Services open on January 31, 2023, at 1 p.m. Services are also available in Spanish. The Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program offers free tax help to people who make $60,000 or less, persons with disabilities, and limited English-speaking taxpayers who need assistance in preparing their tax returns. To locate an open site near you, use the VITA Locator Tool or call (888) 227-7669 (toll-free). The IRS Free File offers many online resources and tax help. Find tax forms, instructions and publications, online payment options, and more. Individuals can even prepare and file their federal income tax online for free. More information will be available in January 2023.
January 16, 2023 Free Tax Prep Available The Free Tax Preparation Coalition (sponsored by United Way of Southwestern PA) will be providing free income tax return preparation throughout the region during the 2024 tax season. (This article was updated on January 16, 2024). Learn More Every year, Free Tax Preparation Coalition helps low-income households file their income tax return and maximize their tax refund. Many low-income people are eligible for tax credits and other refunds when they file their yearly tax return. For example, the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) is one of the nation’s largest anti-poverty programs, and can increase a family’s annual income by as much as 45 percent. Schedule a tax appointment by visiting pa211.org/VITA. More Resources GetYourRefund.org is a free virtual service supported by the IRS, U.S. Department of Treasury, and the White House that helps low-income households across America receive high-quality tax services from the convenience of their home. Services open on January 31, 2024, at 1 p.m. Services are also available in Spanish. The Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program offers free tax help to people who make $60,000 or less, persons with disabilities, and limited English-speaking taxpayers who need assistance in preparing their tax returns. To locate an open site near you, use the VITA Locator Tool or call (888) 227-7669 (toll-free). The IRS Free File offers many online resources and tax help. Find tax forms, instructions and publications, online payment options, and more. Individuals can even prepare and file their federal income tax online for free. More information will be available in January 2024.
Department of Education Releases Early Intervention Resources The U.S. Department of Education has released the first three in a series of resource guides to support access to high-quality early intervention services for infants and toddlers with disabilities. About The Individuals With Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) Part C program promotes the development of infants and toddlers with delays or disabilities, enhances the capacity of families to meet the developmental needs of their infants and toddlers, minimizes the need for special education and related services when children enter school, and enhances children’s long-term outcomes. In December, the following guides were released in in English and Spanish: The Vision and Guiding Resources guide, which provides an overview of the initiative; the Outreach and Family Engagement guide, which explains the need for outreach and family engagement in the child find process, which locates, identifies, and evaluates infants and toddlers who may benefit from early intervention services; and the Monitoring, Screening, and Referral guide, which details how health care providers and others working with infants and toddlers regularly monitor and screen children to ensure they meet specific milestones. Also available is a recording of the Working Together to Support All Infants and Toddlers With Disabilities webinar, which highlights how federal agencies, state agencies, local programs, and families can work together to support infants and toddlers with disabilities’ growth and development. Additional resources in this series available this year. For more information, visit the U.S. Department of Education’s IDEA website.
January 11, 2023 2023 Orientation Training Schedule for Prospective Operators of Child Care Facilities The Pennsylvania Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL) has released the updated 2023 Orientation Training Schedule for Prospective Operators of Child Care Facilities. Learn More The 2023 Orientation schedules are available for Central, Northeast, Southeast and Western regions of Pennsylvania. All orientation sessions are available virtually only. Those interested in participating must first complete within one year from the orientation, the Better Kid Care Department of Human Services’ training. For full details, please see the individual regional information.
Mandated Reporter Training Available in Spanish iLookOut’s interactive, online training is now available in Spanish for all mandated reporters in Pennsylvania. Learn More This evidence-based training meets Pennsylvania’s Act 31 requirements, can be completed over multiple sessions, and is free of charge. iLookOut provides online courses initially designed for people who work or volunteer at child care programs. iLookOut uses a story-based approach for preparing mandated reporters to identify and help protect children who may be experiencing abuse, and was developed under the aegis of Penn State’s Center for the Protection of Children. To access it in Spanish, toggle the language from English to Español on the website.
DHS Warns of EBT Texting Scam Pennsylvania Department of Human Services (DHS) Acting Secretary Meg Snead is advising Pennsylvanians of a potential EBT card scam. About Individuals, regardless of whether they are recipients of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), might receive a text message stating that an Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) card is about to expire or that there is a pending benefit transfer for their EBT card with a reference number attached. When a recipient of this scam responds, they are asked to give personal information. DHS will never ask for information about an EBT card, SNAP, or any other public assistance programs via unsolicited or random calls or texts. Please report any texts or calls about DHS benefits that seem suspicious by calling the DHS fraud tipline at 1-844-DHS-TIPS (1-844-347-8477). About Informational Texts from DHS DHS does send informational text messages to people who receive SNAP and other benefits from the number 1-833-648-1964. DHS’ text messages will not include: Details about a person’s benefits, such as the amount of SNAP they are authorized to receive, A request for specific personal information, or Links to unofficial sites; most DHS texts will direct people to dhs.pa.gov, COMPASS, or a site that ends in .gov, .org, or .com. Pennsylvanians who have questions about whether a call, text, letter, or other communication is legitimate should contact DHS’ Office of Income Maintenance. EBT balance and transaction inquiries as well as card replacements can be requested from DHS’s EBT contractor, Conduent, at 888-328-7366. In addition, Pennsylvanians can access their EBT balance through the free myCOMPASS PA mobile app in a safe and secure manner. Safely Apply for Assistance Applications for public assistance programs can be submitted online at www.dhs.pa.gov/compass. On-site County Assistance Office (CAO) services are available if clients cannot access online services or need assistance that cannot be accessed through the COMPASS website, the myCOMPASS PA mobile app, or by calling the Customer Service Centers at 1-877-395-8930.
January 4, 2023 New Tax Guides for Child Care Professionals Civitas Strategies Early Start, in partnership with Wisconsin Early Education Shared Services (WEESSN) – a program of Wisconsin Early Childhood Association (WECA) – has developed tax guides specifically for child care providers nationwide. Learn More The guides focus on helping providers use the three largest online tax preparation software brands to address specific child care business scenarios. The tax guides give child care providers the specific knowledge they need to provide accurate information about their business and understand where to enter data into the software. These guides are not meant to be large or laborious tools – they remove a key barrier for providers in using these efficient, cost-effective online methods of tax preparation. Here are links to the guides for each software: Turbo Tax H&R Block TaxAct Once the tax software is released for the 2022 tax year, the guides will be updated with screenshots and videos instructing child care providers which areas they need focus on to ensure they have what they need to prepare their taxes. Details about the guides are available on the WECA website.
December Recalls on Children’s Products Parents and caregivers should be aware of several child-related product recalls. Learn More Here is a list of December recalls collected from the major federal agencies: the Consumer Product Safety Commission, the Food and Drug Administration and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Target recalled Children’s Pillowfort Weighted Blankets due to asphyxiation hazard. Two fatalities have been reported. Pacific Cycle recalled Pacific Kids’ Igniter and Pacific Bubble Pop 20-Inch Bicycles due to fall hazard; Sold Exclusively at Target. Crate And Barrel recalled Thornhill Baby Cribs due to fall and entrapment hazards. AlEn USA recalled Art of Green® Laundry Detergent products due to risk of exposure to bacteria. The Laundress recalled Laundry Detergent and Household Cleaning products due to risk of exposure to bacteria. HABA USA recalled Discovery Cubes Animal Hide and Seek Activity Toys due to choking and ingestion hazards. Target recalled Cloud Island 4-Piece Plush Toy Sets due to choking hazard. 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.
January 3, 2023 Registration is Open for Annual Celebration Dinner Join Trying Together and your early care and education colleagues to celebrate the work you do for young children and families at the 2023 Annual Celebration Dinner on Thursday, April 27, from 6 – 8:30 p.m. at Acrisure Stadium. Annual Celebration Dinner Details At the event, guests will enjoy dinner, a photo booth, and prizes. Individual and group ticket prices are available. Additional details on activities and speakers will be available in the coming months. Reserve Tickets Tickets for this event must be purchased in advance. Individuals may register via the online registration form. The cost for individual tickets is $12. Groups of 10 may reserve a table at a discounted rate of $100. Tickets and tables are available on a first come, first serve basis until April 14 or tickets sell out. To make table reservations or to ask additional questions, please contact Sharon Seitam at sharon@tryingtogether.org or 412.421.3889.
