May 31, 2023 Pennsylvania Women Work Accepting Nominations for 2023 Circle of Hope Awards Pennsylvania Women Work invites members of the community to nominate groups, organizations, and individuals for two of its 2023 Circle of Hope Awards: the Corporate Volunteerism Award and the Diversity & Inclusion Award. The Corporate Volunteerism Award recognizes an organization or individual(s) within a company that has made significant contributions to PA Women Work’s clients, programs, fundraising, and overall mission through volunteerism, while the Diversity and Inclusion Award honors a corporation or individual(s) within a company that has made significant contributions in the area of diversity and inclusion in the workplace. All nominations must be made using the online nomination form by June 23. Award Criteria and Nomination Process Corporate Volunteerism Award Criteria A strong commitment to the mission and vision of PA Women Work Demonstrated consistent volunteerism with the organization for at least one year Displayed passion for empowering women to succeed in the workforce through volunteerism with PA Women Work A history of participation in at least two PA Women Work volunteer activities Nomination Process To nominate a group, organization, or individual for the Corporate Volunteerism Award, complete the online nomination form including the following in your nomination: A narrative (no more than 300 words) explaining why the corporation, individual or group should be highlighted for their volunteerism efforts with PA Women Work. This narrative should answer the question: “How has the corporation/nominee shown passion for PA Women Work’s mission through volunteerism with the organization?” A list of the volunteer activities the nominee has participated in. Ex.: Mentor, Mock Interviews, Event Committee If a corporation, a list of employee names from the corporation who volunteer with PA Women Work. Diversity and Inclusion Award Criteria A strong commitment to the recruitment, retention, and promotion of a diverse workforce A record of commitment to diversity and inclusion efforts Improvements in upward mobility for racial and ethnic minorities and women in management positions Nomination Process To nominate a group, organization, or individual for the Diversity and Inclusion Award, complete the online nomination form and answer the following in your nomination: How has the company/nominee created or enhanced an inclusive work environment? How has the company/nominee demonstrated a commitment to enhancing and advancing the spirit of diversity, inclusion, and equal opportunity within their company? Learn More PA Women Work considers each nomination, then notifies and announces winners by July 14. Award winners will be recognized at the PA Women Work Circle of Hope Awards Dinner on October 12. For more information on the 2023 Circle of Hope Awards, contact Lauren Riegelnegg at lriegelnegg@pawomenwork.org. To learn more, visit the PA Women Work website.
Pittsburgh Digital Equity Coalition Hosting Community Feedback Meetings The Pittsburgh Digital Equity Coalition and the City of Pittsburgh are hosting a series of community feedback meetings on their Allegheny County Digital Equity Plan and are inviting community members to come discuss their digital needs with community leaders. Held at various locations throughout the summer, all residents of Allegheny County are encouraged to attend. About Community Feedback Meetings What are the community feedback meetings? At community feedback meetings, community leaders will ask attendees for feedback on the draft Digital Equity Plan for Allegheny County and ask questions about digital technology in attendees lives. Why are these meetings taking place? The Pittsburgh Digital Equity Coalition needs to ensure that their Digital Equity Plan addresses residents’ digital needs. The coalition must understand what residents need so they can use any funding offered to give all residents equal access to digital technology and information. Who participates in meetings? Meetings will consist of Allegheny County residents and community leaders. Leaders involved in the Pittsburgh Digital Equity Coalition, the City of Pittsburgh, and Allegheny County will lead the meetings and collect feedback from residents. When will the meetings take place? Meetings will be held throughout the summer of 2023. To see a complete schedule of meetings, visit the City of Pittsburgh website. Where will the meetings take place? The coalition will host meetings in locations across Allegheny County. Additionally, they will host a number of virtual meetings. To find a full list of meeting dates, times, locations, and registration links, visit the City of Pittsburgh website. Learn More To learn more, visit the City of Pittsburgh website.
Clothing Distribution at The Homewood Early Learning Hub & Family Center Families and individuals can visit The Homewood Early Learning Hub & Family Center to pick up a variety of clothing items at any time during normal hours of operation. Clothing Distributions Clothing and other personal hygiene items are available on a first come, first served basis, while supplies last. This clothing distribution is walk-in only, and participants can shop for clothing once every 30 days. The following clothing/personal hygiene items are available: Children’s clothing (all ages) Children’s outerwear (all ages) Adult women’s clothing Toiletries and wellness products (toothbrushes, toothpaste, etc.) Clothing Donations The Homewood Early Learning Hub & Family Center is also taking donations for the following clothing items: Adult men’s clothing and accessories Adult women’s clothing and accessories Children’s clothing and accessories (all ages) Infant/Baby clothing and accessories Adult men’s/women’s and children’s shoes (all ages and sizes) A staff member MUST accept donations. For more information or questions about the clothing distribution, please contact The Homewood Early Learning Hub & Family Center at 412.545.5039.
May 30, 2023 May Recalls on Children’s Products Parents and caregivers should be aware of several child-related product recalls. Learn More Here is a list of May recalls collected from the following major federal agencies: the Consumer Product Safety Commission, the Food and Drug Administration, and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The Good and the Beautiful recalled Math 1 and Math 3 Boxes due to laceration hazard. Bunch Bikes recalled The Preschool Electric Bicycles due to violation of the Federal Lead Paint Ban and lead poisoning hazard. Juratoys recalled Janod Sweet Cocoon Activity Tables due to choking hazard. The Company Store recalled Children’s White Robes due to violation of federal flammability standards and burn hazard; sold exclusively at thecompanystore.com. CultureFly recalled L.O.L. Surprise! Trick or Treat Subscription Boxes Sold with Metal Doll Pins due to violation of the Federal Lead Paint Ban and lead poisoning hazard. Walker Edison Furniture recalled Twin Over Twin Bunk Beds due to fall and impact hazards. Nature’s Energy recalled Children’s Chewable Colostrum Products due to undeclared milk. Gerber Good Start recalled Powdered Infant Formula due to potential cronobacter sakazakii contamination. 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.
Fall 2023 T.E.A.C.H. Scholarship Application Now Open Early childhood education professionals interested in attending college in the Fall 2023 semester can now submit applications to receive a T.E.A.C.H. (Teacher Education And Compensation Helps) Scholarship and earn their teaching degree at little to no personal cost. Interested applicants must complete and submit their T.E.A.C.H. applications with all required documentation/information by Friday, July 7. About T.E.A.C.H. Scholarships T.E.A.C.H. encompasses several different scholarship programs. These programs help child care professionals complete coursework toward a degree or credential in early childhood and increase their compensation. Every T.E.A.C.H. scholarship has five key components: Scholarship – The scholarship covers most of the cost for tuition and books. Additionally, recipients receive a travel stipend each semester they are enrolled in class. Also, T.E.A.C.H. requires that the sponsoring child care program offer paid release time for the student to attend class, study, or handle personal needs. Education – In one scholarship year, each participant must successfully complete a required number of credit hours (usually 9-15) toward a degree in early childhood education. Compensation – At the end of the scholarship year, if they complete their educational requirement, participants are eligible to receive either a stipend or a raise. Commitment – Participants agree to continue working in their child care program for one year after each scholarship year. Counseling – Each recipient gets assigned a counselor able to assist the student in securing a scholarship, navigating the college processes, setting goals, and monitoring progress and needs. Eligibility 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. 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 remain interested in pursuing coursework at a participating college toward a degree or credential in early childhood. Apply To apply, download a scholarship application on the PACCA website and submit your completed application by Friday, July 7 through one of the following methods: Email: teachinfo@pacca.org Fax: 717.657.0959 Mail: 20 Erford Road, Suite 302, Lemoyne, PA 17043 Additionally, begin the college admissions process and contact an early childhood education (ECE) advisor at your intended college/university. This helps to ensure that scholarship applicants get admitted to their college/university and can register for courses if/when they receive a T.E.A.C.H. scholarship. T.E.A.C.H. can provide contact information for early childhood education advisors at partnering institutions if needed. Learn More Scholarship awards are dependent upon the availability of funds and priorities of funders. PACCA will continue to accept applications on an ongoing basis. However, incomplete applications and applications received after Friday, July 7 will not receive priority for consideration. For questions about scholarship eligibility or requirements, contact a T.E.A.C.H. Counselor at 717.657.9000.
LDA of PA Offering Free Reading Tutoring to Children in Hill District The Learning Disabilities Association of Pennsylvania (LDA of PA) is offering free reading tutoring to pre-k and kindergarten students living in the Hill District. Tutoring takes place every Saturday morning from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the Hill District Carnegie Library on Centre Avenue. About Free Reading Tutoring Free tutoring will help students with: Print awareness Phonological awareness Phonemic awareness Alphabetic principle Sound mastery Phonics Vocabulary High frequency/trick words Fluency Comprehension strategies Handwriting Spelling Punctuation Learn More Snacks are provided during tutoring sessions. Interested individuals with children who may benefit from free reading tutoring should email tutoring@ldaofpa.org or call 412.212.708 to enroll their child. To learn more, view the flyer or visit the LDA of PA website.
May 24, 2023 2023 Virtual Summer Learning and Literacy Road Trip The Pennsylvania Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL) is going on a 12-week virtual Summer Learning and Literacy Road Trip from June to August 2023. About Children, families, and caregivers are invited to follow along and discover highlighted Pennsylvania libraries, state parks, and resources available to support early literacy and learning. Along the way, get resources and activities to do with children, as well as book recommendations. All activities align with the PA Early Learning Standards and can be done within the featured state park or at home. To get started, print the Summer Learning and Literacy Road Trip resources, like the Map or the Travel Journal. Visit the PA’s Promise for Children website to see what the weekly library has to offer, and check out the activities and book recommendations.
Register: Navigating Conversations with Families about Childhood Vaccines Penn State Extension Better Kid Care will be hosting a webinar for teachers and caregivers of young children about how to discuss childhood vaccines with families on Wednesday, May 31. Learn More The topic of childhood vaccines is on parents’ minds more than ever but also has become more sensitive for educators to discuss with families than many other concerns. To explore this challenge, Penn State Extension Better Kid Care invites you to join Dr. Timothy Shope, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, and Tiffany Humbert-Rico and Richard Quartarone, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for “Navigating Conversations with Families about Childhood Vaccines” on Wednesday, May 31, at 1 p.m. The webinar will dive into why these conversations are uncomfortable at times and how professionals can approach them in ways that stay true to fact-based information while also preserving their relationships with families. Register Registration is now open for the webinar. Certificates will not be issued for attending the webinar. Attendees will receive a confirmation email as proof of their participation. They must attend from their own device in order to receive the confirmation email.
National Mandated Reporter Survey The Center for the Study of Social Policy (CSSP), with funding support from the Annie E. Casey Foundation, is launching a survey to hear directly from mandated reporters about their experiences, challenges, and current reporting practices. About the Survey CSSP seeks social workers, teachers, early childhood educators, doctors, nurses — anyone required by law to report suspected child abuse and/or neglect — to submit feedback. Survey data will help inform the development of a toolkit that supports mandated reporters in re-imagining their roles as “mandated supporters,” connecting families with concrete resources in times of need. Survey responses will be anonymous and confidential. Survey participants will be able to enter a raffle to win a $50 gift e-card. The survey should take about 15 minutes to complete, and the deadline is June 5, 2023. If you have any questions or concerns, you can reach out directly to Lisa Mishraky-Javier at lisa.mishrakyjavier@cssp.org.
May 23, 2023 UPMC Children’s Hospital Launches New Transportation Partnership with Lyft UPMC Children’s Hospital has partnered with Lyft to provide free transportation to families that lack access to transportation and need assistance getting to appointments at their facilities. Launched in April 2023, the partnership allows Children’s Hospital staff to provide unique voucher codes to families, which allow them schedule free rides to the hospital, and other select locations, through the Lyft mobile app. A limited number of voucher codes are available to families each month. Vouchers are only available for appointments at UPMC Children’s Hospital (main and satellite locations: Children’s South, North, East, and Pine Center) and Children’s Primary Care Centers of Oakland and Turtle Creek. Free, round-trip rides are only available to families with a voucher code. To access a free ride, families must first obtain a voucher code. To obtain a voucher for a Lyft ride to an appointment, parents or caregivers must speak with their child’s care team at one of the eligible locations. Learn More Rides are available thanks to a partnership among UPMC Children’s Hospital, Lyft, and PA 2-1-1 Southwest. UPMC Children’s Hospital does not guarantee a voucher code for any appointment. To learn more, visit the UPMC Children’s Hospital website.
