September 11, 2023 Public Review Period Open for CDA Competencies Standards Changes The Council for Professional Recognition is inviting the early childhood education (ECE) field to share regarding their recent review of the CDA Competency Standards. The Council, along with the Children’s Equity Project and a team of technical subject matter experts, has reviewed the current National Child Development Associate® (CDA) Competency Standards and proposed updates to align with the latest trends regarding equity in the field. Learn More The proposed enhancements impact the knowledge, skills, and preparation of educators regarding the need for greater equity and inclusivity in early childhood education. Updates include: The addition of a function area for each competency goal New Functional Areas address various aspects of equity and inclusivity in child development and educational practice. The addition of equity-based indicators of competence Equity-based indicators have been incorporated to all Functional Areas. These indicators aim to promote fairness, inclusivity, and cultural responsiveness. The change fosters an environment that caters to the diverse needs of all children and families. A draft of the proposed and the current CDA Functional Areas and indicators are available for comparison. The public review and feedback period is open until September 18, 2023. Learn more and share your feedback.
September 8, 2023 Families, Early Educators, and Communities Invited to Share Input Trying Together and The Early Excellence Project want to hear from parents, guardians, early educators, and concerned community members of young children. Southwestern Pennsylvania residents are invited to take a short survey to help inform a public relations campaign aimed at attracting job seekers to the Early Childhood Education field. As thanks, participants will be entered to win $25 Amazon gift cards. Child Care Workers: bit.ly/ChildCareWorkers Child Care Facility Directors: bit.ly/ChildCareDirectors Parents & Guardians: bit.ly/ParentsandGuardians Employers: bit.ly/PghRegionEmployers Job Seekers: bit.ly/JobSeekersandStudents Contact Motor Mouth Multimedia at admin@motormouthmultimedia.com for any questions.
September 6, 2023 Lights On Afterschool Mini Grants Available Allegheny Partners for Out-of-School-Time (APOST) is offering mini grants to organizations in Allegheny County that are hosting a Lights On Afterschool event. About Lights On Afterschool is the only nationwide effort celebrating afterschool programs and their important role in the lives of children, families and communities. This year’s events will be on October 26, 2023. Organizations hosting an event are eligible to apply for a mini grant up to $400. Requirements: Host an event on Thursday, October 26, to showcase your out-of-school time program. Invite families and community members to celebrate what young people are learning. Register your event with Lights On Afterschool. Complete this a mini grant application by 5 p.m. on Monday, September 25. Grant notifications will be sent by Tuesday, October 3. For more information or if you have any questions, email apostpgh@gmail.com.
2023 Keystone STARS Performance Standards Effective October 1 The new 2023 Keystone STARS Performance Standards, Program Manual, and accompanying resources are now available on the Pennsylvania Key website. About the 2023 Keystone STARS Performance Standards The program manual provides information on the updates and edits made to the 2023 Keystone STARS Performance Standards. The updates made in the 2023 Keystone STARS Performance Standards are mainly in the Staff Qualifications (SQ) quality indicator. One edit was made to the Early Childhood Education (EC) quality indicator EC 2.1. The updated Keystone STARS Performance Standards will become effective October 1, 2023. On that date, all designation applications that are initiated in the Registry Designation System will automatically feature the updated 2023 Keystone STARS Performance Standards. Programs that begin working on a full designation renewal or move up designation prior to October 1, 2023, using the 2022 Keystone STARS Performance Standards will be able to complete their designation using the 2022 STARS Performance Standards as long as their designation cases are completed and submitted for review in the PA PD Registry Designation System on or before December 31, 2023. For complete information, please see the full announcement from the Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL).
September 5, 2023 Trying Together Offering Home Based Child Care Course Are you interested in opening your own home based child care business? Trying Together in partnership with Chatham University’s Center for Women’s Entrepreneurship is offering a 12-week course that includes information about best business practices, opening a small business, child care licensing, Keystone STARS, and developmentally appropriate practices. About The Home Based Child Care Course will run from October 18, 2023–January 17, 2024. Virtual or in-person class time will be on Wednesdays from 6:30–8:30 p.m. and participants will complete additional assignments in an online Learning Management System. Course participants will receive: Start-up mini-grants totaling $5,000 at course completion Peer mentoring from local child care business owners Support to become state licensed and participate in Keystone STARS Financial stipends for the cost of transportation and child care Opportunity to borrow laptop if needed Opportunity to receive technical assistance from Chatham University Center for Women’s Entrepreneurship experts Free one-year membership in the Chatham University Center for Women’s Entrepreneurship Apply now. Applications for the program are due by September 22, 2023. For more information, contact HBCC@tryingtogether.org. Share this flyer with your networks.
Free Training Available: Strengthening Business Practices for Child Care Programs The National Center on Early Childhood Quality Assurance, in partnership with the Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL) and the PA Key, is offering Strengthening Business Practices for Child Care Programs this fall. About The training content and activities are designed to strengthen child care providers’ foundational knowledge of sound fiscal management and business operations. The series contains four modules: Budgets, Projections, and Planning Financial Reports and Internal Controls Marketing for Child Care Programs Staff Recruitment and Retention for Center-based Child Care Programs There are two versions of this series: one for center-based providers and one for family child care (based) providers. Sessions will begin as early as September and as late as December. See this flyer for session dates and registration details (Spanish flyer). Trainings are available at no-cost to participants. PQAS and ACT 48 available. Attendance of full series is required for credit.
September 4, 2023 Allegheny Child Care Updates Search Filters Searching for early learning programs on the Allegheny Child Care will be easier for families due to a new upgrade. About Allegheny Child Care was developed to support the child care needs of families. Through this online tool, parents and caregivers can search for available child care spots at all Allegheny County early learning programs, including after-school, out-of-school, summer camps, and virtual programs. Families using Allegheny Child Care now have the ability to filter results based on the program season and subsidy acceptance. Users can now quickly filter their search to receive year round, school year only, or summer only programs. In addition, families can specifically search for programs that accept Child Care Works (child care subsidy) payments. The new upgrades are a result of user feedback. To submit additional recommendations or modifications, email info@alleghenychildcare.org.
September 1, 2023 September is Attendance Awareness Month Attendance Awareness Month, designated by the Attendance Awareness Campaign, returns in September to advocate the message that every day a student is in school is an opportunity to learn, build relationships, and access support. The theme of 2023’s Attendance Awareness Campaign is “Showing Up Together!“, which speaks to the importance of joining together to address the devastating effects of interrupted learning and increased economic stress. About the Attendance Awareness Campaign Through the Attendance Awareness Campaign, schools, localities, and states are urged to promote the value of good attendance and to take concrete steps toward reducing chronic absence. Regular attendance is vital for student success. When students attend regularly, starting as early as preschool and kindergarten, they have an opportunity to achieve academically and thrive. This year’s campaign focuses on the positive conditions for learning, which have degraded during the pandemic, that can help students and their families to engage and show up for school, especially during challenging moments. There is also an emphasis on students feeling emotionally and physically safe, connected and supported, and instilling belief that students can learn and achieve when attending school. Research shows that when students are chronically absent (missing 10% or more of the school year or 18 days over an entire year), they are less likely to read proficiently by third grade, achieve in middle school, and graduate from high school. The Attendance Awareness Campaign suggests considering the following key messages to help improve attendance, connection, and achievement: Respond to absences with care and support, not blame. Building trusting relationships that promote belonging is fundamental to improving student attendance and engagement. Students are more likely to engage in learning and attend school if they feel safe, connected and supported. A positive, problem-solving approach driven by data will improve attendance. Supporting the health and well-being of students, families and school staff improves attendance When the whole community collaborates with families and schools, we can overcome systemic barriers to attendance and engagement.. For more information about how to get involved, attendance resources, messaging, and professional development opportunities, visit the Attendance Works website. Attendance Awareness Month Campaign Resources Count Us In! Toolkit 2023 Handouts for Families Nurturing Everyday Attendance For Our Youngest Students Recognizing Attendance: Tips for Educators Equity-Driven Strategies for Addressing Chronic Absence 2023 Attendance Awareness Month Campaign Webinars Toolkit to Help Schools Protect Students From Losing Medicaid Coverage, Health Schools Campaign Related Content & Resources Too Small To Fail Seeks Caregivers for Family Advisory Board Free Breakfast Offered for the 2023-24 School Year Report: State of Early Care and Education in Pennsylvania The State of Preschool 2022 Annual Report
